[retired_smitchell78]

Coventry's reserves are still looking for their first win of the season after losing 2-0 to top of the league Derby County on Wednesday night.
Gary Mills' side matched the Rams during the first half, but a disappointing performance after the break from the Sky Blues saw the home side take the lead through Horacio Carbonari on 55 minutes, before Marcus Tudgay added a second eight minutes later for Mark Lillis' side.

[retired_smitchell78]

McGinnity - 'I nearly quit' Sep 26 2002







Coventry City chairman Mike McGinnity has revealed he came close to quitting the Sky Blues.

The Highfield Road chief admits that the financial situation at the club has been so bad in recent months that he seriously considered walking away from the job.

“I must say that the last six months have been the worst time in my entire business life,” the club supremo told fans at a forum for season ticket holders last night.

“I got to a stage recently where if I had not seen any light at the end of the tunnel come Christmas then I would have been off.

“Up until a few weeks ago I couldn’t even see the tunnel, let alone any light, but I can finally see the light and nothing will stop me now.”

McGinnity told supporters that the players’ wage bill is still the single biggest burden around the club’s neck but gave assurances that more players will not have to be sold when the transfer window re-opens in January, unless manager Gary McAllister chooses to wheel and deal to strengthen his squad.

“I can assure fans that come Christmas we will not be in a worse situation. Our biggest problem, as it is for most chairmen in the First Division, is the wage bill for players who are still on Premier League wages and we can’t sustain that.

“The average wage bill for a First Division club is £4 or £5 million but ours was £15.8 million last year which is set against an income less than that. No one wanted to sell David Thompson, Lee Hughes and Magnus Hedman but that was £3 million off the wage bill.

“I don’t believe at the present time with the business plan we’ve got in place there will be any need to sell more players, but obviously if somebody comes in with an offer that is acceptable to Gary and he is prepared to let that player go then I would let him have the money to re-invest in other players.”

* Former Sky Blues’ chairman Bryan Richardson is set to finally sever his ties with the club by selling his remaining shares.

Richardson was a 62 per cent shareholder, but now appears ready to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire at Derby County.

[retired_smitchell78]

Lee Mills is hoping to have played his way back into Coventry City’s starting line-up after an outstanding second half display at Valley Parade.

And the Sky Blues striker, who is one of three in-form front men vying for two places in the side, believes manager Gary McAllister could have stumbled across the ideal solution to his current selection headache.

Mills feels the side would benefit from playing all three, with himself and Jay Bothroyd as the front pairing and Gary McSheffrey out wide on the left - a combination which proved extremely effective in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Bradford City.

“Whether the gaffer will play all three of us is the million dollar question,” said the 32-year-old, who was bitterly disappointed not to start the last two games after scoring twice in the previous three.

“We have used that many formations and different players in different positions, I am not sure if we know our best line-up and formation yet.

“When I first came to the club I actually thought Gary Mc-Sheffrey was a wide left player because he is so naturally left footed and it is good for him to go out there.

“He has got a bit of pace to get the ball and run at people and I thought he looked dangerous against Bradford. He played a great ball to Jay Bothroyd for the goal - that was fantastic.

“But if you are put in that position you try to do your best and that’s what I try to do and I am sure the other two do as well.”

And Mills has added his backing to goalkeeper Fabien Debec whose first half Bradford blunder added to a disappointing start to the game.

“I thought we were a bit flat in the first half, to be honest, although I didn’t think Bradford were sparkling,” he said.

“They just edged it a little bit and had a few long range shots.

“Obviously the goal was a bit disappointing from Fabien’s point of view but he’s normally A1 in training, so that can happen to anybody.

“None of the lads have blamed him and we know that normally he is fantastic and has a safe pair of hands. It is a bit disappointing but I am sure he will bounce back from that.

“He made a couple of decent saves later in the game and as I said he is a good keeper and we have not seen anything like that in training.

“If it happens in training you can get away with it but when it happens in a game you feel sorry for him.”

[retired_smitchell78]

Derby County Reserves 2 Coventry City Reserves 0

Horacio Carbonari made the breakthrough against Coventry City Reserves at Pride Park Stadium last night as the Sky Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat.

The Argentine defender played five games for Coventry last season during a loan spell from Derby County and is currently trying to work his way back into the Rams first team.

And he breathed life into a dour FA Premier Reserve League (South) encounter last night, opening the scoring in the 55th minute with a firm header after meeting a Gary Twigg free kick.

Only after substitute Marcus Tudgay doubled the Rams lead with another header in the 64th minute did the Sky Blues start to wake up.

Avun Jephcott fired a shot across the face of goal after being put through by substitute Antonio Gallieri and Carbonari had to be alert to cut out a dangerous centre from David Pipe.

Yet the best chance for Coventry to find a way back into the game came in the 68th minute when Gallieri rose unmarked to meet Scott Rickards’ centre but could only steer his header wide.

However, Gallieri was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet in the 73rd minute when Rams’ keeper Lee Grant denied him with a full-stretch save to tip a low drive around the post.

That was the last opportunity for the visitors as the Rams finished on top and Twigg should have increased the winning margin but lashed a wild shot wide in the closing stages.

Victory lifted the Rams to the top of the Reserve League, while the Sky Blues are still waiting for their first win of the season.

COVENTRY: Hyldgaard, Pead, Stanford, Ford, Quinn, Eustace, Pipe, Betts, Jephcott, Rickards, Delorge (Gallieri, 59). Not used: Quigley, Montgomery, Yazdani, Higgins.

[retired_smitchell78]

Season ticket holders who came along to last night’s forum were treated to some frank and honest responses from Club Chairman Mike McGinnity and player manager Gary McAllister.

The forum, hosted by Stuart Linnell, began with a Coventry City quiz and the winner won a Sky Blues shirt signed by the two star guests, who took to the head table to answer questions for approximately an hour.

True to his word, the Chairman was willing to answer questions on any aspect of the club, while Macca gave out honest replies to more team-related matters.

When asked how he felt about his job ten games in to the season Macca replied: “I’m loving every minute of it. It’s a very time-consuming occupation and I realise now that I took a lot of things for granted that go on behind the scenes at a football club. I’m experiencing new things every day and am genuinely enjoying it.

“I’ve been in the job for three months now and have seen all our players, changed the formations around and had a look at every team in the league. When I joined I was confident that we had the personnel to challenge for promotion and I still believe that – even more so now we’ve played ten games and are right up there.”

Some people expressed worries regarding the team’s lack of goals in certain games so far this campaign but Macca insisted that he has got a potent enough strike force to keep City towards the top of the table.

“Lee Mills is our only experienced striker at the moment and it is a lot to ask of Gary McSheffrey and Jay Bothroyd to lead the attack. We’ve spoken to them both and they know that if they want to progress to the top level they will have to improve their strike rate. Lee Mills on the other hand is 32 and it is hard for somebody that age to play up front – which I think is the hardest position on the pitch physically – in every game.

“In the not too distant future we may be able to bring somebody else in but at the moment we have to work with what we’ve got and I’m confident that we’ve got the guys who can finish and will finish.”

Not surprisingly the questions fired at Mike McGinnity were more financially orientated and he did not shy away from any of them. Several that came up have already been answered by the Chairman in his website forum and you can read his replies by clicking the Chairman Responds button on the top right hand corner of the home page.

When questioned if there will be any money made available for new players Mr McGinnity was quite frank and replied “No.” But he did say that he would support Macca in any other way he can, including the purchase of players on Bosmans or free transfers if the manager feels they are necessary.

Understandably the supporters were keen to know more on the new stadium, and more particularly the club’s exact arrangement with the Council. The chairman replied: “We will be playing our first game in the new stadium in August 2004. The next step is to decontaminate the land and then the main contractors will move in.

“The Council have been brilliant throughout the whole process and when we needed £20 million to purchase the land before the opportunity was lost they came in and offered support. They realise the importance of Coventry City Football Club to this city and helped us with the purchase.

“Our arrangement with the Council will last for 150 years and whatever happens after that I am not concerned with if I’m being honest with you! All non-matchday revenue made through the Arena, or exhibition space and so on will be split 50/50. And we pay a rent for the pitch on matchdays and all revenue made will be ours. Instantly you can see the benefits of moving into the Arena.”

While Gary McAllister said he has thoroughly enjoyed his latest stint with City, the Chairman was extremely honest and said his past six months have been far less pleasant, although he is more optimistic now and is determined to see the club through this era of change

“The last six months have been the worst of my business life. It got to the stage where I’d had enough. A few months ago I could not even see the tunnel and did not envisage being here much after Christmas. I’m glad to say that I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel, I’m delighted with what Gary’s doing with the team and nothing will stop me seeing this through.”

Season ticket holders forums will be held throughout the season with different people coming to face the fans. Both the Chairman and manager were delighted with the success of last night and will no doubt make an appearance at a future forum. Keep checking the official website for news of the next one.

[retired_smitchell78]

Coventry player-manager Gary McAllister hopes to bring in Liverpool starlet Richie Partridge before Saturday's game against Millwall.

The 22-year-old winger could sign on a month's loan if talks planned for today go well.

McAllister believes the Irish U21 international could solve the problem position wide on the left of midfield for the Sky BLues.

“Hopefully we shall have Richie Partridge signed from Liverpool by the deadline tomorrow so that’s a nice little boost,” Macca said at a press conference today.

“It’ll be on a month’s loan initially. He’s a natural wide player who’s got a bit of pace.

“Having worked with him for a couple of years up there he’s an exciting player, who wants his chance. With all the new signings at Liverpool it’s moved him back in the pecking order and he’s another young player who wants to go out and prove himself.

“With Richie we’ve got somebody who wants to play first team games. He can play both sides but has played most his football wide on the left. He can get a goal but more importantly he’s a wide man who can deliver.

"We're short of forward options at the moment and felt that if we could add somebody quality it would be worth it and we've managed to convince him to come here for a month."

[retired_barbara45]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Glenn:
Coventry player-manager Gary McAllister hopes to bring in Liverpool starlet Richie Partridge before Saturday's game against Millwall.

The 22-year-old winger could sign on a month's loan if talks planned for today go well.

McAllister believes the Irish U21 international could solve the problem position wide on the left of midfield for the Sky BLues.

“Hopefully we shall have Richie Partridge signed from Liverpool by the deadline tomorrow so that’s a nice little boost,” Macca said at a press conference today.

“It’ll be on a month’s loan initially. He’s a natural wide player who’s got a bit of pace.

“Having worked with him for a couple of years up there he’s an exciting player, who wants his chance. With all the new signings at Liverpool it’s moved him back in the pecking order and he’s another young player who wants to go out and prove himself.

“With Richie we’ve got somebody who wants to play first team games. He can play both sides but has played most his football wide on the left. He can get a goal but more importantly he’s a wide man who can deliver.

"We're short of forward options at the moment and felt that if we could add somebody quality it would be worth it and we've managed to convince him to come here for a month."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm going to put a tenner on the fact that if we get him on loan our new chant will be

A-HA! Richie Partridge!

[retired_smitchell78]

Youssef Chippo is keen to re-unite part of the Sky Blue dream team from 1999 by bringing back Moustapha Hadji to Highfield Road.

The former City skipper is currently out of favour at Aston Villa and his close friend and Moroccan compatriot says he would love to see him back in a Coventry shirt.

Chippo and Hadji formed a class act with Gary McAllister during the club’s penultimate Premiership season when they hit 25 goals between them in a side that included Robbie Keane and the then in form Cedric Roussel.

“I speak to Moustapha some times but he is not happy at the moment,” said Chippo who revealed Hadji wants to come out of international retirement. “He wants to play and he wants to get back in the national team as well.

He is not getting in the side at Villa and I would like him to come back to Coventry.

“I haven’t suggested it to the manager yet but it would be good to maybe get him here on loan because he needs to play first team games to get back in the national side.

“I hope he can start to play soon and I think he wants to play for the national team to get some games.”

[retired_smitchell78]

Liverpool loan signing Richie Partridge is set to be thrown straight in to Coventry City’s line up to face Millwall at Highfield Road.




The exciting 22-year-old is expected to replace Runar Normann on the Sky Blues’ troubled left wing to give the side a stronger thrust to the attack.

A former Republic of Ireland under-21 international, Partridge, who goes out with Michael Owen’s sister, agreed to come on a month’s loan yesterday and City were working hard to rush through the paperwork to register the player today in time to make his debut against the Lions.

“Hopefully we will have Richie signed in time to play on Saturday which is a nice little boost,” said McAllister who knows the rising talent well from his two season’s at Anfield.

“We are taking him on a month’s loan initially. He is a natural wide player who has got a bit of pace. Having worked with him for a couple of years up there he is quite an exciting player who is young and wants his chance.

“With all the new signings coming in at Liverpool it has moved him back in the pecking order a wee bit so he is another young player who wants to improve himself, and he’s someone who is going to come here for first team games.

“He can play both sides but he has played most of his football wide left. He is a wide man who can get a goal and get up there and deliver. We are short of forward options at the moment so we just felt that it would help if we could add someone of quality and we have convinced him to come here for a month.”

Partridge has played one senior game for the Reds - the 8-0 Worthington Cup win over Stoke two seasons ago - and is a regular in the reserves.

Similar in style to David Thompson, he is small and nippy and likes to cut inside and lash the ball into the top corner of the net.

Although previously dubbed as the “next big thing” at Anfield, Partridge has fallen by the wayside due to new signings but was given a new contract last year in the hope that he will fulfil his early promise.

City’s home match against Norwich is expected to be rescheduled due to the international weekend.

Youssef Safri and Youssef Chippo have been called up for an African Nations Cup qualifier on Saturday, October 12, while Mo Konjic, Gary Caldwell and Lee Fowler are expected to get calls from Bosnia, Scotland and Wales respectively.

Should the game be postponed, it will be re-scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, at 7.45pm.

[retired_smitchell78]

Richie Partridge has signed for the Sky Blues on a month’s loan from Liverpool and will take squad number seven.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international will be available for tomorrow’s game against Millwall.

Football League rules state that a player must be registered by 12pm on a matchday to be legible to play.

Partridge, 22, is a left winger and has made one senior appearance for the Reds, in their Worthington Cup win over Stoke two years ago and has regularly featured in their reserves.