Coventry City at home match thread

[Supersonic Robin]

1 hour ago, mozo said:

 

You're totally rewriting history if you suggest that we weren't dominated in that first half. No, they didn't create chances, and they'll be kicking themselves for that, but they looked a league above us. We we were just smashing the ball upfield or giving it away. 

If we hadn't have changed formation we might have lost 3-0, but we'll never know. 

I'm not sure your arguments based on shot stats change the perspective. We were shit for 35 minutes. 

Nige made a mistake with the formation. He made a great change by going back to 4-3-3, and he got us much better prepared for the second half.

Wouldn't say we're rewriting history, we're just interpreting it more accurately.

I agree we were crap for the first 35 minutes and that Coventry looked better than us. But equally, as you've acknowledged, Coventry created few/no good chances. They relied on speculative efforts from outside the box and managed 1 shot on target in the entire game. We were playing poorly, but that doesn't mean we deserved to be 3-0 down as many were suggesting at the time.

I'd have liked the performance to be better today, but I think the idea that we deserved to lose the game is inaccurate when you look at the (lack of) chances for both teams. 0-0 would probably have been the fairest result! (FWIW, both teams had an xG of under 0.5 in the match).

 

[Lew-T]

One of the most forgettable 3 points. But 3 points it is…

 

[Engvall’s Splinter]

1 hour ago, bcfc01 said:

That was a weird game.

I can only think of a couple of players who did't play well - Conway and Max, yet as a team we were awful for most of the game.

Conway looked way off being ready but obviously needed the minutes. He really struggled against their centre backs with the little service he got. 90% of it was in the air. Cornick put himself about when he replaced Conway and gave their CBs a game.

Max dropped us in it often with his crap distribution. At one point in the first half, instead of a pass to Sykes on the floor, he lobbed it to him at head height with the opposition bearing down on him just outside our area. Sykes rightly gave him a bollocking. I thought Max was awful today and a bit of a liability.

For me the standouts were Dickie (MoM), TGH, and Pring. James and King did well.

Lucky to get that win, if Coventry could finish their chances they would have won by three and they were miles better than us technically.

But the effort and committment from the players was exemplary, shame about the lack of quality. And the support towards the end was really good and, I think, helped the players.

End of the day its 1-0 and three points which puts us 8th, out of the top 6 by one point which is mental tbh.

 

It’s funny how we all see the game differently. Thought we managed to get back into the game (sort of) when Knight game on. He’s a nuisance and whilst not looking 100%, pressed more in his short time on in the first half than TGH did for the whole of it. We looked so lacklustre for the first 30 minutes or so. The amount of time Coventry were afforded initially in the middle of the pitch was ridiculous and add to that the continual enforced errors it’s was a poor watch.. O’Leary looks so assured with the ball at his feet until he has to pass it. 

 

Second half we were better albeit far from great, however we had a hunger in and around our box to keep a clean sheet. The quality was not there at all today yet the endeavour to maintain a clean sheet, especially the last 15 minutes was. Dickie and King were good, as was Pring. The rest were anonymous. 
 

That said, it’s 3 points (with an injury damaged squad) and whilst it’s a difficult heart stopping watch at times, I’d take it if we continue to pick up 3 points ! 
 

Also - thought their number 7 was decent. 

Edited October 21, 2023 by Engvall’s Splinter

[Lack of Action Man]

Over the moon that we won!

But also Totally bamboozled as to how we managed it!

Overall, somewhat makes up for the loss against Stoke… but not fully. 

[redkev]

Will cherish those 3 points firstly we never do well after an international break also Coventry are a decent side who I am sure will be play off potential come April 

[phantom]

3 hours ago, petehinton said:

Max had 0 saves to make, and them ‘hitting the bar’ is basically the same as saying they hit two shots off target as they pretty much clipped the top of the bar whilst heading over. Differently story if they crash off the bar and create a goal mouth scramble or something. 

He made two great saves in the first half 

[petehinton]

20 minutes ago, phantom said:

He made two great saves in the first half 

When? Genuinely don’t remember anything other than them hitting the bar and dragging 3 wide. 

Edited October 21, 2023 by petehinton

[Barrs Court Red]

38 minutes ago, phantom said:

He made two great saves in the first half 

Did he???

[Engvall’s Splinter]

40 minutes ago, phantom said:

He made two great saves in the first half 

Remember one which was straight at him?

[reddoh]

7 hours ago, RedorDead BCFC said:

Gutted, my son in law drilled though a pipe. So could not make it today. 

been there

[bcfc01]

10 minutes ago, Barrs Court Red said:

Did he???

No, he didn't.

[Offside]

Football can be mad. After leaving the ground baffled by how we lost to Stoke, today it was equally baffling as to how we weren’t a few goals down within the first half hour. 

Second half we were much better (although we always seem to invite pressure in the last 10 mins) and a toothless Coventry side ran out of ideas. 

Overall, considering our injury problems it was an excellent win.

 

 

[bcfc01]

56 minutes ago, phantom said:

He made two great saves in the first half 

I must have been asleep.

As far as I recall, he had one shot from distance which was straight at him and the stats bear that out.

Second half he made no saves according to the stats.

 

Edited October 21, 2023 by bcfc01

[Markthehorn]

2 hours ago, Lew-T said:

One of the most forgettable 3 points. But 3 points it is…

 

Sounds very familiar!

 

[redkev]

19 minutes ago, Markthehorn said:

Sounds very familiar!

 

 

2 hours ago, Lew-T said:

One of the most forgettable 3 points. But 3 points it is…

 

Well let’s hope for another forgettable 3 points Wednesday and Saturday 

[italian dave]

1 minute ago, redkev said:

 

Well let’s hope for another forgettable 3 points Wednesday and Saturday 

I’d prefer 6….

[redkev]

1 minute ago, italian dave said:

I’d prefer 6….

That is what I meant clever clogs

[RedorDead BCFC]

38 minutes ago, reddoh said:

been there

And me, when I was doing a floor. I didn’t know till the shop below me came up saying there’s a leak. 

[italian dave]

14 minutes ago, redkev said:

That is what I meant clever clogs

You’re very kind: I’d have called me smart arse at least, possibly worse

[Mr Popodopolous]

First 25 mind they were all over us. James injury perhaps took some sting out, tactical switch evened it further.

We showed real desire. With a patched up, mix and match side we really showed desire and yes perhaps the woodwork saved us but vs Stoke we merited more than we got.

All of these injuries are a worry though. We are only into the final 3rd of October, about 1/4 of the way into the League season, with 2 International breaks to date.

[W-S-M Seagull]

1 hour ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

First 25 mind they were all over us. James injury perhaps took some sting out, tactical switch evened it further.

We showed real desire. With a patched up, mix and match side we really showed desire and yes perhaps the woodwork saved us but vs Stoke we merited more than we got.

All of these injuries are a worry though. We are only into the final 3rd of October, about 1/4 of the way into the League season, with 2 International breaks to date.

If only Pearson was given like 3-5million and I'd be really positive about this season. 

Mark Robins spent 20 million plus wages and lost to a team playing Andy King at CB. 

[Garland-sweden]

A really important win yesterday. The team showed that the fight and spirit is there. Everyone fight for each other, the squad have lots of injuries, think our team do it well. COYR!!!

[Hartleysbeard]

Not much more to say on the opening 25 minutes is there?! It was woeful. I jokingly said to my son when James was down with his injury that he was probably fine, just milking it so we could have a tactical reshuffle and verbal rocket! 

Roberts being hooked was inevitable once we switched it up, but looks to me like he got the hump about it as he didn’t resurface second half and was not on the pitch at the end to celebrate the win with the team. 

[Bazooka Joe]

2 hours ago, Hartleysbeard said:

Not much more to say on the opening 25 minutes is there?! It was woeful. I jokingly said to my son when James was down with his injury that he was probably fine, just milking it so we could have a tactical reshuffle and verbal rocket! 

Roberts being hooked was inevitable once we switched it up, but looks to me like he got the hump about it as he didn’t resurface second half and was not on the pitch at the end to celebrate the win with the team. 

Roberts was abysmal.

If rumours are true, and he's been moaning about not starting. However, he did nothing to bolster his case and justify future selection.

He ain't as good as he seems to think he is.

[Bazooka Joe]

Feared the worst when I heard about all the injuries/sickness, and then saw the team sheet with King at CB.

We certainly didn't deserve to win, but we  did deserve a break from all the rotten luck we've been having.

The back four and Knight were the stand outs for me. Warms my heart to see battlers, with players putting their body on the line.

Pearson deserves a lot of credit for getting us three points with such a makeshift team.

ps. For most of the game, poor atmosphere at the Gate again. 

[Kodjias Wrist]

10 minutes ago, Bazooka Joe said:

Roberts was abysmal.

If rumours are true, and he's been moaning about not starting. However, he did nothing to bolster his case and justify future selection.

He ain't as good as he seems to think he is.

I don't mind players getting the hump about not playing, they should right? But if hes causing an unpleasant environment Nige won't want him here long.

[Jerseybean]

Player ratings https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-player-ratings-coventry-8848718

[The Bard]

First 20 minutes up to James' injury was 1 way traffic.  They should have scored at least 2 in the first half.  The chances dragged wide particularly were poor finishes.  The change to a 4 with Roberts pushed into wide midfield made it slightly less worse but it was only when he was rightly hooked for Knight that we actually got any kind of foothold in the game.  After that it was an even game.

Made up for the Stoke result.

[Swede]

I cannot understand how we won that match yesterday! We were dreadful, very passive, and only improved when going to a back 4. Really feel sorry for Roberts he looked like a fish out of water. In fairness Cov didn't create much although their passing and movement really put us to shame. Still, it's three points but I expect us to at least be competitive. Looking at the young bench yesterday really shows how a few injuries could actually undo all of Nige's good work. Dickie was brilliant, King read the game well and showed all his experience. Equally Cam Pring's versatility shows why Dasilva (great player)is not missed.

[Red-Robbo]

17 hours ago, Supersonic Robin said:

Wouldn't say we're rewriting history, we're just interpreting it more accurately.

I agree we were crap for the first 35 minutes and that Coventry looked better than us. But equally, as you've acknowledged, Coventry created few/no good chances. They relied on speculative efforts from outside the box and managed 1 shot on target in the entire game. We were playing poorly, but that doesn't mean we deserved to be 3-0 down as many were suggesting at the time.

I'd have liked the performance to be better today, but I think the idea that we deserved to lose the game is inaccurate when you look at the (lack of) chances for both teams. 0-0 would probably have been the fairest result! (FWIW, both teams had an xG of under 0.5 in the match).

 

 

Only one was on target, but two hit the bar. A few centimetres, maybe millimetres, under and we've conceded.

We were as abjectly awful until the Knight for Roberts subbing as I've ever seen City. Just not in it. 

After the subbing and shape change, we were a different proposition.  Not dominating possession, but much more comfortable defending and able to worry Coventry when we attacked. Had the whole game been like that, no one would consider it a "smash & grab".

Dickie and King are rightly taking plaudits for their play, but yesterday showed how important Jason Knight is to us, I think.