Spotlight on Coventry City
COVENTRY City boss Chris Coleman turned the air sky blue when he was banished to the stands during Saturday's 3-0 home defeat to Bristol City, writes Paul Goodwin.
But his players did their talking on the pitch on Tuesday night with a tenacious and tireless performance against Newcastle United in the Carling Cup - only to eventually succumb to a Michael Owen extra-time winner.
Prior to last weekend's surprisingly one-sided scoreline City had given their fans plenty to shout about with a 2-0 win at home to much fancied Norwich on the opening day of the season.
And after seeing off Aldershot in the first round of the League Cup the Midlanders then enjoyed an away day in South Yorkshire by beating Barnsley 2-1 at Oakwell.
Former Coventry forward Dele Adebola returned to haunt his old employees last Saturday when the big striker broke the deadlock for Bristol City - before Coleman was sent off for his reaction to a non-penalty award by referee Phil Dowd, whose performance the boss later described as an "absolute nightmare".
Earlier this week the former Fulham manager and Welsh international sounded off in the press again stating "he couldn't care less" if injured striker Freddy Eastwood was a doubt for Wales' opening World Cup qualifiers.
Despite his angst and injury problems - with goalkeeper Kieran Westwood, signed from Carlisle in the summer, and former Liverpool right back Stephen Wright also major doubts for Saturday - the early signs at City this season are positive.
Coleman, who replaced Iain Dowie at the Ricoh Arena helm, operated a 4-5-1 formation against Newcastle with Maltese international Michael Mifsud and Leon McKenzie supporting Clinton Morrison in attack.
Icelandic international midfielder Aron Gunnarsson, employed as an emergency right back against Bristol City, returned to the engine room to partner the diminutive Jay Tabb, while Frenchman Guillaume Beuzelin played in front of the back four.
Rovers will have to prepare themselves for the enormous throw-ins of Gunnarsson which led to Scott Dann's dramatic late equaliser against the Magpies.
Left back Marcus Hall filled in at right back while powerful centre halves Elliott Ward and Dann, along with full back Daniel Fox, made up the back four with the experienced Andy Marshall in goal.
Striker Robbie Simpson impressed as a substitute and could come into contention if Coleman opts to return to his favoured 4-4-2.
With injuries somewhat forcing his hand, however, he could be tempted
to go like for like against Rovers' more fluid 4-3-3 system.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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