Coventry City in the 21st Century

[SoS]

quality stuff, great read.

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Thursday 8 April 2004

Dons In For Quinn

The Sky Blues have made further inroads into reducing their worrying wage bill after agreeing to allow Barry Quinn to depart to Wimbledon on a free transfer.

The Irishman showed plenty of promise early on in his time at City, but never quite fulfilled his undoubted potential. SBA will be pleased to have agreed the deal with Quinn showing no immediate signs of threatening a place in the first team. He signed his current contract with the Sky Blues before the club were relegated from the Premiership in 2001.

Quinn will complete the move in July.

[SBA]

SBA Talks Exclusively To CM Stories

Friday 9 April 2004

For the first time in quite a while, I can honestly say that I wasn't particularly pleased with what I saw in our game on Wednesday night.

The season is drawing to a close and the carat of the play-offs appears to be out of reach but I do not expect that to translate itself into the players' attitudes, especially not in such transparent fashion.

Having got ourselves into a comfortable mid-table position it was disappointing to see the players visibly slipping out of the good habits that had contributed to our climb up the league. Some of them appeared to have turned their attentions to their summer holidays a little too early.

Three shots at goal in a home game isn't acceptable - and I was keen to make the players aware of that afterwards.

One defeat in thirteen is an excellent run but it will have partly gone to waste if we don't continue to work at improving until the season's end.

Perhaps I need to shake things up a little for our game at Sheffield United on Saturday, having fielded an unchanged side for the Burnley game.

The squad has got smaller after the recent departures but that doesn't make the current first team players' positions any more stable. If I detect a change in attitude then I will owe it to the fans to use what money is available to look around for alternative options in the summer.

We have a chance to put it right at Bramall Lane tomorrow. There should be a good atmosphere with the home side very much in the play-off picture.

I'm confident that we will see a reaction tomorrow to what I've said, both in this column, and in the dressing room. However in order for us to see full value, in terms of reward, from these types of games, we really need to be making sure we beat the lower ranked sides at Highfield Road.

SBA

[SBA]

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Saturday 10 April 2004

Sheffield United 4

Brown 10

Cook 50

Parkinson 73

Kabba 86

CITY 0

City Rocked By Blades Blitz

Sky Blues manager SBA showed no hesitancy in declaring Sheffield United the best side that his team have met this season. Having brought his own players' desire into question following City's last game, he fully acknowledged that the Blades' performance was of the five-star category as he saw his side torn apart at Bramall Lane this afternoon.

City were never really in the game and were fortunate to escape with just a four goal beating by the third-placed Blades. This was City's first defeat in nine outings, and they were certainly made to suffer with United pouring forward, seemingly at will, during the second half.

SBA made changes to his starting eleven with the most unexpected of those coming in goal. Young Jonathan Tuffey came in to replace Scott Shearer. The scoreline does no justice to how well Tuffey actually performed, and he will not have been grateful to his manager for introducing him into such a torrid game for the Sky Blues.

Calum Davenport also missed out with Whing alongside Konjic and Pead starting at right back. Isaac Osbourne was recalled for Suffo, who was away on international duty.

After a brief City flurry in which there was no indication of what kind of afternoon was to lie ahead, the home side went close after Kozluk's cross was met by Cook, only for Tuffey to save at full stretch.

United went in front on ten minutes with Michael Brown firing beyond Tuffey and into the roof of the net from twelve yards out.

City struggled to string many passes together with the Blades hungrily hunting down the Sky Blue shirts at every opportunity. When City did manage to break into the final third they were met by the rock-like defending of Chris Morgan and Robert Page, who made defending look so easy all afternoon.

Despite City reverting back to the 4-5-1 formation they were second best in midfield with Brown and Tonge a constant menace.

There was hope of a revival as the teams kicked off for the second half with Pipe sending a volley just wide but soon afterwards City were further behind.

Brown turned provider to send in a low cross for the awaiting Cook who side-footed United into the comfort-zone.

Although Warnock went close for City they were always being kept busy at the other end of the field. The introductions of Joachim and Fowler did nothing to stem the tide.

After some excellent goalkeeping by Tuffey he was finally beaten for a third time by Parkinson, and for a fourth by Kabba as the steel-city side rounded off the afternoon with a flourish.

City are down to 14th in Division One. It will be interesting to see how they react to this defeat but it doesn't get much easier as they travel to The Stadium Of Light, Sunderland, for a Friday evening fixture this week.

MATCH STATS

Goal Attempts

Sheffield United 19

Coventry City 2

Corners

Sheffield United 5

Coventry City 3

[SBA]

SBA Talks Exclusively To CM Stories

Wednesday 14 April 2004

Many onlookers may have thought that the comments made by myself in last week's column were slightly harsh but the truth is that I thought a better team than Burnley would have punished us severely.

On Saturday this was borne out as Sheffield United did precisely that, although on this occasion the result had more to do with the excellence of the opposition rather than our own shortcomings.

I believe that they were the best side we've played this season. We were outplayed on the day but the most impressive thing about them was that they earned the right to play first and foremost. Their workrate was brilliant and they looked a slick, cohesive unit.

We were always chasing the game after their tenth minute goal, which put paid to our pre-match plans.

Now that it is mathematically impossible for us to reach the play-offs I shall be looking to give some of the lesser experienced members of the squad a run out in the team.

We have five games left and are looking for a top half finish but I am aware that the Under 19 side are having a storming season. I may dip into that squad to mix things up before the season's end.

Sunderland it is then for a Friday night fixture where we'll be looking to bounce back from Saturday.

It is the season's longest journey for a game and we need to make sure it isn't a wasted one.

SBA

[Wimb The Barman]

Good read, except for the Reading score grrrr we always do that against Citeh

[SBA]

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Friday 16 April 2004

Sunderland 1

McAteer 80

CITY 0

Cats' Late Bite Denies Brave City

Play-off chasing Sunderland needed a late Jason McAteer strike to deny a point for battling City, for whom this game was more about the performance than the result.

A very inexperienced City side took the field and, after surviving an early storm, proved more than a match for the seasoned Black Cats eleven.

Sky Blues manager SBA gave both City's travelling fans, and Sky TV viewers, a glimpse of what the short term future may hold as he gave three youth team players their full debuts. The promising Stephen Munn was thrown in at centre back, Tom Bates played on the left of midfield, with recent signing David Foley deployed as the lone front man.

Making way were Calum Davenport, Steve Staunton, and Mark Goodman. Had Foley shown the deadly eye for goal that Goodman has shown on countless occasions this season, then City would surely have emerged with a draw.

Scott Shearer, left out at Sheffield United, made a return to the side and, seemingly keen to make a point, pulled off a string of quality saves in the first half. He denied the likes of Hasselbaink (on loan from Chelsea) and Arca, with the home fans growing in desperation as the night wore on.

After a shaky start during which he lost Hasselbaink on a few occasions, Munn improved markedly as the game progressed. He also offered City something going forward, often providing a starting point for attacks as he picked out team-mates with some very accurate passes. It would be no surprise to see Munn involved with the first team for the remaining four games.

City caused Sunderland problems in the second half with Pipe busy on the right hand side, and he provided Foley with the perfect chance to make himself an instant hit with City followers. However his first time side foot volley was turned away by Poom.

Midfielder Sean Cooney became the fourth debutant of the evening midway through the second period. Geoff Pitcher, on a yellow card, was the man to make way for him. This move by SBA was further proof that the result was perhaps secondary to the main purpose of the exercise.

Munn gained a moral victory as he saw Hasselbaink replaced with fifteen minutes to play. Out of the three newcomers it was certainly Bates who found the going toughest and he was withdrawn in favour of Fowler.

The breakthrough came after a corner was only partially cleared. Marcus Stewart played the ball back into the danger area where it fell nicely for McAteer who lashed it home from close range. There was a massive roar of relief around the stadium as Sunderland finally sensed victory.

There was still time for an injury time scare with Foley heading straight at Poom. Either side of the former Derby man would have seen him struggling.

City drop down to 16th with this result. There are just four games to play now with West Bromwich Albion (10th) visiting Highfield Road next Wednesday. After the Stadium of Light experiment it will be interesting to see whether SBA's priorities change for the home local derby.

MATCH STATS

Goal Attempts

Sunderland 12

Coventry City 5

Corners

Sunderland 3

Coventry City 5

[SBA]

*I couldn't see this on the main page and it looks like the forum has had a bit of a revamp/clean-up ...*

News will appear here

[SBA]

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Wednesday 21 April 2004

CITY 0

West Bromwich Albion 2

Hulse 28

Koumas 43

City Sunk By Clinical Albion Finishing

Play-off chasing midland rivals West Bromwich Albion claimed their third victory of the season over the Sky Blues at Highfield Road tonight.

Two vastly contrasting goals meant that there was no way back for City and it seems as though manager SBA is now anxious to see the season draw to a close. This was a third defeat on the bounce for SBA although he must have been encouraged by the performances of youngsters Bates, Thornton and Munn with a view to next season.

Munn again started alongside Davenport in defence with Thornton given a chance alongside Fowler and Warnock in midfield. David Foley operated as the lone frontman.

City started the game determined not to let Albion settle and forced a succession of early corners but saw their best openings come from open play. Thornton, playing in a midfield more known for its endeavour rather than finesse, showed an impressive array of passing as City looked to unlock a stubborn Albion rearguard.

Russell Hoult had to be at his best to deny Bates and then Thornton after he had driven in a vicious effort from the edge of the box.

Albion took the lead through a towering Rob Hulse header. There looked to be no danger as a free kick was floated into the City area from the halfway line. Hulse jumped between two defenders and found the corner of the net to wrong-foot the recalled Tuffey who could only stand and watch.

City went straight back at Albion and should have been level immediately as Pipe played a nice one-two with Foley but hesitated at the vital moment to allow Hoult to deny him an equaliser.

We had seen little of Jason Koumas before he produced the second killer goal. He picked the ball up thirty yards out to the left of goal before cutting inside and curling a magnificent shot beyond the reach of Tuffey.

The goal came at a critical stage of the game and so it proved as City produced little in the second half.

Albion could have added to their lead but will be delighted to move to within just a single point of the top six.

Patrick Suffo came on to replace Foley in the second period and was guilty of a glaring miss in injury time but many City fans had long since headed for the exits.

The Sky Blues remain in 16th position in Division One and travel to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Should Forest fail to win the game they will more than likely make an unexpected drop into Division Two as they are currently six points from safety with games running out.

MATCH STATS

Goal Attempts

Coventry City 8

West Bromwich Albion 5

Corners

Coventry City 6

West Bromwich Albion 6

[rocheyuk]

Good to see this back where it belongs

[SBA]

Thursday 22 April 2004

SBA Talks Exclusively To CM Stories

I think it would be fair to say that for the majority of this season everyone connected with the club would have been delighted to have been told they would experience a trouble-free, relaxed ending to the season. As manager I'd have been no different when I think back to those dark November nights wondering where our next win was going to come from.

However having picked up so impressively in the New Year I cannot help but now feel a sense of anti-climax at our recent form. True, I've been tinkering with the personnel but it was hoped that results wouldn't be sacrificed as the confident youngsters were filtered through into a successful playing unit.

Three successive defeats in which we have failed to score any goals have brought us a guaranteed bottom-half finish but those games have not passed without encouragement for us.

Jonathan Tuffey, despite seeing four goals fly past him, did well under constant pressure at Bramall Lane.

In defence Stephen Munn seemed to take to first team football like a duck to water at The Stadium Of Light and gives us an option for next season with Mo Konjic getting no younger.

Tom Bates and Kevin Thornton showed last night that there is much life in our midfield despite the departure of Youssef Safri. This is an area where we could be very strong next season.

David Pipe did not experience the best of times last night, receiving an official rating of just 3 in the match report. Having substituted him I took the time out to remind him of the significant contribution he has made this season, providing pace and, more often than not, excellent service from the right.

We certainly won't be doing Nottingham Forest any favours on Saturday. It's a must-win situation for them but we need to get back into the winning habit before the season's close. It was pleasing to see an attendance of nearly 20,000 last night but it was not so pleasant to know that so many of you were back in your cars before the final whistle was blown.

It's never nice to lose in a local derby but frankly we could have been three goals clear before Albion took a grip of the game.

SBA

[loyalwolvesfan]

I'm still keeping up with this SBA, KUTGW - it will be interesting to see where you can take this young side next season.....

[SBA]

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Saturday 24 April 2004

Nottingham Forest 3

Johnson 1, 60

Taylor 79

CITY 0

Fiery Forest Too Hot To Handle

Nottingham Forest gave themselves a glimmer of a hope of avoiding the drop to Division Two as they comprehensively beat a below-par Sky Blues side at The City Ground this afternoon.

The East Midlanders outclassed their opponents from across the region and must have left their fans scratching their heads in bemusement as they wonder how it is that this proud club face such a sobering reality. Any side containing the likes of Harewood, Johnson and Reid will always pose a threat going forward, and on this occasion they did so to deadly effect, leaving City manager SBA looking down the barrel at a fourth consecutive defeat.

Once again there were wholesale changes made to the City starting line-up. There was also a big shock as the teams lined up with SBA, obviously unhappy at seeing the goals completely dry up in recent weeks, opting to play no less than three strikers in a 5-2-3 formation with wing backs Stanford and Whing encouraged to get forward at every opportunity. Given the way the game went, it may be the first and last time we see such tinkering.

Mo Konjic was brought back into the heart of the defence in between Davenport and Munn with Thornton and Cooney making up a midfield of lightweight appearance on paper, and so it proved out on the pitch. Foley, Pipe and fans' favourite Goodman were expected to end the City goal drought.

It seemed as though the new formation had the players confused as to exactly who was supposed to be playing where as the home side were ahead inside 36 seconds. Harewood galloped past the attentions of Konjic and fired in a shot which Tuffey looked to have turned to safety before the electric Johnson struck a first time effort into the net from an acute angle.

This was a dream start for the Forest faithful, fearful in the knowledge that this could have been the game that would seal their First Division fate.

To be fair to City they responded in the right way with Cooney and Goodman both smashing the ball wide of either upright in a bid to hit back immediately.

Midway through the half there was a significant build-up of pressure on the Sky Blues' goal as Forest took aim from both close and long range with 16-year old goalkeeper Jonathan Tuffey excelling with a string of impressive saves to ensure Forest didn't add to their lead.

City, despite Goodman stooping to head just wide in the closing stages of the half, were undoubtedly fortunate to come in at just one goal down. SBA tried to bolster the midfield area by sending the rested Warnock into the action with Bates also replacing Pipe.

There was even start to the second period before Forest grabbed the all-important second goal. City defenders were attracted towards ball-carrier Reid before he carved open the defence by finding Johnson completely unmarked and the hitman made no mistake in firing past Tuffey.

Forest rubbed further salt into the wounds by adding a third through Gareth Taylor leaving City fans to ponder on whether they can actually win another game before the end of the season.

It is doubtful as to whether as many as half of this starting eleven will feature when City start all over again in August. On recent evidence it may be the case that the players SBA has given first team chances to are not quite up to the task just yet. However there are some notable exceptions. Jonathan Tuffey again performed well here with Mark Goodman possibly showing a touch of rustiness having been left out in previous matches.

City's opponents in their final home game of the season next Saturday are Ipswich Town. The extraordinary irony is that Forest, having buried City this week, will be hoping they can rise from the dead next week as Ipswich are one of the sides that they have a mathematical chance of catching to be able to survive in the Division.

Goal Attempts

Nottingham Forest 16

Coventry City 6

Corners

Nottingham Forest 6

Coventry City 3

[SBA]

SBA Talks Exclusively To FM Stories

Tuesday 27 April 2004

Having asked a team largely made up of teenagers to go and try and match a side full of seasoned professionals, at a club fighting for its Division One existence, perhaps it is little wonder that the game panned out as it did at The City Ground on Saturday.

Forest were well worthy winners and now know that wins in their last two matches would give them a realistic chance of staying up.

Having fielded such an inexperienced side I was perhaps a little naive in trying to deploy an alien system to boot.

In the event we were outfought in the centre of the pitch meaning that the three frontmen had little off which to feed.

Having looked at the league table I couldn't help but notice that we've been in quite a unique position for the last six weeks or so. It has been clear from such a time that it would have taken an extraordinary cycle of events to push us into a play-off spot, whilst we were also mathematically safe from relegation. Given the tight nature of the Division, most clubs have had something tangible to play for during this period.

Looking ahead to the last home game of the season on Saturday it would certainly be nice to go out on something of a high. I'll be recalling some of the more familiar first team faces in a bid to increase the chances of that happening.

Ipswich stand four points above the drop zone and, given our recent form, might see this as a good time to be playing us. We'll need to compete from the first whistle so as to quash those thoughts.

The players are looking forward to their lap of honour after the game when they will thank the fans for their support throughout the season.

SBA

[SBA]

SEASON 2003-04

Review Of The Season So Far: APRIL

April Results

(h) Burnley drew 1-1 Staunton

(a) Sheffield United lost 4-0

(a) Sunderland lost 1-0

(h) West Bromwich Albion lost 0-2

(a) Nottingham Forest lost 3-0

LEAGUE POSITION

City are currently 17th in Division One. They have won 12, drawn 17, and lost 15 of their 44 matches. They have scored 47 goals and conceded 54.

They are 9 points above the relegation zone, 15 points off the play-off places, and 20 points off the automatic promotion places.

Leading Goalscorers (All Competitions)

Goodman 14

Joachim, Adebola, Staunton 7

Suffo 3

Whing, Morrell, Barrett 2

Davenport, Pead, Pipe 1

Average Player Ratings

Figure on far left indicates full appearances. Figure in brackets indicates substitute appearances.

1. 36 (5) Steve Staunton 6.90

2. 45 Andrew Whing 6.82

3. 21 Eddie Stanford 6.76

4. 18 (1) Mark Goodman 6.74

5. 39 (1) Calum Davenport 6.72

[SBA]

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Saturday 1 May 2004

CITY 8

Suffo 3, 39

Davenport 32

Goodman 41

Warnock 45

Bates 46, 70

Foley 87

Ipswich Town 1

Bent 7

City Show No Mercy To Trounce Tractor Boys

Ruthless Sky Blues, having failed to score in each of their previous four games, rounded off what has been a mixed bag of a season at Highfield Road by running riot and scoring no less than eight times.

City scored five goals in the space of fourteen minutes either side of half time on a day when everything they touched seemed to turn to gold. They went on to complete their biggest league win for many, many years and certainly helped create a carnival Highfield Road atmosphere in their final home game.

SBA had hinted earlier in the week that he was going to bring back a few of the more established first team regulars. So it proved as in came Suffo, Goodman, Stanford, Warnock, Pitcher and Pead. All six went on to contribute to what was an emphatic performance that will hopefully have left the fans eager to renew season tickets in plenty of time before the new season gets under way.

Despite the excellent all-round performance and result it was young Tom Bates on the left hand side who deservedly took most of the plaudits, capping a man of the match display with two brilliantly taken goals.

SBA went for a conventional 4-4-2 formation with Suffo and Goodman never far away from the action or their next surge on the visitors' goal.

City got off to a flyer as Eddie Stanford's long free kick was helped on its' way by Goodman to leave SUFFO unattended with only the 'keeper to beat.

In fact Suffo could have had a second straight away but fired over when placed in a similar position. Ipswich didn't take long to leave Suffo cursing his poor attempt at a quickfire double as Marcus Bent took advantage of Tuffey's misjudgement from a deep cross to nod the relegation-haunted Suffolk side level.

The game was very open with the Sky Blues having the majority of the efforts on goal; the recalled Goodman looking to recapture his prolific goalscoring form.

City regained the lead just after the half-hour when DAVENPORT rose highest to meet a Bates corner, a goal that was to really open the floodgates.

SUFFO shrugged off two Town defenders to make it 3-1 before a Bates run and cross was diverted in at the near post by GOODMAN who made it 15 goals for the season. SBA would no doubt love to see his young marksman continue to hit the back of the net at regular intervals next season.

Still the goal action wasn't finished for the half though and the fifth City goal marked a belated first goal of the season for WARNOCK who cleverly turned in another Bates corner. If ever a player deserved a goal it was Warnock for his endeavour in the City midfield throughout the season.

City's fans probably went into half time in a state of shock but it got even better just after half time with the goal of the game.

A free kick was only half cleared to City's left-side raider BATES who unleashed an absolute screamer into the top corner of the hapless Davies' net to make it six.

SBA had to wait a whole 24 minutes before seeing his side add to their tally but not before a frustrated O'Connor was sent off after a spat with Suffo.

Substitute Barrett surged down the right before cutting the ball back for BATES who met it first time on his right foot for 7-1.

Goodman left the field to a standing ovation, enabling SBA to have another look at David Foley.

As if we needed any more proof that this really was City's day they added an eighth and it was the substitute who grabbed his first goal in Sky Blue. Ipswich were out on their feet and were unable to prevent a loose ball reaching FOLEY who stabbed the ball home from close range.

Ipswich, having been crushed out on the pitch, will have had their fears enhanced afterwards as they will have heard the news that Nottingham Forest had won, meaning that they are only a point above Forest going into the last game next weekend. A couple of other sides are still not mathematically safe either.

City go up to 15th after this incredible win and make the short trip next Sunday to face an already-relegated Walsall. After this result the City fans will go there in party mood and certainly more optimistic going into the summer break.

Goal Attempts

Coventry City 20

Ipswich Town 2

Corners

Coventry City 7

Ipswich Town 0

[SBA]

SBA Talks Exclusively To FM Stories

Tuesday 4 May 2004

Saturday provided just the end of season tonic we were looking for but to score eight goals into the bargain was obviously way beyond anyone's expectations.

Having recovered strongly from such a poor first half of the season it was ineveitable that, having suffered another poor run of results, the club was going to be called into question again. Bouncing back in such style made the victory all the more sweet.

A win for a mid-table side in the penultimate game of the season isn't going to draw any attention from anyone outside of the club - but the winning margin will have surely seen many raised eyebrows up and down the country, neutral or not.

Having brought back several of the more experienced players it was particularly pleasing to see the shining light of Tom Bates, who, up until Saturday, had not shown us his full ability in the games he has played recently. I think he might have just nicked the CCFC Goal Of The Season Award at the last minute with that amazing thirty yard screamer which nearly burst the net to bring us our sixth goal.

Left sided players are at a premium but he proved on Saturday that he could well give Eddie Stanford a decent run for his money for that left-sided midfield place. With Steve Staunton due to retire we will also need to look at filling the left-back slot.

I was pleased to see Patrick Suffo firing again. He hasn't enjoyed the best of seasons but he took his goals nicely on Saturday - five for the season is however, by his own admission, way short of what he is capable of.

A trip to The Bescot Stadium on Sunday offers a perfect opportunity to back up the big win on Saturday with Walsall already confined to Division Two football next season.

Our mission now is to ensure that, by this stage next season, we have something more tangible to play for than a slice of Midlands pride.

SBA

[Loza]

Bloody brilliant story

Cant believe you're doing so sh*t tbh

[rocheyuk]

Good as ever SBA

[SBA]

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Sunday 9 May 2004

Walsall 0

CITY 3

Goodman 32, 58

Foley 83

Super City Finish In Style

Following what has been a real mixed bag of a season for manager SBA and his players, they made absolutely no mistake in ensuring that Season 03/04 would finish on a high at already-relegated Walsall.

In truth the final scoreline could have been more akin to the 8-1 victory that City racked up the previous week. SBA will not be too concerned at missing out on another huge margin of victory, but he will however be desperate to see the impressive nature of the performance carried forward into next season.

Graham Barrett came in for Craig Pead on the right of midfield in the only change from the starting eleven against Ipswich.

City started the game in the ascendency and never relinquished their grip on the game for the full 90 minutes. The Saddlers folded to a defeat that meant they finished the season rock bottom of Division One.

Tom Bates, having put in a man-of-the-match display against Ipswich, was given the perfect opportunity to put City in front after just six minutes. Suffo was upended in the box, giving his side a penalty.

Bates struck the ball cleanly enough down the centre of goal but 'keeper Jimmy Walker saved with his legs as he dived away to his right.

The Sky Blue faithful, many of whom were in fancy dress for the final game party, were not deterred and continued to rally City forward.

Barrett and Goodman were both denied by Walker, the latter's effort parried into the path of Suffo who struck the outside of the post with the goal at his mercy.

City finally did breakthrough on 32 minutes.

Pitcher, on a yellow card and clearly fired up to signal his intent ahead of next season, was replaced by Osbourne who produced a sweeping pass over to Bates on the left. He stood the ball up to the far post where Barrett headed the ball back into the danger area where GOODMAN fired beyond Walker and into the corner of the net.

Walsall clearly have lots of rebuilding to do in the close season with veterans Merson and Samways probably keen to leave the club. They certainly showed no desire to want to haul their side back into this game, leaving Davenport, Munn and Tuffey to enjoy an untroubled Sunday afternoon stroll around The Bescot.

City doubled their advantage early in the second period as the home defence hesitated in attempting to clear a corner, allowing GOODMAN to pounce on the loose ball for his second goal of the afternoon.

With the result beyond any doubt Suffo was replaced by Foley up front and he duly completed the day's scoring seven minutes from time.

Goodman was denied his hat-trick by the impressive Walker but FOLEY was first to react to prod the ball home from close range.

Another impressive team display from the Sky Blues, although the quality of the opposition has to bring into question the validity of the marked increase in optimism amongst the City camp.

City finish the season in 15th position in Division One.

MATCH STATS

Goal Attempts

Walsall 1

Coventry City 20

Corners

Walsall 0

Coventry City 9

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Tuesday 11 May 2004

Danish Defender To Join On A Free

City have moved to sign 33-year old Danish central defender Steven Lustu from Norwegian side Lyn.

The capable defender has impressed for his club side this season but will not join City until November, when his contract expires.

He will join on a £2,000 a week contract.

Borrows Deal Extended

Sky Blue legend Brian Borrows has agreed to a 3-year extension to his current deal as Coach at Highfield Road.

Delight For City Youngsters

Coventry City have long since built a reputation for developing quality young players from the Sky Blue Academy.

The Under 19s side have completed an honourable triumph in securing the Under 19s Championship.

This provides the whole club with a huge psychological boost.

[SBA]

Wednesday 12 May 2004

For the final time this season we welcome in Graham Abraham, a City fan who has followed the side home and away all season.

CET: Graham, thanks for joining us this one last time.

Graham: Thanks a lot. I'm not sure whether you plan to continue with this feature for next season but it's been a pleasure to contribute. I only hope I have been successful in relaying the thoughts of the fans as we've gone on.

It's been a real hard slog of a season for the Sky Blues hasn't it.

Yeah, nothing surprising in that. After a bright start early doors we went on a terrible run where we didn't seem able to buy a win. Once we got into the New Year we suddenly started hitting the back of the net on a more consistent basis and that gave the whole place a real lift. Had we have continued with that we'd have got into the top half quite comfortably but then we dipped off again before scoring 11 goals in our last 2 matches!! That's the Coventry City we've come to know and love.

You can change everything about the club but the strange nature of our results and performances seems to continue from season to season. The appointment of SBA for this season has certainly not changed that.

Are you satisfied with what the manager has done this term??

Yeah, we can't complain in that we've not dropped away from our level of performance from the previous two seasons in Division One. Despite his blatant lack of experience he's done ok. The key now is for the club to clear some of the dead wood, particularly those players earning way over the average wage for Division One players, and look to rebuild from there.

We've had three full seasons in this Division now so surely we've got to a point where the big earners can be released without further crippling the financial side of the club.

Looking at recent performances, how do you think that SBA's experiment with the younger players has panned out??

Well no-one expected those kids to be thrown in and adjust to first-team football just like that, but we can be encouraged with a few of the many that have been given a shot at it.

We look a bit lightweight in defence so I'm hoping that Stephen Munn's performances are a signal of things to come. Tom Bates has been excellent down the left hand side - his goal against Ipswich a few weeks ago was a real corker - one of the goals of the season. With Stanford, Giddings and Bates we've got plenty of options on the left hand side.

What we don't seem to have is a genuine goalscorer to support Mark Goodman up front. Suffo hasn't looked completely fit for much of the season, although at times he's proved a decent foil for Goodman. Adebola, Morrell, Joachim and Jephcott have all been too inconsistent to be considered as prospects for regular starts next season.

In saying all that I think it's fair to say that the discovery of Goodman helped transform our season - he's comfortably finished the season top of the goalscoring charts and yet he's probably not even started half of the games.

There's also competition in goal now as well. Tuffey has proved a more than capable replacement for Shearer and it would be tough to call at this point as to who is going to develop into the first choice 'keeper.

Where we are strong is in the midfield. I'm not going to single anyone out from that department. I just hope they are all still with us come August.

Graham, thanks very much for the input throughout the season.

Thanks a lot - time to plan the summer holidays now.

[Trigz]

Let me congratulate you on a fantastic effort - I've read through the whole lot in one go and am stunned!

Keep up the good work!

From a former resident of Earlsdon, now in Norway :-)

[SBA]

************

I've deliberately not made many comments on here in order to help with the flow of the story - but now we've reached the end of Season 1 (I might get Season 2 completed by Christmas ) ...

Trigz: I hope our paths cross again - I'm intrigued by the circumstances that might have taken you from Earlsdon to Norway

I'm enjoying the story because I genuinely can't predict what is going to happen next.

I've not looked in any good player guides or tactics forums, so I haven't got a clue as to how well I'm going to do in the game.

I don't think I'd be able to write this type of in-depth 'Newspaper' style of story based on CM01/02.

CM01/02 was the first CM game I ever played but the novelty of winning trophies soon wore off - hence that reflects in the way I'm playing 03/04.

What is affecting me is the way that I never get truly into the flow of the game because I'm continually stopping to write the next part of the story - so when there's a 2-week break between me playing I can never remember which players I'm supposed to be chasing etc.

I'm enjoying writing the story but obviously I'm going to need to think up a Plan B if/when I get the sack

I'm planning on slightly changing the style of the story in terms of its' features for the upcoming season.

************

* TO BE CONTINUED ...

[loyalwolvesfan]

Can I say that this has been a pleasure to read, SBA. I've been following since day one, and sure, the updates haven't been as frequent as you may have hoped but I've found it easy to get back into the feel of whats been happening.

How about posting a few league tables? At least for Div One, and let us know who got relegated into Div One from the Prem etc

All the best for next season....

[SBA]

lwf: ... I was waiting for the play-offs to be completed

I didn't want the story to become bogged down with endless lists of statistics/tables - IMO people don't see that as 'good reading' so that's been a conscious decision on my part

[SBA]

Tuesday 1 June 2004

SKY BLUE NEWS

City Players Pick Up Both Monthly Awards

Coventry City players had gone through the entire 2003-04 Season without winning any of the Division One 'Player Of The Month' Awards.

They put this right in the month of May as the awards went to two City players who have both enjoyed excellent seasons.

Mark Goodman claimed the Player Of The Month Award for May - scoring three goals in the two games that City played. This is just reward for the 17-year old who has bagged a total of 17 goals in 20 first team starts for City during the season. Manager SBA was quick to heap praise on the striker as soon as the season had reached its conclusion, making his appreciation of his leading scorer known publicly.

Calum Davenport picked up the Young Player Of The Month Award for May. Davenport has been a consistent performer throughout this term and SBA may well be looking to build his defence around the youngster for many years to come.

There's Always A Third ...

The superb left foot strike by Tom Bates during City's 8-1 demolition of Ipswich Town recently was recognised as worthy of achieving 2nd place in the May 'Goal Of The Month' Awards.

The super strike was beaten to top spot by Sunderland's George McCartney. His astonishing 30-yard volley in the Play-Off Final not only won the Monthly Award, but was also deemed to have surpassed anything previously seen in the Division all season as it claimed the First Division 'Goal Of The Season' Award to boot.

Highfield Road Staff Released

Coaches/Scouts Gary Mills, Alan Hodgkinson, Mark Preston, Steve Ogrizovic and Stuart Chandler have all left the club.

City offered Ogrizovic a new contract which was turned down by the former goalkeeper. Despite making every effort to offer the best terms they could, the club could not get anywhere near meeting the terms of his previous deal.

SBA Keen To Strengthen

City boss SBA is in no doubts as to where he feels the Sky Blues need to add depth to their squad in advance of the 2004-05 Season.

"We are about to see a significant chunk of the financial burden, which has haunted this club for the last three years, lifted", he told the club's official website.

"This will mean that I will be given some scope to make moves in the transfer market. We will be looking to bring in a striker capable of scoring twenty-plus goals in a season. Mark Goodman has been incredible for us but I feel it is unfair for him to carry such a weight on his young shoulders".

"I also feel that we need more options in defence, particularly in the centre. Mo Konjic has been a terrific servant for the club but is obviously transfer-listed at the moment. I will be looking to bring someone in to consistently partner Calum. If we are to be a force then we need to cut out some of the individual defensive errors which have cost us points in the past".

SBA is reported to be chasing hitman Luke Beckett of Stockport County. Brentford have reported unrest and uncertainly regarding the future of central defender Ibrahima Sonko, whom SBA was keeping close tabs on earlier in the year.

[SBA]

Monday 7 June 2004

SKY BLUE NEWS

City To Gain 1 But Lose 3 Local Derbies

Coventry City fans will have to travel far and wide if they want to follow the club's fortunes away from home next season.

Three Midlands sides have left Division One while only Wolverhampton Wanderers, relegated from The Premiership, are the only side from the Central region to join City in English football's second tier.

A long trip to Portsmouth awaits the Sky Blues once again. The south coast club only managed to amass 23 points in their only season back in the top flight.

The Premiership also says goodbye to Charlton Athletic who finished only five points better off than Portsmouth. The Londoners' plight was the surprise feature of The Premiership season after The Addicks had seemed to have established themselves following a number of successful campaigns in recent years.

Not so surprising was Wolves' immediate drop back into Division One with Dave Jones' men relegated on 33 points. After a spirited fight during the run-in they failed to catch either Fulham (34 points) or Bolton Wanderers (36 points).

Surprise package Rotherham United can look forward to trips to Old Trafford and Highbury next season after edging out Derby County to the Division One Championship.

Despite only finishing sixth, Sunderland took full advantage of the popular play-off system to join Rotherham and Derby in The Premiership. The Black Cats defeated Sheffield United 2-0 in the Play-Off decider at The Millenium Stadium.

At the other end Nottingham Forest face the prospect of Division Two football next season. Their praiseworthy effort in the final weeks, which included a comprehensive win over the Sky Blues, was all in vain with the East Midlanders finishing a solitary point short of safety.

Joining them will be Gary McSheffrey's Norwich City, and Walsall.

Queens Park Rangers simply ran away with the Second Division, racking up an incredible 103 points to take their place in Division One alongside Brighton & Hove Albion, who make a swift return following relegation in Season 02/03.

The Division Two Play-Offs went more to form as 3rd-placed Blackpool advanced. This will mean another long haul for City's travelling fans.

City Fans Pay Tribute To Stan

Coventry City supporters have voted for Steve Staunton as their official 2003-04 Player Of The Season.

The Irishman, believed to have just completed his final season as a player, held off competition from Andrew Whing, Calum Davenport, Stephen Warnock, and Mark Goodman.

Staunton started 36 games for the Sky Blues this season, making an additional 5 appearances from the substitutes' bench.

He scored 7 goals. Most of them were penalties but they also include two fantastic strikes from one game as he single-handedly turned the home match against Nottingham Forest back in December.

He was named as Man-Of-The-Match on five occasions.

[SBA]

Monday 21 June 2004

SKY BLUE NEWS

City Face Tough Opening Month

Coventry City start a brand new Division One campaign on 14 August and the fixture computer has thrown up what looks to be a tricky start to their 2004-05 season.

In contrast to last season they open at Highfield Road in a match which pits them against last season's under-achievers, West Ham United.

The Hammers finished last term just two points above the relegation zone.

City only have a 4-day wait before taking on relegated Portsmouth, again at home.

Their first away day is to be at Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United who suffered play-off heartbreak in May. City went down to a 4-0 defeat on the same ground last season.

They round off the month of August with a trip to Watford.

[SBA]

Wednesday 23 June 2004

City Six Say So Long & Farewell

Six Sky Blue players will this week be released by the club.

Dean Gordon, Julian Joachim, Steve Staunton, Gavin Ward, Barry Quinn, and Gary McAllister will all depart Highfield Road.

City fans will be sad to see some of them go, particularly Staunton and McAllister, both of whom have decided to retire from the playing side of the game.

It is unclear at this stage as to whether either of them will be offered any coaching roles at the club.

This long-awaited news will obviously be met with much relief in the boardroom. It is common knowledge that the majority of the six players waving goodbye were amongst the top earners at the club.

City Claim Caldwell Coup

The Sky Blues today announced the shock signing of Newcastle United central defender Stephen Caldwell, for a fee of just £9,000.

The 23-year old had publicly stated that he was becoming increasingly frustrated with his lack of opportunities on Tyneside. City boss SBA was alerted immediately and both parties were quick to agree on a 3-year contract, initially worth £2,100 a week, which will help to bolster City's defensive options.

Caldwell is highly-rated and will surely go straight into SBA's first team plans as he looks ahead to the new season.

* In deals that were sealed earlier in the year, Omar Daley and Stephen Warnock have both completed their full-time moves to Highfield Road.

Jamaican Daley had spent last season on loan at Preston North End, making 36 appearances and scoring an impressive 8 goals from midfield.

Warnock completes his permanent move to City after impressing here last term on loan from Liverpool.

City Loan Leon

Also making his way to Highfield Road is Southampton's 17-year old hot striking prospect Leon Best.

City have secured the pacey frontman's services for the entire 2004-05 season.

SBA, having not yet secured the signature of a recognised 20-goal a season man, moved to snap up Best who had been told that he would have to wait for his chance on the south coast.

[SBA]

Thursday 1 July 2004

CET 'Feature'

Warnock Warning For Houllier

The Coventry City squad reported back at Ryton today for the start of pre-season training.

There were some notable absentees looking back to when they last gathered in May. There were also some welcome additions.

Perhaps the warmest welcome however took the form of a 'welcome back', and was extended to Stephen Warnock. The loanee worked tirelessly in the City midfield during the 2003-04 season but is now a fully fledged member of City's squad, joining from Liverpool.

We caught up with Warnock following a punishing morning workout in the sunshine.

"I certainly feel I have a point to prove to those responsible for releasing me at Liverpool", explained Warnock.

"I was under no illusions during my time there and didn't expect it to be easy in securing a place in the side. They promised to keep a close eye on me during my loan season here at Coventry, explaining that should I stay injury-free and have a positive influence on the side, then I would most probably be offered another contract".

"I suppose that twelve months is a long time in football though and, whilst I accept that people are allowed to change their minds, I feel somewhat let down by the 'powers that be' at Anfield".

Warnock never made a first team appearance with the Merseyside club and it was felt that the competitive nature of Division One would do the tough tackling midfielder the power of good.

"Although I had my own personal agenda I was slightly disappointed with our season as a whole last year".

"We failed to take advantage when we were on top during games, particularly early on. But as the season went on our luck seemed to turn and we started pinching results we probably weren't expected to get".

"A final finish of 15th was below expectations although we would have happily settled for that at certain stages of the year".

Despite becoming one of manager SBA's most consistent performers Warnock still feels he has plenty of room for improvement in his game.

"I've signed a 3-year contract here and although it is not at Liverpool, I feel happy that my immediate future has become clear and I hope that translates itself in the way I play".

"Once it had become clear that I wasn't wanted back at Anfield then my preference was always going to be here at Coventry. They were trying to groom me into a left back at Liverpool but I thoroughly enjoyed playing in central midfield last year. Sometimes I think people assume that just because a player is left-footed that he should play on the left side of the pitch. But I certainly feel happier in the central holding role, and Coventry were prepared to offer me that".

"I would love to help lift Coventry back into The Premiership. I'm keeping the dream of a first team appearance at Anfield alive. Maybe one day I'll go back there and score the winner for Coventry".

"I'm still young, even in footballing terms, and I think I've surrounded myself with the type of players that share my ambition to succeed in the game. Hopefully we can work together to help achieve our own personal goals".

* Stephen Warnock was talking to the CET's Adam Dent

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Wednesday 14 July 2004

Young Starlets Commit To City

SBA will be delighted to have secured the services of David Foley and Tom Bates, both of whom impressed during the closing months of last season, as they signed new contracts at the club.

Bates, who looks set to start the season as the club's first choice left-sided midfielder, was beginning to attract interest from elsewhere.

"I hope to continue progressing in the same manner as last season. I am very excited at the prospect of the new season", said Bates after signing the deal earlier today.

Foley may well have to wait for his next chance in the first team. Patrick Suffo, Mark Goodman and Leon Best all appear to be ahead of him in the strikers' pecking order.

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Thursday 22 July 2004

Rusty City Made To Pay

The Sky Blues slipped to a single-goal defeat in their opening pre-season game at Division Two Wrexham.

SBA will be hoping that his strikers will be able to shake off the cobwebs in plenty of time ahead of the big kick-off in three weeks time.

In an open contest SBA saw City carve out numerous noteworthy openings but an 8th minute effort from Mark Yates was to prove enough for the Welshmen.

New boys Stephen Caldwell and Omar Daley both ran out for the first time as Coventry City players.

SBA fielded what appeared to be a 'First XI' before bringing on a 'Second XI' for the final half hour.

City (Left To Right): Tuffey / Stanford, Caldwell, Davenport, Whing / Bates, Warnock, Pitcher, Daley / Suffo, Goodman

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Wednesday 28 July 2004

Suffo Solo Seals Gigg Lane Win

The Sky Blues picked up a potentially morale-boosting first victory of their pre-season programme as they edged out Bury thanks to a solitary Patrick Suffo strike.

The game, played under a blazing hot sun, provided a testing workout for SBA's men. He will have been encouraged to see his side restrict their opponents to mainly long range speculative efforts, as City took a tighter grip on proceedings than was the case at Wrexham.

Suffo, played through by Warnock, swiftly advanced before cheekily lofting the ball into the net with the 'keeper stranded.

Omar Daley was away on international duty and was replaced by David Pipe with City otherwise unchanged from the Wrexham game.

Those that started were given 70 minutes' match practice before the mass changes were made.

City (Left To Right): Tuffey / Stanford, Caldwell, Davenport, Whing / Bates, Warnock, Pitcher, Pipe / Suffo, Goodman

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Friday 30 July 2004

SBA: "Whing Will Not Fly From The City Nest"

Fulham have today been reported to have made a £325,000 offer for popular City right back Andrew Whing.

Whing was one of the City mainstays during the course of last season, and, now that the burden of a crippling wage bill has been all but lifted from the club, the Sky Blues were not about to take such an offer for a player with such a huge future in the game.

Everton, on receipt of the news that Fulham had been turned away, are now set to contact the Sky Blues with a "name your price" approach.

Craig Pead could slot into the right back slot should it be vacated, but it is still thought to be unlikely that City will let Whing go, despite the likelihood that an improved offer will be soon forthcoming.

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Monday 2 August 2004

Whing Willing To Stay

The Sky Blues have today confirmed that Andrew Whing has signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2007.

Despite the attentions of a couple of Premiership clubs, City have held onto their talented youngster, with Whing agreeing to a £1,100 per week deal. The player's wage has increased by 50% from his previous deal.

SBA spoke to us at the club's Ryton training ground this morning. "We are very relieved to have agreed terms with Andrew", admitted the City boss, who had publicly acknowledged the quality of the defender's performances during the last campaign.

"Although we are still a few weeks away from crunch time, we did not need this kind of disruption at this stage".

"I was very impressed with the consistency of Andrew's play last year, and his attitude in general is nothing short of first class. We see him as an integral part in our push for success this season".

Whing had been tempted by both Fulham and Everton, with the Londoners having made a clear-cut £325,000 offer.

"He wants Premiership football, just like any other ambitious youngster in the game", continued SBA.

"He could have secured a more lucrative salary at either of the clubs interested in signing him. However he realised that a move would have meant considerable time playing in a reserve side. He is very confident that he can have another solid season with us, and should he achieve this then we will sit down and talk again next summer", explained SBA.

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Wednesday 4 August 2004

City Cracked At The Crescent

The Sky Blues fell to two defeats out of three in their pre-season build up to Season 2004-05, taking a backward step after their impressive showing at Bury.

A David Morris goal on the half hour was enough for York City, who thoroughly deserved to take the win with the Sky Blues leaving it late to threaten the home side's goal to any significant extent.

Foley and Bates both wasted chances to haul City level but a draw would have flattered City.

SBA now has only one more warm up game before the acid test of another Division One season kicks in a week on Friday.

Omar Daley replaced Geoff Pitcher in an attempt to inject further creativity in the midfield, but the Jamaican looked off the pace for the majority of the game and it now looks unlikely that he will line-up against the Hammers.

Scott Shearer was given a start ahead of Jonathan Tuffey in goal.

City (Left To Right): Shearer / Stanford, Caldwell, Davenport, Whing / Bates, Warnock, Daley, Barrett / Suffo, Goodman

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Friday 6 August 2004

Stanford Staying On

Left back Eddie Stanford has agreed to a 3-year extension to his current contract, keeping him at Highfield Road until the summer of 2007.

It is hoped that Stanford can prove a worthy replacement for last year's Player Of The Year Steve Staunton, who has now retired from the game.

Mersey Mission For City

The Sky Blues, having failed to advance beyond the first stage of either Cup competition last season, have been handed a First Round League Cup tie away at Tranmere Rovers.

The tie will be played on Wednesday 18 August, with the scheduled home league game against Portsmouth having been put back a week to 25 August.

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Saturday 7 August 2004

Goodman Marks His Intent

Mark Goodman, having failed to register in any of City's three pre-season games to date, set about quenching his obvious thirst for goals by netting a first-half hat-trick to put Premiership opponents Newcastle United to the sword at Highfield Road today.

Memories of the hitman's heroics last season, when he was instrumental in turning City's season around, came flooding back to the 11,000 plus present, most of whom left Highfield Road in keen anticipation of Friday's opener against West Ham United.

City ran out 3-1 winners after Jermaine Jenas netted a late consolation for the Geordies.

Tuffey and Pitcher were both restored to City's starting line-up but it was Goodman who stole the show, opening his account by sweeping home Suffo's low cross on 24 minutes.

He was allowed the freedom of the penalty area to side-foot home number two before completing his hat-trick with a simple tap-in right on half-time.

You can never read too much into pre-season results but this was easily City's most convincing display of their pre-season campaign, especially bearing in mind the quality of the opposition.

SBA will be hoping for more of the same when the real deal gets underway.

City (Left To Right): Tuffey / Stanford, Caldwell, Davenport, Whing / Bates, Warnock, Pitcher, Barrett / Suffo, Goodman

[SBA]

CET 'Feature'

Wednesday 11 August 2004

On the eve of Coventry City manager SBA's second season in charge, the Coventry Evening Telegraph's Adam Dent gives us his views as he looks ahead to another nine months on planet Sky Blue.

Goodman The Key To City Success

The relative success of Coventry City's second half of the 2003-04 season needs to be repeated throughout the forthcoming campaign if they are to harbour any ambitions of threatening a return to The Premiership.

Having flirted perilously with the relegation zone pre-Christmas, they strung together a consistent run of results going into Springtime to leave them comfortably safe from danger in the end.

People have said that the performances didn't vary much throughout the season but, without doubt, the boost of suddenly having a regular goalscorer in the team certainly sparked the City revival.

Mark Goodman ended the season with 17 goals, and pulling away from any competition in that department.

To escape this highly competitive Division, a team certainly needs a prolific goalscorer. Should Goodman manage to continue to hit the back of the net with such consistency this time around, then he could end the season pushing towards the 30-goal mark.

Therefore it is key to any City success that they keep him fit and free from injury.

Julian Joachim has left the club after his contract ran out.

Dele Adebola is clearly out of favour and City are looking to get him another loan move in the near future.

Andy Morrell struggled to hit the heights that many had hoped for last season, and will start the season in the reserves.

Avun Jephcott, despite flashes of his obvious potential during a handful of appearances last year, has been moved back into the reserves.

It remains to be seen whether SBA will be left rueing the fact that he has failed to lure Luke Beckett away from Second Division Stockport County. However to be fair to the manager the Lancashire club were reported to be 'frosty' to say the least whenever an enquiry for the striker came their way.

Highly-rated Leon Best has been brought in on a season's loan from Southampton. It is likely that he will provide the bulk of the initial competition to the Suffo-Goodman partnership.

Goodman has so far been seen to produce his very best when up alongside the unselfish Suffo, whose aggressive approach to the game often creates space for his younger strike partner.

Suffo is something of an enigma in that he is not a genuine 'old-fashioned' centre forward by any means, but he certainly has a positive effect on City's all-round team play, making himself available to take the ball and take pressure off others. He will however be looking to improve on his rather dismal goal tally from last season.

At the other end of the field Jonathan Tuffey could well start against West Ham, having impressed during the latter stages of last season when replacing Scott Shearer.

Despite Stephen Munn playing a solid part in central defence during those final games of last term, it was imperative that SBA looked to bolster his defensive options.

Stephen Caldwell has been brought in from Newcastle United - an absolute snip at £9,000. His all-round awareness and reading of the game should prove an asset to City, although he does lack a bit of pace at times.

Davenport, Whing and Stanford will all be looking to continue the rapid development made last year.

Craig Pead will again be on hand to deputise at full-back, a move which usually leads to Whing being moved inside.

Moving into midfield it looks as though Warnock and Pitcher will continue as SBA's number one choice in the centre, with Warnock providing the workrate and Pitcher doing the same but he will also be asked to utilise his excellent range of passing.

Lee Fowler, Kevin Thornton, Isaac Osbourne and Sean Cooney can all provide adequate cover when called upon.

Raiding down the flanks should be Tom Bates on the left, with Stuart Giddings as a possible back-up, and Graham Barrett on the right hand side.

Barrett may prefer to be deployed inside rather than as a genuine wide man, but following his concern at a lack of first team football last season, he will be pleased just to be back in the frame.

David Pipe, having made a good start to the season, faded later on. He is a confidence player and SBA may operate him from the bench during the early months.

It remains to be seen where new recruit Omar Daley will be fitted into the Sky Blue jigsaw. The Jamaican is not short on ability and flair, but may insist on being given a free reign in the City side, which may compromise the side's way of playing.

City start with home games against West Ham and Portsmouth, and travel to Sheffield United and Watford before August's end.

They need a stable start, and will be looking for a minimum of 6 points from those four games. They must ensure that they are in the right half of the table come Christmas time, from where they could make a genuine promotion push.

Many of the off-field problems have been eased. It is now up to the manager and his troops to ensure that the playing side is taken care of.

SBA will be given a lot more scope to add quality this season than he was last, should he so desire. But he needs to get City flying high to make Highfield Road a desirable place for sought-after players to want to come to.

It all starts on Friday evening.

Adam Dent, CET

[SBA]

Thursday 12 August 2004

SBA Talks Exclusively To FM Stories

May I start the first column of Season Number 2 in charge of my beloved Coventry City by saying how great it is to be here, and how thankful I am for the opportunity to try and lift this club back to where I feel it belongs.

The players have been put through six tough weeks of pre-season training and are hopefully as physically and mentally prepared as they can be for the big kick-off tomorrow night.

They've been in seven days a week and we're very relieved to still have a full squad to choose from as we start the season.

I'm not a fan of pre-season friendly matches and obviously the main focus of them was to give players some much-needed match practice. They have also helped in moulding the new arrivals into the squad. As much as training matches between ourselves are great for moral, they do not create the competitive 'us against them' feel that you get when playing a different club.

Stephen Caldwell has been made captain and I'm confident that his desperate frustration at not being able to break through at Newcastle will ultimately benefit us.

Omar Daley has been delighting us all with some slinky skills on the training ground but, having had his pre-season schedule disrupted somewhat because of his international commitments, will not be starting tomorrow. He is however a real talent and should be capable of hurting many opposition defences during the course of the season.

Leon Best is another enthusiastic youngster who joins on loan for the season, with the idea being that he presents a real challenge to the front two as they bid to hold down regular places in the starting line-up. He is certainly one of the quickest players now at the club.

We go to Merseyside and Tranmere Rovers next Wednesday where we will be looking to progress to the Second Round of the League Cup.

Having lost 5-1 in the same competition on our last visit we must guard against complacency. Neither do we want to see anything like a repeat of our humiliating 3-1 defeat at Notts County in the FA Cup last season, a definite low point of the campaign.

It's into league action tomorrow night then and the visit of West Ham United. The Hammers endured a torrid time last season, and will be as keen as we are to start the season with three points.

I would certainly take a repeat of the Highfield Road meeting last year, when we emerged as 2-0 victors.

Enjoy The Season.

SBA

[SBA]

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Friday 13 August 2004

CITY 0

West Ham United 0

Majestic James Keeps City At Bay

It took an outstanding goalkeeping performance from England's Number One David James to prevent the Sky Blues reaping full reward from their opening fixture of the 2004-05 campaign.

The 34-year old made three world-class saves, including one from a penalty, as City were left to reflect on what could have been a flying start. However they should take heart from the way they dictated play throughout, and the fact that they will not come up against a better goalkeeper all season.

There was one surprise in SBA's team selection with Scott Shearer getting the nod in goal, despite Jonathan Tuffey having featured the heavier during pre-season.

City quickly set about exploiting the East Londoners' full-backs, Rufus Brevett and Tomas Repka, neither of whom looked comfortable when faced with players running at them.

Geoff Pitcher was the first to take aim at the visitors' goal, but failed to trouble James with any one of the three long range efforts he was to have in the game.

The match was being played almost exclusively in the Hammers' half with Anton Ferdinand kept busy looking after the attentions of Suffo and Goodman.

Andrew Whing punted a hopeful long ball forward which Suffo, having looked second favourite, nipped in to reach first, ahead of a complacent Ian Pearce who proceeded to haul the City man to the ground to give City a penalty right on half time.

The retired Steve Staunton achieved a 100% success rate from the spot last season. Tom Bates was the man who bravely stepped forward to face James, only to see his low shot brilliantly parried away by the big 'keeper who had sprung to his right hand side.

Barrett was replaced by debutant Daley at half time and the pacey Jamaican had every reason to be satisfied with his 45 minutes. He started on the right of midfield but was later pushed up front as Pead replaced the tiring Goodman for the last 20 minutes.

James' second incredible stop came on the hour with Goodman bulleting a point blank header goalwards from Bates' left wing cross, only to see the stopper somehow paw the ball away, leaving some of City's frustrated fans to applaud in acknowledgement of a truly great save.

The Hammers briefly threatened for the only time midway through the half as first Defoe fired straight at Shearer when he should have done better, and then Etherington suddenly burst forward from midfield but was unable to hit the target with his shot.

SBA brought on loanee Leon Best to play alongside Daley for the final moments and will have been particularly encouraged with Daley's performance as a frontman.

Daley could even have won it for the deserving Sky Blues but, despite brilliantly beating two defenders, was denied by that man James as his shot arrowed towards the top corner.

Although it is important to avoid defeat in the first game of any campaign, SBA will be left thinking he has been denied the two extra points simply because of a magnificent individual display of goalkeeping. However he will have been delighted to see his side taking the game by the scruff of the neck time and time again, and will hope that this is a sign of things to come.

City travel to face Tranmere Rovers in the First Round of the League Cup next Wednesday.

MATCH FACTS

Goal Attempts

Coventry City 10

West Ham United 2

Corners

Coventry City 3

West Ham United 0

[SBA]

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Wednesday 18 August 2004

English League Cup First Round

Tranmere Rovers 3

Haworth 12

Ndah 46, 92

CITY 3

Goodman 45

Best 49, 116

(AET)

Penalties: Tranmere Rovers 1 - 3 CITY

City In Spot-Kick Triumph After Triple Comeback

Some three hours after this League Cup tie kicked off, Jonathan Tuffey saved the third of four penalties he had faced in the deciding penalty shoot-out to eventually see the Sky Blues through to the next round after a night of high drama at Prenton Park.

City followed up a goalless first game of the season with a 6-goal thriller at Division Two Tranmere Rovers. The home side led three times but were denied thanks to a gritty City side who were boosted by a brace from loanee Leon Best, with his second goal saving his side who were just four minutes away from exiting the competition.

SBA made numerous changes to the side that drew with West Ham. Jonathan Tuffey came back in goal, with Isaac Osbourne and Sean Cooney given the midfield berths, leaving both Warnock and Pitcher on the bench.

Best partnered Goodman up front with Stephen Munn replacing Davenport at the back. The youngster's inexperience took its toll however, and he was left holding his hands up in response to two of Tranmere's goals.

SBA clearly thought that his side would still have enough to get past the Merseysiders but he was to reckon without former City man Simon Haworth, who opened the scoring early on after being put clean through.

City took 20 minutes to settle but then took command for the rest of the first half with Best looking lively and Tom Bates again impressing on the left.

Cooney and Barrett both shaved the uprights before City scored their first goal of the season just before the break.

Bates was the creator as he whipped in an early cross which GOODMAN, having escaped his marker, side-footed into the net.

The predicted half-time introduction of some of the more established first-teamers was put on hold but Tranmere were back in front straight from the kick-off with Ndah the beneficiary of City's static defence.

Best then stamped his authority on the game by immediately rescuing the Sky Blues.

Barrett hooked over a first time cross after Andrew Whing's ball forward. It was allowed to bounce invitingly to BEST who chested the ball down before unleashing a half volley into the roof of the net to make it 2-2.

City really should have secured their place in the next round as they carved out chance after chance during the remainder of the half.

Tranmere doggedly hung on, with Goodman twice having shots parried away and Barrett heading straight at the 'keeper when very well placed.

It looked as though City had missed their chance as Tranmere again scored early after the restart for extra time through Ndah.

SBA had by this time thrown both Warnock and Pitcher into the frey in a frantic attempt to rescue matters.

Just when the home side seemed to be on the brink of a mini-upset City struck to take the tie all the way to penalties.

Despite a full two hours of running and chasing it was Goodman who surged past a defender on the right edge of the box before picking out BEST who managed to hook a shot in off the far post. City's small travelling contingent went barmy in celebration before hailing their new hero with chants of "Leon, Leon", which happens to rhyme with a certain former Sky Blue striker's trademark chant.

Tuffey proceeded to save the first Tranmere spot-kick and there were to be no further twists in the evening's events as Goodman, Bates and Giddings all stepped up to successfully convert for City.

SBA will not have been pleased at seeing his side put through such a gruelling workout so early in the season but, having accepted that fate, will be pleased to have seen it reap its reward.

City now have just two days to dust themselves down before Saturday's testing trip to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United.

MATCH STATS

Goal Attempts

Tranmere Rovers 11

Coventry City 19

Corners

Tranmere Rovers 2

Coventry City 6

[SBA]

SBA Talks Exclusively To FM Stories

Thursday 19 August 2004

All of the coaching staff are extremely pleased with our first competitive week of the new season.

It took a remarkable series of saves from David James to stop us taking three points against West Ham and then we showed great application in eventually getting past Tranmere Rovers last night.

During the pre-season games there was a recurring theme in terms of playing personnel in that I sent out a starting XI before changing the whole team at some point during the second half.

It was felt that some of the players starting those games on the bench were still somewhat short of a desirable level of match fitness and it was for that reason that I fielded the side I did at Tranmere.

Three games inside eight days at the start of the season was always going to be demanding on the players and so I took the opportunity of resting some of them last night.

It had been muted that I was taking Tranmere lightly but that was not the case, and they proved a stern test for us.

Leon Best has certainly laid down his intentions with two well taken goals.

He is with us for the season and is keen to get as much first team experience with us as possible before returning to Southampton.

Sean Cooney and Isaac Osbourne also did well in midfield. It is ineveitable that they will be called upon as we go through the long haul that is the Division One season.

Finally, having had his penalty saved against West Ham it was good to see Tom Bates not afraid to step up again during the shoot-out. We were delighted to see his shot hit the net.

On Saturday we go to Sheffield United, who were denied a place in the Premiership in the play-off final in May.

They have started the season with a defeat so we will be keen to pounce on any hangover that might be present after their near miss last term.

We expect a tough game but can only hope that they are not in a similar mood to that which we found them in on our last visit when we ended up on the wrong end of a 4-0 hammering.

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Friday 20 August 2004

Bluebirds To Fly Into Highfield Road

The Sky Blues have been drawn at home to fellow Division One side Cardiff City in the Second Round of the League Cup.

The tie will be played on 28 September.

Dolan Unrest Sparks Interest

Millwall central defender Joe Dolan has been made available for transfer by the South London club.

SBA is thought to be interested and may look to make an offer in the near future.

However he is likely to be met with competition from other Division One managers.

[SBA]

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Saturday 21 August 2004

Sheffield United 4

Zola Makongo 11

McPhee 23, 59

Brown 51

CITY 2

Suffo 18

Davenport 87

Blades Blast Open City Floodgates

Last season the Sky Blues failed to win an away game until the second half of the season. They are going to have to show a drastic improvement on this showing if they are not to suffer a similar fate this time around.

Sheffield United scored four times for the second successive time against a leaky City defence who were forced to surrender to a frontline led by livewire Stephen McPhee.

SBA continued with a 4-4-2 formation and most of the first team regulars were brought back into the frey following their omission from the midweek trip to Tranmere.

Mark Goodman stung the palms of Paddy Kenny in the opening minutes after a 25-yard effort but the home side were soon on their game and successful in pushing City back, a pattern which set the tone for the afternoon.

On eleven minutes former Sky Blue favourite Peter Ndlovu supplied a curling centre from the right which Zola Makongo glanced in past a static Tuffey.

Hopes were rekindled amongst the healthy 2,000 band of travelling supporters as City got themselves level within minutes with what was to easily prove their best move of the game.

Geoff Pitcher pounced on a loose ball in centre field before freeing Goodman. The goal-hungry frontman showed superb presence of mind in squaring the ball for SUFFO who calmly slotted home from close range.

It was then key that City succeeded in keeping United out during what was a hectic opening to the game. They failed.

City seemed to switch off completely as Kozluk hurled a long throw into their penalty area. McPhee, standing in an offside position which he was entitled to do from a throw-in, had plenty of room to bring the ball down and pick his spot.

Their was a worrying moment in the City ranks as accusing fingers were pointed amongst themselves as the home fans celebrated in the stands.

Neil Warnock's men were not about to let a lead slip for a second time against a City side who had managed to come from a goal down on no less than three occasions during midweek.

Jamie Hand and Michael Brown were having the better of things in midfield and Tuffey was called into action to save following a scramble from a corner.

City got through to half-time without further damage to the scoreline but any hopes they had of a second half revival were quickly dashed as Brown scored the goal of the game.

A corner was only partly cleared before being squared to Brown who unleashed a fizzing 25-yard rocket through a ruck of players and into the top far corner of City's net.

The possibility of a real thumping was increasing by the minute and when McPhee made it 4-1 there was still half an hour of torment to go.

The waves of red and white continued to sweep forward, albeit with slightly less purpose as the game went on, with City resigned to their fate.

Daley, who had replaced the disappointing Barrett in the first half, had been given licence to roam in the Blades' half but he was rarely allowed the room to cause problems.

SBA threw Leon Best up front at the expense of Bates, who had his most ineffective performance in a City shirt, as City went with three strikers for the final twenty minutes.

Eddie Stanford threw a long ball to the edge of the six-yard box just minutes from time which Kenny failed to hold, allowing DAVENPORT to prod in a consolation for City.

SBA has seen his side open the season in direct contrast to last. Having looked solid against West Ham, City have conceded a worrying 7 goals from their next 2 games, whereas this time last year the problem lay at the other end of the pitch.

Next up for City is Portsmouth at Highfield Road in midweek. Even with such a long season ahead, they only need look back at last year to realise how important a good start really is.

MATCH STATS

Goal Attempts

Sheffield United 14

Coventry City 4

Corners

Sheffield United 3

Coventry City 0

[SBA]

SKY BLUE NEWS

Tuesday 24 August 2004

City Claim Kasper

Kasper Schmeichel, widely regarded as one of the world's fastest up and coming goalkeepers, has been dramatically snapped up by Sky Blues manager SBA in a season-long loan deal.

City had been tracking the Dane at various stages last season and had made a few tentative enquiries.

SBA, speaking earlier, was visibly delighted and expressed his joy by saying "this signing gives us a major boost and might prove priceless in our push for success this season".

"Scott Shearer and Jonathan Tuffey have been informed that there is a still a future for them here but that for the duration of this deal, Kasper will be our first choice".

Schmeichel is very likely to go straight into SBA's starting line-up for tomorrow night's clash with Portsmouth.

[SBA]

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Wednesday 25 April 2004

CITY 2

Goodman 22, 31

Portsmouth 0

Goodman Double Kick-Starts City

The Sky Blues claimed their first victory of the season by overcoming a Portsmouth side recently relegated from the Premiership at Highfield Road tonight.

Mark Goodman was the hero as he grabbed two goals in the space of nine first half minutes to make it three in three league games. Once ahead it was a convincing City display as they bounced straight back from their weekend defeat.

17-year old Kasper Schmeichel, on loan from Manchester City, took his place in goal with Sean Cooney replacing Pitcher in central midfield and Isaac Osbourne replacing Barrett on the right.

Early indications were to lead us to believe that Schmeichel would be in for a busy debut as Portsmouth dominated proceedings early on.

Their best opening fell to Neil Ardley who arrived late at the far post to crash a right-foot volley into the side netting. Schmeichel needed to be solid if unspectacular in dealing with a couple of other long range Pompey efforts.

Visiting central defender Dejan Stefanovic seemed to be hampered after a collision with Suffo but resumed after treatment. City were soon to go ahead and then quickly add to their lead, and on both occasions it was Stefanovic who was left exposed.

Suffo chested down a long ball from the impressive Caldwell, turned on the halfway line and measured a pass to GOODMAN who outsprinted Stefanovic before calmly side-footing City ahead.

The goal was to change the whole pattern of the game as City were spurred on to record their much-needed first win.

Stefanovic was more directly involved in City's second as he underhit a back pass to present GOODMAN with another head to head contest against Hislop. The outcome was predictable as the striker made further inroads into his 30-goal target for the season.

Sean Cooney did a tremendous job alongside Warnock in midfield and was many peoples' choice for the man of the match award. It will be interesting to see whether he did enough to move ahead of Geoff Pitcher, who seemed to be considered as an automatic choice going into this season.

Tom Bates had City's best chance in the second half as he burst through from a Suffo flick-on, only to be denied by Hislop, who pushed his low shot around the post.

Hislop again prevented a third goal for City by finger-tipping a Davenport header over the bar after the centre back had powered an effort at goal from a corner.

This was a morale-boosting win for SBA's men, particularly when looking at the experienced names on the Portsmouth teamsheet. However City were solid for the most part at Highfield Road last season, but they need to improve on their travels if they are to make up the extra points needed to challenge at the top of the table.

City go to Vicarage Road on Saturday to face a Watford side who have drawn twice and lost once in their opening three games.

MATCH STATS

Goal Attempts

Coventry City 6

Portsmouth 3

Corners

Coventry City 4

Portsmouth 1

[owen goal]

superb story - looks like you are on the up and up. It's refreshing to see a story where the writer dosen't win everything for a change - so dont do too well!

[SBA]

SBA Talks Exclusively To FM Stories

Thursday 26 August 2004

Even at such an early stage of the campaign, it was crucial that we picked up our first league win against Portsmouth last night.

We made a very tentative start to the game but once we got our noses ahead we never looked back.

Confidence seems to play a huge factor with this squad and hopefully we can now push on from here, starting with Saturday's game at Watford.

We are desperate to improve on our away form from last season but our first bite at the cherry ended in disappointment at Bramall Lane.

Individual defensive errors played no small part as we seemed to gift them a couple of goals. We've looked back at the video and have come to some agreement as to where it went wrong.

I will be looking at playing a different system for the Watford game which should make us more difficult to break down.

If we score two goals in an away game then we should feel entitled to take something from the game.

I was delighted to have secured the loan signing of Kasper Schmeichel. We accept that he will only be with us for the season but as manager I am being judged by the team's results and an opportunity of signing a player of such quality will not come along every day.

Sean Cooney's performance in last night's game was easily his best for the club and he will keep his place for Saturday's game. He gives us boundless energy and I'm confident that he will fit in to the way we are looking to play, especially away from home.

SBA