News
Welcome to the latest CCFC news.
1st September 2008:
GRAY DAY FOR FULHAM
Unless there were some moves waiting to be unveiled tomorrow morning, it looks as though it's been the quietest transfer deadline day ever, with the only move involving Coventry City a complete oddball from leftfield that absolutely nobody saw coming.
Julian Gray has moved to Premiership side Fulham on a year's loan, which effectively takes him to the end of his City contract if he sees it through. What the fuck?
We have several left-sided players, and the fans have been on Gray's back for much of the just-over-a-year that he's been playing for us, so it would be understandable if he moved to another Championship club or possibly dropped down a division, but somehow, he's got himself back in the Premiership.
Gray scored a good goal against Kilmarnock in pre-season, and the winner against Barnsley a couple of weeks ago. He's good like that, but he's also very inconsistent, and drifts in and out of games like nobodies business, and was hardly assured of a regular first-team place at the RIcoh.
Which makes it all the more baffling as to why Fulham would want him. Maybe his style is more suited for the Premiership? Maybe they have a shortage of left-sided players this season? Nonetheless, it's a very strange move, and assuming Gray won't be coming back, we wish him all the best for the future.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Well, we were sort of expecting players like Michael Mifsud, Kevin Kyle, Ben Turner, and Chris Birchall to move on, or at least be loaned out, and none of it happened.
We were hoping to sign some much-needed cover at right-back, and perhaps also right-midfield, and that didn't happen either.
And even our bid for Sheffield Wednesday's Richard Wood was turned down, meaning that no new players can now join us until January (barring a few exceptions like free agents).
In all, it's a disappointing deadline day, and based on our performances at the start of the season, we really needed a bit more balance to the side.
I guess maybe Ray Ranson thought we could get more balance by offloading one of our many left-sided players to reduce the size of the squad!
COCA-COLA CHAMPIONSHIP: 1st September 2008
A win and a loss at home, and a win and a loss away adds up to a decidedly average start to a season. If we can continue avoiding draws and earning 1.5 points per game on average, we'd be borderline play-off contenders admittedly, but the six points in the bag so far feels disappointing, given that we've not really played the best teams in the division by any means.
Still, at least we're not Derby! County are bottom of the division, continuing their dreadful run from the Premiership, and now have not won in 36 league games! Still, they'll be sure to end their duck when they play us next month... At the top of the league, Wolves, Brum and Preston lead the way with ten points, five clubs remain unbeaten, and another five are winless. Early season indications show that Wolves have the best attack and Forest the worst defence, though this will be influenced by the 5-1 scoreline when the clubs met.
30th August 2008:
Wellens 31
A bad week ends with another bad defeat - ironically, City have probably played better over the last seven days than we did in our opening three games which we won, but that counts for nothing in the results-oriented business of football.
We deserved much more against Doncater today and once again, refereeing decisions went against us, but it's hardly surprising given our record against teams that won promotion from League One. Last year we lost away at all three of the promoted clubs, and we're well on the way to replicating that this time.
After four league games, we have four points fewer than at this stage last season, and we're not in the Carling Cup any more either - on paper, this makes Chris Coleman look less successful than Iain Dowie, despite having had more cash to spend.
We now have a two week International Break, before we play undefeated pace-setters Preston. If Coleman is going to sign any more players, he'll need to do it by Midnight on Monday, and given our fortunes this week, he might be well advised to take advantage of that opportunity.
29th August 2008:
CITY TRY TO GET WOOD
Sheffield Wednesday's highly-rated central defender Richard Wood is set to be the subject of a bidding war ahead of next Monday's transfer deadline, with the player that Chris Coleman has tracked for some time now set to hand in a transfer request at Hillsborough.
And with Ray Ranson ready to splash the cash, a new right-back is also very likely to be signed before the window closes.
Kevin Kyle and Gary Borrowdale could both be used as makeweights in the move to bring Wood to the Ricoh Arena, while Carlisle are reportedly interested in signing Chris Birchall.
There might yet be one or two surprises in the transfer market over the next few days.
Championship Preview
Doncaster Rovers
Coventry CityAfter disappointment against Bristol City and gritty determination but ultimately more disappointment against Newcastle, it's a relief to end the week with an away game. This will be our first visit to Donny Rovers new Keepmoat Stadium, and our first competitive game against them since the early 1950s. Their rise in recent years has been meteoric, and it's not that long ago that Doncaster were relegated altogether from the Football League. That's no guarantee that we'll beat them now, of course, and in recent years we've had a habit of slipping up against the newly-promoted teams that, on paper, everyone expects us to beat.
Our injury problems might be alleviated with the return to the side of Freddy Eastwood, but unless an emergency signing comes in, the right-back position will still be a problem, with Stephen Wright looking like a perennial sicknote already. Marcus Hall might continue to play there, despite the exposure of his shortcomings on Tuesday night. Doncaster's Summer signing Darren Byfield is 50/50 to play, and we won't want the ex-V*lla man to score against us. Another worry, if passed fit, will be former on-loan nightmare defender Matthew Mills, although if he scored an own goal that would be most agreeable. Sean McDaid and Gordon Greer are longer-term absentees and won't play.
It'll be harsh, but the fruitless 120 minutes of midweek Cup football will have taken its toll on our small squad. Doncaster got to rest, having been beaten in the first round, and they'll narrowly beat us here to go above us in the table. Doyle to score a late consolation.
Stats
- We have never won an away game against Doncaster, although the most recent of our five attempts was back in March 1952.
- Doncaster had the third tightest defence in League One last season, but were beaten five times at home during the campaign.
- A strange Championship statistic is that we haven't kept a winning clean sheet away from home for a whole year, and our only clean sheet on the road in the last year was a single goalless draw at Southampton in March.
Former Players
Match Odds
Last Season's Score
(n/a)
SBS Score Prediction
2-1
26th August 2008:
Morrison 45
Dann 90
Dann o.g 21
Milner 38
Owen 97
Well, we're out of the cup, fairly controversially given the winning goal, but what can't be taken away from us is that we pushed Newcastle all the way, staging a fantastic fightback and putting up a better show than we usually did when we played them in the Premiership.
It's the first time in seven years that we've had a cup tie go to extra time, and while we're not going very far in this years Carling Cup, it's a performance from which a lot of encouragement can be gleaned.
Until the FA Cup welcomes us in January, we have several months dedicated to league action, and now we are free to concentrate on this.
Is the squad strong enough to stay among the early season front-runners? Our current injury problems have tested us severely, especially in terms of right-sided players, and we might need to bring in somebody before the transfer window closes next week.
We have a tough test on Saturday against newly-promoted Doncaster (and we very often lose to promoted sides), but if we can show the fight we showed against a far stronger Newcastle side, we should be able to emerge with a comfortable win.
25th August 2008:
Carling Cup Preview
Coventry City
Newcastle UtdWe reverted to type on Saturday, losing at home to Bristol City (again), and the consequences of the game go beyond demoralisation and points dropped, as we've lost two key players to injury. Thus a Cup game against a Premiership side could be a hiding to nothing, as we take to the TV screens for the first time this season, against perennial telly favourites Newcastle. Both Ray Ranson and Chris Coleman will relish to chance to turn over the club they once played for, and Coleman was managed by Kevin Keegan at Fulham, but the sad reality is that, unless they put out a second string side, we'll probably have no chance at all.
Keiren Westwood was concussed against Bristol City, so Andy Marshall will probably start in goal, while Freddie Eastwood will miss out too - Leon McKenzie, Michael Mifsud and Robbie Simpson are all options to partner Clinton Morrison upfront, though Leon Best is still not fit. Stephen Wright is also on the injured list, Marcus Hall could be fit for the first time this season, but Isaac Osbourne remains sidelined. Newcastle do have most of their big names available, though strikers Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins are missing. The strength of their side will depend on how seriously Kevin Keegan takes the competition.
Michael Mifsud liked the big occasions in the Cup competitions last season, and he'll score his first of the season. Otherwise it will be damage limitation, and we won't disgrace ourselves but the Carling Cup run stops here.
Stats
- Our record against Newcastle has never been good. They have won six of the last seven meetings, and we have won only once in the last ten.
- We've been knocked out on our own ground in three successive cup competitions.
- Newcastle have made an unbeaten start to their Premiership campaign, with a good draw away at Man Utd followed up with a home win over Bolton.
Former Players
Match Odds
This Stage Last Season
Carlisle 0-2 Coventry
SBS Score Prediction
1-2
23rd August 2008:
Adebola 17
McIndoe 54
Brooker 90
It's exactly the same story as last season - our good start to the campaign ends horrendously with a 0-3 home bloodbath against Bristol City.
We had been a little fortunate in the wins over Norwich and Barnsley, but that could not be said today, with a blatantly prejudiced refereeing display from Phil Dowd (who oversaw our huge home defeat to West Brom last season), terrible sportsmanship from Dele Adebola against his former employers, and absolutely no luck at all for us this week.
The predictable start to the season makes you wonder if results between clubs are agreed in three or four-year blocks to satisfy betting syndicates and there's nothing the real fans can do about it.
We have to try and pick ourselves up for Newcastle in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night, but given the injuries to key players Westwood and Eastwood today, it's going to be a far from first-choice side that takes to the field.
Our start to the season was nice while it lastest, but it looks like we're back in more familiar territory now.
22nd August 2008:
INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP
It's been a week of disappointment for City's International players, though fortunately there are no injuries to report after the friendlies played.
Freddy Eastwood has been a regular for Wales for a while, and made his first International appearance since joining the Sky Blues, but his side went down 2-1 to Georgia in Swansea.
Also losing 2-1 were Michael Mifsud's Malta, beaten by Estonia, and Mifsud himself hit the post from the penalty spot, though Iceland did marginally better, getting a 1-1 draw away in Azerbaijan, with Aron Gunnarsson in the side.
Chris Birchall started for Trinidad & Tobago who had a competive fixture, and they defeated Cuba 3-1 in Havana in World Cup 2010 Qualifying.
Closer to home, a mostly young reserve side played Aston Villa in a friendly, and were beaten 5-2, with goals coming from Leon McKenzie and Matthew West.
Championship Preview
Coventry City
Bristol CityThis week will see two games that could tell us just how far we've really come under Chris Coleman. The Cup game against Newcastle on Tuesday is more glamourous, but equally important is a league game against a Bristol City side that have been something of a lumbar puncture for us in the last couple of years. Yes, we're top of the table, but we've only won two fixture that we usually win, which just happened to fall at the start of the season. If we win again here, things will be a little different, and we could go clear at the top of the table, but this is a side that surprised many people to make last season's play-offs, and they ended our unbeaten run at the start of last season with a huge win at the Ricoh. Add to that Dele Adebola in their lineup, and the failed transfer of Michael Mifsud in the Summer, and we have a spicy contest.
With a week of rest for most players and International commitments for a small handful, we're unlikely to see too many changes, though Freddy Eastwood could be rested and replaced upfront by Leon McKenzie or Michael Mifsud, having turned out for Wales. Stephen Wright is doubtful, so Aron Gunnarsson might be required to fill in at right-back once again, and Micky Doyle is now fit enough to start, if selected, though Leon Best, Dimi Konstantopoulos and Isaac Osbourne are all still injured. Bristol City have signed Scottish defender Andy Webster on loan, being short of defenders, and he will make his debut, but midfielder Marvin Elliott is injured.
This is where we'll come unstuck. History tends to repeat itself in football, and Bristol City will continue their hoodoo over us. Adebola to score the winner, obviously.
Stats
- Bristol City did the double over us last season and knocked us out of the FA Cup (as a League One side) the season before.
- The Robins only won seven away games last season, and had the worst away record of the top seven, but won their first away trip this season, 1-0 at Blackpool on the opening day.
- We have lost only once at home in nine games since Chris Coleman took charge, and that was to promotion-winning Stoke at the end of last season.
Former Players
Dele Adebola
Match Odds
Last Season's Score
0-3
SBS Score Prediction
0-1
16th August 2008:
Howard 43
Eastwood 11
Gray 68
Another good away day at Oakwell is enough to put us joint top of the table after the first two games of the league season.
With Eastwood netting his first for the club, and the much maligned Julian Gray chipping in with the winner, goals are being shared around the team, and we do look competitive in all areas.
Yes, it's very early days, but could Chris Coleman be on the brink of something very special? We've not won our first two league fixtures of a season since 1993.
Early last season we got off to a good start, taking eight points from our first four games, then we lost 3-0 at home to Bristol City.
Next Saturday's fixture is... home to Bristol City!
15th August 2008:
TV TIME
The Sky Blues first televised outing of the season will be on Tuesday August 26, after the Carling Cup 2nd Round tie against Newcastle United was nominated for airing by Sky, as was half-expected from the moment the draw was announced.
It's a game that has a lot of potential neutral interest given our giant-killing exploits last season, and the fact that both Ray Ranson and Chris Coleman have played for Newcastle, though last season's home game against West Ham was televised and ended in disappointment and controversy.
Mind you, in the 1990s there was a season when both sides were in the Premiership, and over the course of a season, the Sky Blues were shown live on television three times in all competitions, and Newcastle were shown over 20 times, so maybe it's because it's them, not because it's us!
This season we will at least match that, as we have league games against Southampton and Birmingham set for TV coming up in October and November respectively.
Championship Preview
BarnsleyCoventry CityOn the opening day of last season we travelled to Oakwell, thrashed Barnsley 4-1, and everyone (well, some people) thought it could be our season and we'd win promotion under Iain Dowie. Heh.
This time it's the second fixture of the season, and we're looking to build a 100% start with a victory, which looks entirely possible given our good record against the Tykes, and the fact that they are one of the favourites for relegation this season. But they had success in last season's FA Cup and have some decent players, so it will not be as easy at it looks on paper, and past results won't necessarily count for anything as they look for their first points of the season.
Micky Doyle was given a couple of minutes at the end of Tuesday's nights game and should be fit enough for a place on the bench at least. Keeper Andy Marshall is also fit, which might mean we play a third different keeper in three games if Keiren Westwood doesn't make it. Jay Tabb is also a doubt, while Leon Best is a longer-term absentee. Elliott Ward is likely to return to the side, but Michael Mifsud could keep his place. Barnsley had Summer signing Marciano Van Homoet sent off on the opening day so he is suspended, while Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Mounir El Haimour are both injured.
Given our injury problems, we could come unstuck here. With the likes of Iain Hume, Brian Howard and Jon Macken in their side, Barnsley look likely to score, even against our solid defence, and it's hard to see us hitting more than one in reply. Scott Dann to net his first for the club.
Stats
- Our recent record against Barnsley is incredible - we've won the last five meetings, and scored four goals in four of those five games!
- While we won on the opening day, and then won our cup tie in midweek, Barnsley lost to QPR, and were then knocked out of the Carling Cup by League One Crewe.
- At the end of last season, Barnsley lost four out of five games at home in all competitions.
Former Players
Martin Devaney
Match Odds
Last Season's Score
1-4
SBS Score Prediction
1-1
13th August 2008:
Morrison 31
Simpson 58, 65
Morgan 37
A competent display sees us ease through to the second round, and but for some very good defending goalkeeping from the admirable visitors, we could have netted a few more goals. But Aldershot look good enough to do well in League Two this season, while we avoid a potential banana skin. There are no real losers.
Clinton Morrison gets his first goal for the club, while Robbie Simpson scores two - as many as he managed in all of last season - but the biggest news is the return of prodigal son Michael Mifsud to the side.
With early-season injuries still niggling away at us, it's nice to have additional options ahead of Saturday's trip to Barnsley, and nice to get through to the next round of the Cup too, obviously.
The Sky Blues are 125 years old today, and there's plenty to celebrate.
TOUGH CUP DRAW
We have drawn a home game against Premiership opposition in the 2nd Round of the Carling Cup, with Newcastle United the visitors to the Ricoh in two weeks time.
It's a mixed blessing - on one hand it's a fairly glamourous fixture, but on the other, we have long had a terrible, terrible record against the Magpies, even at home, and even when we were playing with them in The Premiership.
And for 92 Club aspirants, it's disappointing, given the thin pickings of new places to visit in the league this season - a lot of people would prefer Macclesfield away to Newcastle at home.
Chris Coleman played for the Toon Army in the 1990s, as did Ray Ranson in the 1980s, which certainly adds some spice to the tie, and we know we can beat higher-division opposition in Cup competition after last years successes against Man Utd and Blackburn, and the game is definitely a contender for broadcast live on TV.
We last played Newcastle in the 2005 FA Cup, where we lost 3-1 at St. James Park.
SIMMONDS OFF ON LOAN
Our recent pre-season opponents Kilmarnock have taken striker Donovan Simmonds on loan until the new year.
Simmonds joined us from Charlton last Summer, but never played in the first team, and will hopefully gain some valuable experience North of the Border.
12th August 2008:
Carling Cup Preview
Coventry City
Aldershot TownIt's the Official 125th Birthday celebrations of Singers FC, now known as the Sky Blues, and what better way to celebrate than with a glamour League Cup tie against Aldershot Town? That's the way the club are determined to spin it, and who can blame them, given traditionally poor attendances in the early stages of this competition. League new boys Aldershot have been on a long climb up the football pyramid, after the old Aldershot club tragically folded in 1992. They are not used to losing, but we will be the biggest club they have ever played in their current incarnation, so we should have enough to get by, taking nothing for granted, mind.
This will be Chris Coleman's first cup tie in charge of CCFC, and it will be interesting to see how much he rotates the squad compared to previous gaffers. We have our second league game of the season at Barnsley on Saturday, so some players might be rested, though others who are still building up fitness might deliberately feature in the game. Jay Tabb is almost certain to miss out, having gone off injured in the season opener, so Kevin Thornton should be in contention, as are defenders Ben Turner and Marcus Hall. Kieren Westwood also picked up a knock, and while Andy Marshall is close to fitness, there could be a first-team debut for Danny Ireland in goal. Leon McKenzie may start, following his 100th career goal on Saturday, and there could even be a recall for Michael Mifsud. Maybe.
Shots have a handful of early-season injuries to contend with themselves, with captain Rhys Day, midfielder Scott Davies and defender Dave Winfield among those missing out. Worth noting is that this competition will allow seven substitutes to be named this season - it will be the first time ever we have competed in such a match.
The game could be less easy than we think, especially if we field a weaker side, but we should just have enough to get past League Two opposition. Marcus Hall and Kevin Thornton the surprise goalscorers.
Stats
- Technically, we have never played this Aldershot Town side before, as they have only been in existence for 15 years, and this year is their first in the league.
- Against the former Aldershot FC side that went out of business in 1992, we had an excellent record, and in the last meetings in 1959, beat them 7-1 and 4-0 respectively home and away.
- Aldershot won their first game this season, and are on a run of 16 games unbeaten in all competitions.
Former Players
Match Odds
This Stage Last Season
Coventry 3-0 Notts County
SBS Score Prediction
2-1
9th August 2008:
Ward 48 (pen)
McKenzie 86
It's not the most convincing performance ever seen, but a winning start to the season nonetheless, as the new-look Sky Blues turn in a sufficiently solid defensive display and snatch victory against the new-look Norwich.
We usually do well on the opening day, and victory doesn't mean much in the big scheme of things, but it's three points we didn't really deserve on the board already, and that's a platform on which we can build.
Given that our pre-season programme was fragmented and didn't include a home game, it's likely that the new players will take time to gel.
Tbere should be some much-needed practice on Wednesday night when we entertain Aldershot Town in the Carling Cup - and with no disrespect to the Hampshire side, it's a game we should be winning comfortably, and hopefully our new strikers will have a chance to find their scoring boots.
8th August 2008:
THE WRIGHT MOVE
City have now completed the paperwork to sign Stephen Wright, just hours before the registration deadline for tomorrow's big game against Norwich.
Wright has looked like a solid right-back, and during his trial has played more minutes pre-season than any other player, mainly because we didn't have any senior players at the club in that position. He now joins Clinton Morrison in penning a two-year contract.
The 28-year-old joins us on a free transfer having been released by Sunderland, but spent some time last season playing in the Championship for promotion-winning Stoke City, making 17 appearances for them.
We now have a first-choice back line of Wright, Elliott Ward, Captain Scott Dann, and set-piece maestro Dan Fox at left-back. That is a very solid defence indeed, especially with Keiren Westwood in between the post.
Wright brings to six the number of signings this Summer, and all six are expected to start tomorrow.
Championship Preview
Coventry City
Norwich CityIt's the first day of the season, and optimism is even greater than usual. Following our narrow escape last time, we have brought in six new signings, have financial stability assured by Ray Ranson, and a quality manager in Chris Coleman. Our first test of the campaign is a home clash with Norwich, who themselves will feel that a promotion push is possible this season. It's just one game, but it would be nice to get off to a winning start and show the league we mean business.
All six of our Summer signings are expected to make their competitive debuts for the club, with Westwood, Wright, Gunnarsson, Beuzelin all starting and a strikeforce of Freddie Eastwood and Clinton Morisson. The rest of the team will pick itself, and the start of the season has come too early for injured keepers Marshall and Konstantopoulos, while Micky Doyle, Leon Best and Isaac Osbourne are all absent. The question many will be asking is: Will Mifsud be named in the squad? Norwich's Summer signing David Bell is injured, and there are also doubts over Gary Doherty, Adam Drury and Ryan Bertrand.
We usually do well on the opening day, and with no disrespect to Norwich and their aspirations, we usually beat them at home too, and snould expect to do so again. But nothing can be taken for granted in football, and I think we'll have to settle for a late Ward equaliser from the penalty spot after a frustrating performance.
Stats
- Since relegation from the Premiership we have won our opening fixture five times and drawn the other two.
- We have won our last two home games against Norwich, and have lost only one of the last six meetings altogether.
- Norwich ended last season with five straight away defeats, going back to their 1-0 'thrashing' at the Ricoh in March.
Former Players
Leon McKenzie
Match Odds
Last Season's Score
1-0
SBS Score Prediction
1-1
7th August 2008:
MORE REASONS TO SHOP FOR MORRISON
The club have finally completed the signing of Clinton Morrison, with the striker penning a two-year deal at The Ricoh Arena.
The 29 year old was a free agent since leaving Crystal Palace at the end of last season, and has also played in the Premiership with Birmingham City.
Morrison has been getting over an injury, which has held up his transfer, and has played a limited part in our pre-season campaign while on trial, but scored 16 goals last season, including one against us, as usual.
A proven goalscorer at Championship level, Clinton is expected to push hard for a place in our starting eleven.
At a fans forum last night, Chris Coleman and Ray Ranson also pledged that right-back Stephen Wright would definitely be registered in time to play against Norwich in the season opener on Saturday.
6th August 2008:
BEST FEARS THE WORST
Leon Best's knee injury sustained against Kilmarnock means that he will miss the opening game of the season on Saturday against Norwich.
And the injury might be serious enough that he will be out for several weeks, meaning that we'll start the season with a somewhat depleted squad. Other players who will be missing through injury on Saturday are Micky Doyle and Dimi Konstantopoulos, while Andy Marshall and Isaac Osbourne will be highly doubtful, and neither has played in pre-season games.
The club are hopeful that a deal for Clinton Morrison can be reached, at least in the short term, so we'll have some more options upfront in the absense of Best.
Our opening week is a busy one, with a midweek game at home against Aldershot in the Carling Cup, and then a trip to Barnsley the following Saturday.
THE MAGNIFICENT ELEVEN
So, with the new season now just days away, what would your strongest team be? What will Chris Coleman's strongest team be? And what have the pre-season friendlies taught us?
Since joining us last season, Coleman had a tendency to play forward players in wide positions - generally a 4-3-3 formation that was often pushed back to 4-5-1. This season he has planned to build around a more conventional and settled 4-4-2, and his Summer signings have reflected the need to strengthen midfield.
So far, we've brought in a new keeper (as well as offering professional deals to two young keepers who came through the ranks), a defensive central midfielder, a midfield playmaker, and a forward.
Deals should go through for Stephen Wright, a right-back, and Clinton Morrison, another forward, bringing to six the number of signings, all of whom are likely to be pushing for first-team places, if not guaranteed them.
Overall we have a smaller squad. A total of nine senior players were released in the Summer plus a couple of youngsters, the loan signings with us at the end of last season aren't any longer, and Michael Mifsud is also likely to be an outcast, with Chris Coleman publically excluding him from his plans. Additionally, Dimi Konstantopoulos, Andy Marshall, Isaac Osbourne, Micky Doyle and Leon Best are all set to miss the start of the season through injury, which should mean the team can virtually pick itself.
Piecing things together carefully from the assigned squad numbers, pre-season performances and available personnel, and assuming the signings of Wright and Morrison go though, we would expect Coleman's team against Barnsley to look something like this:
Westwood, Wright, Ward, Dann (c), Fox, Tabb, Gunnarsson, Beuzelin, Gray, Eastwood, Morrison. SUBS: Ireland, Hall, Thornton, McKenzie, Simpson.
Interestingly, even if everybody was fit, he could well pick the same starting eleven - although Leon Best could be picked ahead of Morrison, and Osbourne might start in place of Gunnarsson. There would likely be a place for Micky Doyle on the bench, with Andy Marshall as sub keeper. If he can patch up his differences with the club, Mifsud would also be a sub at least, obviously.
There are players 'bubbling under' the first 16 - Kevin Kyle, Ben Turner, Chris Birchall and Donovan Simmonds, but beyond that our squad does seem to be on the 'lean' side.
But it has to be said that even with injury absentees, the team we're likely to start with on Saturday looks pretty damn good in all departments - on paper at least.
4th August 2008:
CAPTAIN SCOTT
Chris Coleman has confirmed that Scott Dann will be club captain for the start of the season.
The 21-year-old England U21 centre-back is still young, and only joined the club in January, but his performances at the heart of defence have made him an instant regular in our side, and he has shown authoritative leadership skills.
The appointment will raise doubts over just how much of a part Micky Doyle will play once he is fit again - he could be some way down the midfield pecking order, having missed out on the pre-season campaign.
Then again, this time last year, the club captain was announced as... Arjan De Zeeuw! Proof that managers sometimes make mistakes...
2008 to 2009 Season Preview: US!!!
Coventry City Last Season: 21st
Last season was strange, wonderful, horrible, exciting and scary. There was a strong start in the league that left us top of the table after four games, there were good runs in both cups, and astounding away victories against Man Utd and Blackburn, as we beat higher division teams for the first time since the 1960s. There was the threat of Administration, the transfer embargo, the last-minute reprieve by Ray Ranson and SISU Capital, and then there was the slump. There was Iain Dowie going out, Chris Coleman coming in. There was 53 points on the board, which has always been enough to secure survival for any team in history in any division. And yet, on the final day, there was a real chance that we would go down.
It was a crazy league. Every team could beat every other team. One goal from Leicester could have relegated us. But if we'd won just five more games, we could have made the play-offs. That's how tight things were, so last seasons 21st place isn't really a good indicator of fortunes for this season. Off the pitch, things are sorted. On the pitch, we're spending money, and spending it wisely. We should be a top-half side. And I don't think that 7th place is an overly optimistic prediction at all. There was relief at the end of last season as we avoided relegation. This time it will be agony, as we narrowly, narrowly miss out on the play-offs.
Our pre-season results haven't exactly set the world alight, and we've played fewer games than usual, but such things are rarely a reliable indicator of what is to come anyway. Much of the 'dead wood' has gone, and Chris Coleman has made strategic signings, which should ensure that we have a stronger squad overall. Hopefully before next Saturday we'll tie up deals for Clinton Morrison and Stephen Wright, which should give the squad a bit more depth.
Apart from the right-back slot (even assuming Wright signs) we have a fairly strong side in all areas. At the end of last season we got the defense right, and the likes of Elliott Ward, new captain Scott Dann and the exciting Dan Fox are tremendous players to have at the back. We have midfielders both creative and holding, and we've got a surprising number of flexible players who can fill in more than one position, though hopefully the days of playing strikers on the wings and a midfielder at right-back deliberately (rather than solely when needs must) are over.
I think our defence will be key at the Ricoh, just as it was late last season. 1-0 and 2-0 wins will be common, and I think we'll win 13 games at home, drawing five and losing five. We might play different formations away from home, with more emphasis on the counter-attack, and this will lead to seven wins, seven draws and nine defeats. In total, this yields 72 points, which would have been just enough to make the play-offs last year.
It seems pretty clear that Chris Coleman's preferred strikeforce will be Leon Best and Freddy Eastwood, probably in a conventional 4-4-2, with Morrison (if he signs) and Simpson as backup, and Leon McKenzie utilised more as a winger or third striker as required. Michael Mifsud probably won't get much of a look-in now, even if he stays at the club. Eastwood will be top scorer, with 18 goals, and overall we'll score 62 for the season, 33 of them at home, with goals coming from all positions for a change. Defensively we'll be tight, keeping 18 clean sheets, and conceding only 45 goals.
After last season's cup success, it will be hard to live up to our reputation as modern-day giant-killers, and after beating Aldershot in the Carling Cup, we'll go out to Leeds in the second round. In the FA Cup we'll get drawn at home to Fulham in the 3rd round, and get knocked out.
Of the Summer signings, Guillame Beuzelin will be a bit of a disappointment, and while Aron Gunnarsson will be a solid holding midfielder, Isaac Osbourne will continue to improve, and once we have a right-back, he'll make the defensive midfield posiiton his own this season.
Players will come and go, with Birchall, Kyle and Borrowdale all successfully offloaded before the end of August, while Mifsud will probably get a loan move somewhere, and be sold for a small fee in January before his contract expires. In the transfer window, we'll get rid of Dimi Konstantopoulos, and Micky Doyle will probably move on too, having lost his place in the side. There might be another couple of signings though, especially a right-winger and right-back.
Off the pitch there will be more stability than for a long time, with Ray Ranson steadying the ship, Coleman holding on to his job as manager comfortably, and attendancies steadily rising.
The season will end in relative disappointment, but we'll be leaps and bounds ahead of where we were a few months ago, and ready for a strong promotion push in 2009-2010.
Betting Odds:
Championship: 25/1
Promotion: 10/1
Relegation: 13/2
Freddy Eastwood top scorer in Division: 25/1
Clinton Morrison top scorer in Division: 40/1
Michael Mifsud top scorer in Division: 40/1
Leon Best top scorer in Division: 66/1
FA Cup Winners: 250/1
League Cup Winners: 150/1
Why not have a flutter?
2nd August 2008:
KILLIE KILLED
Friendly Result: Kilmarnock 0-2 Coventry City
It was by far the most encouraging result of the pre-season campaign at Rugby Park, with a satisfying away win against SPL side Kilmarnock.
The surprise star of the show was Julian Gray, who won a penalty, converted by Eliott Ward early in the second half, then scored a stunning second from the edge of the area - the left-winger responding well to his critics who considered him unworthy of a place in the Coventry side.
The first half saw Leon Best have a goal disallowed, before going off injured and making way for Clinton Morrison, but Kilmarnock looked a very useful side, and we were indebted to keeper Keiren Westwood who made several good first-half saves, and the back four of Wright, Ward, Dann and Fox, which will surely be our first choice defence, assuming Stephen Wright signs his contract.
An attacking formation saw Robbie Simpson playing in midfield rather than defensive midfielder Aron Gunarsson, with Jay Tabb, and Guillame Beuzelin also playing in the middle, and Freddy Eastwood upfront, with Kevin Thornton making a late sub appearance to complete the lineup.
The clean sheets in Scotland will have boosted confidence, and we can go into next Saturday's season opener against Norwich with confidence fairly high, although it's still not totally obvious what our first-choice XI is.
1st August 2008:
MIFSUD FUTURE UNCERTAIN
Chris Coleman has publically stated that he will not be selecting Michael Mifsud, leaving the player in limbo following his transfer request and failed move to Bristol City.
With the Robins now officially withdrawing their interest in Mifsud, both him and us are in an awkward situation, and it's far from obvious how it can be resolved, unless another club matches the asking price for him.
Maybe eventually things will cool off, and he'll be playing for us next season, but given that he expressed a strong desire to leave, he will undoubtedly be far less popular with the fans than before, and we'd be better off cashing in while the transfer window is open, given that he'll be a free agent at the end of the season.
Players can recover from an impasse like this - last season Leon Best was dropped from the side when he wanted to move to Nottingham Forest. But we held on to him, and he withdrew his transfer request and came back into the side - now rewarded with the No. 9 shirt this season. Will there be a similarly bright future for Mifsud? Who knows?
Meanwhile, Coleman has also pledged that the club will do everything it can to secure the signatures of Stephen Wright, Clinton Morrison and Martin Cranie before next Saturday's big kick-off, and that there might be one or two other players we are still chasing too.
2008 to 2009 Season Preview: Other Divisions
Premiership
Last Season's Premiership race was mostly two-horse, but at least Man Utd and Chelsea took it to the final day. The final table was made to look more competitive than it had actually been because Arsenal finished the season strongly and ended up only four points short of the top. Without Christiano Ronaldo, United would probably have missed out on the top three though, and keeping him or losing him will define their fortunes this season. Chelsea drew too many games, but looked more the complete package, while Liverpool continue to improve slowly but keep on dropping silly points. It all adds up to the top four ending up exactly the same next season, with Chelsea dominant in both Cup competitions too.
Of the also-rans, I pick Spurs and Man City to come fifth and sixth, as both have made useful and expensive signings, while Newcastle should also take a step towards European qualification after a couple of disappointing finishes.
Surely none of the newly promoted clubs can be as bad as Derby were, although it will be tough for any of them to survive. I pick West Brom to manage it though, and Hull and Stoke will go back down, though not embarassingly, while Wigan's luck will run out and they will join them.
Betting Odds
Championship: Man Utd 11/8; Chelsea 13/8; Arsenal 4/1; Liverpool 15/2.
Relegation: Stoke 4/11; Hull 4/11; West Brom 6/5; Bolton 5/2; Fulham 11/4; Wigan 7/2; Sunderland 4/1; West Ham 8/1; Middlesbrough 8/1; Blackburn 11/1.
Why not have a flutter?
League One
Leeds nearly won automatic promotion last time despite their 15 point deduction, and should run away with the division this season. The question is who will be runner-up. Of the teams that went down from The Championship, Leicester were very strong, and they will probably make up a top two that finishes miles clear of the reat. The play-offs will be wide open, with Carlisle, Southend, Colchester and Scunthorpe making the cut, and Carlisle emerging victorious. Narrowly missing out on a top six place will be Peterborough and the resurgent MK Dons.
Going down will be eternal survivors Cheltenham, Hartlepool, Stockport and Yeovil, as Crewe and Northampton narrowly survive.
Betting Odds
Championship: Leeds 3/1; Leicester 5/1; Peterborough 9/1; MK Dons 11/1; Huddersfield 14/1; Carlisle 16/1.
Relegation: Cheltenham 11/10; Yeovil 2/1; Stockport 2/1; Hereford 2/1; Crewe 2/1; Orient 12/5; Walsall 11/4; Swindon 4/1; Bristol Rovers 4/1; Hartlepool 4/1; Millwall 4/1; Northampton 4/1.
Why not have a flutter?
League Two
It would be hard to imagine Luton overcoming their 30 point deduction, if indeed they manage to stay in business, so they look likely to finish bottom and drop out of the football league. Also surely heading back to the Conference is Accrington Stanley, while Macclesfield and Dagenham can survive.
At the top of this division, who knows? There's no clear favourite, and it's wide open. Bradford deserve a change in fortune, and will win as Champions, with Shrewsbury and Gilliingham joining them. In the play-offs it really is a free-for-all. Darlington to win, ahead of Wycombe, Rochdale and Brentford, while new boys Aldershot will acquit themselves OK and only narrowly miss out on the top seven.
Betting Odds
Championship: Shrewsbury 7/1; Bradford 8/1; Darlington 9/1; Rochdale 10/1; Gillingham 10/1; Chesterfield 11/1; Wycombe 12/1; Bournemouth 12/1.
Relegation: Luton 3/10; Accrington 5/2; Dag & Red 3/1; Macclesfield 3/1; Chester 4/1; Rotherham 4/1; Morecambe 5/1;
Why not have a flutter?