Coventry City 1 - West Bromwich Albion 2

Date: Saturday 4th December 2021 Live on Sky Sports
Competition: Sky Bet Championship
Coventry:
5.6
(3-4-1-2) Moore, Dabo, McFadzean, Rose, Kane, Hamer (Kelly, 40), Sheaf, Maatsen (Hyam, 45), O'Hare (Walker, 77), Godden, Gyökeres
Unused subs: Wilson, Jones, Allen, Shipley
WBA:
6.8
(3-4-2-1) Johnstone 6.5, Kipré 6.5, Bartley 5.3, Clarke 6.8, Furlong 5.3, Gardner-Hickman 7.7 (Ajayi, 86 5.7), Mowatt 6.8, Townsend 6.7, Diangana 5.3 (Hugill, 55 4.6), Grant 6.3, Robinson 5.7 (Reach, 69 5.1)
Unused subs: Button, Tulloch, Taylor, Fellows
Manager: Valérien Ismaël  5.9
Scorers: McFadzean (83); Grant (20), McFadzean (43 og)
Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire) 5.4
Attendance: 23,755   Home Fans 4.4   Away Fans 8.5

Brendan Clegg:

I was lucky to watch the game from the posh seats today via hospitality, with a perfect view above Ismael on the halfway line.

And although the result is important, a win is a win and there probably was an improvement, I’m not sure if this result is any good for us if it keeps the manager in a job. Harsh? I’d feel different if there was a big tactical or system change; if the manager had at last shown some flexibility. But it just wasn’t here and whilst we got the win nothing else was much different and I’d argue with the squad that we have compared to most of our championship rivals, even with somebody clueless in charge we’d win games.

If I was to honestly sum the game up in sections I’d say - First 15, utterly terrible and Coventry missed a sitter. An okay 20 mins in which we scored a goal and maybe should’ve got more.

A ropey spell where if Cov had any belief or quality they’d have made more of their situations having got through us, and they did hit the post.

A flukey long throw goal right before half time. 5 minutes of nothing after half time followed by being outplayed for much of the half but looking a threat on the break and fluffing good situations.

Eventually conceding from a corner and then playing every minute from then on like it was the 95th.

Controlled and secure it certainly wasn’t and from my vantage point it was clear how often we just hoofed it, whacked it back or just hooked it on. It could so easily have gone the other way and I think in the end it was just our physical/athletic superiority that got us over the line. We give it away so cheaply and it certainly looked like there was little love lost between the manager and some of the players.

  • SJ - 6 nothing to do and decent kicking.
  • Kipre - 6 Powerful but sometimes rash.
  • Bartley - 6 Did okay.
  • Clarke - 6 Another strong game defensively but too whack happy.
  • Furlong - 6 Supported attacks well.
  • TGH - 7 Blameless tactically and got about well.
  • Mowatt - 6 Gives the ball away a lot but some good pressing.
  • Townsend - 6 Reliable as usual
  • Grant - 6 Good finish but didn’t look after it well.
  • Robinson - 6 Hit and miss but the balls to KG are why I’d play him as a 10 behind KG up top until we sign a better option.
  • Diagana - 5 Movement and touch worry the opposition but it isn’t happening on the right.
  • Hugill - 4 Tries but weakened us and invited greater pressure
  • Ajayi and Reach - Did a job

Mark Koppel:

Coventry Chavs v WBA

First away game of the season , most enjoyable, and generally an improved performance.

Dare I say it, but the high press tactics worked first half against a Team trying to play out from the back.

One of the best moments was the very high, head level tackle By Coventry's Assistant Manager , on the grey track suited bottom Idiot, who thought it was very clever to run towards our fans and then onto the pitch.

I think he failed the HIA, not because he was injured, but because they couldn't find his brain !

Player Ratings:

  • Johnstone 7 - Again not that much to do but solid and once more never kicked the ball out of play.
  • 'Club Feet' Furlong 3 - Still cannot kick the ball properly, which is appalling given this is his profession. In the first 10 minutes he tried to cross it 3 times, and on all occasions went along the ground to their first defender. If he passes to a West Brom Player, it is luck rather than judgement. Even for our second goal, he hit it straight at Matt Godden for it luckily to bounce up onto Kipper's hand. Very frustrated he continues to get picked, especially as Gardner-Hickman would be a far better option there.
  • Clarke 8 - Brilliant again. Strong in his challenges and can use the ball well.
  • Kippers 7- A couple of lapses but like Clarke is a proper footballer who can also pass ,and use his hands !
  • Donkey Bartley 4 - Still one of the worst players ever to be at the Club in last 20 years. Made a couple of tackles but passing was awful, including a easy one straight out of play in the first half. He also hoofed one against his own post because he has little control over his legs. And was to blame for the their goal by running forward to the cross to let it then go over his head. Captain ???? Don't make me laugh.
  • Townsend 7 - Has grown into the role at wing back again. Starting to look like the player he was last season.
  • Mowatt 8 - Played really, really well. Back to how he was before his injury. Injuries have been his issue apparently throughout his career so lets hope he stays fit.
  • Gardner-Hickman 8 - What a player for someone so young. To play so well in the most difficult position on the pitch was exceptional.
  • Grady 5 - He still has potential I think but seems to have lost his confidence. Not sure he went off before the normal 59 minutes because of injury but did look dejected.
  • Grant 7 - He scores goals, and that is his main job. He also did a couple of very good crosses in the first half.
  • Robinson 6 - Quite a mixed bag. Some very poor crosses before his absolutely brilliant pass to Grant. Celebrated more than any in front of the Albion Fans because they were giving him stick before that goal.

Subs-

  • Ajayi 6 - Not on for long. Please, please pick him instead of Donkey.
  • Reach 5 - Played on the right which really did not suit him. Like a lot of left footed players, the right leg is just for standing on.
  • Huge Bill 2 - I know it is a long way to Norwich, but I will drive him back there in January.