Coventry City 1-1 Leicester City

[syston_fox]

Im not being funny mate but you didnt create a chance all game, your goal was a brilliant 20 yard volley, we were comfortable at 1-0 under no pressure at all until Howard came on , he changed the game.

Off the top of my head from being at the game:

- Dyer cut inside and shot just over the bar in the first half

- Gallagher long range curler that hit the bar

- Gallagher one on one with your keeper which he did well to save

- Waghorns goal

- DJ missing a change in front of goal when the ball was pulled back by Dyer.

[TrickyTrev]

Neither side created much and a draw was probably a fair result between two mediocre sides. We looked really solid in the first half until they scored from a free kick, a little more open in the second half when we had 3 up but it worked and we got the half chance needed to take a point, great strike.

A draw keeps us in play off contention and was reward for a very good following.

[Cobbo]

Hats off to Nige for the changes that changed our fortunes.

Although we were good value for the point.

Kermo looked a handful.

[Thracian]

There were lots of positives for me considering that this was never going to be a game for purists but a war of attrition.

First the return of DJ. I've no idea what has brought about the reconciliation and don't really care. I'm just glad we've got a quick, difficult-to-contain striker back in the squad, trying his heart out and apparently at peace with the manager.

Second was Pearson's brave decision to take off two strikers and a midfield player and replace them with three strikers. It was a determined effort to go for the equaliser and one in which he introduced some real pace and attiude back into the side.

Even committed attackers like me recognise that away games against the goodish forward lines of Coventry and Middlesbrough would be tough and I happily accept that a four point return and just one goal conceded frodm a superb free-kick represented a pretty good performance.

City had their spells of superiority today and equally, some periods when they were under severe pressure. But they cancelled Coventry's free-kick with an absolutely supeb equaliser. Weale punt, deft flick by Howard and instant, outside-of-the-foot volley by the onrushing Waghorn.

How the guy will remember that and it really was no more than we deserved. Okay, we never committed ourselves as wholeheartedly to maintaining the pressure and grabbing a winner but Gallagher and Dyer did have the decent chances previously mentioned and Coventry did pose some serious problems particularly through Best, Clingan and teir right side in general.

For City it was hard to choose our man of the match. There was Dyer, who contributed a lively and sometimes dangerous full 90-minutes. Or Howard for his vital creating of the equaliser and the endless problems he posed for the home defence when he came on as sub. Or even nother subsitute, Waghorn, for his brilliantly executed goal from what was little more than a threequarter-chance and some robust, in-your-face running that also unsettled the previously comfortable Coventry defence. By a hairsbreadth I'll settle for Waghorn cos that chance was so difficult.

But everyone in the side deserved credit in different ways.

City showed over the last week that they really can compete with anyone in this League, home or away, and we now need now to work on the best way to get even better outcomes from what is clearly a respectable all-round squad.

Excellent company in the pub only helped make for another decent afternoon out.

[samuel]

Well all I can say is hats off to Nigel, he must read this forum because in recent weeks he has done what was asked of him.

Did I call you One-dimensional Nigel?. I am sorry pal, it seems you were simply delaying the changes.

Well 6th (i think as it stands)....Nice one you NP!

[Karljohn]

Im not being funny mate but you didnt create a chance all game, your goal was a brilliant 20 yard volley, we were comfortable at 1-0 under no pressure at all until Howard came on , he changed the game.

As for Morrison being pedestrian , yeah he was not involved hardly today that was due to him being out of position on the left hand side. But i thought Best lead the line very very well on his own up front, Brown and Hobbs who both played well won't come away from that game saying they had a comfortable afternoon. We missed some great chances in the first half that really should of been taken, on the whole though a point is fair, but for you to say that we were average is pretty contradictory as you didn't create a chance during the whole game.

By the way did your fans sing when it was 0-0/1-0 to us ?

17k support for a home game against your nearest rivals.....your support from towns such as Atherstone, Nuneaton and Bedworth is appalling, this is Coventry catchment area yet your club has about as much appeal as a used jam rag. The only time you've had a full house is when Oasis played in July.

No wonder I and many others chose Leicester, its not the most cosmopolitan place but at least I dont feel like taking a bellyful of anti depressants like I do when I visit your dump.

You were average, but if you consider your team better than that today then keep dreaming and join the other 16999 of your deluded lot, well probably 12000 next home game eh?

Just what was your pitch announcer doing before the kick off? introducing a fooking half full tesco stand? then a quarter full Telent stand? and I thought Chelsea Dagger was embrassing, oh yeah you got that too.

See you at the Walkers with your 2500.

[Hitesh]

I'd would have taken a draw before the game and I actually predicted 1-1 so bag on there!

Nige's changes made the difference by the sounds of it and shows he has the guts to make decisions like that which I think is good.

[lavrentis]

Fair point.

[Matt]

Happy, fair result, but gutted we didn't win just for bragging rights, on a whole though the result was about fair, DJ looked quite good on his comeback but he should have scored, I put it down to nerves but am annoyed about it.

Tell you what (And it's nothing new, we've all been over it before) though Cov's ground get's worse, I walked out and I felt about ready to fall asleep, It's so dull and boring there, Maybe it says something about the game I don't know but it's just a terrible ground (Like all new grounds - Including ours), with terrible support and fans.

[StanSP]

Couldn't get to listen to the game due to being at work, but happy with a point. 4 points from 2 tough places to go to, especially Boro.

I'm liking where we are at the table at this moment in time. Never have thought we would still be in top 10 at October.

Well done to NP (especially for ringing changes 2 games in a row) and the lads for continuing their efforts!

Wonder what will happen to DJ now? Start next game? Or just bench?

[maddog]

Overall we didn't play very well but neither did they really.

Thought it was a poor quality football match, both sides poor, a lot of hoofball, not a lot of passing or decent footy involved.

I think we just edged the first half, Gallagher had that chance but excellent goalkeeping denied him, also he had that shot that looked like it was going miles wide and hit the bar, we also had a bit of a scrappy incident in their box where no one could get a shot away, in the end Oakley hit it tamely along the floor and their defender kicked it near the line.

Classy free-kick and slightly unfair for us to be 1-0 down at half time, our midfield though seemed non existent, Gallagher thought he was Kaka and was trying 1 in a million stuff out there, he was very poor, King was anonymous as usual, Oakley just loves giving the ball away and wasting corners and free kick, the corner right at the end was shocking.

Someone behind me said Dyer was playing like a bag of wank, he wasn't, he was the only midfielder out there with any attacking impetuous.

2nd half and we started to get into it, Yann improved and won a good 5 brilliant flick ons at the beginning but we just struggled to create that chance. Our slow defence was caught at times and Cov pressured a little.

Then came Pearson, he had gone crazy, he's gone from a weak manager with his subs, rarely making 3 and making them very late in games, to throwing 3 strikers on all at once with half an hour to go.

Fantastic stuff i thought, and i said on here NP needs to try all the options in the striking department, and you can't say he didn't do that today. Howard did have an impact on the game, he slightly edges Yann in the target man/strength department, but for footballing technique and pace i would always pick Yann ahead of Howard now, which seems what NP is doing.

Waghorn once again added pace spirit and diemension up top, and it was fitting that a long ball flicked on by Howard was smashed in 1st time on the half volley from Martyn, a great goal, and with over 15 minutes left i thought we would go and win it, but in the end we settled for the draw and ran out of steam.

In the last 10 minutes it was awful hopeful hoofball, with Dj and Waghorn staying up when Cov were attacking, a ball along the floor to the small men could have paid massive dividends, big hats off to Nigel Pearson though, really going for it, 4-3-3 with Dj and Waghorn staying up for Covs corners/free kicks.

Credit to Pearson for giving Dj a go today, he is always a danger but obviously needs more game time in the Championship to get going again. People will mock him for his shocking cross/shot into the side netting but he had only just come on the pitch. Well done Dj for earning his place back in it for half an hour.

Overall though, a poor performance, mainly down to a total lack of Midfield. Dyer provided the only attacking intent for me and tried to keep it simple, Oakley and Gallagher thought they were playing for Brazil and repeatedly gave the ball away with their fancy passes, and Andy King was totally pointless out there, i hardly noticed him again, we really really missed Wellens.

But in the end a point well earned and deserved, and with 2 home games coming up next a chance to get back into the top six mix. Decent atmosphere in the Ricoh as i was near the scoreboard near the VERY LOUD Cov fans in a standing pocked of Lesta fans so standing up all game.

Shame it was only a draw but it could have been worse.

[Craig]

Lesta

Who?

[Matt]

Lesta

I hate that.

[Ozwin]

I'm going into Lestaaaaaa to buy a papaaaaaaa anyone want a lagaaaaaaaaaaa?

It's our thing isn't it?

[George]

17k support for a home game against your nearest rivals.....your support from towns such as Atherstone, Nuneaton and Bedworth is appalling, this is Coventry catchment area yet your club has about as much appeal as a used jam rag. The only time you've had a full house is when Oasis played in July.

No wonder I and many others chose Leicester, its not the most cosmopolitan place but at least I dont feel like taking a bellyful of anti depressants like I do when I visit your dump.

You were average, but if you consider your team better than that today then keep dreaming and join the other 16999 of your deluded lot, well probably 12000 next home game eh?

Just what was your pitch announcer doing before the kick off? introducing a fooking half full tesco stand? then a quarter full Telent stand? and I thought Chelsea Dagger was embrassing, oh yeah you got that too.

See you at the Walkers with your 2500.

Oh dear the last time we played you there was 22k at the Walkers.

You got 20,000 against Preston who were third and you were 7th , after a year unbeaten , that is appalling.

[Thracian]

Overall we didn't play very well but neither did they really.

Thought it was a poor quality football match, both sides poor, a lot of hoofball, not a lot of passing or decent footy involved.

I think we just edged the first half, Gallagher had that chance but excellent goalkeeping denied him, also he had that shot that looked like it was going miles wide and hit the bar, we also had a bit of a scrappy incident in their box where no one could get a shot away, in the end Oakley hit it tamely along the floor and their defender kicked it near the line.

Classy free-kick and slightly unfair for us to be 1-0 down at half time, our midfield though seemed non existent, Gallagher thought he was Kaka and was trying 1 in a million stuff out there, he was very poor, King was anonymous as usual, Oakley just loves giving the ball away and wasting corners and free kick, the corner right at the end was shocking.

Someone behind me said Dyer was playing like a bag of wank, he wasn't, he was the only midfielder out there with any attacking impetuous.

2nd half and we started to get into it, Yann improved and won a good 5 brilliant flick ons at the beginning but we just struggled to create that chance. Our slow defence was caught at times and Cov pressured a little.

Then came Pearson, he had gone crazy, he's gone from a weak manager with his subs, rarely making 3 and making them very late in games, to throwing 3 strikers on all at once with half an hour to go.

Fantastic stuff i thought, and i said on here NP needs to try all the options in the striking department, and you can't say he didn't do that today. Howard did have an impact on the game, he slightly edges Yann in the target man/strength department, but for footballing technique and pace i would always pick Yann ahead of Howard now, which seems what NP is doing.

Waghorn once again added pace spirit and diemension up top, and it was fitting that a long ball flicked on by Howard was smashed in 1st time on the half volley from Martyn, a great goal, and with over 15 minutes left i thought we would go and win it, but in the end we settled for the draw and ran out of steam.

In the last 10 minutes it was awful hopeful hoofball, with Dj and Waghorn staying up when Cov were attacking, a ball along the floor to the small men could have paid massive dividends, big hats off to Nigel Pearson though, really going for it, 4-3-3 with Dj and Waghorn staying up for Covs corners/free kicks.

Credit to Pearson for giving Dj a go today, he is always a danger but obviously needs more game time in the Championship to get going again. People will mock him for his shocking cross/shot into the side netting but he had only just come on the pitch. Well done Dj for earning his place back in it for half an hour.

Overall though, a poor performance, mainly down to a total lack of Midfield. Dyer provided the only attacking intent for me and tried to keep it simple, Oakley and Gallagher thought they were playing for Brazil and repeatedly gave the ball away with their fancy passes, and Andy King was totally pointless out there, i hardly noticed him again, we really really missed Wellens.

But in the end a point well earned and deserved, and with 2 home games coming up next a chance to get back into the top six mix. Decent atmosphere in the Ricoh as i was near the scoreboard near the VERY LOUD Cov fans in a standing pocked of Lesta fans so standing up all game.

Shame it was only a draw but it could have been worse.

Some great points but a bit harsh on the midfield. True they were disappointing in an attacking sense. But our narrow 4-3-3 system left so few available passes on what was a narrow pitch in any case. And particularly as there was no-one in our side, Dyer excepted, with the pace and movement to find some space. And that includes defenders (pre-occupied with the threat of Coventry's attack) and forwards alike.

[maddog]

I hate that.

I normally always write Leicester but for some reason wrote Lesta, probably because the Coventry fans were saying we hate Lesta!

[lou]

Oh dear the last time we played you there was 22k at the Walkers.

You got 20,000 against Preston who were third and you were 7th , after a year unbeaten , that is appalling.

but still our attendances are better than yours so Im not getting the point to your post?

[Craig]

but still our attendances are better than yours so Im not getting the point to your post?

Yeah, if our attendances are appauling, god knows what he considers theirs to be

[Karljohn]

Oh dear the last time we played you there was 22k at the Walkers.

You got 20,000 against Preston who were third and you were 7th , after a year unbeaten , that is appalling.

Care to comment on the fact that no-one outside of Coventry gives a shit about your terminal decline?

Or perhaps your attendances so far

16k Ipswich (1650 away)

16k Swansea (?)

16k Bristol City (2000 away)

16k Middlesboro (1600 away)

there's a pattern developing here...

oh sorry

14k Sheffield United (1200 away)

20,000 for Preston looks pretty good doesnt it in comparison.

Thanks for the point.

[Matt]

The thing I can't quite figure out is 22k there today (Apparently), We get around 21 - 25k, How come we don't see the amount of empty seats about at the Walkers like the amount of empty seats that are viewable at Cov?

Same capacity stadium, apparently "similar" attendances, and whenever i've been there is always more empty seats to been seen at Cov than Leicester? Someone explain please.

Don't get me wrong i'm not saying we have a full stadium and there isn't an empty seat to be seen but we certainly fill and have alot less empty seats at our games the i've ever seen at Cov.

Anyway this thread isn't meant to be about "My ground/attendance is better than your's".

[dave_the_fox]

£10 for parking is a joke! £4 for a Wimpys burger what a joke! The Ricoh, bit of a joke (however, they got a screen!) Cov fans are a joke too!

However, good day out so so so pleased we scored and got to cheer!

Also, I think the Deej chance ppl are on about, Lloyd Dyer nailed the ball back across so I think he did well to nearly control it!

[Fez of Mahrez]

Managed to park practically right next to the ground for free! Result!

Waghorn's finish was absolutely first-class, I was thrilled for him. He's a little star.

[Thracian]

£10 for parking is a joke! £4 for a Wimpys burger what a joke! The Ricoh, bit of a joke (however, they got a screen!) Cov fans are a joke too!

However, good day out so so so pleased we scored and got to cheer!

Also, I think the Deej chance ppl are on about, Lloyd Dyer nailed the ball back across so I think he did well to nearly control it!

Don't know why you didn't go for free parking at the first pub on the Bedworth Road. City fans made welcome, swift service, good value rolls...

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

Overall it was a point gained but could have been more.

First half was quite even but thought Kermorgant and Fryatt werent working well together. We were unlucky when Gallagher hit the bar bur apart from that we didnt look like scoring. The free kick they had was so obviously going in and I initally thought Weale could have done better but overall he had a good game.

When I saw DJ coming on I thought GOD NO!

But he, Howard and Waghorn really turned the game around for us. Howard won nearly every headers whilst Waghorn and DJ were making the runs and threatening their backline. I was quite concerned that we would get done in midfield with only 3 or the fact someone might get injured. But NP got it right.

They werent in it since the changes. At the end they looked like they wanted FT as were the better team and looked very dangerous, and could have won.