Coventry City vs LCFC Post-Match Thread (0-1)

[Sutty]

Anyone who went today wanna give us a run down on the Coventry kids that played? 5Live were impressed by them.

I haven't made it to any of our friendlies, so it's the first time I've seen them. They were both very good, certainly not weak points in the team.

Gael Bigirimana especially is going to be huge. If you'd seen that game today knowing nothing about the teams you certainly wouldn't have said he was a 17 year old kid making his debut. He's already turned down Man City to stay with us (why he's done that I haven't got a clue). Mind you, with these cowboys in charge at the moment he'll be sold off soon for a bag of jelly babies and some chocolate coins.

[Bryn]

I haven't made it to any of our friendlies, so it's the first time I've seen them. They were both very good, certainly not weak points in the team.

Gael Bigirimana especially is going to be huge. If you'd seen that game today knowing nothing about the teams you certainly wouldn't have said he was a 17 year old kid making his debut. He's already turned down Man City to stay with us (why he's done that I haven't got a clue). Mind you, with these cowboys in charge at the moment he'll be sold off soon for a bag of jelly babies and some chocolate coins.

I heard his name a lot so I assume he had a good bit of the ball, obviously hard to tell on the radio though.

[Salieri]

Vassell flew in from about 15 yards and nearly took our players leg off. Baker tripped Wellens from behind, your players/ fans reactions got him sent off, if it was down the other end of the pitch and not infront of your fans he wouldn't of gone. How Bamba got away without a booking was criminal aswell, he was screaming in the refs face for about a minute. Mills looked shaky for you, thought Jutkiewiecz give him the run around. You need a striker, Nugent was dire.

We won, get over it.

[Haydos]

Cov fan in peace.

That was a much closer game than I was expecting to be honest. On that performance, I'd say play-offs is a reasonable expectation for you. It will be interesting to see how much your performances improve as the team gels. It was a game with good passing football from both sides, but neither team really created many chances. Neither Kasper or Murphy made any saves of note. The difference between the sides was you got a couple of good crosses in, which we didn't manage to do.

As for the red cards, Vassell's was a shocking tackle. I don't think it was malicious (don't see him as that kind of player), but it was high, late and out of control. Ours was less clear-cut, again it was out of control from Baker, but I didn't see it as a dangerous tackle like Vassell's was. Still it was a stupid tackle to make because we were well on top while it was 11 v 10 and Wellens was going nowhere with the ball. On another note, Wellens' play-acting was embarrassing. Absolutely furious with him, but as I say, Baker shouldn't have been even offering the chance for Wellens to do that.

Fernandes looks a class act for you, but as I say I think you still need someone to create chances.

Also, some of your players really need to be more disciplined. Mills, Fernandes and Wellens all lost their cool over nothing incidents. Even though at no point did they throw punches/ attempt headbutts, it only takes a referee to mis-interpret the situation and you'd have had a really stupid sending-off on your hands.

All in all, I've come away from that fairly optimistic. We had 2 academy kids playing who acquitted themselves extremely well against some very good players, but we do need someone to add some incisiveness.

Best of luck for the season ahead fellas.

"There was only really one side in it when they came out for the second half. Leicester were the ones who controlled the game. They got themselves in front and then they started passing the ball around to make Coventry feel really tired. Coventry got so far up the pitch but never really looked like scoring."

BBC seems to disagree that it was a close-run thing...

[ozleicester]

Just back...

Fernandez was brilliant, Back four tight as a fishes ar$hole, cracjking game from Sol..Mills hard man quality, dans ran his legs off, Nugent worked hard, Kingy had a good time as a run on.

\

Referree was a complete FOOKWIT...our crowd was excellent

Super first up win :sge:

[Les-TA-Jon]

Peltier's injury - 1-2 weeks out?

[Maybes]

Cry off George

[Guest ttfn]

The Baker tackle was about 15 yards from me as I was down in the corner.

It was a scissor tackle, through the back of Wellens, and his higher foot caught Wellens at at least knee height.

Unless that is not what happened, and my eyes deceived me, he'd have been a very lucky boy to stay on the field.

With hindsight, Vassell's red card was clear-cut.

The Bamba incident was farcical. He was palmed off in the face and then made a fantastic tackle. But the Cov fan is right, he should have gone in the book for dissent.

Should have killed the game off but sat back which was pretty disappointing. Still, 3 points in the bag!

[Haydos]

Just back...

Fernandez was brilliant, Back four tight as a fishes ar$hole, cracjking game from Sol..Mills hard man quality, dans ran his legs off, Nugent worked hard, Kingy had a good time as a run on.

\

Referree was a complete FOOKWIT...our crowd was excellent

Super first up win :sge:

.....and to anyone else that went.....

What is Fernandes' style? I know he errs on the defensive side of things but I don't really know what mould he's in.

[Sutty]

I heard his name a lot so I assume he had a good bit of the ball, obviously hard to tell on the radio though.

Yeah, a lot of our play went through him. Sort of an Essien-type player. Looks very comfortable on the ball.

"There was only really one side in it when they came out for the second half. Leicester were the ones who controlled the game. They got themselves in front and then they started passing the ball around to make Coventry feel really tired. Coventry got so far up the pitch but never really looked like scoring."

BBC seems to disagree that it was a close-run thing...

Leicester controlled the game from our red card until Peltier's goal. We controlled the game while it was 11 v 10. The rest of the game was pretty even, with both sides passing the ball well. What I would say is that we didn't show enough in the final third to really look like we were going to score. You got 2 or 3 good balls into the penalty area which was the difference in the end.

[ozleicester]

.....and to anyone else that went.....

What is Fernandes' style? I know he errs on the defensive side of things but I don't really know what mould he's in.

Style plus, some fantastic sharp passing and i didnt see him waste a single ball all day.

[smudger63]

Cov fan in peace.

That was a much closer game than I was expecting to be honest. On that performance, I'd say play-offs is a reasonable expectation for you. It will be interesting to see how much your performances improve as the team gels. It was a game with good passing football from both sides, but neither team really created many chances. Neither Kasper or Murphy made any saves of note. The difference between the sides was you got a couple of good crosses in, which we didn't manage to do.

As for the red cards, Vassell's was a shocking tackle. I don't think it was malicious (don't see him as that kind of player), but it was high, late and out of control. Ours was less clear-cut, again it was out of control from Baker, but I didn't see it as a dangerous tackle like Vassell's was. Still it was a stupid tackle to make because we were well on top while it was 11 v 10 and Wellens was going nowhere with the ball. On another note, Wellens' play-acting was embarrassing. Absolutely furious with him, but as I say, Baker shouldn't have been even offering the chance for Wellens to do that.

Fernandes looks a class act for you, but as I say I think you still need someone to create chances.

Also, some of your players really need to be more disciplined. Mills, Fernandes and Wellens all lost their cool over nothing incidents. Even though at no point did they throw punches/ attempt headbutts, it only takes a referee to mis-interpret the situation and you'd have had a really stupid sending-off on your hands.

All in all, I've come away from that fairly optimistic. We had 2 academy kids playing who acquitted themselves extremely well against some very good players, but we do need someone to add some incisiveness.

Best of luck for the season ahead fellas.

When we played you, early last season, your supporters were going on about how well we played, but we still only managed a draw. Despite all the pretty tip tappy football we played at the beginning of last season, we were bottom of the table after 10 games, and easily bullied out of games..

This season, we have a team that is willing to try and play football, but also mix it, and grind out a result.

Also this team is only just evolveing, they are going to get better and better, with real quality players to step in, if and when we get injuries, suspensions or lack of form.

[Sutty]

.....and to anyone else that went.....

What is Fernandes' style? I know he errs on the defensive side of things but I don't really know what mould he's in.

From an opposition point of view, very frustrating, just didn't give the ball away. Didn't really do anything out of the ordinary, but just makes himself an option and keeps the ball.

He won't score you many goals but as long as you've got others to do that he'll work well.

[Leicester Bob]

Claridge is just about used up all my goodwill towards him, he's turning into a right prize cock

1 big money signing & a few who were about right for a top 6 Champs team is hardly ridiculous, couple of loans like Fernandes & Johnson and a few wily old frees like Nugent etc

any more bullshit from him & I'll remember him for being a cock and not the goal against Palace & Middlesboro

Super Steve could plunder my missus and slap my nan and I'd still remember him for that goal at Wembley and that goal at Hillsborough! Legend!

[yorkie1999]

And it must be pointed out that coventry haven't lost their first home game of the season in something like a million years. Barry.

[Webbo]

Cov fan in peace.

On that performance, I'd say play-offs is a reasonable expectation for you.

That's big of you.

[Haydos]

From an opposition point of view, very frustrating, just didn't give the ball away. Didn't really do anything out of the ordinary, but just makes himself an option and keeps the ball.

He won't score you many goals but as long as you've got others to do that he'll work well.

Cheers. I've seen him in the past (Man City + Switz) and could never have imagined he'd be playing for us. Class above, glad to see he's slotted in comfortably.

[Callabinho]

The only point I disagree with is mills looking shaky, as a back 4 I thought we were solid.

[acooling08]

BOTH reds were 100% the right decision.

For Cov fans saying it wasn't a red for their player, it was 2 footed, from behind and no where near the ball.

[Yojoe36]

Nugent needed support upfront. He was basically on his own. I know we only had 10 men, but still...

Fernandes looked good. All over the pitch, always there. Good stuff

[Joe.]

I agree with the Cov fan, I thought Gael Bigirimana was excellent today. Definitely Cov's stand-out player for me.

On our perspective I thought it was a solid ground out victory. If we're going to do well in the division this season we'll need more like that.

The referee was a bloody nuisance throughout the whole match, but from where I was standing I thought he probably got both reds right. Vassell's looked studs up and two footed to me (can't be sure whether it was or not), and Baker looked to go studs up over the top on Wellens.

With ten men we were under the kosh and Coventry looked assured in possession, but as soon as it was level pegging we took the game by the scruff of the neck and began to get on top. Half-time wasn't particularly welcome, but we came out second half, hit them early and grabbed a goal. Pleased for Peltier, that'll do him the world of good for his confidence.

I'll echo the Fernandes thoughts - he was our best player. Superb engine on him, broke up the play and did the simple things well. Looks like he'll be a cracking signing if he keeps that up.

All in all, three points on the opening day - you can't ask for much more than that. Happy days.

[Mack]

Few thoughts..

Someone needs to tell that two bob ref football is a contact sport.

Fernandes was superb.

King looked cracking when he came on, real point to prove after being left out I guess.

Our defence this season is going to be very handy, big improvement on last term.

Conventry fans are extremely jealous and bitter, they are going to struggle to score all season.

[fox ache]

The trouble is, when your the Man City of the Championship, 1-0 aint good enough , played way too cautious after goal and could have been easily 4-0 if we had someone to meet the crosses coming in..................

Well done the lads

[Thracian]

Predictably, everyone is overjoyed with the result, the three points, the sight of City fans in full voice at the end as Coventry's measly turnout trudged home, heads bowed.

And in terms of functional, no risk, football it was a classic The fans appreciated us taking one step nearer our target of the Premiership, they loved outsinging and quickly silencing the local support and they surely enjoyed seeing the sort of defence that might have been invented by the ancient Romans, so impenetrable did it look.

But make no mistake Coventry looked a team and a club on its knees. Their crowd of 21,000 included around 7,000 Leicester fans and the remaining 14,000 must have been relatives of their players cos surely no-one would want to watch that shit otherwise.

Kaspar made four half-decent contributions, three saves and plus a cross he did well to hang onto under pressure and, once again, looked an outstanding signing not just for his goalkeeping but for his thoughtfully accurate distribution and his constant cajoling of team-mates.

But there was nothing in this Leicester performance that would make you watch it for entertainment reasons.

Some might say the referee didn't help but I'm not sure he made any difference. We don't seem to have a 'appeth of flair and imagination in our side nor the slightest idea how to attack but what we do have is a team full of competitors now, a group of seemingly intelligent, committed and reasonably mobile defenders and people who can compete and pass competently all the way from our goalline up to 30 yards from goal.

Beyond that they don't really venture. Nugent, so unlucky not to get a goal with a glancing header onto the inside of a goalpost and careless not to take an easier chance from 10 yards, nevertheless looked like a plague victim at a health farm for all the close support he got.

King and Gallagher were the same second half with some useful contributions but the truly embarrassing lack of attacking support continued as our ambition stretched no further than 1-0 and three points.

Returning to the referee, Vassell unquestionably risked a sending off with vigourousness of his tackle but I'm not at all sure the referee wasn't completely conned and took the first chance he had to even the situation up.

I say that because you'll perhaps remember the nursury rhyme about 10 in the bed and they all rolled over. Well, the flattened Coventry player rolled over once for every occupant of that bed and once Vassall had gone he seemed to recover at a rate that would have been declared a miracle in Biblical times.

The Wellens incident which resulted in Coventry's Baker being sent off turned the City midfielder into a dairyman he milked it so much but it was clear from his face that he'd achieved the desired end and I wasn't much impressed by it nor much of much of anything that involved the ref or a linesman who couldn't spot a man who was blatantly three yards offside.

Peltier took his chance well from what looked like a rehearsed free kick and Leicester's defence, impressive to a man, looked like they could contain Coventry til the end of the season without conceding or even getting anywhere close to our goal.

So, three deserved points but the sort of purpose-designed but unexcting football that gave me no great desire to travel away very often. Defensively we were brilliant. Our midfield won and retained possesion well, but created next to nothing and our support in attack (even accepting City had little alternative during the period we were a man short) was ineffective and often either non-existent or almost so.

Man of the Match? Fernandes but Kasper Schmeichel impressed me too.

.

[Clazie]

Yuki Abe was frankly sensational.