SKY BLUES 2 – 1 MILLWALL At long last, a home win for the Sky Blues, even though it was in the FA Cup with points on the board an important factor, a good cup run is always a welcome distraction for any team these days, not to mention the extra finance it can produce. The guessing game of who would partner our only fit Centre Half was also answered, with Gary Borrowdale having a fine game in the Heart of the defence.

Elsewhere Stephen Hughes came in for his namesake Michael, whilst Dele Adebola got the nod in place of the suspended Kevin Kyle. Having had a chat with the Millwall kit man before the game, who assured me that they were up for this game, and had nothing to lose, it came as no shock when the visitors came flying out of the traps in the opening 10 minutes. A corner on 8 minutes gave them the chance to take the lead, when Dimi seemed to hesitate and ended up colliding with Elliot Ward, allowing Grabban to direct a header goal wards, fortunately Jay Tabb had stayed on his post and cleared off the line. 

With almost 15 minutes gone City started to get hold of the ball, passing it with more purpose than of late and where rewarded for their efforts with a dubious free-kick on the edge of the box. The ball seemed to hit the defender in the face, but the referee Mr Miller, deemed it hand ball, and up stepped Doyle to knock it sideward’s to the waiting Hughes, who fired it into the net. City kept prompting and probing but the Lions stood firm and started to dominate proceeding themselves, as the half wore on.  

Mr Miller then made a very strange decision, not his last of the day either. following an injury to a Millwall player, rather than give the ball back to the Sky Blues, he deemed that a good old fashioned “Drop-Ball” was needed, Doyle, as is his want, went in for it and won the ball cleanly, only to have his legs taken from under him, play on waved Miller, to a mixture of Jeers & Cheers, dependant on which camp you were in.

As City looked to be heading for a half-time lead, young Arsenal Loanee Jay Simpson found himself some space in the box to notch the equaliser. This sent the away fans delirious with delight and brought a real cup tie atmosphere back to the boil. HT 1 – 1

Immediately from the restart Simpson had a chance to give the Lions the lea, but Dimi stood up and pushed his tame shot for a corner. It seemed to spark the Sky Blues back to life and they enjoyed huge chunks of possession from here in. So much so that we regained the lead on 52 minutes. Julian Gray, who was AWOL for large parts of the game, suddenly made a run and cross from the left flank, Ward jumped with the keeper, who pushed it to Adebola, he hit a shot onto the post and the rebound fell to the feet of Mifsud, having done little else on the day, he coolly slotted home from 6 yards. 

This only had the effect of raising the noise level up a couple of decibels, creating an atmosphere that has been sadly lacking in the Ricoh for a while, whilst no quarter was given by either side on the pitch. Adebola was replaced by Robbie Simpson as Millwall pushed for another equalising goal, this allowed City room for the counter attack, which they took on numerous occasions, without ever seriously testing Evans in the opposition goal.

Elliot Ward, who had a big game for the Sky Blues, then made a complete hash of a clearing header, knocking it directly into the path of Neil “Chopper” Harris, Millwall’s record goal scorer, but he somehow contrived to shoot wide form 12 yards. Mr Dowie decided to give want away striker Leon Best a win bonus and he replaced the tiring Mifsud, to a chorus of Boo’s from the home support. He managed a couple of half decent efforts and City always looked likely on the counter, Millwall seemed to fade as the game wore on and it is the Sky Blues who go into the hat on Monday, with a place in the last eight at stake for the victors!

GT M.O.M.

 Jay tabb 

Player Ratings: 

6 ……. Dimi

6 ……. Osbourne

7 ……. Ward

7 ……. Borrowdale

6 ……. Davis

8 ……. Tabb

6 ……. Doyle

6 ……. Hughes

5 ……. Gray

6 ……. Adebola

6 ……. Mifsud

SKY BLUES 1 – 2  BURNLEY 

All the talk in the press over the past week was of the return of KK, or King Kev as he is more colloquially known and so Ian Dowie deemed it appropriate to include our very own KK, with not quite the fans thoughts deeming him King Kev, in fact he will be lucky to get any sort of support after his ridiculous lunge early in the second half, reducing the Sky Blues to 10 men for almost 40 minutes. I am, off course, referring to our very own KK, Kevin Kyle. Having spent the whole of the first half defending him against a backdrop of disgruntled supporters, I looked on incredulous as he was shown his second yellow card of the afternoon, with what can only be described as a reckless lunge, leaving the pitch to a crescendo of Boo’s from his own fans.

 Ian Dowie had reacted to the lacklustre display against Leicester by ringing the changes, 5 of them in fact, with Davis, Tabb, M Hughes, Doyle & Kyle all earning recalls. It looked like it may pay dividends, with Mifsud feeding off the occasional well directed header from KK and in fact, squandering a couple of gilt edged chances. But as has been our want at home recently, these misses were to prove costly as Ade Akinbiyi opened the scoring for the visitors. Local lad Graham Alexander broke down the right before squaring the ball into the space behind our flat defence and the striker used his pace before driving past Dimi. This should have been the signal for the fans to get behind their team, but a minority, which grew in numbers, began to abuse their team with most abuse hurled in the direction of Kyle. The doubters were silenced shortly thereafter, when Doyle notched an equaliser, albeit a bit of a scrappy one, following a couple of parried efforts from Jensen in the visiting goal. The following ten minutes didn’t prove too promising for the Sky Blues, with Akinbiyi continuing to look a threat against our very flat defence, but it held firm. Blake got a booking for the visitors, before Kyle followed him into the book for a needless shove. HT 1 – 1 The Sky Blues came out with a plan for the second half and for 10 minutes looked comfortable, but then KK had his rush of blood and was shown a second yellow, before the inevitable Red Card. Some sections of the home support cheered as the striker headed off, others, myself included, just looked on in desperation at such a foolish act.  To be fair the ten men gave a pretty good account of themselves, and the action seemed to galvanise them, Michael Hughes & Doyle took control of the midfield, ably supported by Tabb. Adebola replaced the ineffectual Gray and ID went for a 4 – 3 – 2 formation in an effort to win the game. Mifsud looked to be on his way to doing just that, before an intervention from Unsworth took the ball from his toes, the crowd bayed for a penalty, but to me it looked clumsy, but I feel he took the ball. Straight from their next move Burnley re-took the lead, Michael Doyle lost the ball in the middle of the park and the visitors stormed away to score. Akinbiyi unselfishly passed to Blake, who finished with some aplomb. City pressed late on and had a couple of long-range efforts and Mifsud had another decent opportunity, but another home defeat tells its own story. City are a side looking short on both confidence and ability at present, with the introduction of a couple of new players a pre-requisite to any push up the league table. With Leon Best having handed in a transfer request on Friday and Robert Page also heading for the exit door, Mr Dowie needs to get replacements in place sooner, rather than later. GT M.O.M.M Hughes Player Ratings: 6 ……. Dimi6 ……. Osbourne6 ……. DeZeeuw7 ……. Ward5 ……. Davis4 ……. Gray5 ……. Doyle7 ……. Hughes7 ……. Tabb5 ……. Mifsud3 ……. Kyle 

SKY BLUES 1 – 1 SOUTHAMPTON

And so the waiting is finally over, the impossible has been achieved. Some said it would never happen, others waited with baited breath. It seems to have gone on forever, but at last, the waiting is now over and the Sky Blues have scored a goal in the first half at home.

The other, long standing saga, the takeover of the club was also finalised just before the 16h00 deadline on Friday. Whilst this should provide the dawn of a new era for the club, I have it on very good authority that not all in the Boardroom is happy, more of which later. 

My day started with a tour of the Ricoh for myself and my family, organised by Trudi, the Premier Club Manager and included a trip into the inner sanctum of the Stadium, a look inside the home changing room, where we bumped into Michael Doyle, before being welcomed to by outgoing Chairman Joe Elliot. Who took the time to shake all our hands, then down the tunnel onto the pitch side, finally a seat in the dugout and photo’s to savour. A very pleasant, and surprisingly inexpensive, meal followed in the Yorkshire Bank lounge, before finally presenting our Man-of-the-match trophy, rounded of proceedings. 

Michael Mifsud was declared fit, providing the only change in personnel, replacing Ellery Cairo in the right side of a three pronged attack alongside the two Leon’s, Best & McKenzie. Elsewhere, Michael Hughes got the vote over namesake Stephen, with Doyle & Tabb either side of him. The back four of Ward, Turner, Borrowdale & McNamee lined up again, with Big Dimi between the sticks. City made a bright start, after welcoming Ray Ranson as new Chairman and giving a firm thank-you to his predecessor “Sir” Joe Elliot, for all his hard work in orchestrating the deal.

Stern John had the ball in the net early on; he was roundly booed every time he touched the ball, but had his effort ruled out for offside. On 17 minutes, City’s endeavour led to us taking the lead, Good work by Mifsud led to a ball into the 6 yard box, it fell to the unmarked Tabb, who nodded it home. Much to the annoyance of the visiting players and fans, who all looked to the linesman for offside?

The midfield axis of Tabb, Doyle and Hughes took a gradual hold in the Centre, whilst Southampton always looked dangerous on the break. Ward and Turner needing to be on their toes and putting in timely tackles as the half wore on. HT 1 – 0 

The second period started in a similar vein, with McKenzie making inroads down the left flank, whilst Best looked determined to score against his former paymasters. Then, from nowhere, the visitors were level. McNamee, who had another outstanding afternoon, gave away a needless free-kick and when the ball was played into the area Bradley Wright-Philips headed home.

Slowly Yousef Safri got a grip in midfield and Southampton took control, Leon McKenzie limped of, to be replaced by “Twinkle Toes” Julian Gray, before Adebola replaced Best and Isaac Osbourne came on for the tiring Tabb. Wright-Philips should have stolen the three points for his team, when clear through on goal, only for the excellent City Keeper to push his effort wide.

From here the game petered out into a disappointing draw, but with Ranson and Dowie meeting in the near future and a promised cash injection to follow, the future is looking a little brighter for the Sky Blues faithful.

 GT M.O.M.

Michael Hughes 

Player ratings:

 7 ……. Dimi

8 ……. McNamee

7 ……. Turner

7 ……. Ward

6 ……. Borrowdale

7 ……. Tabb

8 ……. Hughes

7 ……. Doyle

6 ……. Mifsud

6 ……. Best

7 ……. McKenzie 

SKY BLUES 0 – 1 SHEFF UTD We can call this match the “Waiting Game”, waiting for news of the takeover, waiting for the Sky Blues Second – Half onslaught, waiting for Leon McKenzie to score his 100^th goal and, perhaps more importantly, waiting for three home points. The truth of the matter is though, that we are still waiting on all counts. No news of the impending takeover, which is a bit of a worry following the mangers recent show of uncertainty. The second half onslaught never looked like occurring and even more worrying, was the lack of McKenzie even threatening to score. It is perhaps, a wonder he has go to 99 at all. Coventry’s own “Tinker Man” made three more changes from the disappointing result against Scunthorpe, with Elliot Ward surprisingly dropped, to be replaced my DeZeeuw, Borrowdale replaced the injured Marcus Hall at left back, and Cairo got a start in place of Isaac Osbourne, in what looked, on paper at least, an attacking line up. As the game commenced, however, we realised Mr Dowie had plumped for the 4 – 5 – 1 formation he seems to favour now. This has its merits, but the visitors had done their homework, man marking Jay Tabb and putting two men on big Dele, thereby negating our main threats. As has been his inconsistent form this term, Julian Gray looked more languid than usual, preferring to keep out of the way as much as possible and rarely threatening to get in behind his marker. Cairo also had a quiet game always hungry for a touch, without ever setting the game alight, and so a rather sterile affair plodded along to the break. With only a 32^nd minute shot troubling Paddy Kenny in the visitor’s goal. Doyle had an effort cleared for a corner and Adebola should have done better when clean through. So, for the eleventh consecutive game City went into the break goalless. HT 0 – 0 City made one enforced change at the break, with Osbourne replacing the excellent McNamee at right back, the Scot having picked up a slight hamstring pull; otherwise, it was as you were. On 60 minutes James Beattie, who had an otherwise quiet afternoon, forced Dimi into a save with a header. City’s only response being the “Belt it to Dele” approach, which was clearly having no goal threat at all. Shortly thereafter and we were behind, Beattie made a strong run down the right flank, before sitting a lovely ball into the box, where Chris Armstrong met with some aplomb. Dowie sent on McKenzie and switched to 4 – 4 – 2, and took off Cairo, with Gray looking ill at ease by this time, I believe it was a bad call, but McKenzie’s arrival stirred, as did other members in the crowd, who booed the decision. Gillespie then had a chance to increase the lead, but shot into the side netting, in front of a very vociferous away end. In a last gasp effort to salvage a point, Dowie replaced Borrowdale with Andrews, but to score a goal, you need to have a shot on target and I’m afraid to say, we didn’t trouble Kenny throughout the whole of the second half. And so the waiting goes on, the takeover talk seems to have stalled, as does our points gaining. McKenzie will have to wait for his 100^th goal, we wait for a first half goal and with West Brom on the horizon, and I wouldn’t hold your breath. GT M.O.M.Stephen Hughes Player Ratings: 6 ……. Dimi7 ……. McNamee6 ……. DeZeeuw6 ……. Turner5 ……. Borrowdale6 ……. Cairo7 ……. Hughes6 ……. Tabb6 ……. Doyle4 ……. Gray5 ……. Adebola Subs: 6 ……. Osbourne6 ……. McKenzie5 ……. Andrews

SKY BLUES 1 – 1 SCUNTHORPE

With the smallest crowd of the Season expected, it was a little disconcerting how easily we negotiated our way into the Ricoh for this seemingly easy chance for the Sky Blues to gain three much needed points, at home to a recently floundering Scunthorpe team, whom the City had never encountered in a League Fixture before. The lack of people was exemplified inside the ground too, with little problem getting served in the Premier Club and only the Casino Queues making consumption of Alcohol a bit of a hazard.

As the team sheets circulated around, we saw that Mr Dowie had decided to make three changes, Ward reclaiming a Central Defensive birth alongside Ben Turner, whilst elsewhere, Gray got the nod on the left flank and Leon McKenzie, in search of his 200^th League Goal, partnered Adebola up front. It looked a positive selection and so it proved, with City taking the initiative from the off. Tabb and Gray seeing plenty of possession early doors as the midfield gradually took control.

Our best chance of the half fell to McKenzie on 28 minutes, when Gray whipped a great cross in from the left, but the striker, who found himself with a free header, only managed to direct it over the bar when a goal seemed certain. Doyle had conjured himself a chance 6 minutes earlier, but saw his effort pass the wrong side of the post. A minute later and the referee pointed for a Penalty. Jay Tabb made a dart into the box and was clearly up-ended and we all waited for the inevitable outcome, only to see the visitors demanding that the referee consult his assistant. This he did and promptly altered his opinion, with a free-kick on the edge of the box the outcome, much to the dismay of the Home Support. Stephen Hughes took it, but blasted tamely wide of the post. HT 0 – 0.

Hardly had we all retaken our seats when “another Penalty” was awarded, again it was Tabb who made a great run into the area, where Murphy bundled him over, again the referee pointed to the spot, before showing the keeper a straight red card. As is usually the case in such circumstances, off went a midfielder and the sub keeper came on to face the spot kick. Michael Doyle strode confidently forward, taking the ball from McKenzie’s grasp, before driving low into the bottom corner to give us the lead.

A win looked a certainty now, with a goal lead and numerical advantage, but City suddenly retreated into defensive mode, stopped passing the ball and gave Scunthorpe the impetus. This they gladly took, all of a sudden displaying the determination which had seem them earn promotion last term and generally giving City a lesson in how to keep the football. A free kick from Jim Goodwin, which hit the crossbar with Dimi stranded, almost gave them an unlikely equaliser, before Elliot Ward was, not for the first time this season, caught napping, allowing Jack Cork to fire under the City keepers body.

The goal re-awakened the home team, with Dowie looking to freshen things up a bit. Off came the impressive Tabb, who had picked up a knock, to be replaced by Ellery Cairo. Shortly thereafter Wayne Andrews & Michael Hughes replaced McKenzie and Stephen Hughes respectively. Much Huffing and puffing followed, with Cairo making a great run towards the box, only to be upended by visiting right back, and my man of the match for them, Youga. This was his second book able offence within the space of 10 minutes and he joined Murphy in the bath.

Surely we must score, but, apart from a glancing header by Andrews and an overhead kick by Marcus Hall, we rarely threatened to score and, in fairness, Scunthorpe probably deserved a draw, for their dogged determination not to allow us past.

Things certainly picked up in the second half, as is the norm, but that it ten consecutive games since we last scored in the first half, and the boos that rang out of an Half Empty Stadium, were more for frustration than any lack of effort. However, it is another two points lost and the crowd of 14,038 was a clear 2,000 lower than our lowest gate at the new Stadium. We must all hope and pray for the Take-over to happen sooner, rather than later.

GT M.O.M.

Jay Tabb

Player Ratings:

6 ……. Dimi

8 ……. McNamee

7 ……. Ward

6 ……. Turner

6 ……. Hall

7 ……. Gray

7 ……. Doyle

6 ……. Hughes

8 ……. Tabb

7 ……. Adebola

6 ……. McKenzie 

LOCAL bands have organised a ‘Support the City’ night to raise money for the cash-strapped Sky Blues.

It will take place at The Phoenix, Gosford Street, on Monday December 10 at 7.30pm.

Paul Ryan from Circle 3, who are releasing their debut single that day, said: “All bands support or have at least two Coventry City supporters and are all really up for doing this to help raise awareness about the club’s future.

“We plan to do this one off to see how it goes, then move it to a bigger venue with a bigger line up if it’s a success.”

Bands performing on the night include Circle 3, The Floss Mcyntre, Bootleg Poets and Shakes and Shivers.

Tickets, priced £3 are available on the door.

All funds raised from the night will go to the Sky Blue Trust/Coventry Times “Your City Needs You” appeal which is raising funds for youth development and the Academy at Coventry City.

Let’s Stick Together!

With the Sky Blues enjoying a positive start to the 07/08 campaign, and with the team currently hovering around the play-off places, the second half of the season promises to be one of the most exciting run-ins for many years.

We want YOU to be there with us and join Iain Dowie’s ‘Crusade For Success’!

You can do this by taking advantage of our ‘Half Season Ticket’ offer. Prices start from £181* for adults - that’s JUST £15.08 PER MATCH - and £95* concessions, which equates to JUST £7.92 PER MATCH.

And, if you snap-up your half season ticket before November 30 2007 you will get a FREE match ticket for BOTH forthcoming home fixtures against Sheffield United (December 1) and Southampton (December 15)!

Simply put, there has never been a better time to become a CCFC season ticket holder, and YOU could make the difference between promotion or not.

For further information, or to purchase, please contact the Ticket Office on 0870 421 1987 (option 1) or e-mail ticketoffice@ccfc.co.uk now.

*Prices quoted above are for Zone 4 seating areas only (Blocks 14,15,25 & 26). All other zones (1-3) available at half of normal ‘Post June 2′ Season Ticket prices.

Click here to visit the online ticketing service which includes the Season Ticket Zonal Price List.

Free match ticket offer only available until 5.00pm Friday 30 November. Normal Season Ticket Terms & Conditions apply.

This Club is the heart of the City, and you are the heart of this Club.

Play up Sky Blues!

SKY BLUES 0 – 4 W BA

What a difference from the last international break, when we had the sight of the Sky Blues sitting proudly atop of the Championship for two weeks, following last nights debacle, I would imagine Mr Dowie can’t wait for the next game, to attempt to put the record straight. For this was a miserable second half performance from City, with all the endeavour, so readily in evidence this season, sadly missing in all areas of the pitch.

Lets clear up the “Big Decision” first, Michael Mifsud led with his elbow and can have no complaints about the decision to be shown a straight red card, the fact that the referee deliberated so long before producing it, only managed to cloud what was a very easy decision to make. What followed, in the first half at least, showed what a spirited bunch of players the manager has at his disposal? The second half however, provided a different story altogether, with the defence pulled apart, almost at will and the tracking back tailing off, allowing a good Albion team, to look like World Beaters.

We started brightly again, hitting passes to feet and looking to use the width and pace of the little Mosquito whenever possible, but all that changed on 10 minutes when, for reasons only known to him, Mifsud had a rush of blood and got himself sent off. City adapted well and, to be fair, looked the better side, but endeavour will get you so far in football and although we held our own, we rarely looked like taking the lead. Whilst at the other end, big Dimi did well to push a Teixeira shot over the bar for a corner. HT 0 – 0

The Baggies came out for the second half looking like a different team, Tony Mowbray had obviously instilled into his charges that the way to play against 10 men, is to keep the ball and look for the gaps. It worked to a tee, with gaps aplenty for the visitors to play in to. Dowie made one change at the break himself, removing the languid Leon Best, who he replaced with Kevin Kyle.

On 55 minutes the visitors took the lead, a ball was knocked inside Isaac Osbourne into the path of onrushing Paul Robinson. The fullback placed a deft chip over the advancing Dimi, to the delight of the boinging away fans. It would have been nice if we had tightened things up for 5 – 10 minutes, but two minutes later it was 2 – 0. This time the little Portuguese Star nipped in between the hesitant DeZeeuw & Turner to blast past the startled City Keeper.

The home players heads seemed to Palpably drop after this goal, with all the hard work looking like it would count for nought, Leon McKenzie replaced the tiring Adebola, but not before Albion had made it three. On 72 minutes Teixeira found a bit of space inside the box, then manoeuvred himself into a position to place a shot past Bid Dimi again. By now all signs of resistance had fallen away, allowing Jonathan Greening plenty of time to dictate the play, passing the ball, at will to his team-mates, in all areas of the park.

With time almost up, and most City fans having made their way to the exits, the visitors scored a fourth. This time Teixeira crossed for Koren to tap into an empty net and City’s embarrassment was complete. That’s 10 goals conceded against three promotion hopeful’s, without a goal to call our own. If ever a takeover was needed, it is now well overdue at the Ricoh Arena.

GT M.O.M.

Michael Doyle

Player Ratings:

6 ……. Dimi

5 ……. Hall

5 ……. DeZeeuw

5 ……. Turner

5 ……. Osbourne

2 ……. Mifsud

6 ……. Doyle

6 ……. Hughes

6 ……. Tabb

5 ……. Adebola

4 ……. Bestwe H

For our second “Executive Away Day” we travelled with Raj Athwal to Stoke City with a 40 strong group of Sky Blues fanatics, with a meet time at the Ricoh of 10h30, there was plenty of time to have a “cup of tea” before embarking on our mission for 3 points against the improving Potters. All aboard and we were off, with our now famous win over Man Yoo on the DVD and a happy mood enveloped the bus.
(Read on …)

Something For The Weekend

From 9am – 5pm this Saturday, the legendary Sky Blues 1987 bus and some of the stars from the Cup winning team will be present at the Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre in Coventry. Here they will be available for signings and picture opportunities.

In addition, Mercia’s Black Thunders and Sky Blue Sam will be in attendance for a fun packed day which includes raffle prizes such as signed T-shirts, footballs and framed pictures.

So show your support for the City and come and join us for this exclusive opportunity.