Coventry City
nPower League 1
Sunday 9th September 2012
The Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Foleshill, Coventry, CV6 6GE
Kick Off: 1.15pm – live on Sky Sports
Weather Forecast: Mostly sunny, 24°c
Referee: C Pawson (South Yorkshire)
Stevenage travel to Coventry City this Sunday lunchtime in a televised League 1 fixture. Boro will be hoping to pick up their third consecutive league win on their travels whilst piling on more misery for the managerless Sky Blues.
Last time we met…
This will be the first meeting between the two sides.
Team News
Coventry will be without midfielder Adam Barton who is away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland U21s. Loan striker David McGoldrick could get a start whilst Jordan Clarke could return from injury.
Stevenage could make changes after Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat at Dagenham. Marcus Haber, Luke Freeman, Jon Ashton, Chris Day, Lucas Akins and James Dunne should all return whilst Robin Shroot could earn a start after his goal in that game. Oliver Risser and Dani Lopez could make the bench.
The Coventry City Scout Report
Recent Form
Coventry are still seeking their first win in League 1 after three draws and a defeat from their opening four games. Consecutive 1-1 draws versus Yeovil and Sheffield United began the season whilst the 2-2 draw with Bury, from which Coventry let slip a two goal lead, was the final straw for the Sky Blues hierarchy who then sacked under-fire manager Andy Thorn. This failed to improve immediate fortunes in the league, as they went on to lose 1-0 at Crewe last weekend, however they have picked up league cup wins against Dagenham (1-0) and Birmingham (3-2) and a victory in Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Burton via a penalty shootout after the game ended goalless.
Possible Coventry line-up for Sunday (4-4-2 formation)
Joe Murphy; Jordan Clarke, William Edjenguele, Reece Brown, Chris Hussey; Steven Jennings, Kevin Kilbane, Adam Barton, Carl Baker; Cody McDonald, Stephen Elliott
Subs: Chris Dunn, Richard Wood, Cyrus Christie, Gary McSheffrey, Callum Ball, David McGoldrick, Roy O’Donovan, Billy Daniels
Key Man...
Midfielder Carl Baker will be a threat to both from out wide and also from set pieces. The 29-year old arrived at the Ricoh Arena in January 2010 from Stockport, having also excelled at Morecambe and Southport. With exciting skills and an eye for goal Baker has a knack of scoring stunning goals including a piledriver of a free-kick against Bury earlier this season, plus a rather simpler goal from four yards in the recent 3-2 league cup win against neighbours Birmingham.
Coventry City Trivia:
• According to the Coventry Telegraph, City have received 55 applications for the current vacant managerial position, plus a further dozen prank applications from Football Manager / Championship Manager addicts.
• The Ricoh Arena was used to stage a number of Olympic football matches earlier this summer, but was rebranded The City of Coventry stadium during the games. However with LOCOG taking over the venue, disgruntled Coventry staff locked away all their equipment in protest at the council giving them such a lowly status in their own stadium.
• This season is the first in 48 years that Coventry is competing in the third tier of English football.
• Founded in 1883 the club was originally known as Singers FC, with the majority of its players coming from Singer the cycle firm.
Stat Attack:
• In four league games this season Boro have scored just four whilst conceding only two. This is in stark contrast to their three cup games which have seen Boro score six and concede eight.
• Should Darius Charles be selected in the starting XI for this game it’ll be his 60th start for the club and his 75th overall.
• If Luke Freeman starts at The Ricoh then he will be making his 35th start for the club and his 40th appearance overall.
PREVIEW BY DAVE TOYN