Verdict v Coventry

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Curious match all round, but three very important points in the bag.

After an absolutely hopeless first half played out by two poor sides, the second half was much better. We scored two terrific goals, and yet I felt as though Coventry would score almost every time they attacked, so poor was our defending.

Despite letting in a bizarre goal direct from a corner, Steve Harper kept us in the game at 1-0 with a whole string of fine saves. Even then some of Coventry's finishing was abysmal.

We started the game sluggishly, but went ahead with a terrific near post header by Speed from a Solano corner. The rest of the first half was utterly forgettable, with our short passing dreadful, and Goma and Hughes struggling to get to grips with Aloisi and Bellamy.

Quinn looked accomplished on his PL debut with some intelligent passing, and sound defending and positional play. He also seemed to do quite a lot of talking to his fellow defending, and didn't look at all fazed by stepping up a level.

The second half was much better and more open. However, I didn't think we really got control of midfield, and our short passing was still wayward, with us continually giving the ball away - even around our own penalty area. We did look dangerous on the break with Solano - whose overall performance for me was disappointing - finding runners in good position, particularly Dyer - who I thought had an awful first half.

Dyer ran into the area and brilliantly picked out Ameobi on the penalty spot, who calmly slotted the ball into the net for his first Toon goal - he looked quite pleased! Soon thereafter, Dyer picked up another excellent ball into the area by Solano, stepped inside his marker, and beautifully slotted it into the far corner with the outside of his right foot.

While Harper made a number of terrific saves, I thought he was at fault on their goal, believing it was going over the bar. As it turned out it grazed Glass's head on the way into the net, and he might have it harshly given as an OG.

Defensively, I thought we were a shambles, with the CB's in particular having awful games. Barton was in and out, but stuck to it, while on the other flank Quinn looked very solid. In midfield, we battled but were never really convincing, and give the ball away far too much. Dyer and Ameobi caused problems throughout for the Coventry defence, and in the second half were prominent as we counter-attacked quite impressively at times.

A very in and out performance, but nevertheless three invaluable points under our belt before losing Solano and Dyer for a spell.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2001

Answers

My sentiments exactly Clarky... it seemed like Coventry had the ball for ages and we rarely got a touch only to end up giving it away. Mind you listening to it over the net leaves a tad to be desired but I felt even at 3-0 we were never safe and it wasn't till the end that i stopped biting my nails.

In all I thought enough of Quinn to be pleased, but thought the same of Cordone on his debut. Hopefully we'll see more of his worth in the coming weeks and hopefully a move to buy......

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2001


Can't disagree with either of you. A poor first half, improvemnt in the second, but we coul deasily havelost 5-4 (or anth other high scoring combination). Coventry had far more chances than we did. Harper kept us in it, but also let them back (by all acounts - it was hard to see from the far end).

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2001

THanks very much for the report and comments. I heard the second half on the web - but its always difficult to get a good opinion. Any ideas why we were not so effective this week? Christmas hang- over seems unlikely? Is the lack of regular strikers still causing an unbalance?

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2001

Can't really disagree with what Clarky's written. It's only Coventry's inability to finish that prevented them from getting any points. Not sure I'd fault Harper for their goal. It looked every bit as freaky on MOTD as it did in person. Just as Glass was going up to try to keep the ball out it bounced off his head and into the net. He and Harper looked as disbelieving at each other as most of the crowd seemed to. Never heard such total silence after a goal in my life. Even the Coventry fans didn't seem to realize what had happened.

It was nice to hear the crowd finally take up the 'one Stevie Harper' chant that a few people tried to get going at Spurs, and a few more in my area a few minutes earlier in yesterday's match. The only thing that worried me from the beginning of the game was that Harper looked a bit overwound, and it showed in a pretty appalling first half display. Distribution? What distribution. Fortunately he settled himself down, or was perhaps told to settle down, by the second half and put in a far more solid performance.

I'd love to see Griffin in instead of Barton. Just not sure Bobby will drop Barton since he's also captain. Didn't think it was one of Barton's worst performances. Again, he made some vital clearances and did have one lovely backheel(whether it was intentional or not, I'm not sure ;-) ), worked his socks off etc. I just think Griffin is stronger in the position. Interesting to see what Bobby does next week.

Quinn has to stay in, and if he keeps up this level of performance should be signed permanently. And what does Glass have to do to get a start? Love to see him and Quinn down the left from the beginning.

A satisfying game to end my latest stint at SJP on. Hopefully I can get back before this season is over. Otherwise, start saving my pennies for the same period next year. We always seem to do well this time of year. :-)

Now bring on Villa on weds and here's hoping my marathon return trip to Birmingham and on to Baltimore is well worth it! Howay the lads!!

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2001


Did the CB's take their foot of the gas because it was Coventry? The pitch looked awful and will benefit from a rest more than the players.

Their goal looked as if Glass thought Harper had it but then Harper never took it and it was too late for Glass to try anything.

I believe after a brief showing yesterday that Quinn an Griffin could turn out to be the best two English full backs in the Premiership at one club. Unfortunately the stature of Barton within the club could see Griffin's appearances limited which is a crying shame. Two ball playing full backs who can defend!!

Hopefully they were saving something for the Villa game.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2001



Quinn definitely looked the part, and should be partnered by Griffin.

Like many others, I'd like to see Glass get a run on the left in the following team:

Harper

Griffin........Hughes........Goma/Dabz........Quinn

Solano.........Acuna/Bassedas........Speed(capt)........Glass

Dyer........Shearer/Cort



-- Anonymous, January 14, 2001

Agree generally but I'd add that: Harper was cack in the first half. I love the boy but he seemed to pick out whichever of our defenders was in most trouble when he made a clearance and his kicking was poor. Good second half, though. Thought the Nobmeister was poor in general. Although we should bear in mind that he is injured. Speed, Acuna and Bassedas were at the heart of how scary we were: Coventry cut through them like butter, leaving the defence, which wasn't at its best, looking even more vulnerable. The infuriating thing is that tiredness is bearable - I can see why the everpresents like Speed, Dyer and Hughesie would be shagged but everyone else has had time off this season and to watch Goma, you'd think he'd played non-stop since about 1982.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2001

It's odd that so many people thought Goma had a terrible game because he was canny in the first half. He kept doing that trick of his where he anticipates the danger and ghosts out to nick the ball on the edge of the centre circle. Obviously when he gets it wrong it leaves us in the clarts, but maybe it's just being so much higher up that we see it so clearly because he seldom gets the applause that he deserves for it. Most of the serious danger came from Acuna and Bassedas vanishing and my mate Warren Barton giving the ball away (he had another stinker and his place is up for grabs to anyone who cares to match his workrate and stay off the physio's couch, but also did his fair share of good stuff as well).

Nobby also had a dreadful game except for those two incredible through-balls. The first to Dyer to set up Ameobi was a thing of beauty. MotD sadly chose to show it from the pass itself so you get no sense of just how perfectly placed and timed it was. Coventry were in the ascendency again and all pushing forward when this pass suddenly skittered between 2 or 3 of them and found Dyer onside and willing to have a go. Ameobi thankfully has the pace to get forward in support (not something Al offers any more) so Dyer could lay it off with his nerves jangling from an awful miss earlier in the half. Absolutely beautiful move: 2 passes and in. Who needs all that fannying about?

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2001


Yeh Softie, but it's the 'fannying aboot' that attracts 99% of the words posted on here! What on earth would we all do for jollies if it wasn't for all that fannying aboot?

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2001

It depends on what sort of fannying about you're referring to...

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2001


It was the best spectacle but when we score early in the game it always seems like the players sit back a little. The Coventry fans although not great in numbers enjoyed there day; my favourite songs being "Wer're gonna win 4 -3" and "Stand up if you 3-1 down". Better finishing would have seen them win 4 - 3. But their goal was comedic,if that's a word, both Harper & Glass seemingly seeing double and going for the wrong one.

Plus points were Quinn who didn't do anything extraordinary but looked capable and made the side looked balanced. Barton was a bit of a let down, as was Nobby but the highlight was Shola enjoying his goal, expertly taken btw.

I had the pleasure of sitting a couple of seats in front of a Coventry fan, the downside being the atmosphere generated by the crowd who seemed to expect to win by a margin.
I enjoy Strachan's comment " We'd have won if we had Dyer in our side" or summat, a dramatic turnaround for the lad.

-- Anonymous, January 14, 2001

It may be just me but I thought the worst players were, Barton who seems to get the ball and wait untill someone is ontop of him before attempting to dribble around in circles. Nobby passing was poor and seemed a yard short of pace, Goma who doesnt like defending against small lads. Plusses Ameobi still winning every header going, Quinn letys hope he keeps this up, Dyer after 1st half cant let him go for less than 30mill. Midfield didnt seem to track back that much tho.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2001

EEhhh you lot are so hard to please. Solano creates the first with a perfect corner, creates the second with a superb ball to Dyer who crosses for Shola and creates the third with another precision ball to Dyer, Yes Dyer had plenty to do but he only gets that much space because Solano puts the ball into the space for him.

His passing may have been dissapointing as some of you have said but three great balls and three goals. Wonder what would have happened if he hadn't have been there

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2001


I'm sure we beat a relegation contender at the weekend by two clear goals! Something we have orely lacked the ability to do in the recent past.

The most crucial match of the season so far to be played four days later. I wouldn't want them to be overdoing it!

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2001


Interesting comments. I thought Ameobi continues to improve and I was quite impressed with him again. I thought Quinn did well. He put in a few good tackles and his passing and distribution was good. Barton was good and bad, sometimes at the same time, as I am Bartoni man I will stick with him, but appreciate that Griffin may offer more. Personally I think Barton plays better when Shearer is playing, but I'm not sure why. Harper needs to practice his kicking, preferably Given in the wallet. I thought Hughes looked a bit lost at times for the second game running. It was three points, so high ho....

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2001


This would be the ideal time to bring out the hackneyed cliche so beloved by the likes of Hansen, that when a team plays as badly as this and still grinds out a result, that is the mark of true champions.

I reckon we could all do with a little more convincing(!), but great result lads - let's hope they can crank the form up again for Villa. Very tough game without His Nobbship and England's finest midfielder, adding to the absence of a £22m strike force. A time to stand up and be counted - in the hope we can get to 11. :-)

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2001


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