Match Thread Coventry City - Preston North End FC Match Thread - Saturday 22nd Feb (128 Viewers)

[curly_tom]

Surely it isn't true that no game is ever "must win"? There will come a point where if you don't win you won't get enough points to get what you're aiming for, regardless of how badly those teams around you perform.

Fair point. I suppose it comes down to definition of 'must'. I uess 'must-win' is short for 'must win if we are going to get enough to points to reach the milestone I have in mind' in this case 6th place. So there are 'must-win' games, but this isn't one of them.

 

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[Offhegoes]

How many games did we win under Robins, whilst playing at best average? Some of the results in that Play Off run in '23 perhaps, but
not many over the years. As soon as our levels were down, and we faced a defensive, physical side (especially at home) we inevitably lost.

 

[Evo1883]

Matchday Guide says they are expecting 27,500 which with a small away support is bloody good.

Shocked they've only sold 1000 they normally sell about 1500 I'm sure

 

[Evo1883]

How many games did we win under Robins, whilst playing at best average? Some of the results in that Play Off run in '23 perhaps, but
not many over the years. As soon as our levels were down, and we faced a defensive, physical side (especially at home) we inevitably lost.

We were quite a turgid hard to beat side when we won league 1 with very few amazing performances , but relied heavily on being organised , if memory serves me well

 

[itsabuzzard]

Fair point. I suppose it comes down to definition of 'must'. I uess 'must-win' is short for 'must win if we are going to get enough to points to reach the milestone I have in mind' in this case 6th place. So there are 'must-win' games, but this isn't one of them.

Yes, tomorrow's game definitely isn't "must win", nor are the next few games, but the play-offs will disappear over the horizon if we don't keep winning on a regular basis.

 

[Bristol sky blue]

For me, I think we need to pick our most resilient and physical team v Preston. What that is, don't know. I wouldn't play Sakamoto though, think he would be kicked from pillar to post.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Lati just sneaking into ‘Complete defensive unit’!

Can’t see Thomas on there, unless I’m being blind edit: just found him hidden away

Where is he? I couldn't see it either

 

[PVA]

Where is he? I couldn't see it either

Hard to spot because his name is obscured by the Burnley badge and the CCFC badge is tucked behind the WBA badge.

But if you see Hyam near the middle, he's just up and to the left of Hyam.

 

[fernandopartridge]

We were quite a turgid hard to beat side when we won league 1 with very few amazing performances , but relied heavily on being organised , if memory serves me well

Definitely true, that run of form in the early months of 2020 was nearly all (bar the 4-1 win at Tranmere) winning by fairly narrow margins.

 

[itsabuzzard]

I’ve got this feeling that we’re gonna thump them.

May feel different after I’ve been toilet.

I tend to feel quite light-headed and euphoric.

 

[Tommo1993]

I tend to feel quite light-headed and euphoric.

And lighter by a few pounds?

 

[itsabuzzard]

And lighter by a few pounds?

At least. A weight off my mind, you might say.

 

[wingy]

No Thomas

Hiding behind a Burnley badge I think bizzare, also got Doyle as dodgy in the air and on the ground.

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

Out: Ben Whiteman, Duane Holmes, Jack Whatmough and Jordan Storey. Doubt: Mads Frokjaer.

 

[Seamus1]

Hope we slap 'em all the way back to Tokyo Joe's.

Sadly no longer there!! I heard it burnt down a few years ago!! Had many a great Wednesday night in there when I was at uni in Preston. Tokes on a Wednesday (severe hangover for French existentialist thought and literature on a Thursday morning), and The Warehouse on a Saturday…those were the days!!

 

[mmttww]

Sadly no longer there!! I heard it burnt down a few years ago!! Had many a great Wednesday night in there when I was at uni in Preston. Tokes on a Wednesday (severe hangover for French existentialist thought and literature on a Thursday morning), and The Warehouse on a Saturday…those were the days!!

Ah, that's a bit sh*t. Tokes was a good laugh.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Sounds like sheaf definitely on the bench maybe haji

 

[Skybluekyle]

Unless my knee makes a dramatic recovery, looks like I'll be at home for this one.

Absolutely gutted as I think we can win this!

 

[Great_Expectations]

I think we’ll win and with a good performance to boot. Confidence and momentum are still on our side and with that rumoured strong bench we are in a great position to change the game if needed, especially offensively.

Not sure he’ll go to his preferred 4 ATB yet, but either way I’d like Grimes as a 6 with Rudoni/Torp as 8’s; that’s a lot of creativity and technical ability through our middle.

If we do revert to a lone striker it has to be Simms and we have to ensure he doesn’t get isolated. We made it work last year with Wright one side and Sakamoto/a variety of players post injury last year, so no reason we can’t again.

Start on the front foot, score early and I think we’ll put this stupid hoodoo to bed.

3-1.

 

[wingy]

I think we’ll win and with a good performance to boot. Confidence and momentum are still on our side and with that rumoured strong bench we are in a great position to change the game if needed, especially offensively.

Not sure he’ll go to his preferred 4 ATB yet, but either way I’d like Grimes as a 6 with Rudoni/Torp as 8’s; that’s a lot of creativity and technical ability through our middle.

If we do revert to a lone striker it has to be Simms and we have to ensure he doesn’t get isolated. We made it work last year with Wright one side and Sakamoto/a variety of players post injury last year, so no reason we can’t again.

Start on the front foot, score early and I think we’ll put this stupid hoodoo to bed.

3-1.

Torp doesn't sound like he's considered from this morning's interview unless it's a misdirection.

 

[procdoc]

My team would be:
Dovin
Thomas Binks Kitching
MVE Torp (if available) Grimes Bidwell
Rudoni
Simms BTA

Collins
Lati
Eccles
Allen
Saka
Sheaf
Wright
Paterson
Dasilva

 

[procdoc]

Keep two up top for now

 

[Danceswithhorses]

Sounds like sheaf definitely on the bench maybe haji

Good news to get some injured players back...Sheaf and Haji would be a welcome sight on the bench.
Interesting/surprising to hear Frank say on CET website that the club have an additional year option on Sheaf's June 2026 ending contract.
That's the first i've heard of it, but it should hopefully keep his sale value up, should he/we decide on cashing in.

 

[Covcraig@bury]

Welcome to the block 11 massive

I’m in block 11 , great view and atmosphere when we turn up .. enjoy

 

[Monty]

Well if Wright is back in the squad today and with all the talk of a Patterson debut we must be starting 433 otherwise a bench of Wright EMC Patterson Sakamoto feels a little wrong as although we could substitute to change shape we then would have subs available for the subs but if EMC and Sakamoto start makes a little more sense

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

With the program and press conference, expect Paterson to start.

As such expect him to replace tats on the right wing, with the expectation he cuts in to form the 3-2-5.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Well if Wright is back in the squad today and with all the talk of a Patterson debut we must be starting 433 otherwise a bench of Wright EMC Patterson Sakamoto feels a little wrong as although we could substitute to change shape we then would have subs available for the subs but if EMC and Sakamoto start makes a little more sense

Wright far from definite but it would be a pleasant surprise id be surprised though if sheaf wasn’t on the bench from what fl said

 

[edgy]

With the program and press conference, expect Paterson to start.

As such expect him to replace tats on the right wing, with the expectation he cuts in to form the 3-2-5.

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I don't think there's any link to being on the programme and press conference and being in the starting XI. He did actually say "If I do come on......."

He won't start.

 

[Evo1883]

Tough game today. A game where a slip up can happen

 

[Jamesimus]

Would love to see EMC start today, then Wright come on for him with 20 mins left and show us what we have missed!

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Fans need to be up for this and get behind the team. Looking at the table last night made me realise how important that win against Bristol City was. If we'd have lost that, they'd have been 8 points clear of us going into today, rather than 2. Nice win today, and we're ahead of them. So tight up there.

 

[mmttww]

Fans need to be up for this and get behind the team.

Ainnit. Time to dial things up and keep pushing.

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

Paterson isn’t going to start. He’s not even come on for some mins as a sub.

Dovin
MVE Thomas Kitching Bidwell
Allen Grimes Rudoni
Tatsu Simms EMC

 

[Captain Dart]

I don't think Haji will even be on the bench today but Sheaf will replace Raphael. Torp is still sidelined.

I think we will play 4-3--3 from the start.

Dovin
MVE Thomas Kitch Bidwell
Eccles Grimes Rudoni
Saka Simms EMC

Bench
Collins
Lati, DaSilva, Binks,
Allen, Sheaf, Paterson
BTA, Bassette

Once Haji is fit for a 10 min cameo he will replace Bassette on the bench.

 

[Monty]

I don't think Haji will even be on the bench today but Sheaf will replace Raphael. Torp is still sidelined.

I think we will play 4-3--3 from the start.

Dovin
MVE Thomas Kitch Bidwell
Eccles Grimes Rudoni
Saka Simms EMC

Bench
Collins
Lati, DaSilva, Binks,
Allen, Sheaf, Paterson
BTA, Bassette

Once Haji is fit for a 10 min cameo he will replace Bassette on the bench.

Pretty much my thoughts for the day too. Question over Allen or Eccles to start. And Bassette or Wright on the bench