Preston at home. (13 Viewers)

[Mucca Mad Boys]

The team will be as follows:

Murphy

Christie
Wood
Edge
Adams

Bailey
Jennings

Baker
Moussa
Macca

Clarke

The formation is 4-2-3-1, not 4-4-2 or 4-5-1

If we play the way we have been and take our chances we will win, for all the Preston bullied/battered us we could have won the game if sleeves had headed into what was basically an empty net, we are the favourites lets start acting like it. It is this defeatist/pessimistic attitude that with many other reasons has brought us down to where we are now

What is your problem with Clarke? He played well v Spurs, contained Bale pretty well, you say he shouldn't have let him roam, but that mean he'd be going out of position, he comes someone else's responsibility when he leaves the RB jurisdiction. He has a cross that is far better than Christie's, this is a clear weakness of Christie's. Christie also isn't as good at defending, he goes in too easily and can get us into trouble.

Fact is, we concede too many goals with our defence, changeis needed, we should play Clarke and see what happens, if he doesn't do well, fair enough, start Christie. Adams is undisputed #1, Wood and Edj are good IMO and gentler down by the full backs too often.

 

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[LJC_CCFC]

What is your problem with Clarke? He played well v Spurs, contained Bale pretty well, you say he shouldn't have let him roam, but that mean he'd be going out of position, he comes someone else's responsibility when he leaves the RB jurisdiction. He has a cross that is far better than Christie's, this is a clear weakness of Christie's. Christie also isn't as good at defending, he goes in too easily and can get us into trouble.

Fact is, we concede too many goals with our defence, changeis needed, we should play Clarke and see what happens, if he doesn't do well, fair enough, start Christie. Adams is undisputed #1, Wood and Edj are good IMO and gentler down by the full backs too often.

Just don't see what he offers, backs off when defending and doesn't get forward enough, Christie links up Well with baker and has added the odd goal to his game. I will say this about Clarke he has the best first touch at the club it's just what happens after that, that is the problem

 

[shropshirecov]

Fortunately others are a lot more committed, and ticket sales are very healthy so far...

Little harsh that. Going to Carlisle but not gonna go Thursday as its on telly.
Maybe the club should've said those who attend would have priority should we get to Wembley. Perhaps that's what they'd do if we get thru.

 

[RoboCCFC90]

Our strongest midfield, at the minute is:

Baker Bailey Fleck Thomas* Moussa

He might not be 100% if so Jennings to come in. Bar that, this midfield is most capable on the ball and good enough off it, Thomas is a typical box-to-box midfielder and plays like his hero, Scholes (obviously not as well as the great man!), Fleck can dictate the tempo we play at, very able on the ball and underrated off it (he isn't great but the way some go on!), Bailey is technically very good, as we know, has a killer pass, as we know, and is very good defensively.

I would like to see more Fleck and Conor I agree, but I don't know if Robins will pick them for this game.. In Robins We Trust!

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I would like to see more Fleck and Conor I agree, but I don't know if Robins will pick them for this game.. In Robins We Trust!

Robins' did say the trio of subs made a difference when they came on... Let's see what happens.

 

[wingy]

Robins' did say the trio of subs made a difference when they came on... Let's see what happens.

He also acknowledged along with one or two of the players that Spurs had wrapped the game up and were in control mode rather than embarrass CCFC Mode.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Really don't think we learnt much new about the team from the Cup game-the difference in class so enormous that we stood very little chance.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

He also acknowledged along with one or two of the players that Spurs had wrapped the game up and were in control mode rather than embarrass CCFC Mode.

That may well be true, but you can only judge what you see, and I think the trio made a good account of themselves none the less and didn't let Spurs go into 'embarrass CCFC mode' - quite humerous thing there Wingy, fair play

 

[wingy]

That may well be true, but you can only judge what you see, and I think the trio made a good account of themselves none the less and didn't let Spurs go into 'embarrass CCFC mode' - quite humerous thing there Wingy, fair play

I was in no way dissappointed second half SBT,very pleased with that midfield improvement

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I was in no way dissappointed second half SBT,very pleased with that midfield improvement

We were impressive, CT4 almost scored as well. They were good out there.

I don't know why some rated Bailey + Jennings higher than Fleck + Barton :facepalm:

There does seem to be a lot of people's with vendettas against Fleck and Barton.

 

[dadgad]

Team will be set up to counteract PNE - out muscle them.
No place for Fleck or Barton or Sheffry.
Midfield of Baker, Jennings, Bailey, Thomas, Moussa.

 

[wingy]

We were impressive, CT4 almost scored as well. They were good out there.

I don't know why some rated Bailey + Jennings higher than Fleck + Barton :facepalm:

There does seem to be a lot of people's with vendettas against Fleck and Barton.

I think it comes from the pre-season expectation and subsequent 8 games when they were patently short of Fitness /Match fitness in what were very demanding circumstances from a fan sperspective .When you mention vendettas it can come aross that you may have one re; Sheff who along with several senior pro's performed woefully in that early part of the season ,but has made a marked improvement in delivering the attacking threat and delivery ,coupled with I think a mutch better workrate, tracking back and pressing,its all subjective and down to individual opinion though.

 

[Covstu]

People wont go because its on the box sadly, i have just had two friends cancel on me to opt for the TV instead. This is a game no city fan should miss given the opportunity to go to Wembley, if we can take 5k to spurs (easily could have took 8k if we had the tickets), 5k to MK, 10K (ish) to Man utd and brum in the cup recently, we are going to fill our allocation IF we got there. Out of interest how many seats would be get about 30k?? The bandwagon would be warming up if we win on Thursday.

 

[covcity4life]

im wathcing it on sky too and im no bandwagon jumper

i went to sheff utd in round prior but i also pay a sky subscription,it makes no sense to not watch cov on these very rare instances that they are shown

 

[skybluelee]

I don't get the mentality of some local Cov 'fans' at all. I perfectly accept that some fans simply can't afford to go, but anybody in the local area who can afford to and chooses to stay at home is not a proper supporter, apart from isolated cases such as illness etc.

I am desperate to be at the game but I have to factor in a £60 fuel bill before I even get to the cost of the ticket, plus a whole day off work etc

The game is massive. £5 people, FFS.

 

[skybluelee]

Not to mention the form we have been in for over two months. How can anybody claim that £5 to watch us at the moment is anything less than an absolute bargain?

 

[covcity4life]

dont think anyone has disputed that?

 

[ajsccfc]

I'm going to go up and also Sky+ it. With a sparse JPT crowd the chances of getting on telly increase, this could be my big break.

 

[stupot07]

I'm going to go up and also Sky+ it. With a sparse JPT crowd the chances of getting on telly increase, this could be my big break.

Ditto.

 

[LJC_CCFC]

im wathcing it on sky too and im no bandwagon jumper

i went to sheff utd in round prior but i also pay a sky subscription,it makes no sense to not watch cov on these very rare instances that they are shown

No one pays for sky to see cov on the tv, you pay for their prem and champions league coverage, five pounds to go to an actual football match is as cheap as they come. Will you be watching the JPT final on sky if we get there, I think not...

 

[covcity4life]

No one pays for sky to see cov on the tv, you pay for their prem and champions league coverage, five pounds to go to an actual football match is as cheap as they come. Will you be watching the JPT final on sky if we get there, I think not...

im not sure i like your tone

i am just being honest with everyone

i pay for sports package,i have to watch glory fans teams like utd get shown every single week but noone ever even mentions cov on telly bar a few seconds here or there

so when we are on tv i would like to sit back on my couch and watch them on my hd with a beer in hand,i wont deny that. i see them at ricoh nearly every week,whats so bad about a different way of viewing once or max twice a season?

it also means i will go to an extra home game this season in the league so its not hindering cov either

 

[SkyBlueMania]

im wathcing it on sky too and im no bandwagon jumper

i went to sheff utd in round prior but i also pay a sky subscription,it makes no sense to not watch cov on these very rare instances that they are shown

Sky Sports truly is a curse on this game of ours

Edit: I do understand your mindset here btw, not having a go at you, it's just one example of many ways the game has lost it's magic because of sky

 

[skybluebeduff]

I've only just realized the games on Sky, already got 5 tickets too, oh well I won't let the others know, please don't rain or I'm in shit creek

 

[covcity4life]

Sky Sports truly is a curse on this game of ours

Edit: I do understand your mindset here btw, not having a go at you, it's just one example of many ways the game has lost it's magic because of sky

i was born in 82, i remember the big match live... i know it was only 1 game a week but television was around

and sky is not really affecting covs gates much is it? they have been shown once before vs stevenage and now this game, if we were on telly every other week i would agree.

 

[theferret]

Will be a very good gate Thursday, similar to Shrewsbury. Virtually all the casuals I know are going, plus a few who don't normally go at all.

 

[covcity4life]

they must be bigger fans than me then.

 

[theferret]

they must be bigger fans than me then.

Clearly

Any regular supporter based in Coventry who stays at home when it is only 5 quid to get in should have a serious word with themselves IMO. TV? So what. Watching City while sat on your sofa is like watching porn when you've got the real thing upstairs.

 

[covcity4life]

Clearly

Any regular supporter based in Coventry who stays at home when it is only 5 quid to get in should have a serious word with themselves IMO. TV? So what. Watching City while sat on your sofa is like watching porn when you've got the real thing upstairs.

im not sure where this fiver thing comes from?

im not a tramp,i can pay full price,that has not factored into my thihking at all

i could say its pathetic how many people need a tramp price drop to make them go to a game

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I think it comes from the pre-season expectation and subsequent 8 games when they were patently short of Fitness /Match fitness in what were very demanding circumstances from a fan sperspective .When you mention vendettas it can come aross that you may have one re; Sheff who along with several senior pro's performed woefully in that early part of the season ,but has made a marked improvement in delivering the attacking threat and delivery ,coupled with I think a mutch better workrate, tracking back and pressing,its all subjective and down to individual opinion though.

I have admitted he has performed above my expectations - mind you, we're pretty low - he has chipped in with some assists, credit given, when credit is due. But I don't think he is as good, or better than the 5 I mention.

I think on here, I look at team selection that is based on an objective criteria rather than a subjective criteria: Fleck has more assists and goals, in less games, hence why I think he should start. Thomas, I think he is a v good player, shone in a team that was struggling last year, has worked with Steven Gerrard when on loan at Liverpool, his colleagues rate him - Edj, Clarke and others call him 'Stevie G' - he has potential. It's a shame he has been injured for so long. - Deegan you :jerkit: I hope some breaks your leg! I think McSheffrey can be used as an effective impact sub.

It also bothers me that some on here will bemoan Fleck off the ball, yet, want McSheff to start?! Which no one has tried to argue that Sheff is better off the ball than Fleck. This is because, at best, he is just as bad as Fleck off the ball! We're talking about a player who admitted he is the worst defender in the league - granted under AB, when we were in the Championship.

It may come across as a 'vendetta' but I think I say it as it is tbh, McSheffrey has escaped criticism for years because of his well-known Coventarian roots and no he is playing ok, he is 'Thierry Henry' again I simply do not think McSheffrey is as good as Fleck, Barton, Thomas, Moussa, Baker, for that reason, I do not think he should start.

 

[ajsccfc]

Basically people can do what they want within the realms of common sense and consideration and shouldn't need to justify themselves to anyone. Kofi Annan said that in the UN when the arguments rang around for the Chelsea cup tie.

 

[theferret]

im not sure where this fiver thing comes from?

im not a tramp,i can pay full price,that has not factored into my thihking at all

i could say its pathetic how many people need a tramp price drop to make them go to a game

Says the man who isn't going. Fine, up to you, but don't pretend that 'justifying your sky subscription' is a good excuse. It's pretty lame actually. Basically you cannot be arsed - fine, just say that.

And 'tramp price drop'? Oh dear. I'm pleased you have plenty of money, I really am.

 

[Astute]

Clearly

Any regular supporter based in Coventry who stays at home when it is only 5 quid to get in should have a serious word with themselves IMO. TV? So what. Watching City while sat on your sofa is like watching porn when you've got the real thing upstairs.

Depends how long you have been married for

 

[Otis]

I don't think we need to compete on a physical footing, we have to make sure we keep the god damn ball on the ground and not in the air! That's where we went wrong last game. Having Fleck and Thomas will help us to do that (with Baker, Bailey and Moussa to assist). You talking of physicality, but how can we be more physical? We can't bring anyone in who is good enough to start, who has this physicality. We need to play our game, and do it well.

On Barton, it wasn't HE was outmuscled by PNE, we Hoofed it up to him and he, being really shit at heading, failed badly, as did the whole team that game. Only person who I can remember winning 1 header was Baker.

On that note, by no means am I comparing the us to Barca, PNE to Stoke, I'm just giving you an example, would Barca take Xavi and other less physical players out the team if they were playing Stoke? No, they wouldn't. They'd keep Messi, Xavi, Iniesta (and co.) in and play their own game and beat Stoke's. On your logic, however, Xavi (and co.) couldn't or shouldn't play because they aren't as physical, it's BS.

I think this is somewhat of a cancer in British football, only nation (of note) who play 4-4-2 is England, and have favoured brute for over etiquette for too long.

Have to disagree with this 'hoofing to Barton.'

if you care to get the game tape you will see he had the ball played to him on the ground on many occasion and he was muscled off the ball or tackled or harried into getting rid of it quickly.

Being more physical would result from Barton not playing and say Thomas in there instead. We can't compete totally on a physical level, but we can be more physical.

 

[theferret]

Depends how long you have been married for

You may have a point there.

 

[Paxman II]

I think its a certainty that Thomas will play a part if not start the game. Bailey was off his game after going back to Derby and back again. Mousa needs a rest. jennings has not been good. Thomas and Fleck should come in for me...