I have never actually written a Match report before so please go easy on me after all we all have our own opinions. I have gone down the individual players route as I find it easier
There has been a few phrases/questions thrown round the Ricoh recently one of them being 'Would you rather win ugly or loose pretty?' Well I can categorically say that in the sapce of three days we have seen the two extremes of this, but in this league you have to take the points and be grateful just looks at Leeds last night!
HOW THEY LINED UP
Coventry
01 Westwood
02 Keogh
15 Cranie
20 Turner
24 Wood
04 Clingan
05 Carsley
17 Gunnarsson
09 King (Jutkiewicz 65)
22 Platt
27 Ward (McSheffrey 61 yellow card)
Substitutes
23 Ireland,
30 Cameron,
08 Doyle,
18 Baker,
21 McIndoe,
11 Jutkiewicz,
19 McSheffrey
Doncaster
01 Sullivan
02 O'Connor
03 Friend
04 Martis (Dumbuya 23)
11 Lockwood
21 Hird
07 Woods
16 Oster (Wilson 85)
26 Coppinger
10 Sharp yellow card
22 Shiels (Stock 70)
Substitutes
33 Woods,
08 Stock,
23 Webster,
15 Wilson,
18 Gillett,
24 Dumbuya,
12 Hayter
Goals
Gunarsson 2
Sharp 43
McSheffrey 86
Booked
McSheffrey
Sharp
Sent off
None
Possession
Coventry 47%
Doncaster 53%
Attempts on target
Coventry 7
Doncaster 12
Attempts off target
Coventry 6
Doncaster 7
Corners
Coventry 5
Doncaster 14
Fouls
Coventry 8
Doncaster 10
Westwood 6/10
Right, I am not really sure where to start with him, I have always said since day one that he is NOT the best keeper outside of the Premier League and I think Andy Lonergans performance on Saturday and Keiran's performance last night were examples of why.
He made some superb saves definatley keeping us in the game ( I am getting abit fed up of saying that) There was one incident in the match that really stood out for me which sums up his Coventry Career was when Westwood and Turner were running to collect the same ball and NEITHER OF THEM called for it and they ran into each other and if Donny were more alert they would have had an open goal.
One of the other big flaws of his game is his indeciveness whether to come out for a corner or stay on his line and then he ends up doing a half and half job and manages to botch together a punch
I can see him going down the route of Leon Best i.e. going to a club like Bolton and twiddling his thumbs for a while the keeper situation definately needs to be sorted ASAP but I am still glad we have him albeit for not much longer.
Keogh 6/10
Keogh, hmmmmm threre appears to be only three things this guy can do and none of them that well. But another old saying if you cant beat them on ability effort can jsut as easily make up for it
1. Overlap with the right winger time after time after time at times it was like watching a spaniel playing fetch down the park. Give him his due it does work well he leaves the cross a little to late but a good idea
2. Charge forward with the ball at his feet drifting towards the centre and getting somewhere in the centre circle and ermmmmm well not much else leaving us short at the back.
3. Shit himself and look like he has never seen a ball before
Cranie 7/10
Right, Cranie is another Issac Osbourne type player by which I mean, does anybody actually know where this guy is paid to play? We really need to sort out a fit left back so he can be played at either right back or centre back and leaving Keogh on the bench. There isnt really much I can say with reference to last nights game sorry chaps.
Turner 7/10
I have given Turner alot of stick throughout the Dowie and Coleman era but since the introduction of Aidy Boothroyd he has turned into a beast of a player one who will go onto bigger and better things than Coventry City. He is very attack minded and has his goal tally to show for it but, as above is still prone to silly school boy errors.He certainly made some crucial last ditch tackles and blocks, I fear we wont be around come the end of the season.
Wood
I am not really sure about him he seems to be fairly anonymous but I get bored easier than most so am not really sure what to say about him sorry.
Clingan
After his injury suring the leicester game of last year he has never really come back to form. Again like Wood he doesnt really seem to stand out or do much for me and his free kicks leave alot to be desired. I may regret saying this but give me Micky Doyle any day of the week.
Carsley 5/10
The first half he was impressive well impressiveish he really needs to practice shooting "on the volley" as every single "shot" last night sailed off deep into the night. He makes a superb captain bossing the team around. He did have a legitimate penalty shout denied when he caught a face full of boot
Unfortunately Lee your a great chap and give 100% every game but in the second hald last night you just stopped.
Gunarsson 6/10
Lets get this out of the way first HE IS NOT A RIGHT WINGER he is just not good enough he cannot cross a ball on the wing but its not his fault I guess he only plays where he is told.
When he put that cross in for Macca's goal I saw him sprint down the wing float the cross in and screamed 'he aint that fast' and then some how Macca soared through the air and bang Goal!!. I think it was abit flukey as most of his crosses sail over the top and out for a goal kick or throw-in.
Now his contract talks have re-started I assume that this his Coventry City Career is coming to an end.
I have just seen his goal on Midlands Today and it was very similar to the goal at Preston, A hint of Offside perhaps?
King 8/10
I dont really need to put much about him but he is quality a breath of fresh air to the Ricoh his first touch is class. He scares defenders with his dare I say it skill! sometimes he drifts too far wide but were not all perfect it is definatley the start of somthing special. I cant wait till he gets his first goal, dont let the side down Marlon theres alot riding on you!
McSheffrey 6/10
I think the overall expectation for him was to high I have not been very impressed with him so far. Fair play for getting on to the end of that cross very 1987 esq.
The Duke n/a
I dont get Lucas I just dont get him, he doesnt seem to do a great deal
Platt n/a
He has been accused of being Naive in the championship, there was an article in the paper a week or so ago with him moaning how he always gets penalised by referees when his shirt is being pulled. Well Clive it is up to you to do something about it im fed up of him being jumped, squased and pulled about by defenders. Your too predictable Clive
Ward n/a
Looks like he is carrying a few extra pounds, he slotted in at right back a few times when Keogh got excited but thats about all
In short
Yes we won I am not sure how but we won, the boos floating round the fortress circa 60th Minute were justified we wont win many playing like we did.We were megashite!
Boothroyd says we are a work in progress, this phrase is like Coleman's 'players were tired' but it is true we are steadily improving and with the King we are starting to look pretty swish.
We are now the only side to have scoared in every game so far, this reflects on what we are seeing on the pitch but i am still not convinced we are a ready for a play off push.
I like Aidy I like what he is trying to acheive and beleive that we really are going in the right direction but that is another article altogether.
I guess if you have got this far you are probably bored and agree with nothing I have just spent the past hour typing but thanks for reading!
PS. sorry its not really a match report of such!
PUSB