wembley, Wembley

[the boss]

thats all folks

[Lloydy]

Easy tiger.

Happy with a draw, hopefully we'll do em up the Ricoh. Anyone know when the replay should be?

[CoC]

Tuesday, 12 January (Kick off: 1945)

BBC

[the boss]

Easy tiger.

Happy with a draw, hopefully we'll do em up the Ricoh. Anyone know when the replay should be?

replay fook the replay, a mare formality dear boy. Who's next is the question

[Lloydy]

Easy tiger.

Happy with a draw, hopefully we'll do em up the Ricoh. Anyone know when the replay should be?

replay fook the replay, a mare formality dear boy. Who's next is the question

Find that out 2moro wont we.

[the boss]

think its time to start collecting voulchers

[Des]

think its time to start collecting voulchers

Are you pissed? Your spelling's gone t'shit.

[bolix]

thats all folks

What? A new years resolution to stop posting. If only.

[the boss]

thats all folks

What? A new years resolution to stop posting. If only.

you'd miss me too much

[haggis]

Taken from ITV's match report

"Coventry suffered a massive blow at the break when goalkeeper Westwood was forced to come off. The 25-year-old enjoyed an impressive first half but was crouched on the pitch with his head under a towel prior to kick-off"

[Joe]

Taken from ITV's match report

"Coventry suffered a massive blow at the break when goalkeeper Westwood was forced to come off. The 25-year-old enjoyed an impressive first half but was crouched on the pitch with his head under a towel prior to kick-off"

Doesn't he always do that with his towel? Am I missing something?

Why did he come off?

[the boss]

Am I missing something?

now let me think about that one

[AD]

In this situation usually we win the replay then go out in the following round.....

[Sky Blue Strawberry]

A decent performance which we could have won, but equally could have lost. I thought until we scored we were struggling to get a foothold, and obviously them scoring so late in first half stoppage time gave them a lift at the start of the second half.

Clingan was very good - good to see him back, McPake was decisive and no nonsense, Bell had some nice touches and scored a great goal. Not sure why Best didn't start - we weren't winning anything in the air up front, Eastwood had a bit of an off day I thought, as did Wright.

No idea what the problem with Westwood is - he looked very down after conceding and just lay in his net for a good 20 seconds or so, and was also last to leave the pitch at half time. He made one outstanding save low to his left in the first half, well worth watching. In fairness though Dimi did well and saved us at the death.

One question on Coleman's team selection, why play Crainie at left back,when there were two left backs on the bench - he was obviously uncomfortable there, particularly in first half, when he kept drifting into the middle, and it was his man who was left free for their goal.

Edit: seems Westwood got injured when he hit the post while falling into the back of the net for their goal - which in hindsight is probably why he stayed down so long!
No complaints though, all in all a good day out - shit ground mind.

Also a word for Five live - we Coventry fans would sometimes like to hear you talk about our team a little. I had the station on until 2pm when we arrived in Portsmouth, by which time we had hardly had a mention, and on the way home the only mention of the game was to do with the demonstration by Pompey fans after the game. Very poor indeed

[bolix]

One question on Coleman's team selection, why play Crainie at left back,when there were two left backs on the bench

Coleman is reluctant to blood kids even if it means playing slow and useless players (Wright) or more experienced ones out of position (Cranie).
That is his style, and I dont suppose he's going to change anytime soon.
In his defence I'd say that he does this in part to keep the senior members of the squad happy - fosters a sort of togetherness....it is probably why he'll never be a good manager. Dowie was the same, ditto Adams, all very average.

[Sky Blue Steve-o]

Cranie has played Premiership football and U21 international football (including a European Championship final), whereas aside from a handful of sub appearances Hussey has only ever played non-league. CC sees them both train every day and is in a much better position than us to decide whether Hussey is ready to start in (by our standards) fairly big games. And in fairness he's been far more willing to play the youngsters than his predecessors:

Jordan Clarke - 7 starts and 3 sub appearances
Grandison - 2 (2)
Madine - 9 sub appearances
Hussey - 4 sub appearances

...plus a load of other kids either making sub appearances or at least being involved in the matchday squad. Admittedly this has sometimes been out of necessity, but at least they're getting a look-in. I can't really remember ever being able to name more than a couple of the youth team, let alone getting to see them play.

And, at least he didn't start with Marcus!

[Timbo]

I don't think Coleman thinks Hussey is ready and from what I've seen I have no reason to disagree with him. I expect us to bring in another left back during the transfer window.

Having said that I have to disagree about Cranies performance yesterday - I thought he was very good... and its not as if we've been blessed with a lot of good performances from left back of late. That said one good performance out of position doesn't mean he will be as good next time there (look at Wright at centre back). Both keepers were excellent. The defence were all pretty good except for Wright standing/backing off too much. The midfield did ok with Bell being the pick of them. Clingan showed glimpses of what we've been missing but understandably didn't bust a gut to ensure he got through the 90. The service to the strikers wasn't great and they struggled off the scraps.

Portsmouth maybe struggling at the bottom of the table but they are still a good side who keep the ball well. They have a lot of height in the side and looked comfortable from our set pieces. Piquionne looked good until it came to shooting. They mostly attacked down our right with Hreidarsson getting forward at every available opportunity. Boateng was their best player. He seemed to have a licence to roam as he popped up all over the pitch. Not seen anyone comment on it but I thought he was a fraction offside for the goal.

[Sky Blue Strawberry]

Not seen anyone comment on it but I thought he was a fraction offside for the goal.

I wondered that at the time Timbo, but having seen it again I don't think he was

[the boss]

Not seen anyone comment on it but I thought he was a fraction offside for the goal.

I wondered that at the time Timbo, but having seen it again I don't think he was

well if you ever needed proof that he was, there you go

[Timbo]

Not seen anyone comment on it but I thought he was a fraction offside for the goal.

I wondered that at the time Timbo, but having seen it again I don't think he was

I've viewed it in slo-mo a few times and I'm fairly sure he was.