I'm trying not to be revisionist. I've been telling people for weeks that the time to judge is after the play offs have concluded. Only then will we know whether RLB's game plan for the last 6 weeks was foolish, or a master stroke. Having said all that, It's ****ing hard to cling on to that approach right now. Today was absolutely woeful. The only tiny shred of optimism I have right now is that it was clear today that the players weren't trying. I can only assume that will change on Friday
Only caught the last 10 minutes of the game due to having to go to the Freeman, so won't comment on the game. But a couple points I want to make. Firstly, @RTB, thanks again for a great thread. You go out your way every week to do the match thread, and it really sets the scene for me, and really enjoy reading the thread on match day. Just wanted to say your efforts are really appreciated. This kind of leads me on to my second point....the constant negativity. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind anyone being critical of a performance, a result etc. It's when the same negative comments are repeated ad infinitum ( meaning - again and again in the same way; forever) it becomes bloody tedious. @Prehab26 and to a lesser extent @LD19SAFC, I'm gonna call you both out here for this. If anyone calls you out for it, you double down and repeat it all again. Can you not see what it's doing to the thread....it's certainly not creating debate! Ha'Way lads, @RTB deserves better.
What gets me is posters throwing the fact they have season tickets and others don't, then decide not to go to games cos they didn't like the team and claim they're die hard fans. No one is happy with the way the season has finished but some try to see the positive in the team and look forward to the play off games in the hope that we get to the final and then onto the premier league - it's called being a supporter!
Coventry give up a lot of chances in games and they've lost the xG battle in a lot of games since Lampard took over. The only team in recent months to not create much against them was...Sunderland. They do create a lot though and with players like Wright, Rudoni and to a lesser extent Sakamoto and Simms they have serious quality in the final 3rd. Our midfield will be in for a test against Grimes, Sheaf and Rudoni. Extremely tough but IF we are on our game, we can win.
Don’t think Coventry are as good as some are making out like but that midfield 3 is better than Neil, Rigg and Bellingham currently imo. Loads of championship experience in Sheaf and Grimes plus Rudoni probably has more goal contributions this season than all 6/7 central midfielders we have combined. First leg will be tough we just need to not get beat. I’ll be real disappointed if RLB puts out the same team though. I’m as pissed off as anyone with how our season has finished but this is what matters now and he’s gambled by going half arsed for what seems like months so time to earn his salt as a manager and time for players to stand up and be counted.
Think i'd take a 1-0 defeat now. Puts serious pressure on the 2nd leg but just need to be in the game
A couple of the lads said that tonight and I get where you’s are coming from, just far from ideal I would be ecstatic to come back up here level mind.
Watson's looked decent, his first game back was poor but since then he's looked up for it and one of the few players really trying. Could be a key player in the playoffs. I'd be happy with him on the left and Le Fee instead of Rigg in the middle.