Match Day Thread Coventry City v Sunderland AFC – Play-off Semi Final 1st Leg - Friday 9th May 2025 - KO 20:00

I thought I might get more excited as the week wore on but I'll be honest, I'm actually completely dreading it. I think that's what poor form does to you.

Not saying we don't have a chance, of course we do. And of course its possible that the intensity IS able to be "switched back on". Its just hard to do that so feels unlikely.

Fingers crossed we turn up and get a good result. A draw would be great. A win feels unthinkably good.

 

I've gained confidence me, I think the lads work rates and intensity will be much much improved in the actual games

 

In comparison with wingers or inside forwards in general I would say he is, not one of his strengths at all. I’ve always found the same with Roberts when he breaks he’s so small and slow that he has to beat his man several times to get up the pitch whereas Clarke, Mundle, Watson etc can just knock the ball and run. Even Mayenda out wide would be a better option for me just so we have some pace on the counter.

 

Not a chance he doesn’t play O’Nien like. He’ll be one of the first names on the team sheet, not that I agree but that’ll be the case

 

Tommy Watson looks fired up

 

How big does that keeper look though? Christ!

 

Poor timing from Ballard's perspective tbh. I don't think bringing him in to start games now and form what would be a new partnership with Mepham is sensible.

In an ideal world we'd have been able to try out the Ballard - Mepham partnership in the last month. I don't think we can go to it now.

 

There’s a message, asking, on RTG for you as well now.

 

Leeds?

 

My memory is ****e, I can't remember what we did versus Leeds. I remember we defended well.

 

Id drop Roberts tomorrow

Mayenda, Isidor and Watson as the front three

Neil, Le Fee and Jobe

 

Massive error... can you let up with the negatives, we all have our ideal systems and players we prefer, just list what you would go with and see who agrees with you.

 

That's what I'd go for.

My team would be:

Patto

Hume
O'Nien
Mepham
Cirkin

Neil
Jobe
Le Fee

Watson
Mayenda
Isidor

What I think he'll go for:

Patto

Hume
O'Nien
Mepham
Cirkin

Neil
Jobe
Rigg

Le Fee
Roberts
Isidor

 

Let's hope the trope that form goes out of the window for these games is true, on paper we're absolutely good enough to find a way to win over the two legs, even if we lose 1-0 on Friday we can still put them to the sword at home.

 

Sheff Utd absolutely butchered this lot not too long ago and I'm confident we can. We were the better side twice against Sheff Utd and were unlucky in the away game.

Yes Coventry battered us not too long ago... When we were on the wind down because we knew we were finishing in the play offs.

Friday night and Tuesday night, they'll see a completely different animal and it's gonna chew them up and spit them out.

Ha'way the Lads! I can't fooking wait!

 

Agree with you on what he'll go for... hhhaaa'wwwwaaaaayyyyyy the big surprise

 

Agree. Le Fee central and more involved, get him closer to Roberts to help him. Then Mayenda on the left, who I think can be effective even if isolated where Roberts cannot. Jobe supports in the left channel and Mayenda can add a body in the box when the balls down the right where Le Fee doesnt add an extra body from the left.

Other side of the coin is the Boro and Burnely away games with the same front 4. Similar atmosphere and opposition styles and they performed well then. Weren't on a run of form we are now mind.

 

Text received that tickets have just arrived

Know of a few people still waiting, though. My tickets early on in the season down there last year didn’t arrive and we had to get duplicates down there. More of a **** on than it should’ve been.

 

Seelt has been available tho and he was MoM in games he played last season, dont think RLB fancies him tho. preffering Hjelde

 

Have you tried Wallys Magic Bus from the Board Inn. £45.

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