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

Hope we see Jobe bursting forward, he's key for the midfield battle and I hope he's allowed the freedom to get forward

 

Shame I never particularly enjoyed that game as I was still gutted about our game 2 days before!

 

Worries me that we had pretty much our strongest side out down there in the league and we know how that ended (only Le Fee was missing).

 

Can’t wait, excited and nervous, just want to see a great performance from the lads, and a win of course

 

How many nervous wees before the game starts?

 

Would snap hands off for a draw. Frankly would probably take a one goal defeat with improved performance

 

As many as possible because I never leave my seat before the game is over!

 

Cheers mate
- I'm hoping to see Mayenda score another worldy after dribbling past every Coventry player.
It's been clear to me for a few weeks now that the players have been avoiding getting injured, definitely saving themselves for these big games.

 

Would be ecstatic with it. RLB will play for it too imo.

 

Glad I’m not the only one

 

Id argue playing for the draw would be the sensible thing to do. Real Madrid are the kings of two game ties and they know the power of an away draw.

 

0 complaints if we go back to the SoL level. Would be buzzing. Super positive from me all weekend if that’s the case

 

As long as we go into the home leg with it being level, a lead of sorts or a one goal swing we should be fine. Miracles and that.

3/4 -0 and Coventry fans will be there and loving it

first leg 1-1 or 2-1 to either side.

home leg 2-0

 

2-1 Sunderland

 

I appreciate that the conventional approach is to go for a draw or narrow defeat but I'm hoping we don't do that.

Treating Friday as the home leg would put Lampard's head in a spin. He knows his defence is suspect and conceded goals against three 'relegation sides' in the last few weeks, Luton, Plymouth and Hull. If we can get Enzo on the ball we know he can split a defence and we'll have pace on the pitch and the bench.

Score down there and that's a big boost, win and we can treat the second leg like an away game knowing Coventry have to open up and leave gaps.

Lampard has shown before how he can blow these games and he almost didn't make the playoffs ...

... only a last second goal, at home to Portsmouth, saved them in my opinion.

Portsmouth could've won that game but missed their chances.

I don't want to see us sitting back all game, giving them confidence ...

... a few early balls over the top will really worry them, our pace is a real weapon so let's use it and come back with a lead.

 

Cheers RTB. Class as always.

Well I’m feeling the nerves already but despite the form, these are the games you want to see us involved in. Big games and only a couple from another trip to Wembley. We’ve been poor for a bit of time now but do think a comfortable 4th place finish should still be applauded but let’s not settle for that as success, let’s get promoted.

I think RLB will start the same team as QPR. Most of the team picks itself but if there’s one thing I’d rather not see, it would be an attacking midfield of ELF Rigg and Roberts. Not enough pace imo. Either Roberts or imo Rigg can come out with mayenda or Watson on the wing. Really big challenge either way and the first 25 are going to be big for us to withstand what they throw at us. Full 90 of concentration needed too.

My team:

Patto
Hume Meptham Ballard cirkin
Neil jobe
Roberts ELF Mayenda
Isidor

Prediction (hopeful) 1-1

Haway the lads!

 

Interesting take mate. Got to be controlled aggression I think. Couldn’t agree more about sitting back. Need to push up and get some of that pace we have up front to cause some damage. Let’s not forget the attacking qualities we’ve shown this season. We can win this game, big ask, but it shouldn’t be written off as a try and grind out a draw or 1-0 defeat, that’s a mentality that can backfire massively.

 

All about the mindset and approach that comes from the coach for me. Can not use fatigue as an excuse. We have a very good first 11 and should be able to dictate the game if we want too, that's where the mindset and approach comes into it. I am a bit worried about 09 getting bullied at the back, like he did in the home, league fixture but let's see.

I'll take a draw right now though. Let's hope we can indeed flick the switch and turn in a performance.

 

Sell out. Will be a cracking atmosphere

 

Big change from Christmas at Coventry ...

... great fans though.

• Nov 30th, 2024

"Going to home game is a completely miserable experience at the moment. **** football, barely ever win, **** atmosphere and it takes absolutely ages to get home. If I didn’t have a season ticket I’d not be bothering."