As the dust settle on the transfer window we wonder how Norwich will do away against an unbeaten Coventry. Norwich have about 100 new players to integrate into the team, Coventry on the other hand had 4 players in and 7 out with the media wondering if they are a bit light on squad depth. Regardless they have got off to a good start this year including a 7-1 thumping of QPR. It looks like they score lots, but also concede a fair few so will Sargent be able to keep his good record this season and score again? Potentially more content to follow
As I said on another thread, it's worth a look at who Coventry have played so far: All of those league games were against teams currently 17th or below.
Adding a bit of extra spice to Saturday's fixture, Ipswich Town's local-boy-made-good Luke Woolfenden signed for the Sky Blues on the final day of the transfer window, following Coventry captain Ben Sheaf's move to Wrexham. Woolfenden v Kristgaarden should be an interesting tussle if both play.
Woolfenden has only had 90 minutes game time this season in Ipswich's loss to Bromley in the cup, so he's more likely to be on the bench.
It's been a long time since Blackburn. Seems even longer than the usual internationals break. No reported injuries from our away players so hopefully a fully fit squad to pick from. 3 or 4 at the back? That is the question. I'm guessing with Stacey fit again he will revert to a back three despite our win at Blackburn. I'm not convinced our wingbacks are good enough to use this system successfully, but then I'm only a fan, not the head coach.
Lampard said as much in his pre-match interview. Sounded as if Woolfenden was in good shape and fit enough to feature if required.
We've only had two scorers in league - Josh with 5 and Darling with 1. Others have to start helping out. Cernac, Marcondes, Diallo, even Topic are all capable. They need to start stepping up. Defensively, having Kenny back is a big boost. Hopefully he will be a good influence on Medic on the pitch.
Manning on Mattsson's readiness: “He's trained really, really well the last couple of weeks. I'm really looking forward to working with him. Fitness-wise, he's good to go. He's obviously had an early start to his season with good match minutes. From a physical perspective he's competing to start as now. There's not a case of managing him. It is more getting him up to speed with what we're asking him to do, what that looks like. It's no secret, externally, he was someone that we've been tracking and following for quite a while. When I look at him he's got a bit of bite about him, good aggression and he is a really neat footballer as well. He will play short, play long, technically he is very good. We've got him now for a period of time, and he's someone that will grow and get better and has the capacity and the capabilities to accelerate at this level. We've got really good competition and he adds to that. My job now is to play them off against each other, to keep raising the levels so that people fight to stay in the team and hold the shirt.”
It will be interesting to see how the team has settled in, gelled and progressed after the international break it does seem a very early and long break for this early in the season.
Interesting to see Theo Adelusi on the bench. He's a CB, 18, who joined from Spurs academy last year. I presume Córdoba is injured or ill, but McConville is also on the bench.
I'm sorry if this offends anyone but honestly the first thing I thought when I saw this was 'gay dating app'
We are being torn to pieces by crisper passing, much better movement and strong, cohesive pressing. If we concede this could rapidly become ugly. Our one opportunity to break so far and Diallo inexplicably strays offside.
