14/7/07
In today's game, we played non-league side Auchinlek. Before the game I expected to win the game obviously, but the main thing was to get the player's fitness levels up for the start of the league season. I hoped we would win 4 or 5 nil.
So, now just to update you about who has come and gone this week. Stuart Giddings has left to join Derby, so obviously won't be taking part today, and that was teh first signing of teh transfer window by any club. Kevin Kyle'sbid from Sheffield Wednesay has been accepted but the deal hasn't gone throug yet, so he plays.
n today's fixture, I reckon the fans who have travelled over in their 10s (
) would have liked to so fast and free flowing football. One-twos and all that. And I told the lads, this is what I expected from the players today.
Now to the team news. In the starting XI I decided to go pretty much full strength in order to give everyone minutes on the pitch. Three players were left out, young Kevin Thornton, as he has ankle ligament damage, 18 year old Donovan Simmonds who also has ankle ligament damage, and DImi Konstantopoulos, as I decided to bring in young keeper Danny Ireland for his first senior game for the club, and second keeper was Andy Marshall, who is our number 1, so there was no need for another.
Here was the starting XI:
--------------------------Ireland
McNamee---de Zeeuw(c)---Ward---Borrowdale
Cairo-------S.Hughes-------M.Doyle----Tabb
--------------------Mifsud
-------------------------------------Adebola
Subs (12): Best, Davis, Hawkins, Osbourne, Kyle, Gray, R.Simpson, Marshall (K), Turner, McKenzie, Hall, M.Hughes
Me and the lads arrived at Auchinlek's ground, Beechwood Park. We got out and walked into the Clubhouse and in to their away dressing. I have to say, its not what we're used to! Spiders crawling in the corners, empty crisp packets on the floor and empty Lucozade bottles! I gave the lads a chat about the game ahead, about tactics and what I expected of each player, and who to look out for if anyone. And then we went outside and took our positions on the muddy but dry pitch.
A usual Coventry start, very shakey, conceding a rnerearly on, Auchilek playing with spirit, a bit like Havant and Waterlooville
. But once we got the ball on the floor, we were knocking it about nicely. A few chanes in thefirst quarter of an hour, the best of wich beng a run from Maltese pace striker Michael Mifsud down the left. who put a ball in to Adebola, who struck over. In the 17th minute, we got the breakthrough. A very nice move fm the middle of the park, Mifsud to Adebola, and within a touch, Adeola put a delightful through ball into vice captain Michael Doyle, who had a couple of touches, and stroked it into the back of the net. I applauded the goal. Hut kept a stern poker face, a lot like Roy Keane. And less than a minute later, Jay Tabb ran down the left an whipped a corker of a cross in, which Mifsud controlled and then unleashed the shot from 12 yards, but was palmed away by the keeper, and at the other end, Auchinlek winger Dean Calderwod went on a mazy run, only to fluff the shot. On 30 mins, A Coventry goal kick from rookie Danny Ireland, resulted in a knock down from Michael Doyle to Adebola, who struck a superb swirling shot, but it was dramatically saved by the Auchinlek keeper. Seconds later, a Mifsud shot was deflected into the path of Adebola, who made no mistake. 2-0. After the goal, captain Arjan de Zeeuw limped off and was replaced by young Coventry defender Ben Turner. Just before Half Time, Michael Doyle went in late on an Auchinlek midfielder, and recieved a yellow card for his troubles. I shouted at him to tone it down a bit.
At half time I was satisfied with the performance. The team looked well-drilled, and each player was doing exactly what I asked of them, so I told them "More of the same please lads!" They had their oranges and I told them what changes I was going to make. Leon Best came on for Mifsud, Marcus Hall on for Borrowdale, Robbie Simpson on for Jay Tabb, Leon McKenzie on for Ellery Cairo, Michael Hughes on for Stephen Hughes, Isaac Osbourne on for Michael Doyle, Colin Hawkins on for Elliott Ward, Liam Davis on for David McNamee and Kevin Kyle on for Dele Adebola. So a full change bar the keeper. I hoped the players I put on would work a shift too.
At the start of teh second half, Campbell of Auchinlek was booked for unsporting behaviour after he was seen giving Isaac Osbourne a mouthfull. The first chance of the half came on 62 minutes when Marcus Hall swung a ball in from the left, but it illuded every player in the box. On 74 minutes, Michael Hughes put a through ball into Robbie Simpson, who's shot was tipped over for a corner. On 79 mins, Michael Hughes put a fantastic visionary pass through to Leon McKenzie who shot into teh top corner. 3-0. Then I started to smile again. And just 5 minutes later, a dodgy backpass from an Auchinlek defender, resulted in the keeper being rushed, and he messed up the clearance, and it went straight to McKenzie who put it away for his second. An that was the last noteable action of the match. Job Well done in my opinion!
After teh game, I met up with the players for the post match team talk, and expressed my delight at seeing the job done well. I was happy that we had a good first game in charge, and Alan (Shearer) planned to meet up with me later that evening back at Coventry for a celebratory drink on him.
Auchinlek 0 - 4 Coventry
Adebola, Doyle, McKenzie (2)
Ireland-7
McNamee-7
Borrowdale-7
Ward-7
de Zeeuw-7
Cairo-7
S.Hughes-7
Tabb-7
M.Doyle-8
Mifsud-7
Adebola-8
-----------
Best-7
Davis-7
Hawkins-7
Osbourne-7
Kyle-7
Gray-Unused Sub
R.Simpson-7
Marshall-Unused Sub
Turner-7
McKenzie-8
Hall-7
M.Hughes-7
Man of the Match was Leon McKenzie
