31/10/07
Right, today it was the rearranged fixture against Stoke. We were currently unbeaten all month and we really wanted to have an unbeaten month, so I knew we would work hard today. Stoke were currently 13th in the league, and not doing too well overall. Although, they were unbeaten in three, with 2 1-0 wins against Preston, and more impressively, West Brom, but they didn't do too well last time out, in a 1-1 draw against strugglers, Sheffield Wednesday. We were upbeat and confident, and we hoped that it would shine through on the pitch.
Injuries now. 2 players were out. Stephen Hughes had a thigh strain, and Lee Martin had a knee injury knee injury.
Now to the team news. Only a couple of changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Southampton, Thiago came in for Gray and I changed the formation to a 5-3-1-1 as I thought the defence looked terrific when there was 5, Mifsud played on the right, with Best a lone striker up front, with Thiago just behind and Tabb behind him. And Scott Dann replaced Robbie Simpson on the bench.
----------------------Marshall
--Bardsley--Varga--De Zeeuw---Ward------Fox
-----Mifsud--------------Tabb----------------Cairo
---------------------------Thiago
----------------------------Best
Subs (5): McKenzie, Gray, Doyle, Dann, Thornton.
FORM GUIDE: (league)
Coventry: L D L W W D
Stoke:W D L W W D
So, we got to the Ricoh, upbeat and content on winning the three points, and carrying out an unbeaten month which would be fantastic. We got into the dressing rooms, had our usual chat but with more umph as we were really hoping on getting 3 points, and wouldn't come away without a fight. Anyway, we got out and off we went.
A really poor start, straight from kick off, Ricardo Fuller passed to Thompson, who hit a shot from 15 yards, and it nestled in the bottom corner. 1-0 down after just 25 seconds. Shocker. On 4mins, we nearly equalised, a fantastic ball from Stan Varga, which Cairo latched on to, he had a great effort from 30 yards, but it went inches over. Unlucky. On 19 mins, we equalised with an amazing goal, Ward hit a long ball which Best knocked down, Mifsud controlled, and volleyed straight into the top corner.. What a goal. 1-1. On 25 mins, Phil Bardsley picked up a knock and had to go off, I brought on Scott Dann for him. On 29 mins, we nearly scored, Mifsud was one on one with te keeper, but the keeper did well, and saved. Still 1-1. Half time, and we had done okay, a poor start, but we had got ourselves back in the game. 1 change at Half time, Thornton on for Tabb.
On 54 mins, we had another chance, best was fantastically put through by Thornton, but he tried to cut inside but his shot was some way wide. On 64 mins, we had a chance, Thonrton hit a great shot from 25 yards, it thudded off teh post and fell to Thiago, who tapped in but he was offside. I think it was a good decision. On 69 mins, we had another great effort saved, Daniel Fox hit a free kick from all of 35 yards, but Simonsen did brilliantly to tip over. On 82 mins, we got the goal we deserved, Daniel Fox lined up another free kick, this time from just 23 yards out, he lined it up but unexpectedly, Stan Varga took it and put it into the top corner fantastically. Amazing from the defender, what a signing. 2-1. I made my last changes. McKenzie on for Cairo. On 92 mins, Stoke nearly equalised, Thompson hit another speculative free kick, but it was well turned over by Marshall. And that was the last action of the half, what a performance, the only time Stoke really threatened was when they scored in the first minute. What a winning goal from Stan Varga. So it was an unbeaten month, 5 unbeaten. Great month.
Coventry 2-1 Stoke
Mifsud, Varga.
Marshall-7
Bardsley-7
Varga-
8
Ward-7
Fox-
8
Cairo-7
De Zeeuw-7
Tabb-7
Thiago-7
Mifsud-
8
Best-7
-----------------
McKenzie-6
Gray-unused sub
Doyle-unused sub
Dann-7
Thornton-7
Man Of The Match was Stanislav Varga.
Sorry about just the one update today, but I had my North Devon final earlier (2-2 after extra time, lost on pens, I missed the last one

Although I had a great game

) And Coventry are playing. Month Overview tomorrow
