Opposing views: Coventry (A)
Four Coventry City fans warn Port Vale fans to look out for prolific striker Dominic Samuel on Saturday….
About the fans
LB87ccfc – Male, followed Coventry for over 25 years home and away (do I get a “superfan” badge?).
KG82 – I’m Kevin, just completing a Master’s degree. My First match was in ’87 or ’88 away against Forest, I don’t really remember much about it except that it ended 0-0! My first match at Highfield Road was ’91 or ’92 and we beat Luton 5-0. We used to get into the ground for free and stand in the Spion Kop. Funny how things go, we used to watch top flight decent football for free, now we pay to watch rubbish!
Grendel – I’ve supported the club since 1972 and have been a season ticket holder for most of that time.
malkitccfc – I’m Malkit. The only Asian in the world who doesn’t support Liverpool or Manchester United!.
How is your team faring this season?
I thought the squad was more than capable of holding its own in the division and expected top half…
LB87ccfc – Expectations were quite high after the likes of Tudgay, Jackson, O Brien, Johnson,Pugh joined the club. However, for whatever reason it has not worked out as planned, but we now have renewed hope to at least pull away from the dog fight at the bottom with an experienced manager joining the mad house.
KG82 – After losing Callum Wilson in the summer along with Franck Moussa and Leon Clarke in the January transfer window, every fan realised if we were to achieve anything this year the goals we’d lost in those players had to be replaced. Pre-season, many were talking about relegation, but I think the realistic target was mid-table. Unfortunately, those goals weren’t replaced and we’re currently underachieving and – up until the last few days, tensions have been running quite high with the fans.
Grendel – I thought the squad was more than capable of holding its own in the division and expected top half. The under achievement of this is down solely to the departing manager, his dumb tactics, inflexibility and his cohort in the transfer market our CEO who fancies himself as a manager himself and would do even worse.
malkitccfc – Expected us to be in or around the play offs. Been a terrible last few months but hopefully things are starting to look up.
Where do you think you’ll finish?
LB87ccfc – it’s hard to say, would take 17th right now and re-group under the new man in the summer.
KG82 – Personally, I think we’ll get ourselves up to about 15th.
Grendel – At the moment I’d say outside the relegation zone around 17th.
malkitccfc – I think we’ll stay up, maybe around 18th
Who should we watch out for?
Samuel is head and shoulders above most players I have seen in the league…
LB87ccfc – Samuel (four goals in five) is looking a decent acquisition and has pace , players might step up a gear now the new manager is coming in.
KG82 – I’m not sure I should give away any secrets so look out for Webster! Dominic Samuel’s come in from Reading on loan and has bagged four in five games and looks very decent.
Grendel – Samuel is head and shoulders above most players I have seen in the league.
malkitccfc – Samuel is pacey and gets behind defences. But as with any new manager, the whole squad usually gets a boost.
What are your thoughts on your manager?
It’s the most exciting appointment here in many years and I’m very, very happy about it!
LB87ccfc – He has not signed yet (editor: this was written before he did sign) but if it is Mowbray as is led to believe then a massive coup for the club and a big name for a league one club.
KG82 – At the point of writing this, it still hasn’t been officially confirmed, but it looks like it’ll be Tony Mowbray who’ll be in charge. If that’s the case, it’s the most exciting appointment here in many years and I’m very, very happy about it!
Grendel – Pleased at Mowbray – I think very few league one clubs would have secured him so at least it shows we have some status left.
malkitccfc – Mowbray is close to taking over we believe. We have done well to bring in somebody of his calibre.
What are your thoughts on your board?
LB87ccfc – You taking the biscuit mate?
KG82 – The least said about this the better – we’re probably more notorious for our off-field antics than on at the moment.
Grendel – It’s too long an answer really. Suffice to say fans want a change.
malkitccfc – Let’s move on swiftly to the next question.
Any views on Port Vale?
LB87ccfc – I see Mark Marshall is your stand out performer.
KG82 – Port Vale seem like a team where the euphoria of promotion has worn off a bit, and have settled into League One this season, going along steadily but are up there, just outside the play-offs. Personally, I don’t think they’ll get in this season, but adding a few players in the summer and they’ll be there or thereabouts next season.
Grendel – I don’t know much about any opposition in this league. You have Marshall of course and what I saw of him last season he is capable in this league.
malkitccfc – Mark Marshall – I really rate him as a player. Tom Pope is a player I’d love to have at City too.
Did you attend the reverse fixture earlier this season?
I thought we looked after your threats very well that day…
LB87ccfc – I did and I thought we did a good job on you, even if you was all bitter afterwards on social media and on the radio but I thought we looked after your threats very well that day.
KG82 – I didn’t go earlier this season. In fact, I’ve never had a chance to go to Vale Park. But I managed to listen to some of the game and I was surprised we managed to come away with a win. Mind you, any win for us at the moment is a bit of a shock!
Grendel – No.
malkitccfc – I was on holiday so I missed the game ( hence we won!)
Any views on players involved with both sides?
LB87ccfc – Micky Adams did OK at our place. Your Chairman prefers us!
KG82 – There’s the obvious one – Micky Adams. A decent manager and, on the whole, remembered fondly at Coventry. He gave us our highest finish in the Championship. However, it all turned a bit sour the season after that and he left. he did a very good job with your lot up till he left.
Grendel – Has to be Peter Billing (editor – he’s at the game tomorrow!)… one bizarre signing from the normally reliable Sillett. Seemed to acquire cult status more due to being a Scouse gap toothed hill billy than any ability.
malkitccfc – Micky Adams, I really liked him as our manager
A score prediction?
LB87ccfc – A hard fought contest with Coventry winning again 2-1 – Samuel and Proschwitz for us, Marshall for you.
KG82 – I’d go with 2-2. Obviously, a former player HAS to score against us, so Marshall and Pope for Vale and Samuel and O’Brien for us.
Grendel – I hope new manager effect gets us a much needed two-nil win.
malkitccfc – Boring game but I fancy City to nick it 1-0. Samuel.