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Coventry
City v West Bromwich Albion
Highfield Road,
Coventry. 20th December 2003, 3.00pm. |
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This was probably one of the most disappointing afternoons of the
season to date. After starting well and creating plenty of chances,
Albion simply gave up control of the game and, while they may not
have deserved to lose it, it was no surprise when they did.
Despite reports earlier in the week to the contrary, Johnson was
not fit enough and Wallwork retained his place in the midfield.
New signing Geoff Horsfield made his debut up front with Hulse.
The first fifteen minutes was all Albion with Rob Hulse having two
glorious chances thanks to good balls in from Paul Robinson. The
first was a shot from about sixteen yards, the second a header from
about six. Both times he should have found the net, both times the
ball flew over the bar. It was a sign of things to come.
At the back, Albion looked far from secure but Coventry never looked
likely to take advantage as their forward line was less than impressive.
Staunton seemed the only one capable of shooting for the home side,
and he had several long range efforts that were more likely to trouble
either the corner flags or a passing bird than Russell Hoult.
Robinson, who was having one of his better games in an Albion shirt,
had a shot himself saved comfortably by Ward, and new boy Horsfield
was also denied by Ward after he's been put through by Hulse.
Coventry started to look a little more dangerous as the half went
on. Safri went down in the box on 33 minutes, only to be booked
for diving, before Joachim had the best chance of the game from
eight yards that Hoult did well to save.
Just before half time, O'Connor crossed for Hulse who brought a
good save out of Ward, but really should have scored again.
After Joachim had swung wildly at the ball when he had the goal
at his mercy early in the second half, Bernt Haas was guilty of
missing another good chance for the Baggies when he was fed by Koumas.
He was in the middle of the goal, eighteen yards out, but he still
managed to shoot at Ward who tipped the ball over.
Dobie replaced the disappointing Hulse but made little difference
before Big Dave came on for the equally disappointing Wallwork.
Koumas, who'd been hiding most of the game, had a couple of attempts
to spark some life into the dying game, but nothing quite came off.
Then, in the last minute, a long ball was flicked on to Suffo, who
managed to slip it through to JACKSON. His shot looped into the
air, possible off a defender's foot, and found the back of the net.
Coventry scarcely deserved the points, and their fans celebrated
as if they'd won the Cup.
Albion were the better side but never had the cutting edge, and
at times seemed to be waiting for the goal to come and not really
trying to create it. The away record has gone, which had to happen
some time, and those dropped points at home are looking far more
valuable now.
RESULT - COVENTRY CITY 1 WEST BROMWICH
ALBION 0
Marks
Hoult - 7 - Made a couple of good saves.
Gregan - 8 - His best game of the season so far.
Gaardsoe - 8 - MOM. Good solid performance.
Volmer - 7 - Good all round game.
Haas - 7 - Good first half, not as influential in the second, appalling
miss.
Koumas - 5 - Didn't look interested for long periods.
Wallwork - 5 - Didn't do anything to warrant his place.
O'Connor - 7 - The best of the middle three, worked hard, got forward
well.
Robinson - 7 - Good wing back performance, especially first half.
Hulse - 5 - Very poor finishing, desperately needs a goal or a rest.
Horsfield - 6 - Did OK without really sparking.
Dobie - 6 - Added little.
Moore - 7 - Looked as commanding as ever, although missed a header
in the build up to the goal.
The Manager - 6 - Repeated his mistake with Wallwork, he maybe should've
started with Big Dave and put Gregan in the middle - he worked it
out in the end I suppose. GM needs to prove his mettle now and get
us back on track.
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Coventry
City (4-4-2):
Ward; Whing, Konjic, Davenport, Staunton; Doyle (Jackson 87), Mansouri,
Safri, Warnock; Morrell (Suffo 77), Joachim. Subs not used: Shearer
(GK), Shaw, Adebola. |
West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan, Gaardsoe, Volmer; Haas, O'Connor, Wallwork (Moore
65), Koumas, Robinson; Horsfield, Hulse (Dobie 58). Subs not used:
Murphy (GK), Clement, Sakiri.
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Scoring: Jackson (89)
1-0.
Bookings: Coventry City - Safri (diving 33)
Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).
Attendance: 17,616.
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