S.O.S: COV

Reds vs Blues. This 2-1 win was 40 years in the making, but we're only at half time.

It's been a while - after some rough matches and busy few weeks, we've seen some results so poor they defy words. I honestly had to hold my hands up and say to myself 'what can I say that Fatha hasn't already?'. The numbers have gone our way on more than a few occasions during the last few games, but sadly not where it counts. Anyway, as Sobs said: 'COME ON!'

Coventry have had a surge in form as the season's gone on, while we've had the opposite. Like last season our form, or stamina, or whatever the hell its been, has ran flat. The cacophonous Coventry fans and the travelling Mackems made for a roaring atmosphere as the game began on this hot Friday night. We'd fielded a rare 442. The most fun fact about the team sheet - every single player outfield player has at least one goal to their name. Woof.

The opening five saw all play come against us. We still looked poised and ready to switch the play, but still too flat. A free kick to us just inside the opposition's half gave us our first real run at goal but Enzo was uncharacteristically off the mark. Both sides seemed to cancel each other out as we sat back and they struggled to make owt work. Eventually we saw some brief moments to build on with Roberts and Mayenda breaking.

On a number of occasions early on we employed the tried and tested defensive tactic colloquially referred to as 'Av it!'. I counted at least three times our players chose to boot the ball as far as they could up the pitch as opposed to the 'tippy tappy nonsense' that brings Patto into the mix. Good. Dennis got the first yellow of the night on 20 minutes with a tackle that left Sakamoto looking for his socks - good luck, kid! Shortly after we saw our first real break. Eli and Issy went two on three towards the goal. Wilson did his best to make a run to tease the defence into giving Eli some space, where after some twists and turns he managed a shot, but it was off target. Keep it up lads.

A 27th minute corner saw Big Dan go forward, sporting a quiff that made him look like Marvel's version of Tin Tin. The resulting corner however was far less impressive than Dan's hair. The stats on the 30 minute mark swayed significantly in the favour of the home side, but we'd seen similar figures in our last five fixtures in our favour. The less said about those games the better. We'd allowed far too many balls into our box from set pieces. We then showed some promise on the 40 minute mark with a stylish move from the training ground. Sadly it lead to nowt apart from showing that we could be organised when we needed to be.

We went into half time with nothing separating us apart from the stats. 0-0. We created some little bits, but we'd confidently dealt with the Sky Blues well and Franks Lampard's face was looking like a welder's bench.

The second half sprang to life. Tonight's match also marked a record attendance at the stoically named Coventry Building Society Arena. A name to fall asleep to. Their back four passed it around inviting a press, but we weren't interested. Eventually Eli broke, but he was stopped by Sheaf. We saw an excellent ball over the top arrive at the mustachioed Hume, but the fullback attempted a finishing touch some of the world's best strikers would struggle to execute. Attacking-wise it was much better from us though.

On the hour mark I'd usually be calling for subs, but we'd done okay at keeping them at bay. Coventry picked up their third yellow, so a change was probably on the cards - pun intended. The resulting freekick lead to our best chance so far. The ball ended up in the box with a host of red and white shirts swinging at the ball. No joy, however. Roberts seemed to be lacking some support out wide and his flapping arms seemed to agree.

Then the 67th minute rolled round...

A carbon copy of many attempts leading up to this point:

Step one - superb ball from Le Fee.

Step two - we broke on a counter.

Step three - one forward made a run on goal, while the other forward misled defenders with a clever run

Step 4 - a finish as cool as cool can be.

Brilliant! However...

Another goal in as many minutes cancelled it out. Bollocks. A ball to Coventry's inform attacker Rudoni brought things level. Pure football. Game on...

Wilson made way for Rigg the with roughly 10 minutes to go and we switched to one up front again. Another ball into our box was met by Patto's fists, however they also caught Ballard on the teff on the way. Big Dan had thrown everything and the kitchen sink at the ball to do his job so far. Sakamoto again showed his skills as an Olympic diver for the millionth time of the evening. Meps came on for Roberts to make it five defenders in our side, even though it looked like we had six at the back at times. 'Av it' once again in full swing.

And 'Av it' we did. Well, they cocked up a bit...

We cleared from pressure, but in their attempt to play it back to their keeper Enzo's pressure seemed to be enough to cause a horrible backpass which put Eli in nearly the exact same position as Issy's earlier goal. 2-1 us. Get in!

6 minutes of added anxiety. RLB then decided to go 'none up front' as Browne came on for Eli. More of the same for the remained of the game until a rapturous climax. Part one complete, two strikers scored, 4-4-2 worked, Lampard was stunned and all with only a startling 25% possession. We'd all like to seem more forward play but after the last month I don't think there'll be a Mackem in the land complaining. It's good to be back. 'Til the end...

KTF,

GPD