Match Thread Coventry v Sunderland Championship Playoff 1st Leg Friday 9th May (97 Viewers)

[curly_tom]

Have they rested players in recent matches? I haven't followed but it seems likely. I don't think we will underestimate them but I also think this will be a very difficult one. It feels about 50-50 before we start. I am getting nervous, maybe more than the Boro game, which was retty unbearable.

 

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[quinn1971]

If we can take a minimum of a two goal lead to the SOL it would be great, just think they will be difficult to beat this time around.

We draw fri and win at their place,

Don’t be fooled by Scumberland recent form, they’ve been sitting back as they knew they’d qualified, rested their players and used the last few games as a training session.
could be very very close and hard to call

I wouldn’t believe the “ we’ve been resting” line its not like they’ve been putting the reserves out every week, back fours played every game, just think they’ve been poor, you don’t have a 3 month rest, and just turn up to a play off semi final and it all just falls into place again, there’s a reason they didn’t want us

 

[itsabuzzard]

Playing the team who are bottom of the form table in the entire League over two legs in the Play-Offs is a bit of a freak and will probably never happen again tbh - It isn't disrespectful to suggest it is a massive opportunity, but that lot still have dangerous players and will obviously raise their level as much as they can

Ideally would like to be taking a lead up there, we have never stamped authority in any of our home legs in any of our play-off campaigns so now would be a good time to start as we are gonna be heading into a huge crowd with our own fans tucked away in the top corner not being able to make much of an impact on the atmosphere next week

Let's not be complacent, I thought Middlesbrough showed us tremendous disrespect in 2023, they thought all they had to do was turn up and they would win and were left embarrassed, let's not do the same here

I think the SBA will make a massive impact on the atmosphere at the SoL.

 

[skybluelee]

Don’t be fooled by Scumberland recent form, they’ve been sitting back as they knew they’d qualified, rested their players and used the last few games as a training session.
could be very very close and hard to call

I think it almost certainly will be very close.

You can't really ask for much more in a semi-final than to play a team bottom of the form table though.

Provided Lampard doesn't allow complacency (which he obviously won't) we have a great chance.

I still don't understand how we are underdogs with the bookies to win the tie.

 

[Mcbean]

Resting up doesn’t work as players are not match fit - we have seen this but if their manager has any quality he will get them
Motivated for these two matches - we have to take a decent win at home to the stadium of shite

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I think it almost certainly will be very close.

You can't really ask for much more in a semi-final than to play a team bottom of the form table though.

Provided Lampard doesn't allow complacency (which he obviously won't) we have a great chance.

I still don't understand how we are underdogs with the bookies to win the tie.

I suspect because we’ve been in very poor form on the road and they have home advantage second leg.

 

[alexccfc99]

I suspect because we’ve been in very poor form on the road and they have home advantage second leg.

Personally, if I was Sunderland I would want the Stadium of Light leg first, with the form they have been in I would want to get a result at home then come down here and try to frustrate us

 

[Liquid Gold]

I think we should all be mindful that if we draw or lose Friday that isn’t the end either.

Could easily turn it round there. No head-losses allowed.

 

[Mcbean]

I think we should all be mindful that if we draw or lose Friday that isn’t the end either.

Could easily turn it round there. No head-losses allowed.

That’s meltdown territory

 

[skybluelee]

I suspect because we’ve been in very poor form on the road and they have home advantage second leg.

Maybe. I'm not sure if it is an advantage though. They've scored 2 home goals in their last 5 matches. If we take any lead there they will be under significant pressure and their supporters are notoriously fickle. With our home record we have to have belief that we have a good chance of winning the first leg.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Reading between the lines of Lampards interview I wouldn't be surprised if Thomas doesn't start both legs.
If so which one does he drop out for?

Lati

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Maybe. I'm not sure if it is an advantage though. They've scored 2 home goals in their last 5 matches. If we take any lead there they will be under significant pressure and their supporters are notoriously fickle. With our home record we have to have belief that we have a good chance of winning the first leg.

They are a team whose style works very well for us, as poor as they might have looked in March, they played into our hands.

 

[Hobo]

Get the sentiment and agree to an extent, but disagree ‘form stands for nothing’.

The players are all humans, whether they needed the points or not, losing their last 5 on the bounce isn’t going to breed a team full of confidence but naturally will an element of doubt. As well as negativity, frustrations with team mates etc.

Difficult to just switch back to a positive mindset and translate that into performance.

I agree it's difficult to just switch back to a positive mindset.

But forrm can change quickly, confidence can comeback quickly. Or you can just get lucky. The better team doesn't always win in football, especially in one off games.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

They are a team whose style works very well for us, as poor as they might have looked in March, they played into our hands.

I'm hoping their manager is one who sticks by his ethos and the way he plays, but I really fear that with their poor form they will just sit in and frustrate for the first leg and hope to beat us at theirs. Even a small amount of research by them will tell them that we're terrible at beating a low block,

 

[StrettoBoy]

I'm starting to get nervous about Friday already!

I think we have a very decent chance of getting to the final but, whatever happens, Frank has given us an exciting end to the season. I certainly didn't expect that at the time of his appointment.

 

[RoboCCFC90]

Got to make home advantage count on Friday, if we play to our potential I think we will be too much for them. If we can take a 2/3 goal lead to Sunderland, perfect scenario.

Only one change for me from Saturday, JDS back in for Bidwell.

Hopefully EMC back on the bench.

 

[AOM]

I think we should all be mindful that if we draw or lose Friday that isn’t the end either.

Could easily turn it round there. No head-losses allowed.

Definitely. We drew the first round against Middlesborough in our last play off semis, and got it done in the away fixture

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I'm hoping their manager is one who sticks by his ethos and the way he plays, but I really fear that with their poor form they will just sit in and frustrate for the first leg and hope to beat us at theirs. Even a small amount of research by them will tell them that we're terrible at beating a low block,

Difficult if their players are used to playing differently most of the time though.

 

[MusicDating]

I think we should all be mindful that if we draw or lose Friday that isn’t the end either.

Could easily turn it round there. No head-losses allowed.

Yup, 10pm on Friday is only half time.

 

[SkyblueTexan]

Can't see Frank changing the starting X1. BTA will be a fantastic option off the bench, but he hasn't started a game for a long time. Simms is not firing but he'll tire out their CB's and then we can introduce BTA. Would be tempted by Dasilva for Bidwell, as Jay was fantastic against WBA. Bidwell had a good game on Saturday though, so probably deserves to keep the shirt.

I feel we need an early goal and need to put Sunderland on the backfoot right away. I'd like BTA to start the match and terrorise their backline from the start. Simms has not impressed me at all lately.

 

[quinn1971]

I feel we need an early goal and need to put Sunderland on the backfoot right away. I'd like BTA to start the match and terrorise their backline from the start. Simms has not impressed me at all lately.

you know simms has been saving it for the play offs, these will be his 3 best games of the season

 

[SkyblueTexan]

I think we should all be mindful that if we draw or lose Friday that isn’t the end either.

Could easily turn it round there. No head-losses allowed.

If that were to happen, our away form is poor and they will have the backing of a raucous 40k+ home crowd. I hope we're ahead in the first leg even if by a single goal. Then if we can keep them at bay in the second leg for 20-30 mins, their crowd will get anxious and start turning against their own team which could work in our favour.

 

[lifeskyblue]

Will be watching the playoffs from New Orleans and will be flying in for the final (should we get there) the day before.
Glad we finished 5th as playing Sunderland over two legs as opposed to sheff Utd should, on paper at least, be the ‘easier’ tie. I think both legs will be tight with a narrow victory on Friday and, hopefully a draw at their place.
As for the final I expect Sheffield to win whether they play us or Sunderland. However it’s a one off and you never know. At least we are in the playoffs and our season still has plenty of twists and turns until it’s over.
Head says Championship next season…but the heart believes we can and will be in the Premier League.

 

[Simpson]

Hello, I'm a retired Sunderland supporter who'll be at both legs. I live near Sunderland and rarely miss a game so can help if anyone needs info about parking, accomodation, pubs, restaurants or whatever. Good luck with it all, whatever happens we both made it to the play-offs so our season hasn't just died like Boro's has.

 

[Rob Roy]

I can't find one newspaper/preview of the game where anyone predicts a Sunderland win. To all intents and purposes Coventry City are the overwhelming favourites here and Sunderland's chances have been totally written off.

 

[Para1140]

Sunderland manager just done his press conference and states Romain Mundle will miss the first leg as still injured. Good news as dangerous player

 

[clint van damme]

Sunderland manager just done his press conference and states Romain Mundle will miss the first leg as still injured. Good news as dangerous player

He's been a bit forthcoming with his info there hasn't he? Unless it's a buff

 

[robbiethemole]

I see the media wankfest for Sunderland has kicked off big time, most msn has plucky Sunderland favourites to get past us and one I saw was ‘Coventry managed to sneak into 5 th place’
I suppose when we knock them out, it’ll all transfer onto Sheffield Utd and we’ll still be lucky Frank Lampard’s Coventry City!

 

[itsabuzzard]

I think we should all be mindful that if we draw or lose Friday that isn’t the end either.

Could easily turn it round there. No head-losses allowed.

You mean Friday isn't a must-win?

 

[Rob Roy]

I see the media wankfest for Sunderland has kicked off big time, most msn has plucky Sunderland favourites to get past us and one I saw was ‘Coventry managed to sneak into 5 th place’
I suppose when we knock them out, it’ll all transfer onto Sheffield Utd and we’ll still be lucky Frank Lampard’s Coventry City!

I'd be interested to see those links mind. I've just been looking around at articles relating to the game and I can't find one that predicts a Sunderland win - not one. Coventry are quite rightly the overwhelming favourites to win the round and progress to Wembley.

Can you show me the links please that predict a Sunderland win - might cheer me up a bit.

 

[Rob Roy]

He's been a bit forthcoming with his info there hasn't he? Unless it's a buff

Mundle is injured and wont be playing in the first leg. no news about whether he plays in the second leg.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

How many home tickets have Sunderland sold out of interest?

 

[Rob Roy]

How many home tickets have Sunderland sold out of interest?

It hasn't been announced, but there are people on the RTG message board who keep tabs on this and they reckon about 35k so far - Attendance Thread - Coventry City (Play-Off 2nd Leg) (look at post number 3)

Some Sunderland fans are waiting too see what happens on Friday before committing.

 

[napolimp]

Keep seeing Sunderland fans saying how we only beat them at home because they didn't bother turning up, but ignoring the fact we drew away straight after sacking our manager, during the period of poor form, and with Collins gifting them their second goal.

 

[Rob Roy]

Keep seeing Sunderland fans saying how we only beat them at home because they didn't bother turning up, but ignoring the fact we drew away straight after sacking our manager, during the period of poor form, and with Collins gifting them their second goal.

I'd like too see those posts as well mind.

the Sunderland fans generally agreed after you hammered us that we completely deserved everything we got. there was absolutely nobody said that you were lucky to win. there was surely no coventry fan saw Sunderland that day and came away thinking "aye that Sunderland are a good team and they played well against us today"? Surely not?

we were absolutely hopeless that day, we deserved the tanking we got and we are all perfectly well aware of our completely shit record against you.

Just to make sure everyone understands the position - I've seen few SAFc fans who are confident of winning this round against you. SAFc are in terrible form and there will surely be an inquest at CCFC if we play as badly as we have been over the last few weeks and months and you lose. If we play as we have been you should wipe the floor with us again - most certainly at your place.

furthermore our home form is rotten. We have gone from being unbeaten at home in the league to being beaten off Hull City, Blackburn Rovers, Swansea City and QPR and cant win for toffee at the stadium Of Light.

There is zero arrogance on the part of SAFC fans here and very few expect us to beat you over two legs.

We cannot play you as we have been playing and beat you over 2 legs - that's completely out of the question. We either raise our game substantially or we aren't going to Wembley. Very simple.