Match Thread Sunderland - Coventry City Match Thread - Tuesday 13th May (78 Viewers)

[SBT]

But I would say predicting defeat in a game where you're starting from a 1-0 deficit having took 1 point from 15 in your last 5 aways isn't some illogical doomsday scenario either.

Agreed - it’s why I went home at HT against Man Utd last season. I was home so quick!

 

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[clint van damme]

Agreed - it’s why I went home at HT against Man Utd last season. I was home so quick!

Serious?!

 

[clint van damme]

And what’s happened to sheafs shooting, the way we play we’re hoping balls drop to our players on the edge of the box, he’s had loads of chances and he’s been awful, but he’s not the only one, wright and simms have been so frustrating, that was embarrassing from wright on Friday, huge game and never looked interested,

Sheaf has always been shit at shooting.
The worldy he scored against Wednesday was the anamoly, not the his attempts the other night.

 

[Gint11]

Sunderland will be expecting us to go 4-3-3 and play the same as Friday but with more urgency as we see behind. It could be genius for FL to switch to a 5-3-2 to bamboozle them and change formation again during the match if things play out. Just a thought. I think he’ll stick to 4-3-3 anyway but I’m tempted by it

 

[clint van damme]

Sunderland will be expecting us to go 4-3-3 and play the same as Friday but with more urgency as we see behind. It could be genius for FL to switch to a 5-3-2 to bamboozle them and change formation again during the match if things play out. Just a thought. I think he’ll stick to 4-3-3 anyway but I’m tempted by it

Given our away form purple patch came about when playing 5 at the back surely you've got to consider it?

I'm also now convinced that our priority has to be not conceding, the early goal would be great, but not conceding is essential.

 

[Gint11]

Given our away form purple patch came about when playing 5 at the back surely you've got to consider it?

I'm also now convinced that our priority has to be not conceding, the early goal would be great, but not conceding is essential.

100%. He was forced to go 5-3-2 because of injuries but we then won 9 in 10

These sorts of games and occasions can be won by the manager with his choices and tactics.

 

[quinn1971]

Watched the game again, jesus, how did we lose that, another day we could have been 2 or 3 up in the first half, they defended well but we got through them so easy, absolutely got a chance Tuesday, just the quality of balls needs to be better,EMC starts, and they’ll have problems down both sides , honestly the only thing they defended well were our poor crosses, that’s given me a lot more hope,

 

[clint van damme]

100%. He was forced to go 5-3-2 because of injuries but we then won 9 in 10

These sorts of games and occasions can be won by the manager with his choices and tactics.

To be fair he could gave dug his heels in and stuck to 4 3 3, we've seen other managers do it this season but he switched it.

Let's hope he takes a similar pragmatic view Tuesday.

 

[Frankly_Mr_Shankly]

If we went there level I'd have said every chance


To win at their place by 2 goals is just a bridge too far i feel

By Penalties then

 

[chiefdave]

Agreed - it’s why I went home at HT against Man Utd last season. I was home so quick!

Remember that guy who phoned CWR after one game to moan about us losing a game we hadn't lost

 

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

Remember that guy who phoned CWR after one game to moan about us losing a game we hadn't lost

I remember that

Dan , Dan

it was like partridge

 

[quinn1971]

By Penalties then

You could be right, showed our fitness against Man Utd, we got stronger as the game went on, I’d be more than happy if we took it To extra time,we’ve got a great chance, the only worrying thing was Friday we had all that possession and that normally tires teams out but they weren’t chasing us, just happy to sit back and let us have it, dangerous game to play for them,

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Good idea - got a movie suggestion for you if you’re bored:

View attachment 43111

Because he’s literally just said he’s planning to turn off!

I do indeed. After the game.

Need to read sarcasm better my journalistic friend

 

[SkyblueTexan]

just the timing of that second goal, pretty sure if they scored that earlier we’d of got a 2nd We played ok. The only annoying thing was all the balls into the box they cleared seemed to go to their players, the only time it didn’t it fell to,Allen at the end and nearly scored, play the same again and you never know, pretty sure we’ll score just hope it first then game on,

Although Rudoni’s goal was great, it took so much effort just to get 1 cross on target.Ballard, Jobe and whoever they could pack their box with were heading crosses away with ease and 09 would always conveniently fall over to get a free kick at other times. We need to also work the ball on the ground a little and get into their box. With so many defenders someone is liable to trip one of our players in the box for a penalty.

 

[SkyBlue_Bear83]

But I would say predicting defeat in a game where you're starting from a 1-0 deficit having took 1 point from 15 in your last 5 aways isn't some illogical doomsday scenario either.

I would say we are more likely to get a result there than they were at the CBS heading into the match.

Lots of people were predicting an easy victory for us against Sunderland based on home form, our record against Sunderland and how poor Sunderland have been recently. One mistake and that's all out the window.

We're not the favourites but we're well in this tie still.

 

[Samueljames1991]

No reason we can’t go a turn it around. Will need to play on the front foot. Maybe start two strikers up front and go direct?

Wilson
MVE - Thomas- Kitching - Dasilva
Sakamoto - Sheaf - Grimes - Rudoni
Simms - Wright

Yeah it's really a fuck it let's go for it moment.

I think sheaf and grimes in the middle works fine in a 442 and will be a solid base.

Rudoni can drift inside and Dasilva can overlap him so we don't get outnumbered.

 

[DACMAC]

I expect one change to the starting line up on Tues - EMC for BTA. FL is not for turning when it comes to 433. anyway, with grimes, we are playing 5 at the back in possession anyway with a full back pushed on. and do we really want Lati or Binks instead of anyone as a starter? On bench, if fit, I wonder if he might swap Bassette in for Binks with a view to potential penalties. He scored the winner vs Sheff Wed. if it came to penalties (I would take that now if offered!), you would want Wright, Grimes, Eccles, Bassette and Rudoni on the pitch. Sheaf was poor on Friday as he is required to be more advanced/creative vs a low block and he just doesn't have that in his locker. he is better when needed to break up play. assuming Sheaf starts, i would like to see Eccles given a chance during the game rather than Allen. his finishing is better (and for penalties).

 

[Legia Sky Blue]

Scoring the first goal is more crucial than ever on Tuesday night. Its going to be interesting to see if Sunderland adopt the same tactics though, as its the tactics adopted by a smaller inferior club playing a 'bigger' team, and goes against how their fans feel about their club, whereby they judge themselves to be a giant and us a much smaller club. If they sit back and allow us 75% possession again then I think their crowd will get nervy which will hopefully filter down to their players too. If however they open up a bit more we ought to be allowed more space to attack them than they allowed us on Friday night which hopefully we can take advantage of. Of course the atmoshere might also inspire their players to over perform, and we really need Wright and whoever plays up front with him to do their bit, but if they do then I fancy us to turn the game round and make it to Wembley again.

 

[Sky Blue Heaven]

If the clubs latest tweet is anything to go by, it looks like EMC will be starting on Tuesday night.

 

[Captain Dart]

If the clubs latest tweet is anything to go by, it looks like EMC will be starting on Tuesday night.

So photogenic.

 

[Porkchophill]

All boils down to if the forward line turn up , think we can all agree wright on his day can be unplayable , we just don’t see that anywhere near enough him and simms need to click for one 90+ minute game . We bossed possession and balls in the box it’s got to be bodies on the line 1-11 Tuesday we are very much still in this . For me you either play Wright through the middle or you bring simms in again and mix it up with 30 to go if we haven’t made the breakthrough , also never thought id say it but utilise Allen earlier if needed to raise the tempo . Slow build up plays into their hands

 

[Blind-Faith]

Watching Chesterfield v Walsall - Walsall 2-0 up away from home in a playoff semi final , it can be done guys n girls , it’s not over yet

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

It’s going to take the performance of the season to get anything out of this game.

Big ask from this team. Still 90 mins to play for but let’s hope the way we lost the first leg doesn’t impact the players mentally.

 

[Levship20]

It’s going to take the performance of the season to get anything out of this game.

Big ask from this team. Still 90 mins to play for but let’s hope the way we lost the first leg doesn’t impact the players mentally.

Early goal is key to make them nervous, and I think we will get one

 

[Boicey]

All boils down to if the forward line turn up , think we can all agree wright on his day can be unplayable , we just don’t see that anywhere near enough him and simms need to click for one 90+ minute game . We bossed possession and balls in the box it’s got to be bodies on the line 1-11 Tuesday we are very much still in this . For me you either play Wright through the middle or you bring simms in again and mix it up with 30 to go if we haven’t made the breakthrough , also never thought id say it but utilise Allen earlier if needed to raise the tempo . Slow build up plays into their hands

Wright, Simms and BTA only flourish in open games where they have space. They largely lack the close control, passing ability and physicality to deal with packed defenses and close marking. That's unfortunately what we're going to get.
Probably where we miss someone like Calum Ohare.
Given what we have I think we need to play Simms to occupy some defenders when we are crossing.

 

[DACMAC]

Is Lampard ready to take a gamble in the second leg—like he did with Derby?

Coventry’s 2-1 first-leg defeat to Sunderland boiled down to a few key tactical issues:

What Went Wrong​

1. Aimless Crosses
Coventry repeatedly sent high balls into the box, but Sunderland’s centre-backs—Ballard and O’Nien—handled them comfortably. With only one striker and limited support, those deliveries rarely troubled the defence.


2. No Central Threat
Sunderland sat deep in a compact 4-4-2. Coventry failed to break them down through the middle, lacking players between the lines and often being forced wide—right where Sunderland wanted them.


3. Slow Possession
The build-up play was predictable. Coventry allowed Sunderland time to get set, and there weren’t enough quick switches or incisive passes to disrupt their shape.


4. Transition Issues
When Coventry lost the ball, Sunderland countered effectively. The counter-press wasn’t aggressive enough, and the back line was too exposed—both goals came from transitional moments.


5. Static Attacking Movement
Off-the-ball runs were limited. There was little variation—no underlaps, third-man runs, or movement to unsettle Sunderland’s defenders.

What Could Change?​

If Sunderland line up the same way, Coventry need more than just minor adjustments—they need a bolder approach.

Enter the 3-4-2-1.

Central Overloads
Using two attacking mids (Rudoni and maybe Patterson), Coventry could outnumber Sunderland centrally. Rudoni can make late runs, while Patterson finds pockets and links play.

Wing-Back Width
Van Ewijk and DaSilva can stretch Sunderland, forcing them into tough defensive choices—close the middle or protect the flanks?

More Defensive Stability
A back three allows Coventry to hold a higher line with more security and deal better with counter-attacks.

Other Tactical Tweaks:

• Box midfield in possession to unbalance Sunderland’s 4-4-2
• Front-three rotation to disrupt pressing triggers
• Targeted high pressing—especially off goal kicks or wide passes

Lampard has taken this kind of risk before. That Derby comeback at Elland Road didn’t come from playing it safe.

Will he roll the dice again?

If you want to roll the dice, you could do this with Grimes at LCB. played there before for Swansea. you would then bring in eccles and sheaf to sit below rudoni and paterson. but that would mean dispensing with saka and not bringing back EMC.

 

[Porkchophill]

We look good when we play quick one touch passes , it’s when we revert back to tippy tapping across the back line and slowing the tempo . We’ve got some good players who can work in tight areas , just not positive enough playing through the lines . And for the love of god can Simms or Wright trap a ball and win a header .

 

[lord_garrincha]

If you want to roll the dice, you could do this with Grimes at LCB. played there before for Swansea. you would then bring in eccles and sheaf to sit below rudoni and paterson. but that would mean dispensing with saka and not bringing back EMC.

Snake eyes!

 

[stupot07]

I'd start Patterson on the left, Wright upfront, and bring Allen in to midfield instead of Sheaf.

 

[quinn1971]

wer‘e def gonna score, same as Friday you can’t just defend like that for 90 mins and not concede, just hope its the first goal, they’re a young side not many of them have played in games like this, BUT , we only get something if every player turns up, we can’t be carrying wright again,

 

[The Reverend Skyblue]

I’m very confident we will beat them and get to Wembley, I’m not so confident about when we get there
If we play at our peak for both half’s, there only one winner and we go on to Wembley, again
Come on lads, you can do this.

 

[SBT]

I'd start Patterson on the left, Wright upfront, and bring Allen in to midfield instead of Sheaf.

Paterson would have no chance starting in a high-intensity game like this one.

I think Lampard will do whatever medical science will allow him to do to start EMC on the left.

 

[quinn1971]

Wilson

MvE Thomas Kitching DaSilva

Sheaf Grimes

Sakamoto Rudoni Mason-Clark

Wright

After an hour if it's still 0-0 then you bring Simms or BTA on and go two up top imo

that’s the best team they’ll set up the same, so what do we have to do different to get the result we need Was it just better quality of crossing or will wright be the difference down the middle ?

 

[ccfcchris]

Pressures off. Go 1-0 up and the fans will turn on them. We are still very much in this. We also do well when expected to get nothing.

PUSB.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Was thinking today of a plan B. Above post had a similar idea with the 3-4-2-1. Why not go back to the Oxford shape?

It was very fluid on the day and due to the shape, had us constantly over/underlapping their players and pulled them out of shape.

Team maintains its 3-2-5 shape but allows enough rotations to mix it up, and defends back in the 4-4-2 shape. Rudoni and EMC can easily rotate and make sit harder to predict which I think was a big problem on Friday?

Wilson
Thomas - Kitching - Bidwell (acts as the LB out of possession)

MVE - Sheaf - Grimes - Rudoni ( acting as a left winger who inverts and given license to roam)

Sakamoto - EMC (expect to drift wide and cut back in)

Wright

Probably an insane shout but just want it to be match day already