Match Thread Coventry City - Stoke City Sat 28th Feb 3pm ko (49 Viewers)

[shmmeee]

Knowing Robins he will have prioritised Oxford and will come here with a really defensive line up.

The weird myths about Robins that have sprung up since he left are bizarre. We frequently went to teams at the top of the league and won.

 

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[HJones23]

If Robins sets Stoke up as we think, I would be tempted to start Torp to try and unpick their low block. Question is do you rest Onyeka or do the unthinkable and put Grimes on the bench. Also wouldn't be surprised to see the wingers rotated, this is the type of game Esse could be useful in & Tatt's has ran himself into the ground the past few games. I'd imagine BTA is chomping at the bit & his high press could be handy against their 2 CB's.

Apart from that I would keep the rest of the team the same, Rudi is showing signs of getting back to his best & Haji will be keen to keep his scoring form going. If all goes to plan and we are a couple of goals ahead in the 2nd half, you could make the Eccles/Simms double sub 10 minutes earlier than we have seen recently.

 

[curly_tom]

I have a feeling Wright has popped/done his AC joint. (Collarbone/shoulder blade ligaments)
He was visibly carrying it after the game - wasn't moving his arm when he came off too.

It isn't a dislocated shoulder - but it could be a few weeks out.

Did it when I played, got through to the end of the game - but an hour afterwards, couldn't lift it above chest height.

Could be wrong though.

I saw Eccles come up to him during the celebration and put his hands on his shoulders and he winced and pulled away, he was smiling as he explained the pain he was in. Could definitely be injured for this one I think.

 

[quinn1971]

Same energy as the mbro game tomorow from the players and fans, we’re unbeatable,

 

[Levship20]

Rest nobody who we feel should be in that starting line up! We are not playing in an FA cup tie against a lower league club, we are playing a mid table team who are capable of upsetting sides. No time for being complacent, and hopefully we could have a break next week anyway.

 

[Jay88]

If Robins sets Stoke up as we think, I would be tempted to start Torp to try and unpick their low block. Question is do you rest Onyeka or do the unthinkable and put Grimes on the bench. Also wouldn't be surprised to see the wingers rotated, this is the type of game Esse could be useful in & Tatt's has ran himself into the ground the past few games. I'd imagine BTA is chomping at the bit & his high press could be handy against their 2 CB's.

Apart from that I would keep the rest of the team the same, Rudi is showing signs of getting back to his best & Haji will be keen to keep his scoring form going. If all goes to plan and we are a couple of goals ahead in the 2nd half, you could make the Eccles/Simms double sub 10 minutes earlier than we have seen recently.

I personally wouldn't be making any changes in midfield with it now looking like we've solved how open we were and being hit on the counter attack. Grimes is massive to how we play and Onyeka has made an impressive start solidifying that midfield.

I wouldn't underestimate Stoke, they've got players that can hurt you and will be looking to build off the back of their midweek win. Also, it's likely we'll have a 10 day rest after tomorrow (providing Bristol City win at Port Vale in the cup).

 

[fatso]

I personally wouldn't be making any changes in midfield with it now looking like we've solved how open we were and being hit on the counter attack. Grimes is massive to how we play and Onyeka has made an impressive start solidifying that midfield.

I wouldn't underestimate Stoke, they've got players that can hurt you and will be looking to build off the back of their midweek win. Also, it's likely we'll have a 10 day rest after tomorrow (providing Bristol City win at Port Vale in the cup).

3 games in 8 days might prove to be a bit much for Onyeka given the smalll amount of game time hes had this season, and I wouldn't be surprised if theres 2 or 3 changes made tomorrow to make sure we are fresh and able to maintain our intensity.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

3 games in 8 days might prove to be a bit much for Onyeka given the smalll amount of game time hes had this season, and I wouldn't be surprised if theres 2 or 3 changes made tomorrow to make sure we are fresh and able to maintain our intensity.

Nor me
The alternative is muscle strains
You can’t just keep flogging athletes

 

[robbiethemole]

Anybody else nervous? I will be by tomorrow!

Don't think I'll be seeing any game we have left as easy.

Ipswich play Swansea
Boro play Brum on Monday
Hull away at Pompey
Millwall have Preston away

It's more nerve racking than a relegation battle.

Ipswich also have Hull at home on Tuesday night, so it’s all up for grabs. Isn’t it great to sit and watch?

 

[skybluecam]

Everyone saying we have to rotate, I dont think we do, odds are Bristol will beat Port Vale leaving us 11 days between games

Even if they dont its a full week

This 11 has just won 3 on the spin, dont change it, we have recovery time coming

It's not about resting players for the next game, some of them just looked tired from the start on Wednesday and we'll need to take the game to Stoke.

Plus now we have such a deep squad we're talking about the likes of Esse, Torp, BTA etc. coming in, there isn't a drop off in quality.

 

[Jay88]

3 games in 8 days might prove to be a bit much for Onyeka given the smalll amount of game time hes had this season, and I wouldn't be surprised if theres 2 or 3 changes made tomorrow to make sure we are fresh and able to maintain our intensity.

Definitely a good point there the good thing is the quality we could have coming in (Torp, Esse, Thomas-Asante, etc).

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Rushworth
MVE Thomas Lati JDS
Onyeka
Torp
Rudoni

Esse Wright EMC

 

[skybluecam]

Rushworth
MVE Thomas Lati JDS
Onyeka
Torp
Rudoni

Esse Wright EMC

Think that is the most likely lineup

Edit: hang on just realised Grimes isn't in there, no way that's happening!

 

[fernandopartridge]

The weird myths about Robins that have sprung up since he left are bizarre. We frequently went to teams at the top of the league and won.

Not sure about frequently going to get results against top of the league, aside from Fulham I can't really remember any. However, he didn't really set us up in a low block unless there was an injury crisis.

 

[Covcraig@bury]

Must win .. another close game… 5-1 win 🩵

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Not sure about frequently going to get results against top of the league, aside from Fulham I can't really remember any. However, he didn't really set us up in a low block unless there was an injury crisis.

Brentford and Leicester off the top of my head.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Brentford and Leicester off the top of my head.

Away from home?

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Rushworth
MVE Thomas Lati JDS
Onyeka
Torp
Rudoni

Esse Wright EMC

Wright won’t be playing surely

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Must win .. another close game… 5-1 win 🩵

1-0 will do last minute of someone’s arse og

 

[Pezza]

Away from home?

I genuinely can't think of many games over the past few years, away to top teams, that we have won. This season is a different story, however.

 

[tom88]

1-0 will do last minute of someone’s arse og

Nooooo!

We need a goal in the first 10 minutes. If we don’t it could drag out like Oxford

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Away from home?

Ah sorry yeah didn't read the post properly. I don't think there were any from memory away from home apart from Fulham like you said.

It wasn't a win but the only half positive away result against an automatic contender that sticks out in my head was the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

 

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

If Robins sets Stoke up as we think, I would be tempted to start Torp to try and unpick their low block. Question is do you rest Onyeka or do the unthinkable and put Grimes on the bench. Also wouldn't be surprised to see the wingers rotated, this is the type of game Esse could be useful in & Tatt's has ran himself into the ground the past few games. I'd imagine BTA is chomping at the bit & his high press could be handy against their 2 CB's.

Apart from that I would keep the rest of the team the same, Rudi is showing signs of getting back to his best & Haji will be keen to keep his scoring form going. If all goes to plan and we are a couple of goals ahead in the 2nd half, you could make the Eccles/Simms double sub 10 minutes earlier than we have seen recently.

I thought Onyeka looked tired towards the end of the Sheffield game, which is completely understandable I think swapping him with Torp is a great shout

 

[robbiethemole]

If we win tomorrow that will cap off a 12 point fortnight of 4 games, 4 wins! Championship form at this point of the season surely?

The Ipswich challenge everyone has been warning about all season hasn’t materialised so far and they’re leaving it late to show up, maybe they won’t.

 

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

Was gonna have a few quid on us to win 3-1 tomorrow

 

[SleepyGinger]

The weird myths about Robins that have sprung up since he left are bizarre. We frequently went to teams at the top of the league and won.

We would often go away to ‘better teams’ with a defensive team/set up and try and stay in the game until 60 mins and bring our more attacking players on. Especially in a 3 game week.

 

[Sky_Blue_Daz]

I wouldn't touch that midfield and centre backs. There the reason we've upped the level of performance. Tats and EMC could probably do with a rest but reluctantly.

Possibly give Emc and Tats the first hour, although I thought Emc looked knackered at the end of the first half against Sheffield united and he still got 2 assists

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

We would often go away to ‘better teams’ with a defensive team/set up and try and stay in the game until 60 mins and bring our more attacking players on. Especially in a 3 game week.

And frequently lol

 

[CCFC96]

Rushworth

MvE Thomas Lati KDS

Torp Grimes

Sakamoto Rudoni Esse

Wright

Can see us opting for Torp in a more creative midfield given Stoke will likely not be as gung-ho as Blades. Esse for EMC or Tats wouldn't shock me. Actually have the squad now to rotate without enormous drop offs so think Frank will use it.

2-0 Win - Wright and Esse.

 

[Otis]

There are arguments to be made for rotation and keeping the same side, but I trust Frank whichever choice he makes. Stoke have had the same schedule as us, so it will be the same problem for them.

Massive opportunity at home to get another three points and take us closer to the end goal. It won’t be easy and Robins won’t roll over, but I think the lads have got what it takes.

YOU may trust Lampard, but if he makes changes and we lose, there will be a lot of wailing, gnashing of teeth and annoyance on here for sure.

 

[shmmeee]

We would often go away to ‘better teams’ with a defensive team/set up and try and stay in the game until 60 mins and bring our more attacking players on. Especially in a 3 game week.

I honestly don’t remember it. We’d often stay tight first half regardless but I can’t recall us playing a low block against anyone.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

I honestly don’t remember it. We’d often stay tight first half regardless but I can’t recall us playing a low block against anyone.

Robins used to always play not to lose

 

[shmmeee]

Robins used to always play not to lose

A 50% then a 40% win ratio plus two promotions and a cup suggests he did a touch more than that.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

A 50% then a 40% win ratio plus two promotions and a cup suggests he did a touch more than that.

lol I know
But he was and is a cautious manager

 

[Boicey]

Will be a very tough game they absolutely not mugs. Id play tats first half and see how Stoke setup. Maybe bring Esse on early 2nd half to see if his unpredictability can open them up if they are holding us.
I guess Simms will play, can't risk Wright with any sign of an injury that could get worse.