Agreed - it’s why I went home at HT against Man Utd last season. I was home so quick!
Agreed - it’s why I went home at HT against Man Utd last season. I was home so quick!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!
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,
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.
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.
By Penalties thenIf 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
Remember that guy who phoned CWR after one game to moan about us losing a game we hadn't lostAgreed - it’s why I went home at HT against Man Utd last season. I was home so quick!
I remember thatRemember that guy who phoned CWR after one game to moan about us losing a game we hadn't lost
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,By Penalties then
I do indeed. After the game.Because he’s literally just said he’s planning to turn off!
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.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,
I would say we are more likely to get a result there than they were at the CBS heading into the match.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.
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
So photogenic.If the clubs latest tweet is anything to go by, it looks like EMC will be starting on Tuesday night.
Early goal is key to make them nervous, and I think we will get oneIt’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.
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.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
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.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:
Lampard has taken this kind of risk before. That Derby comeback at Elland Road didn’t come from playing it safe.
- 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
Will he roll the dice again?
Snake eyes!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.
Paterson would have no chance starting in a high-intensity game like this one.I'd start Patterson on the left, Wright upfront, and bring Allen in to midfield instead of Sheaf.
that’s the best teamWilson
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
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