Adi Viveash statement rings true as burgeoning partnership comes to fore at Coventry City
Coventry City turned the Championship form book on its head to take a much-needed CBS Arena win against a Blackburn Rovers side who arrived in the West Midlands as one of the season’s early pace setters.
The Sky Blues, however, got their campaign up and running with their most convincing victory so far this term, which served to restore wavering confidence from the players and the fans.
Goals from Jake Bidwell, Haji Wright and Brandon Thomas-Asante secured the win to lift Mark Robins’ men up five places to 16th, only six points off the top six.
Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner highlights the big talking points from a thoroughly enjoyable night of football...
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Timely reminder
There was a collective sigh of relief when Thomas-Asante drilled home City’s third goal to secure the three points and confirm a thoroughly deserved bounce-back performance and result against one of the form teams of the division.
The result and, perhaps, more importantly the way the Sky Blues played, was a timely reminder to us all to stop stressing, stop with the knee-jerk crisis and, to quote Mark Robins, ‘trust in the process’. It was particularly pleasing to see the players and supporters as one, feeding off each other from start to finish to get the job done in another terrific atmosphere.
We’re all still at a loss – Robins and the players included – to explain why City’s form fell off a cliff against Swansea and Leeds. What they cannot afford to let happen now is for that to repeat itself again this weekend. Tuesday night’s result was all well and good, and much-needed for lots of seasons, but it’s imperative that the players back it up with another encouraging display, first and foremost, and hopefully three points against Sheffield Wednesday.
BTA sets the standard
There were several man of the match contenders on the night, and my personal choice went to Thomas-Asante for his all-round high energy pressing and relentless running that didn’t let Blackburn’s defenders settle for a second and sparked the all-important second goal before he went on to get on the scoresheet himself.
It was only his second Championship start and his incredible shift highlighted the difference in style between him and Ellis Simms who, I’m sure, will come good in terms of goals, just as he did last season. But, for the time being at least, BTA has the shirt and will be desperate to prove that his performance against Blackburn wasn’t a one-off.
City have real competition up front with two proven goal scorers and another livewire centre-forward in Norman Bassette waiting in the wings to get another chance. Hopefully they will all feed off and drive each other to flourish and be the best they can be in the coming weeks and months.
Ben’s burgeoning partnership
Arguably the most important performance on the night was that from Ben Sheaf who simply oozed quality and class on the ball in a desperately needed and welcome return to form from the skipper who, understandably, needed a game or two to get back to his best after his lengthy injury lay-off.
Adi Viveash said in his interview with CoventryLive earlier this year that City’s midfield has always been the strongest element of the team in the seven years since he joined the club, which all started, of course, with Doyle and Kelly ‘in the middle’. Sheaf was a bit of a grower in his first season but has become a pivotal part of the team and the club’s most saleable asset. Outstanding alongside a player who has grown in stature this season, Josh Eccles, there are signs of an impressive and burgeoning partnership there. City have had a sluggish start to the season and it’s no wonder things haven’t really clicked in Sheaf’s absence. But Tuesday night’s showing from the former Arsenal man should signal that he’s back, and ready to drive the team onwards and upwards alongside 'one of our own'.
Bodies on the line
Mark Robins revealed that he could tell his players were in a different state of mind when they turned up for training on Monday morning, and said that was confirmed during the session when he could see that there had been a sea change in confidence, with the group desperate to get out and put right the wrongs from Elland Road.
And to a man, they rolled up their sleeves and put their bodies on the line, throwing themselves at every shot to block, head and tackle while showing plenty of passion, desire and fight – critical elements that were so badly lacking at Leeds and which, understandably, had people pointing fingers and worried about what was going on.
The players and staff held a long meeting in the dressing room after Saturday’s debacle; a real heart to heart analysis of where they have been going wrong and reminder of how good they are and should be. They set an individual and collective standard on Tuesday night and that has to be the catalyst for consistently good performances from this talented bunch. There will be bumps along the way, as there is in every season, but they cannot afford to drop so far off it again, and the next time they lose, they need to do so with their boots on, fighting all the way.
Nit-picking game management
If there is one area of City’s performance that could arguably have been better on the night, it was their game management, especially at 2-0 up.
While the second goal was vital to settle the nerves and ramp up confidence on the pitch, as well as in the stands, that the Sky Blues were heading for three points, there was still a long way to go to see out the game. And while the desire for a third goal to kill the game is all well and good, the players were guilty of taking unnecessary risks and giving up possession far too easily.
This was particularly the case with ten to 15 minutes to go when one player attempted to thread the ball through the eye of a needle in an attempt to send Thomas-Asante in behind, while another drove forward with the ball and ran into trouble, promptly losing it and inviting a counter attack.
It’s at that stage of the game that they need to use their heads, keep things simple and take safer options to ensure they keep the ball for longer periods and then pick the right moment to pounce – a bit like Leeds did in the second half at the weekend.