Close Season: Part 3 (Au-gust Of Fresh Air)
By AD
August 17 2009
After suffering the loss of two star players (and fears of losing the remaining two) on top of a number of squad players being released, at the start of August the CCFC squad looked decidedly lightweight both in terms of quality and quantity, with alarm bells starting to ring in a number of fans ears.
Thankfully a home friendly against Everton for Marcus Hall’s Testimonial managed to deflect thoughts back to on-pitch matters, and a creditable fightback to draw 2-2 lifted the gloom a bit. A much narrower pitch and moving the home dug-out also provided a distraction and talking point, with various theories on the altered pitch size ranging from giving Gunnarsson a better run-up for his throws to just wanting to reduce the amount of running the players have to do to minimise fatigue in a small squad. Swapping dug-outs was a bit more baffling to most, although some though it was to move the away bench further away from their fans, others to allow Coleman to shout at the assistant referee more!
But the quotes coming from the club still seemed pretty downbeat, with Chris Coleman stating “we are desperate for new faces” and that “it is very dangerous to go and start the new season, A) with a squad as young as it is and, B) with the numbers we have got, because that is asking for trouble.” He also stated “the boys are tired” after the Dunfermline match, not a good thing to hear before the season has even started!
Even the players didn’t seem to be expecting too much. Clinton Morrison revealed “the players have been down” and that “with the squad we have got now it will be a very difficult season”. Westwood hardly had high hopes for the season opener against Ipswich, saying “hopefully we will nick a goal and … pinch it 1-0.” No disrespect to Ipswich but that’s hardly an optimistic outlook for your opening home game.
Then, finally, a glimmer of light peeked through the shadows surrounding the Ricoh as Coventry managed to sign the left winger they’ve been missing for the past three seasons as Michael McIndoe signed from Bristol City.
A player who likes to play direct, running at his fullback and Bristol’s leading assist provider for the last two season, hopefully he’ll make the football a lot more interesting to watch and provide the ammunition for the strikers to show their abilities, as I still firmly believe Morrison, Eastwood and Best are more than capable of scoring heavily in this division.
The first team looks capable but we need a new left back, as Marcus Hall can’t be expected to last an entire season although he can be relied upon to give his all. Another right back wouldn’t go amiss either to allow new captain Stephen Wright to play in the centre where he can have a greater influence, especially on his defensive partner, whether it be Ward, Turner or McPake, all of whom seem to play better with a solid calming influence beside them. Wynter and Clarke are natural right backs, but to throw them in at the deep end wouldn’t be fair.
Other than that the only real concern is in terms of numbers as the squad is paper thin, but the loan system can be utilised if no more players come through the Ricoh entrance before the transfer window slams shut. In some ways it’ll be a relief when it does, if only to end the fears of Westwood and Gunnarsson leaving (at least until January).
As things stand we’ve probably stood still from last season, having strengthened the midfield but lost a bit in defence, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see another finish in the region of 17th, although if players can stay free from injury we could spring a slight surprise and be challenging around 10th.
So roll on the weekend for another season of that rollercoaster ride that is supporting Coventry City!
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