A Win Versus Wednesday, Pummelled By Plymouth

By CovSid67
February 19 2006

Another home win, unlikely play-off charge on; another away defeat, unlikely play-off charge off. If only we could play all our matches at the Arena, we might just be in with a chance of the Top Six - that's assuming we're actually left with any defenders (Makeshift or otherwise) to play for us....

Just over 20,000 people saw Coventry City record a victory that makes mid-table obscurity seem a real possibilty come the end of the season, in an entertaining match that should have seen the final result read far higher than the eventual 2-1 scoreline.

Richard Shaw missed out due to a neck injury (Insert own gag here), with Matt Heath - whose appearances in the side seems to have coincided with most Coventry City defeats - playing at right-back (Where it was obviously decided he would do less damage to his own side).

Coventry City's inability to be awarded a penalty for even the most blatant of fouls was in evidence again early in the match, with Adebola clearly fouled in the area. Soon after a Wise shot was pushed onto the bar by Wednesday keeper Adamson.

Midway through the first half Robert Page picked up a booking that meant he would miss the weekend trip to Plymouth - just what we need with a defensive injury crisis currently hitting the club. Ten minutes later Wise picked up yet another booking to add to his collection.

With half time approaching, Stern John kept up his recent impressive scoring record (Five goals in six games), diverting a McSheffrey cross into the net. This goal had the seemingly rare look of a move practised on the training ground that actually worked!

With 20 minutes of the second half left, Wednesday brought on former favourite (To some) Richie Partridge. Morrell was then replaced by Jorgensen for the home side.

Minutes later a quickly taken Wise free-kick helped make the scoreline 2-0, with McSheffrey scoring through Adamson's legs ("Nut", or "Meg"?!).

First half substitute Chris Brunt pulled one back for the visitors (Something I would have put money on him doing if I'd had the time), after Page gave away a pointless free-kick outside the Coventry penalty area.

It was later learnt that two Wednesday fans had been killed on the way home from this match - R.I.P. lads.

Onto Saturday, and another long trip for those Coventry City fans that follow the team away, and how we could have done with Laurent Delorge in the side - it was probably our best chance of getting a win (Either that or actually joining in). This time Plymouth didn't need seven minutes of added time to gain a result....

Bobby Robson once said something about always starting with your best eleven players, and play them 'til they're injured or knackered. With Dennis Wise on the substitute's bench, it's clear that Micky Adams obviously isn't a great believer in this theory (Though there are suggestions Wise had said he wasn't fit to start).

Ryan Lynch obviously didn't do enough to impress in his (Unused) stint on the bench on Wednesday either, not even making the sixteen for this game, despite rumours he might even get a start.

Having Duffy, Page, and Hall missing from the back four also went some way to helping Plymouth to victory, with a hat-trick for Pericard heaping more away day misery on Coventry City. The fact that Heath was played in the centre for this match is more than likely irrelevant though.

Impey was given a rare start at right-back, and, according to some, did enough to suggest he shouldn't be selected again this season (Though he too was nursing an injury).

Pericard scored his first after 13 minutes, and a second five minutes before half-time, with Coventry rarely threatening during the first 45 minutes. The supoprters were in fine voice - shame the team didn't respond to their vocal backing.

Whing was denied what looked a clear penalty with just over five minutes of the second half played, while John and Scowcroft both had efforts blocked for the visitors. This was about as good as it got for us....

Whether or not Pericard has ever scored a hat-trick before, and whether or not he will manage the feat again, he certainly won't score an easier goal than his third of the day, with Fulop and Williams taking each other out American Football style, leaving Pericard unopposed to run the ball into an empty net. There were suggestions he handled the ball, but, if he did, it was missed by officials anyway.

A triple Coventry substitution against the same opposition had the desired effect at the Arena earlier this season (With a 0-1 deficit becoming a 3-1 victory), but sadly, with Adams' opting for the same thing in this game too, at 3-0 down the game was all but over anyway - though those that made the long journey down did at least get to see a consolation goal from Dennis Wise (Which 'The Championship' never bothered showing on their highlights programme - thanks) .... and another booking.

Williams was also booked, meaning he will miss the next match - just what we need .... etc - while McSheffrey picked up his tenth yellow card of the season (Another card for an alleged dive), meaning he will miss the next three matches.

PLAY OFF CHANCES: On a par with an 'Eastenders' wedding going smoothly from start to finish....

* For those that haven't heard, Anderlecht recently sacked two players, Marius Mitu and Laurent Delorge, after they admitted being involved in match-fixing while playing for Lierse last season.