Coventry

[Mr.Thunders]

Leave them to enjoy their promotion and the euphoria of being back in the Premier League, the real work should be getting done behind the scenes now planning on their squad for the season ahead. For me the main concern would be if Lampard is actually good enough to handle the Premier League too as his record with Chelsea and Everton isn't fantastic.

Often a promoted team becomes a popular story with the press and broadcasters,it was us this season.

Coventry will be that team next season they've been out of the top flight for years and sunk to league 2 in that time.Add to that "Lamps" has always had pals on the media due to his family connections and the teams he's played for.

I expect a couple of decent home results for them early doors and if possible I'd like to avoid them in August.

 

[JL1985]

For SAFC, we are happy for the opposition to have the ball and we used to playing that way so being promoted didn’t change anything. We are defensively solid (bar a few shit shows) but not great going forward.

Coventry like dominating the ball and playing on the front foot but that won’t happen in the PL. It’s going to be virtually impossible for them to be successful playing the way they do now.

It’s no coincidence the two most successful teams in recent years (SAFC and Leeds) are happy to let the opposition have the ball and are defensively minded teams.

 

[LDNCCFC]

For SAFC, we are happy for the opposition to have the ball and we used to playing that way so being promoted didn’t change anything. We are defensively solid (bar a few shit shows) but not great going forward.

Coventry like dominating the ball and playing on the front foot but that won’t happen in the PL. It’s going to be virtually impossible for them to be successful playing the way they do now.

It’s no coincidence the two most successful teams in recent years (SAFC and Leeds) are happy to let the opposition have the ball and are defensively minded teams.

We don't like dominating the ball as much as you'd think. We have been more suited to counter attacking.

I am certainly not as confident as Astute but we do have players who will step up and give it a good go.

 

[Mowgli]

MVE is our RB.

Clarke isn't as good as many say. He is best at diving and not much more.

Torp will score goals if he plays. Now injury free and ready to go. Scored 10 this season and most were worldies.

Mason-Clark should be OK. A very strong tricky player who also scores goals. He will get more protection in the Prem. Sakamoto also has a decent chance. He constantly puts players on their arse when they try to stop him.

It certainly isn't going to be easy next season, but we do have some good players. Our midfield season 'wobble' happened because the flu went right through our squad at the same time we had some big injuries and then suspensions to our defenders all at the same time.


Nobody to sell?

We had a few big offers come in before the season started. We kept every player we wanted to but sold the others. We've would have smashed the 100 points and 100 goals if we didn't have our squad decimated mid season. We didn't even have enough players to fill the subs bench at one stage. MVE played 2 games where he was so bad with the flu that he was being sick on the touchline during the games.

Is that why we had a couple of big offers for him pre season?

You will also see a better player next season. He has struggled with a shoulder injury for 18 months and has just had an operation hoping he will be ready for the start of the season. He has been playing with his shoulder strapped for months.

absolutely nuts. You'll disappear from here before the shit hits the fan.

 

[Thunder Road]

We don't like dominating the ball as much as you'd think. We have been more suited to counter attacking.

I am certainly not as confident as Astute but we do have players who will step up and give it a good go.

Who do you think are the players that will step up?

I haven't watched Coventry that much over the last year but from the season before I think you had a few that had potential.

Rudoni and Van Ewijk look like they could bridge that gap and I think Wright will have a purple patch here and there but other than
that I don't know much about your squad.

 

[Hulkenburger]

Can they afford to do anything other than rely on the players who won promotion?
We'd spent jack for years and sold a player for £30m. Allowed us to spend something like £150m or whatever it was on 12 players
They've spent a canny bit (Gyokeres money?) to get to this point and have nobody to sell. Can't see them being able to do much.
Maybe the have players who will step up like Hume and Ballard have but if they have 11 of them they'd have smashed the 100 point mark.
Interesting to see what calibre of player they can attract.

They haven't actually spent that much, their wage bill was one of the lowest in the league last year.

Their owner has already said he won't be spending loads and getting a whole new team though.

 

[LDNCCFC]

Who do you think are the players that will step up?

I haven't watched Coventry that much over the last year but from the season before I think you had a few that had potential.

Rudoni and Van Ewijk look like they could bridge that gap and I think Wright will have a purple patch here and there but other than
that I don't know much about your squad.

If we hadn't gone up MVE, Rudoni, Mason-Clark, Wright and Rushworth would have been moving to PL sides so those are the key players.

 

[Dick Fitzwell]

If we hadn't gone up MVE, Rudoni, Mason-Clark, Wright and Rushworth would have been moving to PL sides so those are the key players.

Well he will be as he's only on loan from Brighton who are in the Premier League

 

[HellsBells]

Net spend is very low though.

We had to spend that money because we'd lost the best two players in the division.

Rumour is you’re getting Hamer back?

Is he the answer though? Really?

I mean I know he knows the best Kebab joints in the Midlands but is he really the answer in the PL?

I remember watching him for Sheff Utd one game and he looked like my nine year old looks when he’s put in the middle and told to pass the ball.

If we hadn't gone up MVE, Rudoni, Mason-Clark, Wright and Rushworth would have been moving to PL sides so those are the key players.

Disagree with Mason Clark and Wright (he can’t get in the UsA team?) but agree on the rest, but they wouldn’t be getting games for PL teams. They’d be on the bench at best.

Rushworth would have gone back to Brightons bench - he wasn’t getting in their team before he came to you so no way he’d be playing for Brighton.

 

[Definitely Maybe]

It would be foolish to write them off. Everybody wrote us off a year ago afterall.

At the same time, we had to buy a new team to do it and it would be unlikely as many players will step up as the poster claims. Not impossible but Brentford were probably the last ones to do it - Fulham and Bournemouth had both come from the Prem a season or two before, Forest bought a new squad - and we know they're a bit of a special case with their recruitment model. Some will of course, but history suggests more like 3-4 than 10-11.

Interesting that Clarke 'isn't as good as people say' and is good at diving but not much else but had a brilliant season before he went to Ipswich, couldn't step up then scored 16 in 23 starts. But Mason-Clark will score goals, Sakanoto will step up, Wright (17 goals as a striker) will, Torp will score goals, Rudoni will definitely improve and step up.

 

[LDNCCFC]

Rumour is you’re getting Hamer back?

Is he the answer though? Really?

I mean I know he knows the best Kebab joints in the Midlands but is he really the answer in the PL?

I remember watching him for Sheff Utd one game and he looked like my nine year old looks when he’s put in the middle and told to pass the ball.

Disagree with Mason Clark and Wright (he can’t get in the UsA team?) but agree on the rest, but they wouldn’t be getting games for PL teams. They’d be on the bench at best.

Rushworth would have gone back to Brightons bench - he wasn’t getting in their team before he came to you so no way he’d be playing for Brighton.

Wright will likely start for USA in the summer. Mason-Clark is my one to watch. Lots said about the physicality of the Premier League, he's a machine.

Rushworth will either be playing for us as number 1 or another Premier League side next season.

 

[HABA87]

It's well known you were lucky in the playoffs last season but truth isn't easy for many people on here.

 

[Gucci Massive]

We always seem to get a newly promoted side away from home early doors and we always lose (Fulham away under Reid, Burnley away under Bruce, Burnley away this season of the top of my head). I'm fully expecting us to get Coventry away first or second away game.

 

[HellsBells]

Wright will likely start for USA in the summer. Mason-Clark is my one to watch. Lots said about the physicality of the Premier League, he's a machine.

Rushworth will either be playing for us as number 1 or another Premier League side next season.

Rishworth’s not had as much to do this season as he will next season. What about Dovin? He's decent.

I like Mason Clark and he is powerful and scores a lot but going on experience I think might find it’s another level. But you never know, we said that about Ballard this time last year. I think the difference for Dan is that he’s got quality around him now.

Sakamoto will be too lightweight, although loads on here think he’s good, but they only see the bits where he beats someone on highlights.

Grimes is the big question for me. Hes by far your best player, but he’s not a strong enough leader and motivator for the PL as captain. And he’s too small I think. Lampard does the captain bit. You don’t have a Xhaka type.

Hamer alongside Grimes isn’t the answer either.

I see you are being linked with every player in the cosmoverse for billions of pounds so it will be interesting to see who you go for. We went for unknown players and it’s paid off. I worry if you go for known championship or PL bench warmers, you’ll end up with mediocrity.

 

[chriswallace85]

For SAFC, we are happy for the opposition to have the ball and we used to playing that way so being promoted didn’t change anything. We are defensively solid (bar a few shit shows) but not great going forward.

Coventry like dominating the ball and playing on the front foot but that won’t happen in the PL. It’s going to be virtually impossible for them to be successful playing the way they do now.

It’s no coincidence the two most successful teams in recent years (SAFC and Leeds) are happy to let the opposition have the ball and are defensively minded teams.

Leeds weren't, but the penny seemed to finally drop with Farke at the back end of November. Agree with the rest.

We're a pragmatic side with a pragmatic coach, and I'm very happy with that.

I'm not convinced that's true of Coventry, but as long as there's at least three teams below us next May, I couldn't really give a shit what they do.

 

[SAFC Wilks]

I know that

But on our side we have confidence and scoring goals all over the place. Strikes that would normally get GOTS haven't even made the list. We will score goals but let in even more.

One big point for us is keeping Rushworth. Player of the season for the Championship. Keep him and we have a chance.

I think that keeper is very good. Problem is Brighton’s current keeper is being linked with moves away - so if he leaves, they’ll likely use Rushworth as number 1.

I think he’s England's future keeper after Pickford retires.

 

[The Situation]

We always seem to get a newly promoted side away from home early doors and we always lose (Fulham away under Reid, Burnley away under Bruce, Burnley away this season of the top of my head). I'm fully expecting us to get Coventry away first or second away game.

I think we're absolutely nailed on to get them away early doors.

You can see it coming a mile off and it'll be a Champions League final for them after the way they've carried on since the playoffs.

They will go on ridiculous about it, the same way Burnley did this season.

 

[scott934]

Good question.

We have several players that should be playing above Championship level but the jump up to the Prem is massive. Expect Rudoni to have a good season. Has been playing with an injury for the last 18 months but had an operation the day after we confirmed the Championship title. Expected to be back during pre season. Onyeka is proven at Prem level. If we manage to get Rushworth he is easily good enough.

Then you come to other players like Mason-Clark and Sakamoto that have been beating players for fun that will have a big part to play if good enough. Our 1st team will be good enough for squad players minimum. Wright and Simms will score goals but not as many. MVE as RB will surprise a few with his attacking and pace, but he will be needed more for defensive duties.

We're going to be more about a good close squad more than outstanding players. Our attacking play is quick with all of our players capable of scoring. We've just had 5 players score 10 goals or more each. Torp is now fit and keeps scoring worldies that no GK would save. He doesn't like shooting closer than 25 yards

We've just had the best defence as well as the best attack. GD of +52 over the season isn't too shabby. But I have more confidence going forward than with the defence. If we don't strengthen our defence we will be in for a long hard season.

It's good that you're confident but I'd be shocked if this doesn't look very delusional in 6-8 months.

I think we're absolutely nailed on to get them away early doors.

You can see it coming a mile off and it'll be a Champions League final for them after the way they've carried on since the playoffs.

They will go on ridiculous about it, the same way Burnley did this season.

Tbf their early home games need to be Champions League finals if they're to have any chance. That's assuming they are mostly going with this squad.

 

[LDNCCFC]

Rishworth’s not had as much to do this season as he will next season. What about Dovin? He's decent.

I like Mason Clark and he is powerful and scores a lot but going on experience I think might find it’s another level. But you never know, we said that about Ballard this time last year. I think the difference for Dan is that he’s got quality around him now.

Sakamoto will be too lightweight, although loads on here think he’s good, but they only see the bits where he beats someone on highlights.

Grimes is the big question for me. Hes by far your best player, but he’s not a strong enough leader and motivator for the PL as captain. And he’s too small I think. Lampard does the captain bit. You don’t have a Xhaka type.

Hamer alongside Grimes isn’t the answer either.

I see you are being linked with every player in the cosmoverse for billions of pounds so it will be interesting to see who you go for. We went for unknown players and it’s paid off. I worry if you go for known championship or PL bench warmers, you’ll end up with mediocrity.

Rushworth has had loads to do. We don't win the league without him.

His stats for a side who have effectively walked the league is remarkable. He's had to make 123 saves. Compare that to keepers last year. Those sort of numbers are what you'd see from sides being hammered every week.

Trafford - 88
Patterson - 91
Meslier - 65

 

[Thunder Road]

If we hadn't gone up MVE, Rudoni, Mason-Clark, Wright and Rushworth would have been moving to PL sides so those are the key players.

The problem clubs have now is the gap is massive.
Even clubs like Wolves have Brazil internationals in their line up, that was not the case the last time we were in the league!