It seems the Smethwick isn't open for this game so had to book me ticket in the Rainbow I wonder where the Cov supporters are going?
It seems the Smethwick isn't open for this game so had to book me ticket in the Rainbow I wonder where the Cov supporters are going?Don't you mean the East Stand old chap, and by the way no standing up ;)
Don't you mean the East Stand old chap, and by the way no standing up ;)As far as I remember, but the old brain is very tired these days, its definitely called the Rainbow stand and I've always assumed it's where Zippy and Bungle sit?
For a start I know this is a non-starter because I'm sure WMP wouldn't allow it!! but..
I'd love to see a pre-season tournament every year between WBA, Villa, Wolves & Coventry in honour of the big man & all he achieved for West Midlands football.
It could be rotated so each club held it - even u23 teams could participate! I'm sure it'd generate a bit of business for all sides including any worthwhile charities but I suppose it'd never happen!
Who's going to this?I am going, but when I went online to book another ticket for my mate on Friday, i was staggered to see how many seats were still available, bearing in mind that only the East & Halfords are open to us.
I am. Bored stiff last weekend with no football so got my ticket.
So glad the new season is nearly here. 8)
Do you get loyalty points for this?
I am going, but when I went online to book another ticket for my mate on Friday, i was staggered to see how many seats were still available, bearing in mind that only the East & Halfords are open to us.
From the seating plan I estimate we've sold somewhere around 4,300.
I was never quite sure how many would turn up for this game but I'm surprised we've not sold more tickets than that.
I thought it was less than 4300, but you could be right.
When I last looked, most of the seats in the two blocks either side of the tunnel in the Halfords & the block in front of the exec box in the East stand were sold, other than that, there were just a few seats sold in most of the other blocks.
I'm going myself, but it looks as if it will be a game with zero atmosphere.
I thought it was less than 4300, but you could be right.
When I last looked, most of the seats in the two blocks either side of the tunnel in the Halfords & the block in front of the exec box in the East stand were sold, other than that, there were just a few seats sold in most of the other blocks.
I'm going myself, but it looks as if it will be a game with zero atmosphere.
A friendly against a league 1 team, A week before the proper season starts, Just 1 week into the school summer holidays, so most parents will be away with their kids and; not to be cold; but the vast majority of fans won't be bothered by this having Cryille's name on it due to us already having paid tribute to him heavily during the season already.
This was never going to have a big atmosphere
If someone had asked me a month ago to predict the attendance I'd have probably said somewhere between 5 and 7,000 and I suppose that's not impossible. Depends how many Coventry fans come.
I'm not one for friendlies but I'd rather go to the game than be bored on Saturday afternoon.
Coventry sold 410 advance tickets.
https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2018/july/tickets-coventry-city-play-west-bromwich-albion-in-cyrille-regis-memorial-trophy-this-saturday/
Anyone else having an issue with the online booking for this? doesn't let you pay for the tickets!
For a start I know this is a non-starter because I'm sure WMP wouldn't allow it!! but..
I'd love to see a pre-season tournament every year between WBA, Villa, Wolves & Coventry in honour of the big man & all he achieved for West Midlands football.
It could be rotated so each club held it - even u23 teams could participate! I'm sure it'd generate a bit of business for all sides including any worthwhile charities but I suppose it'd never happen!
Any one know if the fanzone area is open today?
Someone mentioned this can be viewed on iFollow, not sure how true?
Starting XI: Johnstone, Cranie, Bartley, Hegazi, Gibbs, Phillips, Livermore, Brunt, Barnes, Morrison, Robson-Kanu.
Subs: Harper, Fitzwater, Rondon, Rodriguez, Leko, Edwards, Burke, Wilson, Barry, Bond.
Cranie starts again and Nyom left out.
Starting XI: Johnstone, Cranie, Bartley, Hegazi, Gibbs, Phillips, Livermore, Brunt, Barnes, Morrison, Robson-Kanu.It's very hard to get excited over that starting line-up. Is Field injured?
Subs: Harper, Fitzwater, Rondon, Rodriguez, Leko, Edwards, Burke, Wilson, Barry, Bond.
Cranie starts again and Nyom left out.
Cranie at full back a week out? It is clear now that he is signing, but we clearly CLEARLY need a right back if Nyom is injured (or does not want to be here).I believe Nyom is injured, but I suspect you're right about Crainie unless we have something up our sleeve. The absence of Dawson does suggest that something's happening one way or another.
Dawson reported as having thigh strain
mmmm where have we heard that one before?
when was last time a new player forced himself into reckoning for a start. I'm struggling to think of oneYacob :'(
It's very hard to get excited over that starting line-up. Is Field injured?
The side chosen for the final pre-season friendly often gives a clue about how clubs will line-up for the first league game - I hope this selection doesn't!
I don’t know what’s in Darren’s mind re the line up or what other constraints there are, but sometimes fans try to second guess and overthink things.
I’m just going to enjoy this wonderful ocassion in honour of our Legend, Cyrille Regis!
Definitely some signs of encouragement with that performance, albeit against a sluggish looking Coventry outfit.
Barnes looked very lively, cutting inside at any opportunity, and he linked very well with with Morrison and HRK.
HRK played really well and chased everything (which is always the bare minimum really). He did miss one sitter in the second half that Phillips put on a plate for him.
Brunt and Morrison worked really well and it's vital that we keep Morrison fit. However, if we are going with this 4231, a formation I've always felt suits us, then we will need another player who can link play and fit behind the striker.
I'm really not sure about Cranie. He was beaten a few times and the first goal, his man shrugged him off the ball before curling one into the corner. It's pretty clear that we are going to bring him in but I just hope that it is purely as back up.
Rondon not coming off the bench is interesting; I think he's off to be honest.
I think that will be pretty much the team next week, although I still think Rodriquez will play up top.
I went to the game today and actually enjoyed it which is rare based on previous preseason friendlies, anything below is based on today only so its a disclaimer for the rest of the season!
Coventry first half were awful, have no idea if that was there normal team but they didnt seem to really try.
That said we passed the ball about quite well and you can see there is a change in style, we will have more of the ball this year so its good to see preseason has been spent working on that.
Bartley reminded me a bit of GMac in that he is no nonsense, nothing flashy but looks an out and out defender, was quite impressed, Hegazi was decent too except for a mistake first half where they missed a sitter.
I thought Gibbs played well and got forward a lot, which suits him as he is better going forward than at the back, again this should suit us as the onus will be on us to break teams down. Crainie was okay but i wouldnt want him to be our first choice right back, i dont normally like squad players but with somebody like Crainie who can slot in here and there in a number of positions i can see the appeal of giving him a deal, as a regular though - no.
Brunt will be starting the season centre midfield (think OldburyWBA will be over the moon about that!) thought him and Livermore both had good games, bit rusty with their passing but it is preseason, it helped massively having Morrison in front of them, a actual natural attacking midfielder rather than somebody filling in there like last season.
Phillips was Phillips, decent enough but you always think he has potential to be so much better than he is. Barnes was very impressive, you can tell within 2 minutes he is a lot more of a natural footballer than Burke, just by his touch and awareness.
Robson-Kanu got better as the game went on, again i can see the appeal in keeping him, at this level he will be quite useful but i am not sure you would want him as your main centre forward.
Going forward we looked threatening and you can see we tried to play football and be creative even if sometimes it didnt work, however second half when Coventry upped their game a bit, we did look a bit suspect defensively, if the Barnsley game and today are anything to go by, its going to the reverse of the last few years, not sure about 0-0, 1-0, 1-1, will be more 4-3, 5-4!
I'd say it started as a 4411 (maybe with Phillips playing slightly more advanced on right wing), but as coventry offered little threat, the full backs pushed further forward.
I have no idea what formation we finished with, 3 at the back?
At last, silverware.
;)
2 in 2 years, didn't we win a trophy at Burton last season ?
Found the highlights on Youtube for those interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIe4Mg9gkjA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIe4Mg9gkjA)
Brunt and Morrison seemed pivotal in all our decent play. Barnes and HRK excellent outlets.
Have just watched the goals and both of HRK's were very Regisesque, maybe the big man turned up to lend a hand!
Did his memory proud, really hope this tribute carries on and goes from strength to strength.
2 in 2 years, didn't we win a trophy at Burton last season ?
Found the highlights on Youtube for those interested:some of the players need to sort out there shorts, kanu with his big ass needs a bigger size
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIe4Mg9gkjA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIe4Mg9gkjA)
I have to say I quite enjoyed the game, and although it was only Coventry, there were positive signs.
Johnstone looks a good shot stopper, but should have caught rather than punched, and needs to work on his distribution. Cranie looked decent, and could be worth a year as back-up for a 46+ game season. Gibbs and Barnes were superb, and a class above anything else on the pitch. The pair have obviously been working on linking up already, and the touch and close control from both makes me think our left flank might be a good source of goals this year.
I think the formation was 4-2-3-1, with Brunt sitting in the middle alongside Livermore, while Phillips (R), Morrison (C), and Barnes (L) were ahead of them. The role might work at this level for Brunt, but it remains to be seen. I don't get all the praise for Robson-Kanu at all. He got lucky with his first, and his second was relatively simple having been left all alone by Coventry's defence. Every time the ball went up to him, it bounced 10 yards off him. If Rondon and Rodriguez are going, we need replacements in ASAP - three of them.
It was good to see the kids get some minutes, but some of them look a little lightweight - especially Edwards and Harper. Maybe they'll fill out, or they just need some game time, but they got bullied in a friendly. Burke didn't do too much when he came on, but Leko looked good - he took three defenders with one clever bit of skill.
Overall a good workout, and it's nice to be going into the season with some postivity, but Coventry (Allassane apart) look like they're in for a long season.
Was that the one when he then blazed about twenty foot over the bar from a silly angle? Typifies Leko don't rate him at all to be honest.
Oliver Burke was really disappointing for me, didn't control the ball and didn't show much intelligence. His career seems to be stalling and for all that Phillips was hit and miss (he was hopeless for about 20 mins second half) he's still a far better option than Burke I'm sad to say.
Is it just me or does anyone else think Phillips always seems knackered after about an hour? He isn't a 90 minute player IMO.
not just you he seems to be huffing and puffing after about 40 mins. Might explain why he was a completely different player in the 2nd half of a lot of games last season, especially when he had managed to beat his defender comfortably in the first half and stopped doing it in the second.He seems to need games under his belt. That game against Spurs at the end of the season he kept going the full game and out ran Danny Rose second half.