[OldburyWBA]

Coventry City v Albion

Friday 18th April 2025 15.00pm

Please use this board for all your Pre Match Chat. Opposition fans are reminded to abide by the site rules

[WBAinDEVON]

without a doubt, a must win game

[Hull Baggie]

The only change I'd make from the team that started against Watford is Armstrong for Grant.
Price has to start in midfield, Fellows and Johnston have to start out wide.

[tegga]

The only change I'd make from the team that started against Watford is Armstrong for Grant.
Price has to start in midfield, Fellows and Johnston have to start out wide.

No way, in my opinion, should Armstrong take Grants place in the team.

[Fritzl Palace]

Huge game for Mowbray to try and salvage a tenure that has started fairly dreadfully under him. His only wins have come at home thus far, needs to get a win on the road to prove he can firstly but, in the circumstances, catching up on a rival after he completely botched the Bristol City with his ridiculous team selection game is essential.

[BoingFlyer]

Must not loose game. Back in our hands with a win.

[Hull Baggie]

No way, in my opinion, should Armstrong take Grants place in the team.

Grant played well against Watford and took his goal well.
However playing with a bigger target man would suit Armstrong, he also has the pace that Grant lacks.
I understand why people would be against it due to Armstrongs lack of goals etc but he hasn't played in a team that is set up to get the best from him. Playing with Lankshear (or Dike) as the target man does play to his strengths.

[TheBaggieMan]

There was a huge improvement in our play in the final third on Saturday with Lankshear as the target man with Fellows and Johnston on wings. Grant timed his run to score brilliantly and in my opinion, why gamble on changing a winning team until maybe 60mins plus then, if needed, bring on Dike and maybe Armstrong.

[Hull Baggie]

There was a huge improvement in our play in the final third on Saturday with Lankshear as the target man with Fellows and Johnston on wings. Grant timed his run to score brilliantly and in my opinion, why gamble on changing a winning team until maybe 60mins plus then, if needed, bring on Dike and maybe Armstrong.

My thinking for playing Armstrong from the start is because Coventry play quite a high line at the back pushing up their fullbacks. Armstrong has more pace than Grant to take advantage of any knock downs or balls played in behind the centre backs.
It would seem harsh on Grant to drop him though as he played so well against Watford but Armstrongs pace could be the advantage we need.
One thing for sure, we need to play the same way whatever the line up.

[liverbaggie]

One thing I've noticed about Armstrong is he does try and make darting runs,but we rarely have a player who notices his runs or is not capable or aware of making the pass

[gazberg]

Victor Torp out for the season they have announced.

[Hull Baggie]

One thing I've noticed about Armstrong is he does try and make darting runs,but we rarely have a player who notices his runs or is not capable or aware of making the pass

This is why I've been banging on about us not playing to his strengths.
Hopefully Mowbray will see that having Armstrong being able to play off a target man should at least giving Armstrong the chance to do what he was brought in to do.

[Hull Baggie]

Victor Torp out for the season they have announced.

Bobby Thomas and Ephron Mason Clark are doubts too.

[Droitwich Baggie]

Bobby Thomas and Ephron Mason Clark are doubts too.

Or is Coventry playing "mind games"?

[tegga]

Grant played well against Watford and took his goal well.
However playing with a bigger target man would suit Armstrong, he also has the pace that Grant lacks.
I understand why people would be against it due to Armstrongs lack of goals etc but he hasn't played in a team that is set up to get the best from him. Playing with Lankshear (or Dike) as the target man does play to his strengths.

We will have to wait till Friday to see who Mowbray chooses, but will he change a winning team? He may do if he feels a change will benefit the team, will he play Armstrong along side Lankshear or Dike. He had the chance to do that against Watford but didnt.

[Hull Baggie]

We will have to wait till Friday to see who Mowbray chooses, but will he change a winning team? He may do if he feels a change will benefit the team, will he play Armstrong along side Lankshear or Dike. He had the chance to do that against Watford but didnt.

I'd expect the same side that started against Watford, as you say it was a winning team.
For some reason Mowbray doesn't seem to understand how to get the best from Armstrong which is odd given that he's managed him twice.
 Using Armstrong as a lone striker isn't going to get the best from him and on Saturday he substituted Lankshear for Armstrong meaning we didn't have a target man until he brought Dike on for a few minutes at the end. Would've made much more sense to have taken Grant off for Armstrong and left the target man on.

[Hull Baggie]

Or is Coventry playing "mind games"?

You might be right.

Both missed the Hull game but Lampard has been a bit cryptic and said "they are doubts for Friday but I don't want to commit to that".

[NJS]

This is why I've been banging on about us not playing to his strengths.
Hopefully Mowbray will see that having Armstrong being able to play off a target man should at least giving Armstrong the chance to do what he was brought in to do.

It's a good job the other nine outfielders don't need someone special/particular  alongside them in order that they can be effective.  That would be tricky team selection.

[Hull Baggie]

It's a good job the other nine outfielders don't need someone special/particular  alongside them in order that they can be effective.  That would be tricky team selection.

And yet our defence looked better when Heggem was next to Bartley rather than Holgate and our midfield is better with Price next to Mowatt rather than Swift.
Playing players where they can be most effective is common sense.
Doesn't need the other 9 outfield players to adjust the way they play.

[gazberg]

From Mowbray presser:

Wallace likely to make bench, Ajayi back on grass and back in matchday squad soon but not for this game.

Bany and Diakite both out.

[NJS]

Expect Coventry to have two men on Fellows tomorrow.  We must either get the ball to him quickly or be able to exploit the space that creates elsewhere.

[baggies_24]

I think it’s just pessimism that’s been beaten into me from supporting the Albion for 25 + years but I just don’t see us getting the win today. It feels like this set of players always choke when the pressure’s on & very much so this season with the late goals conceded. I’d love to be wrong & hope I am but I think this lot will find away to disappoint us again, probably in the 90 + minute as well.

Cheery start to a bank holiday weekend I know haha.

[baggiebof]

Will be a tough game, they're a good side but like all Lampard sides, they're vulnerable in transition.

It's a shame that Diakite isn't available, would have allowed Price to sometimes press high but that's not a strategy I'd advise with Mowatt alongside him.

[NJS]

From Mowbray presser:

Wallace likely to make bench, Ajayi back on grass and back in matchday squad soon but not for this game.

Bany and Diakite both out.

So with Molumby banned.  I can only see:-

Griffiths
Furlong Bartley Heggem  Styles
Price  Mowatt  (please not Swift which would give a slow, biteless defensive midfield)
Fellows Grant Johnston  (probably  Swift in for Grant here)
Lankshear

I'd like to see Archie Kirton and Jamal Mohammed on the bench.  If we lose this one then playoffs are out and Mowbray must look to next season.

[hardtobeat]

So with Molumby banned.  I can only see:-

Griffiths
Furlong Bartley Heggem  Styles
Price  Mowatt  (please not Swift which would give a slow, biteless defensive midfield)
Fellows Grant Johnston  (probably  Swift in for Grant here)
Lankshear

I'd like to see Archie Kirton and Jamal Mohammed on the bench.  If we lose this one then playoffs are out and Mowbray must look to next season.

Kirton is out on loan , Stourbridge?

[buzzingbaggie]

First must win of the season.

Come on Albion, we need 100% from everyone.

[Droitwich Baggie]

This is a make or break game. Need to be on form.

[robnewbold]

The whole season reduced to 90 minutes. COYB!

[Fritzl Palace]

MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE today.

Come on Mogga, get everything spot on today and keep us in the mix.

COYB

[Blowee]

First must win of the season.

Come on Albion, we need 100% from everyone.

A draw isn’t terrible depending on Middlesbrough’s result. We would still be three points behind Coventry but with three winnable games to go. I would argue it’s a must not lose.

[Hull Baggie]

A draw isn’t terrible depending on Middlesbrough’s result. We would still be three points behind Coventry but with three winnable games to go. I would argue it’s a must not lose.

A win and we go into the play offs and it's in our own hands any other result and it isn't;  so in that sense it's a must win.

[alex1]

A draw isn’t terrible depending on Middlesbrough’s result. We would still be three points behind Coventry but with three winnable games to go. I would argue it’s a must not lose.

The three winnable games are against teams fighting for their survival in the division.

[Blowee]

The three winnable games are against teams fighting for their survival in the division.

True but they will be playing a side hopefully fighting for a play-off place. Plus we will need to win those games even if we get a result today.

[Blowee]

Just had a look on Coventry fans forum. I’m not sure they are the brightest fans. Here’s one comment about today’s match:

“I don't think I mind a draw at all today, as long as we can score quite a few goals to improve our goal difference.”

[Hull Baggie]

Same 11 as Watford. They are playing The Cranberries Zombie over the PA!! Some fans behind me are still managing to sing 'Molumby' out of time!

[gazberg]

Wallace and Diakite back in squad, all on bench

[TheBaggieMan]

Great news…. Unchanged team I’m told

[TheBaggieMan]

Griffiths; Furlong, Bartley, Heggem, Styles; Fellows, Mowatt, Price, Johnston; Grant, Lankshear.

Subs: Wildsmith, Holgate, Diakite, Swift, Diangana, Wallace, Armstrong, Dike, Cole.

[Bilston Dan]

Just had a look on Coventry fans forum. I’m not sure they are the brightest fans. Here’s one comment about today’s match:

“I don't think I mind a draw at all today, as long as we can score quite a few goals to improve our goal difference.”

Don't think this lad understands how GD works 

On a brighter note, I'm glad we put out the same team. Hopefully the same result!

[BaggieBoy04]

Same 11 as Watford. They are playing The Cranberries Zombie over the PA!!

Pointless as Molumby is suspended, unless it's to wind us up. I want to see us win to see that smug look come of Frank Lampard's face, this is the first job he has done well with that hasn't had help from Chelsea by borrowing there kids. COYB

[alex1]

We have a pretty good record at Coventry´s existing stadium, won 5 drawn 2 and lost one. Including home games, we`ve won our last 4 games against them. 

[Mikkyk]

Griffiths; Furlong, Bartley, Heggem, Styles; Fellows, Mowatt, Price, Johnston; Grant, Lankshear.

Subs: Wildsmith, Holgate, Diakite, Swift, Diangana, Wallace, Armstrong, Dike, Cole.

Same XI then - I think that's the right call.

Ideally I'd see Diakite and Dike starting but neither are fully fit.

[TheBaggieMan]

Same XI then - I think that's the right call.

Ideally I'd see Diakite and Dike starting but neither are fully fit.

Think Dike is getting there but not for a full 60-70mins yet. Not sure how near Diakite is yet - maybe he’ll get a few minutes later on depending on the onfield situation.

[Fritzl Palace]

Anyone else scared? So much riding on this, just don’t want to be disappointed again as I was at Bristol City.

[TheBaggieMan]

Very nervous Fritzi and terrified BTA will score a late winner 😱