Grinding it out

Blues got a point at Coventry with Andy Munro watching.

Lee Bowyer’s plan to play more attacking football is foundering on a plethora of injuries and suspensions, the latter made worse by a laughable red card for Ryan Woods.

In truth, for much of the game Coventry were the better side, playing far smoother and more incisive football yet I doubt that they have spent any more money than Blues. That comparison, of course, is not of Lee Bowyer’s making but is the responsibility of the board and previoUs managers – probably not helped by a non-existent scouting system.

It’s a point not to be sniffed at and keeps us solidly in the sort of mid-table position that we will probably end up in and deserve. As always, there were high spots and low spots in player performances, probably more of the latter but as the Manager said, you couldn’t fault them for their effort.

In defence, Sarkic continues to be excellent in goal and while Sandersen occasionally suffers a lapse of concentration, he is quick, mobile and aggressive. Alongside him, Roberts is back to his towering best although enough said about Harlee Dean.

The centre of midfield was a worry with Ivan Sunjic (is he the poor man’s Kleftenbeld?) chasing the elusive shadow of Coventry’s Callum O’Hare. Alongside him, Woods struggled to be influential and undoubtedly Jeremie Bela must be praying for the time that he can play as a ‘proper’ winger. Riley McGree was probably the pick in his number ten role but can we afford to play two forwards and a number ten without being outmanoevered in midfield?

Up top, the front two struggled but in fairness only had scraps to feed on. We all love Troy Deeney to bits but he was out-muscled a lot in the air and maybe it’s time to give the Juke a starting berth. As for Scott Hogan, he’s only quick in terms of the first few yards and needs the service to make the most of that.

Still, a point away to high-flying (and who would have said that a few years ago?) Coventry was a decent result in the circumstances.