A Fan's View: Coventry 0 Albion 0

Last updated : 25 October 2009 By Wba-mad Editor

Saturday morning

An inauspicious start to the day with the wind a blowing and junior MickD going AWOL to avoid coming to the match........he had his hair to do and some paint he needed to watch drying I believe............he made the correct choice for once in his life!

Words with ‘Her indoors’ and thus no pre-match lunch got me off on a bad footing for the trip to Coventry, five minutes later the mood darkened.

A phone call from junior MickD by way of a limp apology for the loss of money on a wasted match-day ticket took my attention on the way to Junction 4 of the M5 and the police speed camera only came to my attention when it was too late.....60 in a 50 area is the ticket that awaits me..........thanks son, immaculate timing once again.

Arrival in Coventry

Over the last few season's I’ve found a good spot to park on a field just off Junction 3 of the M6 by the Novotel so being a creature of habit I headed for there again.

One minute after leaving the car the heavens opened so I dashed into the Novotel for a pee and bumped into a guy I’ve known for years since schooldays as he was leaving the loo.

"Hi Pete, how you doing mate" I enquired?

"Great thanks Mick and I’ll be even better if RDM has left Luke Moore out" was the reply!

It's not just me (and Northy) then I thought.

I arrived at the Ricoh wetter and colder than I can ever remember for an away game with water literally running down my face.

Girl at the tea kiosk asked what i wanted and I said "a fresh pair of jeans and shirt"...........she then asked me "is it raining outside?”  Is it just me that attracts these numpties?

Watched the end of Dingles v Vile and was amongst many whose day took a downward turn as Firesblanks-Blake got the equaliser..........but at least it meant the inbreds hadn't won......glass suddenly half full.

Glass quickly becomes less than half empty

Team announced and Lukewarm is in from the start........my mate from the Novotel will be equally depressed methinks.  Meite to start as well.........am I really alive or in a parallel universe of the living dead?

The first-half

Now folks I know I’m prone to ramble a bit before my match report but there's method in my madness today.........first-half was a non event to be honest.

A poor piece of work by our previously £20 million rated full back Zuiverloon resulted in a dangerous cross across the face of goal which was manfully defended at the far post by Olsson I think...........I had a poor seat near the front at that stage, luckily my view of the game was restricted!

Thinking of my obligations to you lot I moved myself further up and sat next to a group of Neanderthals - one of whom let rip with the most disgusting fart many of us had smelt in years........he though appeared delighted with his efforts.

Plenty of probing from the Albion but at no time did we really threaten apart from Jerome Thomas who looked lively at times and who also got booked for diving in what looked like a clear penalty from my new and improved view.

Jara was impressive again and Olsson and Meite looked comfortable at the back with able assistance from my ‘mate’ Mattock on a defensive note; although his forays forward were again unproductive with poor crossing and a lack of ability to go past his man which then slows up our play.

Half time

Met up for the first time with Yarmouth and his mate ‘Tiny’!

If that's Tiny I don't want to contemplate large thanks lads.

Nice to see junior Northy at his first away game (his punishment for not behaving at school this week) along with senior Northy and our revered leader Donny.

The conversation turned to the first half non performance and we were in agreement to a man that it was poor fare and that Lukewarm in particular needed to shape up or ship out........sharpish.

Second-half

A lot like the Preston game in that we pretty much dominated possession over a poor City side yet in truth we lacked the devil to open them up.

Less than half chances came our way and this along with an unwillingness to shoot from range made for a frustrating non event of a game.

The removal of Moore (far too late in the game for my liking) and a subdued (again) Koren for the youth of Chris Wood and the skills of Teixeira added something to the side.

Wood had our best chance after being slipped in with a nice through ball after his own good movement (lacking in Moore) found him in a good position in the area but a slight dalliance and the fact he was on his weaker left foot saw his attempt smothered.

Our management

Today I heard the first rumblings of discontent about RDM and his coaching team from a few around me in the lower seats.  It wasn't general by any means but I spoke to a few people who are starting to wonder what's going on.

This "sending to Coventry" (pardon the pun) of Cox is niggling at a few fans now.

Luke Moore has two goals this season (both scored against Peterborough in a ten minute spell) and about 15 blank games if I’m correct.

In my book this is a long enough run.  Cox may not be any better but at a price of £2 million plus he has to be given a run of games otherwise signing him was just a joke.

Rumours in the paper today that Reading are after Cox now!

In conclusion

One win in seven games in all competitions and four goalless performances in the last five games spells trouble I’m afraid.  I think we are in danger of missing out on the top six due to a severe lack of firepower.

If ever a total bore of a stalemate could be classed as dominated by a side this then summed Albion up today.

Coventry had nothing much to offer but Meite and Olsson played well and one drop of the shoulder by Meite in a tight position sent three Coventry players all the wrong way - best bit of skill in the whole game.

Jara played well, Mulumbu and Dorrans worked hard as did JT and Carson claimed the ball well when required.

Zuiverloon, Koren and especially Luke Moore need to take a look at themselves......not good enough lads.

On my way home

As I dragged my drowned body back to the car feeling as limp as a Tony Mowbray after match interview, I saw a rainbow over my car park........when I got to my car it wasn't there and neither was the pot of gold......another omen I wondered for the season?

Compensation though..........I hear on the radio that my non-league club Stourbridge have progressed to the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history.........I knew I should have gone to Buxton to watch them today !