The Hotel End

Not the match thread yet, but just to say that tickets only went on sale to home fans today..... priced at £12 + a £1 booking fee for all tickets.... even if you pay cash at the turnstiles you still pay a quid on top! Suppose that means that Coventry can keep all the booking fees and not include them in our split of ticket sales.... a bit naughty!!

Car parking is also available at the ground....and the cost of that is also £12!!

https://www.glideparking.com/cbsarena/events/413/car-parks/

Something to be aware of before you travel.

I’m going.

Silly question...wots this cash thingy...is it similar to the beep beep of a plastic charge..?
Booking fee, outsourcing ..

Looking to book the carpark at the ground does anyone know which carpark is closest to the away end

Looking forward to this. Nice easy midweek jaunt after work.

Looking at Google Earth it looks like Car Park C would be best for us, straight out onto the A444 up to the motorway.

Car Park A is next to the ground but you'd be trying to get through the pedestrian traffic so I reckon traffic will be held in there for a while. Car Park B would exit onto the A444 but take you away from the motorway going towards the City.

Did alright in the home leg.

https://youtu.be/a5ND87YsgYw

Scary, I was one of the 8000 in the Hotel end that day.

Couldn’t get in Manny had to stand on the cricket side, got soaked.

Officials:
Coventry City FC (First Team) v Northampton Town FC (First Team)
EFL Cup   
Referee: Speedie, Benjamin
Assistant Referee: Wilding, Darren
Assistant Referee: Smedley, Ian
Fourth Official: Morris, Richard

I'll be there, catching the bus from Sixfields, £10 is cheaper than the £12 parking at Cov.   ;D 8)

with such small squads and covid / pinging threatening every club , i can’t see either team putting out a first 11 in this game .

(https://i.pinimg.com/564x/2a/c9/fc/2ac9fc85086167124a99c23d8b650f78.jpg)

I've read that it is residents parking around the ground, but to the best of my knowledg4 there is still no restriction on street parking around the Windmill Rd/Longford Rd area. From there it's a short walk over the canal past Tesco and under the subway to the ground. Shouldn't be any queues getting back to the motorway either.

Match Preview.....

Coventry City away on Wednesday night, Carabao Cup 1st Round. Both teams picked up a win from their opening games, us courtesy of a 1-0 win over Port Vale and Coventry scored twice in the last 5 minutes to beat Forest 2-1 on their first game back at the Ricoh....or the Coventry Building Society Arena to give it its proper title this season.

There were almost 21000 there for City's second homecoming, a smaller crowd is expected on Wednesday night. The Blues are managed by Mark Robins who has picked up a very creditable 91 wins in charge of his 218 games so far. The former top division stalwarts (relegated from the Premier League in 2001) slipped down to the fourth tier for a season back in 2017/18 and of course were exiled at Sixfields back in 2013 following well documented issues with the Arena owners and also a spell in administration.. Now they are back having signed a 10 year deal with a break clause after seven, however they are still on the look out for a site which they can call "their own". Two promotions have been achieved in recent seasons and they are back at Championship level having consolidated with a 16th placed finish last season.

Carabao (League) Cup wise, they reached the semi-final back in 1990 and have made the quarters another four times, but they've not made it past the second round for eight seasons and have tasted defeat at the first round stage in five of those eight years. Last season they fell to a penalty shootout defeat to Gillingham in the second round having won at MK Dons in the first.

Transfer dealings were pretty sparse in the summer, six players were brought in and one of those has been loaned out to Rochdale. Goalkeeper Simon Moore has signed from Sheffield United, Viktor Gyokeres picked up from Brighton (he scored yesterday), Martin Waghorn from Derby and Ben Sheaf from Arsenal. Ian Maatsen is in on loan from Chelsea too.

Wednesdays game will be the 50th meeting between the two clubs in all competitions, Cobblers on top with 20 wins to Cov's 16 so far. This will be the first League Cup meeting between the two sides, we have of course faced them in the FA Cup on a few occasions, most notably the 1-0 win in 1990 when they were in the top flight and more recently our 2-1 win at the Ricoh in 2015, our only win at the new ground. That said we've only played there on another two occasions, a 1-1 draw in League 1 in 2016 was followed by a 3-1 Coventry win in the League Trophy, Marc Richards our scorer that night.

The last meeting between the two sides was a comfortable 3-0 victory for us at Sixfields in 2017 thanks to a Keshi Anderson hat-trick. That game was probably best remembered though for the stoppages and crowd issues which included many flares being thrown onto the pitch as Coventry fans protested about the involvement of SISU in their clubs dealings.

As Deepcut has already posted, Benjamin Speedie will referee the game, he was in charge of Portsmouths win at Fleetwood on Saturday in which he brandished 3 yellow cards. This is his second season on the league list, 78 yellows and 5 reds were handed out in his 29 games last season spread mainly over Leagues 1 and 2, he has not officiated a Coventry game to date, but he was the man in the middle for our 2-1 defeat at Swindon in February with Jacob Mills and Bryn Morris picking up yellows for the Cobblers.

They are charging £60 for coach parking !!!!!!!!!!!!!

This competition is not treated seriously by clubs now and I expect both to make multiple changes from their week end games. I would expect most of our PV subs to start, Hoskins given some game time, also Sowerby and Harriman if fit enough.
We are not in a position to make a lot of changes at the back if Harriman isn't ready but Nelson will probably replace one of the centre backs. Koiki could replace Mills but I think he may be employed further forward which would also give us extra defensive cover down that side. McWilliams to start and Flores may retain his place to get him up to speed. I'm going for the following team

                                                               Maxted

            McGowan              Horsfall/Guthrie               Nelson                     Mills

            Hoskins                      McWilliams                 Flores                     Koiki

                                            Etete                         Rose

Hoskins is unlikely to get 90 minutes so Connolly or Cross to replace him
Pollock to replace one of the central midfielders
Chukwuemeka to replace one of the strikers
This is assuming Harriman and Sowerby are not ready.

On a lighter note I always found it puzzling that as Marc Richards never played for Coventry they named their stadium after him.

I don’t want to be that bore that bangs on about car parking……….but at £12 a car that is ridiculous. Just looked at the off-site parking page on their club website and it’s still £10 in a couple of options they give. Anybody got any idea where to park for less or nothing that’s within say a 15 minute walk?
The ticket is only £12 and there are only 2 of us in the car so another £6 on top doesn’t make the night as cheap as it could be.

Been looking myself and justpark has loads less than £10.00.

Just be careful where you park, that part of Cov is a right shît hole and I wouldn’t leave my car anywhere other than the official car park.

Trust Travel coach is only £10, pick ups right across the town, by the time you've paid to park and your petrol it would be cheaper for the 2 of you to go on the coach

Glenmore Drive - Just Park - £5.50 - 15 min walk
Plenty of others from £8 within 10-15 min walk that will beat the traffic.

See my earlier post. The area isn't the best as Manwork alludes, but it's not half as bad as some other areas of Cov. Noteably Wood End, Willenhall and Stoke Aldermore.

On a lighter note it’s good to see that our neighbours across the Nene have now conceded 7 goals in just two matches ;D

Cornell conceding 4 goals in his first game.

Cornell is shît.

Only blind personal prejudice discourages fans using the Trust Coach. I learnt along time ago trying to park in the likes of Coventry, Milton Keynes and other sites. Why pay exorbitant car parking prices when we have at least three organisations running coaches?

Covid?

Avoid CV5 and CV6 areas.

Masks, vaccinations etc and common sense!

That's a good one, especially for people of venerable age.
I'll also be tucked up in bed before Evers has even had his first 'comfort break' at Rugby services (well actually I won't, but you get my drift).

What’s the matter CJ you have gone a bit sour recently😇

My mum lives in CV5 and my dad in CV6.
(Actually, having just googled it, CV5 is one of the better areas of Coventry, so I don't know who's told you that).

I'm just pulling your leg Evers.

How do you know I was in Rugby Services on M6 yesterday?  8)

I was in Cross rd in CV5 on Monday and Stoney Stanton rd in CV6 on Tuesday. All I can say is some areas seem to get neglected over the years!

You will miss extra time and penalty shoot out

Venerable or Vulnerable?  ;D

Venables age, aka 78.

Both CV6 I think.
Stony Stanton road eh... back at the gum clinic then?

Or lost and looking for Coventry Mercedes?

Fatty Arbuckles Stoney Stanton road back in the day.

There is no extra time tonight, if scores are level at end of normal time we go straight to penalties.

Your right Cross Road is in CV6 - apologies for misinfo.

Selling car tyres, what's a gum factory? Mercedes now perceived as an old mans comfort car. Even at 91 would not get one ...perhaps an AMD model tho'. Take care in this Pandemic and stay in bed ;D

They are all over East Anglia  - been to one at Downham Market!

Very pleased you don't know wht a gum clinic is. Would shatter an image I have if you did.

Wow Evers, are they full of scantily clad young ladies as well?

Sounds good, might be home before 0100hrs... 8)

Is Itollow video stream available for tonight?

Assuming it’s too late to book tickets online, can’t see them?

Doesn't look like it, we'll just have to settle for Tim's dulcet tones  ;D

5-3-2 tonight?

I think 4-3-1-2

Maxted

Nelson, Horsfall (c), Guthrie, Koiki

Pollock, McWilliams, Lewis

Hoskins

Rose, Etete

Subs:- Roberts, Kabamba, Connolly, Pinnock, Ashley-Seal, Mills, Chukwuemeka

8 changes. Looks like Brady is using this as a chance to experiment.

Having said that, he's kept Horsfall and Guthrie there as centre backs
and McWilliams' presence should make us fairly solid.

I think he'll go with wing-backs in a 3-5-2 (with possession)/ 5-3-2 (without):

                            Maxted

                 Nelson  Guthrie  Horsfall

     Hoskins                                     Koiki

     
                 Pollock McWilliams Lewis

                       Etete      Rose

Come on then. Underdog, but two 2nd string teams and after Cardiff last year anything can happen, especially considering how crap that team turning out to be later.

Brady out!!!

Defensive mix up, dangle a leg and pay the price….

Sack em all

This is like PSG v Sileby Rangers.

Sack 'em all!!!

Still 1-0.
Pollmiester almost scored

What a miss!  >:(

Which one are we?

He's the greatest!!!

the 3 at the back experiment lasted an approximate 10 minutes .
I don’t think we will see that unveiled again !

Might need to get Curle or Page back.
Im getting a very bad feeling about Brady

I'm not.

I said it before, but 5 at the back is cursed.

Really hard to tell how the overall performance is like based on the radio. Good to see Pollock is back, fit, and ready to fulfill his potential. Feel like you can't miss obvious chances against Championship teams and expect to get a result though.

1-0 HT
We started off poor and faded during the half.

We need BAS

Etete has caused them problems and you can see has bags more quality than the rest of our team. Hoskins has done well and an awful miss from Rose.

Played ok, some good stuff, and Etete looks a decent player. Rose missed a sitter, would have been easier to score. We’ve had more of the ball and looked more threatening than they have. But you know there’s a rick in us and they can punish that.
Maxteau nothing to do, Hoskins usual hit and miss, looked lost in the RWB position but better inside. Pollock some good touches but looks a yard short or pace.

Mall in all not too bad….but got to take the chances. That may be a familiar theme this season!

37% possession but we have had 7 shots to their 5 and 4 corners to their 1. However it is goals that count.

But did he cause a nuisance for their defence?

If so, most on here will be happy  ;D

Brady in

Great finish by the best player on the pitch!

Hes the greatest

Was just going to ask if you could play him and Kabamba together, but sounds like we might just be about to see it? Unless we're taking Etete off for match fitness and to start in the league game.

I said before the season that was the partnership I wanted to see, with the attributes both have I feel they can cause defences real problems.

Get in !!!

Goaaaalllll

The Etmiester again

He’s the greatest

Don’t know whether it was goal line technology or if the Lino gave it….who cares!!

Wembley here we come

i tell you what , we have got a decent ressie side haven’t we …

It was well over the line

Great result

Have we got a new hero?

Great win. Draw later. We’re a bit of a bogey side to them in the last few years.

reasons to be cheerful ….. part 1
At last - something to believe in and be proud of .

Good result!

Kin el, we've got a manager who's got a plan B. Well done JB and the boys

Fine result and a promising start to the season. Etete looks the part and has a good pedigree - hope he propsers here.

Stuck in the car park.

First 15 was ropey then Brady changed it and we dominated. Brilliant stuff.

Etete looks brilliant, Coventry couldn't handle him.

Hope we get Arsenal in the draw

Underwhelming

2nd Round;

AFC Wimbledon at home

Bloody Wimbledon. At least we’re at home.

Two great results to kick the season off! Here's hoping we won't hear any more silly comments about "Calderwood ready in waiting to take over", or whatever else. Back Jon Brady, his management team, and the players. Here's to a good season!

Hear hear.

Great team performance, to a man second half display was outstanding.
Etete is looking the real deal, strong quick and scoring, him and Kabamba will cause L 2 defences a lot of problems.

Agree. But was a great tactical switch by Calderwood tonight though. Let’s all join together to celebrate an amazing win!!

I’ve missed football  ;D fantastic performance tonight.

Etete could be a top 3 place this season if that level of performance is regular. That was some debut.

Found this on Youtube.
https://youtu.be/F3M6vEu_vx8

Cant see the goals but the fans sound decent.

On that showing we’ll look back on Etete in a few years the same as DCL and Kyle Walker.
Maybe worth a cheeky £500k bid to Spurs  :P
If he does that kind of business this season he’ll terrorise a few league two defences and could be quite a coup.
The most pleasing thing tonight is that we didn’t drop deep and face the Alamo after taking the lead. A comfortable close out as I can remember. Pity the goals weren’t at our end. A decent atmosphere for a small crowd.
A few running handbags outside after the final whistle. Some ‘rogue’ out ran one of their plod who gave up.  ;D

https://youtu.be/WWhYIxfvvF4

Great all round performance and great to see so many familiar faces again. We're back...

Great start to the season with bags of possibilities all over the pitch, we could be a handful once we have settled in.

Kneeling is for vacuous brains and losers so lets keep standing tall and focusing on football.

I'm just glad we have finally moved away from keith curles style of play.........
Long ball - flick on - goal
Long throw - flick on - goal

A joy to watch

Another goal from a long throw - a great weapon when you have got it in your armoury .
Etete had quite some debut there and that will send shock waves through the division.
Fantastic to see JB change systems so quickly too - i cannot remember the last manager that did that during a game at this club .
We seem to have good options all over the pitch.
Team spirit must be buzzing and the fans will now be right behind the team which makes so much difference at our club

 ;D I’ll nibble.

We’ve got a management team who know how to mix things up. We’ve also got a management team who know the importance of a goal keeper who can actually kick a ball and keep it in play. Based on that alone, it couldn’t be more different from Keith’s style  ;D

Have to agree with your comment B&S about them changing systems so early. I said after 15 mins that the game was winnable but the formation was helping Coventry. The change was something I can’t remember any of the dire managers who have followed Wilder, doing. That alone gives me belief that we’re going to have a good season.

The Calderwood question baffles me. We have a great management TEAM. All three bring something to hopefully make us successful. I really liked that JB brought Rico into the interview last night to talk about the strikers, it shows they operate as a team.
You can also see the pride he has in the team. Its funny to watch as he tries to talk about how its early, lots of work to do, game on Saturday etc but with a massive smile on his face. I dont think he should play poker.

;D ;D ;D
Nice little quote from the vlog. Might use that through the season

Apart from the Trust fans I found it difficult to recognise many there last night with so many ‘young’ fans there. Most in newly purchased Cobblers shirts. Impressive stuff from them too in the chanting and the semaphore signals to Cov Fans!. Seems like our future is assured!

With the recent sh*t we’ve had to ensure you’ve just got to embrace the early success. We couldn’t have started any better and we all know there’ll be set backs along the way. Plenty of competition for places but as always injuries could make a big difference.
It’d be great if the fan momentum builds and I don’t think anyone minds some direct play, which is very different to hoof ball. We don’t usually make a habit of coming from behind to win and would also normally end up with backs to the wall, so lots of positives to take.
If we continue on Saturday we could really be onto something. Most of us have been around long enough to know how easily the bubble can be burst so you have to embrace the good nights.

This is some of the sourest grapes I've come across in a long time.
https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/opposition-view-robins-felt-cobblers-didnt-do-anything-to-win-cup-tie-after-absolutely-horrific-goals-3343134

Didn't read that as sour grapes.
I read it that he's disappointed in his own players for making it too easy for us.

Our second goal was hilariously bad from their perspective, literally bundled in. Kions first was class though.

Also how they underplay Etete "he's young" etc...they must know what a gem we have borrowed. On the one showing you can tell he is a cut above what we are used to in a Cobblers shirt, although clearly miles to go before we hail him the next Harry Kane.
Reading the Spurs forums it does appear that he was down the pecking order after they picked him up from Notts County. Common speculation that he was a part of the swap deal. Even if that is/was true it'll no doubt change if he continues. He has certainly picked up some renewed immediate interest in North London. It's probably a no win situation for us, other than we'll hopefully get to enjoy his services for a while.
 

Getting it wrong again 😂

There were a lot of "yoof" there last night.....a bit of noise after the game too....did it kick off down by the underpass or was it just handbags?

 ;D ;D

That's what we did last night!
The Keith Curle style was...
Long Ball - into touch - opposition throw in. :(

We've come a long way :)

I was parked on a pretty dodgy estate over the road. The police stopped our fans heading towards their fans main exit to minimise mixing risks. A large number of our fans grouped together. A bit of high spirits and their police were being jobs worths from what I saw.

Well it got us promoted last time, people seemed quite happy with that.

But that year we had a goalkeeper who could keep the ball on the pitch and a centre forward who won balls in the air, simples!

Haha so as soon as they knew they were safe behind a police line they got noisy.
Let the fans mix and they'll soon shut up, always easy being 'ard when there's no risk of getting hit.

It's exactly what was happening. Both sides shouting at each other behind the safety line.

"Hold me back!"  ;D

Both goal keepers kicking was iffy. Cornell sparked division on here and the other guy simply faded after Wembley! Quite right about Oliver but would not swop Ete for him.

Just watched the post match interview with Jon Brady and Rico from the Coventry game, was that David Buchanan stood there? Is he now also part of the coaching team?

No, he was co-commentating for Radio Npton.

I got caught in an underpass with some ska guys but luckily the raga beat was almost hypnotic and we passed on the off beat.

Thanks...