Coventry City’s expected team vs. West Brom: Midfield switch as O’Hare prepares for…..

October 27, 2023 admin Others 0

Coventry City will be hoping for a much-needed home win against West Bromwich Albion after consecutive away defeats at Bristol City and Rotherham United.

The Sky Blues’ efforts in the two defeats were diametrically opposed, with manager Mark Robins describing last Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Ashton Gate as a “brilliant” away performance that should have resulted in three points. However, City manager Pep Guardiola confessed he was as disappointed as he has been all season following his team’s “poor” performance at the New York Stadium, when they fell 2-0 to one of the division’s strugglers.

So, what does he do ahead of the televised match against the Baggies on Monday night? Although he has a very small squad to select from, with a handful of injuries in midfield, there is room for rotation if he wants to shake things up. But one man’s spot appears to be secure for the time being: goalkeeper Ben Wilson, who was one of the few to emerge from Wednesday night’s encounter with any credit after making a number of crucial stops to keep City in the game.

The back three, however, is slightly different and with Liam Kitching still waiting patiently for his chance to show what he can do in a City shirt, the time might just be right to throw him in. Who he replaces is another matter. Luis Binks has been doing a decent job on the left of the three while Kyle McFadzean has started every game to date at the heart of the trio. Elsewhere, Bobby Thomas and Joel Latibeaudiere have been battling it out on the right side.

Wing-back Milan van Ewijk came in for criticism from his manager for the first time in midweek for being too negative going forward, opting for the “easy option” and playing the ball back rather than taking on his man, but given his pace and quality it’s difficult to leave him out, and fans will be hoping he listens to the advice and puts things right against Albion with a more confident approach to the game.

Jay Dasilva has been an impressive outlet on the opposite flank and it’s hard to see him being left out, albeit Jake Bidwell will be champing at the bit to get back in the side, and is a viable option.

But it’s the midfield that’s the biggest problem area. Ben Sheaf has been outstanding since his return from injury and remains one of the first names on the teamsheet, and now it’s a question of who should slot in alongside him in the absence of the injured Liam Kelly. Josh Eccles has been a consistent starter but was another who came in for criticism from Robins on Wednesday night, and was also culpable for Rotherham’s first goal. With Jamie Allen expected to have recovered from a calf strain, he looks favourite to come into the side, although his best position is arguably further forward in the No.10 role.

However, with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto looking lively in the role at Bristol, there is a case for restoring the Japan international to the starting line-up in place of Yasin Ayari behind the strikers, leaving Allen to operate in a more box-to-box role. Callum O’Hare is the other fresh option, of course, after making a welcome return against the Millers with a late cameo appearance, but it’s unlikely that he is fit enough to start a game after ten months out with an ACL injury. He will, however, be likely to go on as an impact sub as Robins looks to break him back into the side and build up his match minutes.

Ellis Simms continues to have the edge over Haji Wright in the competition for places up front with Matty Godden, with the summer signing from Everton unlucky with two or three chances in midweek, two of which were denied by the goalkeeper.

Predicted City team v WBA: Ben Wilson; Bobby Thomas, Kyle McFadzean, Liam Kitching; Milan van Ewijk, Ben Sheaf, Jamie Allen, Jay Dasilva; Tatsuhiro Sakamoto; Matty Godden, Ellis Simms.

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