Coventry Report Card

By: Dr Fishy
Date: 10/09/2001

DR FISHY has compiled match statistics and a report card for the Grimsby Town side that beat Coventry 1-0 on Saturday afternoon in the Division One fixture.

Coyne: Despite pressure from the Sky Blues, the current Welsh number 5 wasn't forced into making any saves. He had to hold onto shots, again reluctant to come for crosses and, of course, his kicking was just that tiny bit dodgy. Nevertheless, it was a clean sheet.

Grade: C

McDermott: It was a good game for the shaven-haired full-back. Most of Coventry's attacks broke down on our right in the first half, mostly due to some good defending from the appearance record holder. Struggled a little more in the second half but never looked in too much trouble.

Grade: C+

Gallimore: I don't know what to make of his performance. In the first half Coventry often switched play to our left and had men free, but again the defender coped reasonably well. Tried to dribble past Chippo or Bothroyd once and was caught out, and some of his headed clearances were not convincing.

Grade: C

Groves: The captain was an absolute rock in defence. Although he seemed to be marking debutant Julian Joachim, he won everything in the air, brought the ball out of defence and was stupendous in his own box. Crosses cleared, and none of that mindless hoofing out of his half.

Grade: A-

Beharall: This man's future may still be left open, but his performance was in the same mould as Groves'. He was marking Bothroyd - another Crouch wannabe - but he won headers, tackles, anything that needed to be won really. He showed great anticipation and a clearance at the end which saved the match.

Grade: A-

Pouton: The Geordie brought the ball out down the right a hundred times in the first half, and his through passing to Jevons was excellent. Won a few battles when he drifted into midfield, and his link-up play was good. Disappointingly, he faded in the second half, often leaving McDermott a little exposed at the back.

Grade: C+

Campbell: Ah, the human dynamo is back! This was Campbell's best performance for some time. He ran at defenders in the first half, carried the ball away from danger in the second half. Some good running off the ball and good movement. A lot of moves went through the left-winger, whose only critisism would be that he sometimes got so far forward that I he couldn't get back in time to help out in defence.

Grade: B-

Willems: If anyone has seen Menno have a better game than this since signing for us, I want to know which one it was. He started the season in a rather subdued manner, but at Highfield Road he was first class. Nothing went through the midfield as he put in tackle after tackle, block after block, chased everything and relieved the defence of even more pressure. I think it was his aimless ball forward which brought about the goal.

Grade: B+

Butterfield: Not so invisible this match, he showed some neat touches and good close control on a couple of occasions. Didn't do anything out of the ordinary, wasn't as aggressive as his midfield partner and put in a solid display. Got back and defended well when needed to.

Grade: C+

Jevons: Worked hard up front and got the goal he deserved. Should have had at least one goal before he scored the winner, and will kick himself for missing the one-on-one opportunity. Showed great calmness to loft the ball home and now seems to be playing with more ease. That's his third goal for the club in all competitions.

Grade: B

Rowan: Had a hand in the first goal by pressurising the goalkeeper. Had a tough time up against Breen, and I don't recall him beating his marker once. He tried very hard, but it was obvious he still has a lot to learn. Jevons showed that little bit more experience when up against big, physical defenders.

Grade: C+

Subs:

Jeffrey: Came on a little later than usual in the game, he showed a little more strength against the Coventry defence and mustered a shooting chance near the end when just inside the area. Sat too far back at times to defend.

Burnett: Just 5 minutes for the midfielder as he replaced Jevons. Didn't have time to show off, another midfielder used in defence for the final minutes of the game.

Best part of Town's game: The neat passing in the first half. There was some good interplay between the midfielders and the forwards, with Jevons and Rowan not looking so 'cut-off' from the players behind them.

Areas for improvement: Although the defending was good, it was very scrappy and if we were playing a team with more confidence, we would have conceded three or four goals. We were lucky with the post and bar efforts, and Joachim threatened in the first half. Too many Coventry players were allowed free shots just inside the area.

Entertainment scale: The pure fact that we won away from home (again) made the game seem more exciting. The first 10 minutes of each half was rather dull, but overall it wasn't too bad at all. 7

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