Three Days To Go....
By CovSid67
August 7 2008
This evening saw a Sky Blues Fans Forum, in the Sky Creations Lounge at the Arena. And there were enough questions to last the two hours, which isn't always the case at these events! For those that want to hear it all over again, it's somewhere on the www.bbc.co.uk/coventry website! (As I can't promise my notes are 101% accurate!).
August 7 2008
This evening saw a Sky Blues Fans Forum, in the Sky Creations Lounge at the Arena. And there were enough questions to last the two hours, which isn't always the case at these events! For those that want to hear it all over again, it's somewhere on the www.bbc.co.uk/coventry website! (As I can't promise my notes are 101% accurate!).
The first relevant question concerned the lack of a home pre-season friendly. As was reported (In the Coventry Telegraph, or the official Coventry City website), and quickly withdrawn, Everton were on the list, as was a fixture against Aston Villa - one of the few fixtures that would have seen gate receipts out-weigh the expense of actually playing said fixture.
It didn't take many minutes for the subject to get round to Michael Mifsud! The club, we were told, had no intention of getting rid of Michael Mifsud, as he is regarded as one of our best players. Chris Coleman revealed that talks about Mifsud staying probably started before he became manager, but it became clear that staying wasn't on the cards. Coleman didn't rule out Mifsud coming back into his thoughts, but said he would have to explain what has gone on, and state his current position (Usually on the wing, where he doesn't want to play!). My opinion is that an apology, and standing in the corner with a dunces hat on for a few days, might see him become part of the squad again....
Somewhere around this point CC mentioned Steed Malbranque, and how when he wanted to quit Fulham he was 'poisonous in the dressing room'. I might be adding two and two and making five at this point in the article .... Training was also mentioned, and CC revealed that he had stopped the players from training at 10am and 2pm, as the players didn't have time to recover. Instead, they now train at 10am and 5pm! (And over the summer, 7.45am, 10am, and 5pm!).
There was a fair bit of repeating of statements already made, probably down to supporters not reading the local press! Chris Coleman stated that of the squad of 33 or 34 players he has at his disposal, in a perfect world, all but ten would have left if they had been wanted elsewhere! I would like to have asked him which ten, but I'm fairly sure - even though he has talked to each player and told him their position - he wouldn't have answered said question!
Coleman also stated he was confident Wright and Morrison would be signed up and ready to play versus Norwich on Saturday, but that there was a Plan B, Plan C, and Plan D if it didn't happen (Though I doubt we have another right-back ready an waiting to take on Norwich). The reason for the delay in signing SW was that the club (Through no fault of their own) weren't dealing with 'the correct person', but now were! Freddie Eastwood (Who has set himself a target of scoring at least 15 goals this season) is still not up to full fitness (Though a hat-trick in the first hour on Saturday before being withdrawn to raptuorous applause would be enough for me!), but CC said he was happy with the squad. His opinion was that last years problem was that all the best players were on the pitch, but the bench was weak, meaning there wasn't really a Plan B if tthings were going wrong.
Of the players at the club, and seemingly wanted, he said Kevin Thornton was 'perfect No. 10 material', but was definitely not strong enough yet, needs to be fitter, and more dynamic (There was also a ripple of laughter throught the room when players off the pitch activities and KT were mentioned in the same sentence!); he also stated that he is working on getting the best out of Julian Gray, who has the talent, but sometimes 'just goes through the motions', and that 'is not acceptable'; and that a fit Leon McKenzie 'could be like having a new signing'. Jay Tabb (Tabbsy!) was described as a 'a terrific player with a great attitude', and once again it was said that the club intended to talk to him about a new/extended contract. Doyle was described as 'gutsy and industrious', but with a lot more to come from him.
It was re-iterated that the club wants to sign youngsters with desire rather than veterans looking for a pension, and that none of our decent players would be sold for 'short-term financial gain' (We were told that clubs had been sniffing around Fox and Dann over the summer, but had been told to .... go away!). Ray Ranson also revealed he turned down a sizeable bid two hours before the last transfer deadline for Leon Best (And that there was 'animosity' between Best and Dowie, which might be why LB put in a transfer request).
Missed targets over the summer did include Kasper Schmichael, but Manchester City weren't interested in selling; Bell at Luton was on the radar, but was injured when we were interested; and there was a brief chat with people in Spain, but as of yet nothing is happening (But don't rule it out in the future). David Vaughan has also been mentioned on various websites over the summer, but CC stated, when his name cropped up, that we had enough left-footed players around 5'5" in height already! The fact that CC seems to be looking to increase the over-all height of the squad is just one more reason to believe in him and what he wants to do....
Ray Ranson was asked about the Arena, and said we still owned none of it, and that there are 'other priorities to take care of for now' - though he would like to take the 50% stake 'sooner rather than later'. He also described the last nine months as 'the longest nine months of my life'! (The Charlton game alone probably felt like six months!). Worryingly, RR said that the club would not be able to break-even until we reach the Premiership. He also revealed that as of June 6th, he no longer owns ProZone. When asked what his motivation was, his answer was that he wanted to take the club as far as he could, channeling his football knowledge and expertise. He also said he thought his and Chris Coleman's relationship was 'unique' in the game.
RR raised a laugh when he claimed that Norwich had sold out their season ticket allocation because 'there isn't a lot to do around there'! (If any Norwich fans read this, he was only joking!). And CC raised a laugh when he claimed he was very close to signing for Coventry City all those years ago, but was 'put off by Ron Atkinson's hair'!
Two positive notes to end this article on were that we will not be playing 4-5-1 this season (4-4-2 is the system of choice), and that Kyle and Birchall are not even a consideration for first team places! Hurrah!
A highly enjoyable two hours, with no false, grandios promises - just straight talking, and the promise that the mediocrity that was last season will not be allowed to happen again. So many thanks to the chairman and the manager for taking the time to answer supporters questions so close to the start of the new season!
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Three Days To Go....
Posted by: Covcitytilidie (IP Logged)
Date: 06/08/2008 23:03
Three Days To Go....
Re: Three Days To Go....
Posted by: Burf (IP Logged)
Date: 07/08/2008 11:11
ta for this Sid. It makes very positive reading....again, more good vibes emanating from CC & RR.
So tell me....when does it all go wrong...???
So tell me....when does it all go wrong...???
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