After ending a mini-blip with last Friday’s 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, facing an in-form Coventry City side could be the benchmark for Liam Rosenior to assess where the current squad stand in relation to a side seven points ahead of the Tigers.
While still mathematically possible, it is refreshing to hear those inside the club have such beliefs that a play-off place can be achieved. There have been a handful of recent examples where a team flies into the play-off discussion on a huge wave of momentum , such as Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa & Fulham.
With the table still so condensed, there is every chance that in a league of such unpredictability , any outcome is possible. What is pivotal is that if City weren’t able to close the gap on those above within the next five days against Coventry or Burnley, that some form of positivity is taken and foundation stones continue to be laid for a more sustained season at the top end of the Championship come August.
I completely understand the mixed views within the fanbase recently, with the counterarguments of ‘going for it’ whilst still in with a faint chance and having nothing to lose, or that the side just doesn’t have the same consistency levels as others within the chasing pack. To be honest, I personally edge towards the latter of these two sides.
Building on a big result
It is vitally important that City look to back up last Friday’s impressive victory with some form of result, especially if those inside the club walls truly believe what is possible for this squad.
Whilst becoming a more resolute outfit under Rosenior’s leadership, this seemed to have come at a cost at the other end of the pitch in recent weeks until Benjamin Tetteh’s superb strike last time out. Now the Ghanaian is off the mark in front of goal, we may see the pressure lifted from Oscar Estupiñán, who has received some criticism in the past couple of weeks for lacking in attacking movement and not hitting the back of the net since his dramatic equaliser against Huddersfield.
Tomorrow’s opponents will be under no illusions about our forwards, especially the Colombian who netted a hat-trick in the reverse fixture. A game which feels a long, long time ago considering all which has changed since!
Another positive ahead of the game are the returns to the matchday squad of Dimi Pelkas and Jean Michael Seri. With the capabilities of the Ivorian, you could notice how pivotal he has proved to be in City’s improvements, and his return could be a big difference this weekend
Having become an extremely resolute side over the past two or three months, it sets up an interesting battle between the likes of Alfie Jones & Sean McLoughlin against the second highest scorer in the division, Viktor Gyokeres. The swede comes into this encounter with 17 goals and 6 assists from 35 matches this season, including five in the Sky Blues’ last six games.
Another key man for Coventry is Gustavo Hamer, who has been one of the leading midfielders in the division this campaign with five goals and six assists. The Dutch/Brazilian is always a creative threat and the definition of ‘Mr Consistent’.
The Tigers will also be looking to end a run of four away fixtures without victory and do the double over Coventry for the first time since 1962, and continue an impressive record at the CBS Arena having only lost there on one occasion in 2007.
Prediction
I expect another entertaining game between the two sides, but one which is completely different to the one on August 27th.
Coventry are a side which deservedly earn a lot of praise from managers, players and fans of fellow Championship sides and with the likes of Gyokeres, Hamer and a few others who go under the radar they pose a real threat. In the reverse fixture, even though they were lacking in match fitness they did cause us a number of problems.
As previously said, this game will be the ultimate benchmark for Rosenior’s men against an established team and manager who have a clear identity, something which is in progress at the MKM Stadium. With the returning Seri to add to the likes of Allahyar and Adama Traore back in the squad, City have a lot more options available to make an impact these days.
I think a draw is a very likely outcome in this game, and a point which certainly shouldn’t be sniffed at.
FT Prediction: Coventry City 2-2 Hull City
So as the title suggests, is it a case of ‘now or never, or too much too soon?’
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