Editorial Inquisition: Coventry City - 23rd August

> How long have you supported Coventry?

I've been a supporter for about 35 years. Both my parents came from Coventry and one day I received a Coventry City rosette in the post from an unknown source. I've been a loyal supporter through thin and thinner ever since. I never found out who sent the rosette, but I have my suspicions. My first live match was v QPR at Highfield Road on 19th November 1977 which City won 4-1. Actually, I didn't see City lose for a number of years. Living a fair drive from Coventry, my Dad said he'd take me to one game a season, so I always picked one that I was pretty sure we'd win! (As a child, it would be awful to only go to one game a season and to watch them to lose it!) .

As I lived in Loughborough, nearly all my school-friends were Leicester City or Nottingham Forest supporters. This worked well for me as they would give me their Coventry City football cards just to get rid of them (nobody wanted to swap the Coventry City cards for some reason?) and most seasons I'd manage to collect the full team for virtually nothing!

> What is your earliest memory of the club?

My first memory of the club is my first live match v QPR on 19th November 1977. Ian Wallace was my favourite player (and still is my all-time Coventry City hero) and I remember he put the ball in the back of the net with a brilliant diving header which was sadly disallowed for offside. There was a photo of this diving header in the Sunday Telegraph the following day. I remember Mick Ferguson (Wallace's strike partner) was injured for that game and I was really disappointed not to see them both together. I don't remember much about the game, apart from the Ian Wallace diving header, as I was too busy soaking up the atmosphere of a live match amid the excitement of seeing all my CCFC heroes for the first time.

> What is the clubs proudest moment you have witnessed?

Easy one .... FA Cup Final 1987 - May 16th (Coventry 3 Spurs 2)... and yes I was there! - North Stand Row 24 Seat 30. I have my ticket framed and displayed on my window-sill. Apart from the fact Coventry won it, it was also a great match.

The 2nd proudest moment is probably seeing us beat Man Utd 3-2 at Highfield Road 1997/98 (Boxing Day? It was certainly around Christmas). Darren Huckerby scored the winner in injury time and it was probably one of the most impressive Coventry City goals I've seen if not THE most impressive - a solo run through the Man Utd defence before beating the keeper.

> How did the Sky Blues perform in 2007/08?

Hmmmmm.... not good! We were very lucky to avoid relegation (if Leicester had scored in the last fews mins of the final game of the season we'd have been in Division 1 now instead of them!). We lacked creativitiy from midfield, players were played out of position, strikers were not shooting unless they could literally walking the ball into the goal, we were passing the ball backwards at every opportunity......

> Has the club made many additions or sufferered many departures in the summer?

Yes, Chris Coleman has a had a a good clear out of the Summer and 8 players were released. I think we made 6 signings. I've obviously not seen much of the new players yet, but I've liked what I've seen of them so far and there's definitely potential there for a good season. I'm certainly happier with the squad than I was last year.

> How did the team shape up in pre season and how have they started the season?

I didn't get to see any pre-season matches. The team went to Austria for a few games and then went to Scotland. There weren't any pre-season games held at Ricoh Arena. I heard somewhere that they did try to get Everton and Aston Villa, but nothing came of it.

I'm delighted to see we're top of the league (at time of writing) even if we're only above Preston because 'C' comes before 'P' in the alphabet. I'm not getting too excited though, as we were also top of the Championship at the start of last season - and look where we ended up!

Our first match was at home to Norwich. It wasn't a great performance, but we ground out a victory which is something we've struggled to do in recent years. It was pretty clear some of the new players needed a bit of time to gel together, but it showed potential (and of course 3 points in the bag! Just another 37 and we're safe.... probably!).

We then played Aldershot in the League Cup and won. To be honest, I thought Aldershot were as good as we were in the 1st half, but once we'd found some momentum in the 2nd half we took control.

Last week we played away at Barnsley and won that one too.

I think Bristol City will be our toughest opponents so far, and I wouldn't be surprised if a certain Mr Adebola puts one past us! Presumably you're playing him up front rather than down the wing like we did last year! (Same with Mifsud! We stuck him on the wing and wondered why he never scored. I'm not surprised he got fed up and handed in a transfer request. He's now back in the team after the move to Bristol City fell through. I wouldn't be surprised if he plays on Saturday.)

> Who is your best player?

We signed Freddie Eastwood over the summer who we've been after for a while. He scored his first goal for us last Saturday against Barnsley and we're hoping he'll turn into the reliable goalscorer we've been lacking for a long time. I think he'll be the one to watch.

I've also been very impressed with our new goalie Kieren Westwood from what I've seen so far.

Leon McKenzie is usually on the bench, but when he comes on he has the ability to turn games round.

Kevin Thornton is very popular with the fans. Very energetic and creates chances from midfield. He's also often on the bench, but if he comes on the pace of the game will definitely go up a gear.

Jay Tabb was our Player of the Season last year. He always gives 100% effort and can create chances.

> Who might Bristol City be able to expose?

Julian Gray down the left wing. When he's good, he's fine (he scored the winner v Barnsley), but he has tendencies to be lazy and a bit 'lightweight' in my opinion. He reminds me a bit of Stern John who we sold to Southampton - if the ball's played to his feet and he's in the mood he'll do well, but he's not going to go chasing after the ball or getting stuck in for a tackle. The Sky Blue Army can get on his back a bit if he's not having a good game.

> How do you assess your chances this campaign?

Certainly better than last season! It's still early days and we've had a lot of players come and go, but I've got more confidence in the Manager (and Chairman) this season (both on and off the pitch). I'd be happy with a top half finish and see it as a season of building for a the long term future of the club. We've got the stadium, we just need to do the biz on the pitch.

I'm on a Cov Fan's mailing list and we've been discussing whether we'd rather have a top-half finish this year or get promotion and do a 'Derby' (ie get promotion to the Premiership and have a season getting whalloped week-in, week out by the big boys before the inevitable relegation).

Some people commented that we're due a season of glory (we still cling to memories of the Cup Final win in 87) and having something the cheer about, even if it means getting thrashed every week - at least we'd come down with a stronger financial situation and have the resources to make a serious push for promotion with a view to staying up properly the next time round.

As mentioned, I think a top-half finish would be a realistic target and a definite step in the right direction.

> How do you think Bristol City will do this year?

Am I bovvered? Seriously though, as long as you're below us I wish you well. One of the people I teach squeezebox to is a Bristol City fan (I wonder if he's going on Saturday? Hmmm... I could cadge a lift! I'll find out) so I hear about how things are at Bristol every time I see him.

I think you'll make the playoffs.

> Which player do you think will be the dangerman in the City?

Freddie Eastwood or Leon McKenzie.

> If Coventry were a movie star, who would they be?

Jim Dale ("Carry on" films) - We've performed with some big names but not quite managed to match their long-term success - although we've had our moments (87 Cup Final..... have I mentioned that yet????). Everyone recognises us, but can't remember any specific details about us.

> Sum the club up in three words...

Frustrating (Great stadium and being properly managed now - both the team and the Club - but we need to do the biz on the pitch to return to the glorious Premiership)

Unpredictable (eg We win the FA Cup in 1987 and then lose to Sutton United in the 3rd Round two seasons later!)

Innovative (eg Ricoh Arena is the first cashless stadium in Britain, Highfield Road was the first stadium to have under-soil heating installed and I believe we were the first team to have shirt sponsorship - Talbot in the early 80's)

> Give us your prediction for the game...
>
2-1 to Coventry (Eastwood, McKenzie scoring for us and Adebola scoring for you)

> As far as the season goes generally...
> Who will win the league?

Birmingham

> Who else will get promoted?

My heart says COVENTRY, but my brain says....

Wolves
Cardiff

> Who will be relegated?

Southampton
Blackpool
Swansea