It’s time to forget about the struggle against relegation to League One as this Saturday brings the FA Cup Fourth Round and a long trip to Premiership side Newcastle United.
The game will be Micky Adams first as the new manager of Coventry City but has been overshadowed by that waste of talent Craig Bellamy who has been banished by the Tyneside club after threatening to feign injury and then mouthing off to the media (something he is very good at as City supporters remember vividly).
Adams is likely to give new signing Richard Duffy who joined on a three month loan from Portsmouth a debut. The 19 year old, whom City supporters hope will be better than the tripe Portsmouth Reserves normally loan us such as Christian Yulu and Sebastian Olzsar, will slot in at left back at the expense of Louis Carey.
Richard Shaw looks likely to be recalled after missing the defeat against Queens Park Rangers to partner Dean Leacock in defence.
With Andy Morrell, Stephen Hughes, Gary McSheffrey and Michael Doyle likely to make up the midfield, Dele Adebola is expected to be given a start up front alongside Stern John.
Isaac Osbourne who had a sterling game for the reserves in their 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Tuesday night may get a place on the bench, as might Manchester City Reserves midfielder Christian Negouai who has joined City on a months loan.
Newcastle are expected to field Alan Shearer in attack, the legend whom many feel retired from international football far too early. City defender Richard Shaw said about Shearer to the Guardian: “I've had many battles with Alan Shearer and that's about as close as I get to him. "I guess I've won a few of them but he's obviously come out on top - his goals record speaks for itself. For me he's been the best player since the Premiership started.”
Having took their time to overcome Ryman League side Yeading in the previous round, Newcastle will not be relishing the visit of a lower division with nothing to lose.
City have an awful record at St James Park recording no wins and only one draw in the last nine matches, the last was a 3-0 win for Coventry in October 1988 in which City were three goals ahead at the break and the Newcastle supporters were attempting to burn down the Main Stand with Chairman John Hall in it.
Coventry were beaten 2-0 when the sides last met in an FA Cup tie on Tyneside in January 1994 and were beaten 5-0 in a replay in 1976 and 4-3 at Highfield Road in 1967
The last Premiership side that City beat in an FA Cup tie was Leicester City in 1999, whilst Newcastle last lost to lower league opposition in Wolves two years ago.
Micky Adams in all his managerial career has not taken a side past the Fourth Round whilst Newcastle have made the Quarter-Final stage on four of the last seven occasions
Worth keeping an eye out for are the “Toon Ultras”. Not a hooligan firm but a group of Newcastle supporters dedicated to bring noise and atmosphere back to St James Park. They will be making a colourful show with the flags and banners to our left in the top tier. Something we will need in the new Arena next season.
The Northumbria Police are also worthy of a mention. As those who were at Sunderland last season will testify, they are amongst the worst in the country and delight in nicking away supporters knowing full well how far they have to travel back. You have been warned. Those on the coaches can expected to be greeted by them at a service station on the A1.
All 3,662 tickets for the areas for City supporters have been sold.
Unless you have already booked your train ticket, engineering works will hamper any journey back to the Midlands on the day after the game.
Expect some congestion around the ground as the bus station by the Gallowgate End is being demolished.
The temperature is expected to be seven degrees on a cloudy day.
City’s U18’s travel to Reading boosted by a 3-0 win over Bristol City last weekend. They will be without Ben Mackey who had twelve stitches in a gashed arm whilst playing for the Reserves on Tuesday.
Coventry City Ladies go for a first this season in scoring a goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers when the sides meet at Coventry Sphinx on Sunday at 2pm. Having played the Black Country outfit twice this season, losing 3-0 in the League and 5-0 in an FA Cup Third Round tie in December, Ladies boss Mark Phillips is hoping that, Nigerian international striker Blessing Igbojoinu who scored on her debut in a 4-2 defeat at Sunderland will get the goals. Phillips said: “Our home form has been reasonably good this season and it is at home where we need to make sure we win the rest of our remaining games.”