Oh not another year review by Steve Payne
So 2018 and as John Lennon sang “another year’s over a new one’s just begun”. So what a year! The long awaited top six finish, finally achieved, one of the great nights in our history was witnessed at Meadow Lane not to mention another trip to Wembley and a massive promotion party.
2018 can now rank alongside 1936, 1959, 1964 and 1967 as years we won promotion. This year we have earned 69 points which is the 13th best in our league history, awarding three points for a win, we have scored 63 league goals and conceded 58 league goals. We have used 40 players the lowest number for 4 years but six of those have only played in the Football League Trophy.
We have used six loan players this is the same amount as the pervious season. Twelve players that played this year came through our youth ranks, which is about average for recent years.
Behind the success Sisu were still, unsuccessfully trying to sue and our future at the Ricoh is still unclear but they did seem willing to back the manager with a competitive budget.
January (don’t go, don’t go)
City started the year in 5th place, two points behind Lincoln in 3rd but only a point above Colchester in 8th in fact only 8 points separated the teams placed 3rd to 12th.
City came into the year in good form winning three out of the last four league games. First game of the year was at home to struggling Chesterfield.
The line-up that day was goal in goal Lee Burge, with Jack Grimmer, Jordan Willis, Tom Davies and Chris Stokes at the back; in midfield we had Devon Kelly-Evans, Michael Doyle, Tom Bayliss and Jordan Shipley, with Max Biambou and Marc McNulty up front.
City won it with a McNulty shot from outside the area it was his 7th league goal in his last seven league games. Jordan Ponticelli and Ryan Haynes both came off the bench as City entered the automatic promotion zone.
Manager Mark Robins was busy in the transfer market and signed yet another Jordan, this one was Maguire-Drew a winger on loan from Brighton.
Next up was cup action as what looked like a great chance for a giant killing as City faced at home a struggling Stoke side. Despite this it wasn’t live on the box but how many times has a top-flight team travelled to a 4th flight one in the cup and found themselves in a bigger stadium?
Maguire-Drew; became the 9th Jordan to play for City as he lined up for the game, keeper Liam O’Brien played for the first time that year. City delighted the home crowd when Willis headed in from a Davies flick to give the League Two side the lead. City were looking the better side and were leading at half time but should have been more than a goal up. In the second half Stoke won a penalty which they duly despatched to level the game up.
With Stoke back in the game they were caught by a classic counter-punch as Grimmer was given time and space to beat their keeper to give City back the lead. Ben Stevenson came off the bench as City saw out the game for a famous victory. Tom Bayliss looked class against the higher team and was attracting attention.
The draw for the 4th Round of the F.A, took place at The Ricoh as City were drawn away to MK Dons. Away from the cup, City face a long journey as we travelled down to 8th placed Exeter. It was our first competitive game their since the 1950’s. St James Park was in the process of being rebuilt as only 350 Coventry fans were allowed in the ground. An early mistake from Burge gifted them an early goal not the way the keeper wanted to celebrate entering the top twenty for appearances for City keepers. Josh Barrett, a loan signing from Reading came off the bench but City lost and dropped five places to eight.
Sad news on the following Monday and it was a real shock, as we learnt about the death of Cyrille Regis. “Big” Cyrille was a pioneer for black footballers in Britain, when he first started playing he was often subjected to “monkey chants”.
He made his name with West Brom and it seemed a real surprise when he joined City. Things did go quite to plan as he didn’t settle but he did score two vital goals in a 4-1 win against Everton in late May to pull off a remarkable relegation escape. Next season was another struggle but he did score 5 goals in a League Cup tie against Chester City. Only when John Sillett take over did we see the best of Regis as the fulcrum of the attack, he scored a goal in the F.A Cup Quarter Final and had one harsh ruled out in the final itself. Never a prolific scorer in the league his record stands at 5-5-12-10-7-4-4, no player had scored more goals in the top-flight than Cyrille up until then.
Meanwhile the F.A Cup clash at Milton Keynes was sold out as the fans looked forward to another invasion of the franchise City.
Swindon were the next visitors to the Ricoh as City looked for their first double over them since 1936! Maxime Biambou opened the scoring with a Regis type goal, hitting a great volley from the edge of the area. In itself the goal was worth celebrating but even more so as the popular forward had finally scored a league goal, this was his 23rd league game! City won a close game 3-1 with Burge playing well in goal and Dion Kelly-Evans coming off the bench for his first game of the year. City moved back into 6th.
City were still looking to recruit players but two targets, Oldham’s Craig Davies, the forward would only score one more goal for his club as they were relegated and Marc Richards of Swindon who kept him and he scored 11 more league goals until the end of the season.
City fans were off in force to Milton Keynes outnumbering the home fans, Liam Kelly and Rod McDonald playing for the first time that year. It was Biambou who scrambled the only goal of the game and City reached the 5th Round, City had now won more games this season and in the whole of 2017.
City drew Brighton away in the last 16. Last game of the month was at home to Cambridge as fewer fans turned up then that travelled to Milton Keynes but City won it 3-1 with Peter Vincenti coming off the bench for his first game of the year and City moved up to 4th.
Transfer deadline day is always nervous for City fans and we have the right to be as it was reported that the club turned down two bids for Tom Bayliss.
One player that did leave was Ben Stevenson, the one time bright prospect was signed by Wolves but loaned out to Colchester. Ben played 58 games and scored three goals in all competitions. The midfielder has yet to play for Wolves and is now on loan to FC Jumilla a Spanish team in their third flight and a club Wolves send plenty of their players to gain experience.
The major surprise however came in the shape of the forward we were after, none other that Jonson Clarke-Harris. City’s youngest ever player played in a league tie at Morecambe before being forced out of the club for alleged offences. Fans looked at his poor goal scoring record and the player’s apparent bad attitude and wondered if it was bad signing.
It was a great January.
February (The month of purification, pure F.A Cup distraction)
City started the month in 5th place a point behind 3rd placed Notts County but only a point above 8th placed Accrington Stanley. First news of the month was that forgotten forward Kwame Thomas had left for Solihull Moors; Thomas scored three goals in fourteen injury hits games for City. At Solihull he failed to play for the rest of the season, this season he as to date scored once the same number of red cards.
If League Two was a culture shock that City fans were getting used to they were in for another shock as the Sky Blue Army travelled down some country lanes to the village of Nailsworth to play Forest Green Rovers. It was a poor performance in the rain to a team that were in the bottom two but had recently signed ten new players. We lost 2-1 and slipped out of the Play Off zone. Jonson Clarke-Harris made his second debut during the game.
As City fans learnt they were the last surviving League Two team in the F.A Cup, Marc McNulty won the division’s player of the month and Wasps agreed to let City play at the Ricoh until the end of the following season.
Next up it was Community Day at the Ricoh and with cheap tickets for the game on sale, City attracted a gate of 28,343 beating the record League Two gate by around 10,000. Injuries meant six first teamers were out including for the first time that season Michael Doyle. The visitors, Accrington Stanley controlled the game and won comfortably 2-0 as City looked poor, Kyle Reid returned from his loan spell to play for the first time that year. City were starting to drift away from the automatic promotion places.
The Sky Blues were next on the road to see if they get back to winning ways. A midweek trip to Colchester was a bit of a trek for all, some fans got in at half time others were stuck on a coach on the M25 never made the game but Dominic Hyam did playing for the first time that year. It was a better performance by but despite a cracking Tom Bayliss goal lost again, maybe the F.A. Cup run was distracting City who were now three points behind the play offs and nine behind automatic.
As a sporting distraction, City fans could watch the fun from the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang in South Korea and no doubt cheered Lizzy Yardon on to another Skeleton Gold.
Next up for City was the F.A Cup and a trip to Brighton. As the Sky Blues attempted to become only the third 4th flight team to make to the last eight of the F.A Cup the others being Oxford (1964) and Cambridge (1990). It was not to be as City lost but was not embarrassed losing 3-1 with Clarke-Harris scoring his first goal for the club. Brighton lost to Manchester United in the quarters and they lost to Chelsea in the final.
Away from the playing front and not for the first time Coventry City was debated in Parliament over the on-going ground dispute.
Back in the Winter Olympics Britain ended with the most medals we have ever won at the event.
A real Play off six-pointer next as City travelled to Field Mill to take on Mansfield. Their manager, Steve Evans is one of those particularly nasty managers everyone loves to hate and called Mark Robins “squeaky” in a press conference after the game. City started the game nine points adrift of 4th placed Mansfield and 5 points behind 7th. City had a nightmare start as Willis was sent off for a professional foul and the Stages scored from a deflected free kick. In the second half City won a dubious penalty that was dispatched by Clarke-Harris and City came home with a very good a valuable point.
A couple of days later a real surprise as Steve Evans jumped ship to join Peterborough; meanwhile The Stags only won two league games for the rest of the season and missed out on the play-offs.
Another big away game next as City travelled to 3rd placed Wycombe in midweek; this was one of City’s games in hand so a win was vital to close the gap to the 7th paced team. On a night when the temperature hit minus ten after the game City celebrated with a hard won 1-0 win. City fans sang during the game “minus ten, who gives a f**k, we’re Coventry City and we’re going up”. The win was Robin’s 32nd in the league for City which is five quicker than any other manager in our history.
March (The march to the Arch)
City started the month, one place, three points but with a game in hand over 7th placed Swindon and eight points from 3rd place also with a game in hand.
First game of March was to be at home to Lincoln City but Britain was hit by “The Beast from the East” and too much snow in the South Stand meant for the first time it the history of the Ricoh a game had to be called off.
A City player on loan and scores hardly makes the headlines but it is different when it is third choice keeper, Corey Addai who scored for Dulwich Hamlet at Brentwood with a free kick somehow going in from near the halfway line.
Closer to home and a boost to the play-off challenge seemed to be on the cards when former player, Carl Baker seemed to be on the verge of signing for us again.
City made very heavy weather beating bottom placed Barnet at home with a late Clarke-Harris goal meaning City were now only out of the top seven on goals scored.
Next up was an entertaining affair at home against the division’s top scorers in the shape of 2nd placed Luton but despite having a two goal lead it ended 2-2 but this meant City re-entered the play off zone moving into 7th place.
Away from the Sky Blues there were celebrations in Coventry as the rugby club finally confirmed promotion to the 2nd flight of the rugby world.
A trip to Crewe was next on the agenda and not even a freak snow storm during the warm up or Lincoln knocking City out of the play of zone with a victory earlier that day could spoil the Sky Blues’ fun with a 2-1 win and up to 6th.
A team with no wins in seventeen were the next visitors to Coventry; normally teams on such a run would end it against City but not this time as Grimsby lost 4-0 with a McNulty hat trick. It was only the third one scored at the Ricoh by a City player, (Freddy Eastwood vs. Peterborough 2009) and (Jacob Murphy vs. Gillingham 2015) it also meant that McNulty had past the twenty goal a season mark in all competitions so proving Mark Robins’ statement earlier in the season that he (McNulty) was a twenty-goal-a-season player.
Next up was Michael Doyle’s 320th league game for City and Mark Robins 50th since his return and City returned from a very wet Newport with a 1-1 draw to end the month.
April (The month of the fool, Fool if you think it’s over)
City sat six points from automatic promotion but with a game in hand but only two points above 8th place. It looked any five from eight teams for the play offs with Accrington and Luton looking most likely for the top two spots.
Easter Monday saw the visit of Yeovil to the Ricoh and what was to unfold would be unforgettable mainly for all the wrong reasons. City had the best defensive record in League Two but on the day fell apart and found themselves 3-0 down after 15 minutes. Half time saw Burge subbed because of an injury being only the 12th keeper to be taken off in that fashion in our history. Another sub Biambou pulled it back to 3-1 early in the second half it then went 4-1 before Biambou scored again this time with a brilliant volley from outside the area, he became only the fourth sub to score twice for City, the others - Bobby Gould, Jay Bothroyd and Patrick Suffo. At 4-2 then City’s slow defenders were caught out twice as Yeovil won the game 6-2! Not a good way to celebrate one year since the Checkatrade win.
Twenty one per cent of league goals up until then were conceded against Yeovil. City somehow remained in the play off zone but what did the result do for confidence?
It was awards season as both Lee Burge and Jack Grimmer were in the League Two team of the season according to the PFA and Jordan Ponticelli was awarded apprentice of the year for the division.
A massive game next and a local derby as City travelled to face fellow play off hopefuls Notts County. Four thousand City fans went to see if we could win at Meadow Lane for the first time since the 1960 as Doyle entered the top eleven in appearances for the club.
In a bad tempered game County took the lead from a corner but replays clearly show that Burge was held back preventing him going for the ball, with six minutes to go sub Ponticelli back heeled City level for his first league goal, City fans invaded the pitch in celebration but from the kick off County scored to rob City of a point and victory to the not very nice Kevin Noland and his unpleasant team. City remained in 7th place.
In midweek, City could have been knocked out of the play off zone but both Mansfield and Swindon failed to win, Swindon conceded a 89th goal against Yeovil to keep them out of the top 7.
City needed to get back to winning ways otherwise the play offs could slip away and next up was a trip to Crawley.
Bad news to start Mansfield had won an early kick off and City were back out of the top 7. City won the game thanks to a double from Ponticelli and City found our selves back in 6th place.
The first promotion was then confirmed as against all prediction Accrington Stanley confirmed League One football with a home win against Yeovil.
The pressure was then on City as we played at home on a Friday and a chance to pull away from Mansfield in 8th place. It was a great atmosphere at the ground as we took on Stevenage, City eased to a 3-1 win with McNulty netting twice, the 2nd his 20th league goal of the season and Kelly getting his first.
On the following day City dropped back to 7th but more importantly were 3 points clear of 8th place with a game in hand, City’s first ever Play Offs were now looking likely. On the same day Luton booked automatic promotion with a draw at Carlisle.
With the season tickets out for next season some fans paid for them not knowing what division we would be in.
The next Tuesday saw another massive match and City’s game in hand the only trouble it was against Lincoln who were level on points with the Sky Blues.
A crowd of 13,115 which was the biggest home crowd of the season having to pay full prices for tickets. The crowd was let down as City lost another bad tempered game this time 4-2.
It was now down between three sides for the final two play off places Lincoln were on 74 points with a superior goal difference then City three points and five goal difference behind them, in 8th place was Mansfield who had a better goal difference than City but had a three point gap to make up, there was only two games to go.
Chesterfield, a team City were relegated to League Two with was relegated to non-league football.
Cheltenham was the last away league game of the season and City could secure promotion if Mansfield lost or drew at Yeovil (Yeovil again!) and City got a better result. It was City’s first ever competitive game at the ground and one to remember as well. City ripped into the opposition and were incredibly 4-0 up at half time with Shipley and McNulty getting two each, Mansfield were drawing at Yeovil so City were provisionally in the Play Offs. Fun in the second half as Biambou scored a brilliant overhead kick to make it 5-1 before McNulty completed his hat trick and had scored the most league goals since Bobby Gould.
Not good news from Huish Park as Mansfield had come from behind to win meaning the play off place would be decided after the final game but incredibly City sneaked into 6th place after eating up Lincoln’s goal difference after they had lost at Accrington.
May (City Spring back)
May Day saw Tommy Wriddington, City’s recruitment manager joining Bristol Rovers. So it went to the last game of the season and it was two from three as City were ahead of Lincoln on a goal difference of one and had scored the same number of goals whilst hoping for a slip up was 8th placed Mansfield whose goal difference was one behind Lincoln’s but had scored more than both City and The Imps.
Lincoln faced Yeovil at home who had nothing to play for but kept interfering in my report whilst Mansfield hosted Crewe and on paper City had the easiest tie at home to Morecambe who were two points above the drop zone but with a superior goal difference to Barnet.
If City fans thought they were in for a rollercoaster day of changing fortunes they were wrong as a tepid City were held by Morecambe meaning a play off place for City, safety for Morecambe and plenty of anger from Barnet who won their final game but were relegated on goal difference. It was a goalless draw with Burge playing his 100th league game for the club. Meanwhile Lincoln also drew meaning City had ended 48 years of hurt our last top six finish.
This meant a Play Off clash with Notts County rather than the long trek to Exeter.
The next day the Coventry City awards were handed out with Marc McNulty winning Play of the Season, Tom Bayliss winning Young Player of the Season, Max Biambou winning goal of the season for his volley against Yeovil and Michael Doyle picked up two awards, Irish and London Supporterss’ Play of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season.
To celebrate the captain signed a year extension to his contract. The plan for next season was already being planned as City signed Zain Westbrooke a Brentford player, the midfielder was added to the U23 team and he would be one of several players signed “for the future”.
May 12th 2018, City finally played a Play Off game. There were still considerable amount of bad blood between the teams after the game at County a month ago.
The game was played on a Saturday night keeping the crowd down to 17,000 and heavy rain just before the game made it a slippery surface. City started the brighter in the rain with McNulty hitting the post and Biambou having his shot deflected wide from the rebound. In a great atmosphere City were playing the better football whilst County were playing their type of game. Burge then pulled off a good save with his foot to keep things level.
The referee meanwhile wasn’t endearing himself to the home fans with some contentious decisions, Biambou went close again but as the rains eased it was scoreless at half time.
Early in the second half in a County attack saw the ball stop in a puddle Grimmer lost out in a sliding tackle, as he was challenged by a player with his feet up and not in control that the ref missed, the ball was crossed to John Forte who cleverly beat Burge with a back-heel to give County the lead.
More controversial refereeing as McNulty seemed to be dragged down on the edge of the penalty area by a player on a yellow card.
In the closing stages of the game City were piling on the pressure as we seemed to be having no luck and County seemed secure.
With four minutes for normal time left Bayliss raced in to the area and went down, a massive penalty appeal from the home fans and the ref gave it. Was it a penalty? Some said it was a dive but the guilty look on the County defenders face said it all. McNulty took it and sent the keeper the wrong way and we were level.
Now City looked like they could snatch a win as according to Mark Robins the ref missed a deliberate handball in the box. So the game ended level. County were fuming about the penalty and City were fuming about Notts.
If City were unhappy about The Magpies tactics they had more reason as Tom Davies was given a retrospective red card and had to miss three games, including the 2nd leg and a possible Wembley final.
A Play Off Final was still undecided but one thing was as Coventry were voted European City of Sport for 2019!
It was a great atmosphere at Meadow Lane with the home team were confident if not cocky of progressing and gave away t-shirts with Wembley on them to home fans so they represented the black and white strips in the stand. Meadow Lane was a ground City hadn’t won on for years but this season was a season of firsts and what was about to unfold would be one of the great nights in the history of the club and the fans that were there.
After six minutes City won a corner, Kelly played it in and there was a scramble in the area then things seem to go into slow motion as the ball popped up and Biambou launched an overhead kick he met it well and it was a split second of breath holding before it hit the back of the net. The place went mad, flares lit people jumping around what a start!
City looking the better side and had finally seemed to work out how to play against them as McNulty went close twice.
Jordan Willis only in the side because of Davies being suspended was playing well at the back. City were getting forward well with some good passing and in the 37th minute one move saw the ball moved sideways and Kelly appeared out wide and smacked in a low cross and McNulty has got the scoring instinct and he was first to the ball to sweep it home to spark more incredible scenes amongst the away fans.
“Wembley, Wembley” sang the City fans. City were coasting the game but then in the dieing minutes of the half County launched a long throw in, it was flicked on and Grant got to the ball to slam it home to give them hope. Both McNulty and County’s Shaun Bristley were booked tussling for a ball from a throw in but it looked like the County player had his hand in McNulty’s face and may have been lucky to stay on the pitch.
It was no surprise that County were on the front foot from the off push City back with direct balls into the box. Most pressure was now from the home side as Burge saved well.
Not long after County had the ball in the back of the net but was ruled out and no one is sure why but the ref blew before the ball hit the back of the net. The scoreboard said 2-2 but City were still leading.
City were coming under increasing pressure and needed to find a way out and then they did in the best way possible, a quick attack saw McNulty on the ball he played in Biambou and the forward took his time and was given plenty of room before he picked a shot past the keeper and scored.
It took the forward so long to score for City now he had two in one of the most important games in our history. “When we get promoted this is want we sing, we are City, we are City, Robins is our king”, sang the City fans. It was now time to enjoy the game as City fans had cries of “Hoooof” every time County launched the ball forward. City now were on top all over the pitch and with five minutes of normal time found more holes in the County defence, this time it was Bayliss on the attack he could have passed to McNulty but decided to go him self and placed the ball past their keeper for number four.
City now had scored ten goals in the last two away games! Notts County’s manager as coming in for some heavy and highly deserved stick from the City fans.
Finally the whistle blew and City fans stayed behind to celebrate with Shipley leading the joys on the pitch.
Tickets for the final went on sale the next day and nine and a half thousand were sold before the end of Saturday and up to 19,000 by the end of Sunday and 32,500 by the time Monday had finished.
The last weekend in May was a mega one for the City of Coventry on the Saturday the Memorial Park was chosen as England’s host for Radio One’s Big Weekend and then a day later it was Wembley.
It was the last domestic game of the season in England as City took on last year’s beaten finalist Exeter, similar to the previous season in the Check-a-trade when City beat Oxford another team that lost the previous season.
The line up for the final was Burge in goal, Grimmer, Willis, Hyam and Stokes at the back, Bayliss, Kelly, Doyle and Shipley in midfield with Biambou and McNulty up front.
The build up included a “super fan” from both sides ours was Pat Raybould the woman behind the family zone for home games; she brought out the trophy and got the fans singing.
City outnumbered the Exeter fans three to one. The Doyle, Kelly song was being belted out by the City fans and even a BBC reporter said the Coventry fans singing gave him Goosebumps. City looked the better side early on in the first half but Exeter came more into the game later on, half time no goals and the fans were nervous.
Second half City attacked towards the Sky Blue end. City won a corner early in the second half and the corner came over but was cleared, Doyle picked up the ball and played it to Willis who was wide on the left, his first touch was great and there was only one place that ball was going as Willis blasted into the top left hand corner of the net, the place exploded no one could believe Willis scored such a good goal.
Not long after City broke again, this time it was McNulty who drove forwards and picked out Shipley, he took a step or two before blasting the ball it took a slight deflection and it was 2-0!!!!
Fans were now in a party mood as they celebrated a deflected goal at Wembley where have we seen that before? City kept going when McNulty got the ball on the right he slipped in Grimmer as the right back expertly curled the ball into the top corner, quite an incredible goal.
With two minutes left Exeter’s sub, Kyle Edwards score an excellent consolation goal. The final whistle went to signify promotion as Doyle picked up the Play Off Trophy.
The last day of the month saw players released they were Dion Kelly-Evans released he played 40 game in all competitions for City before joining Kettering Town.
Dion’s twin brother Devon who played 18 games for City left for Nuneaton Borough, Billal Sayoud, a winger that played one Checkatrade game joined Enfield Town where he has pitched in with some goals and assists and Kyel Reid who played for City at Wembley twice joined newly relegated Chesterfield but things didn’t go well as he was released in December.
The Closed season (the World Cup and all that)
Early in June Mark Robins and Adrian Viveash signed a contract extension.
First player in after the season finished was Jonson Clarke-Harris signing permanently after his successful loan spell.
City fans only had a couple of weeks from the end of the season before a feast of football started as the World Cup began in Russia, there were many misgivings about the hosts but it the end it was a superb competitions, full of entertainment, drama and only one scoreless draw.
A totally different cup competition as the 1st round draw was made for the League Cup and City face a trip to Oxford.
Day three of the World Cup saw Iceland make its debut with a 1-1 draw with Argentina, playing that day was former City player Aron Gunnarsson also on the same day Denmark beat Peru 1-0 with Kasper Schmiechel in goal; they became the 38th and 39th players to play for City and to play in a World Cup.
Day five saw England finally get their campaign underway with an injury time Harry Kane goal to beat Tunisia 2-1. With the World Cup well under way next season’s fixtures as announced and City would kick off at home to Scunthorpe.
Back to the World Cup was England demolished Panama 6-1, we were five up at half time and so England were guaranteed a place in the next round.
Back to the domestic front and after signing some players for the U23’s we then signed Abu Ogogo a midfield player from Shrewsbury who helped them into the Play Offs and was seen as a major capture. On the day City secured Chelsea’s young right back Dujon Sterling on loan the World Cup gave us a big shock as defending champions Germany were eliminated after losing 2-0 to South Korea.
Meanwhile, Sisu headed back to court only to lose yet again.
City fans hoped for once to hold on to our top scorer but Reading were sniffing around and already had two bids rejected one, apparently was for half a million and then three quarters of a million with Jordan Maguire-Drew thrown in but we already seen him play and said “no thank you.”
The knock out stage of the World Cup had arrived with France beating Argentina 4-3 in an entertaining game, Uruguay knocking out Portugal, hosts Russia confounding all their critics by knocking out Spain on penalties and Croatia doing likewise to Denmark.
One of the pre-tournament favourites Belgium, seemed to be on their way out tailing 2-0 to Japan but fought back to win 3-2 on the same day Brazil with their diving, cheating and overrated star Nymar beat Mexico.
Tuesday 3rd of July will go down in English football history as we finally won a World Cup penalty shoot out, despite former City player Jordan Henderson failing from the spot England got past Columbia, meanwhile Sweden beat Switzerland.
City did sign a fullback in the shape of Watford’s Brandon Mason. It had to happen Reading finally got their man as City’s top scorer McNulty departed, no one could really blame the players for having a go at a higher division and earning more money but for over a million pound s it seemed a big gamble for The Royals.
So for the 9th season in a row the top scorer, or joint top scorer at the club had left. City targeted Connor Chaplin from Portsmouth as his replacement. World Cup fever had a hold over England as the quarter finals began as France eliminated Uruguay and the team the media insists we should all like because they played entertaining football nearly 50 years ago, Brazil was dispatched by Belgium. The next day was a massive game as England saw off Sweden to reach the semi finals for only the third time in our history. The run of the hosts ended as they were knocked out on penalties by Croatia.
Away from the World Cup, City jetted off to Spain for pre-season training on the plane with them were a number of City fans. It was a heat wave at the time in Alicante but City only had one game scheduled.
The World Cup saw France reach the final beating Belgium whilst City’s new look U23’s beat Bedworth 4-2.
Then it was England’s turn but despite an early goal we lost to Croatia. Finally after days under the blazing sun City fans got a chance to see a game and it was played in the far cooler air of La Manga.
City won beating Everton’s U23s 3-1 with Andreu scoring a cracking free kick as he looked fully recovered from his knee injury.
England lost their pointless third-fourth place play off as a City XI beat Nuneaton 1-0 in the annual pre-season fixture.
The World Cup came to an end with France beating Croatia 4-2 in an entertaining final.
With City fans still awaiting the arrival of Chaplin, Stokes joined Bury after 88 league games for City and two Wembley appearances; he is now a regular with The Shakers.
Good news came in another friendly as City beat a Villa U23 side behind closed doors with Andreu scoring again. Meanwhile Bayliss was called up for the U19 England squad and was on the bench as new Coventry team mate, Sterling played.
City then first tasted defeat in pre-season losing 2-0 at Stevenage followed by a 1-0 defeat against Derby. There was still no news of Chaplin arriving as Pompey wanted to get a replacement in before they let him go. Some City fans had organised a charity bike ride to West Brom for the next friendly but City went 4-0 down before losing 5-2, one of the goals was scored by a player signed for the U23’s by the name of Reise Allassani, signed from Dulwhich Hamlet, he looked a bargain. City’s forgotten forward Stuart Beavon left on loan to Wrexham he is a squad player there. The end of the month saw Sisu reported they had made a profit.
August (the month of honour, no honour for City)
With still no sign of Chaplin arriving, City went out and bought Jordy Hiwula from Huddersfield whilst Rod McDonald, a mainstay at the back for City at the start of the previous season went to AFC Wimbledon were he is now a squad player.
So after what must have been the shortest pre-season in history City kicked off the season with a home game against Scunthorpe with four players made their debuts they Dujon Sterling, Brandon Mason, Abu Ogogo and Jordy Hiwula-Mayifuila, also playing for the first time this year was Tony Andreu.
The manger changed formation with one forward supported by three attacking midfielders, two defensive midfielders and a flat back four. It was Andreu who gave the City the lead with a great free kick before United hit back to win 2-1. Defender Jordan Thompson made his league debut from the bench.
Still no Chaplin as City seemed top have given up the chase and instead brought in Amadou Bakayoko from Walsall much to the amusement of their fans and raised eyebrows from City fans over the player’s scoring record and tendency to be caught off side.
Transfer deadline day saw no bids for Bayliss and Peter Vincenti leaving for Macclesfield were he has become a 1st team player.
First away game of the season was at Wimbledon and despite a coach firm letting down fans we still had a good following. Making his debut was Bakayoko. City last played their two years previously and the only player to start that game and this was Wimbledon’s Tom Soars! It ended in a tame scoreless draw with Junior Brown making his debut from the bench.
City were soon in cup action taking on a team we last played at Wembley in the shape of Oxford United and it was the home side that gained partial revenge for that game with a 2-1 win and a poor performance from City.
Reinforcements were on their way as City brought in Derby’s young winger Luke Thomas on loan who came off the bench in a 1-0 home win against Plymouth, the goal was a penalty scored by Bakayoko and City had a win.
Next up was a mid trek to Blackpool but fans at home could watch it live for a tenner. Fans watching must have had their hands over their eyes as Biambou went down and was taken of with a knee injury ruling him out for the rest of the year, a bitter blow. City played badly with Sterling and Bakayoko receiving most of the stick. City failed to score so setting a new club record for the longest run from the start of the season without a goal from open play.
The formation also came in for criticism so did Mark Robins for making too many changes from a winning side.
For the next game the manager reverted to a formation more like 4-4-2 and City, playing in the new all white away kit, finally scored from open play as Clarke-Harris levelled with a header in the rain. It ended 1-1 and Allassani came off the bench for his debut after impressing with the U23’s.
Finally what seemed to be the longest chase for a player in City’s history, Connor Chaplin was signed on loan with views to a permanent deal meanwhile Ponticelli went to Macclesfield on loan but was injured early on his debut ruling him out for most of the rest of the year.
September (month of atonement, a lot to atone for)
City started the month in 16th place, two points above the drop zone and three points behind the 6th placed club. Finally City landed the big signing of Connor Chaplin after an almighty chase, the forward arrived on loan with a view to a permanent move for half a million in the New Year.
He was on the bench for the first game of the month at home to Rochdale, he came on and gave City fans the first look at the forward and how small he was but he couldn’t prevent City losing to the only goal of the game.
A day or so later Bayliss signed a new four year contract, for some fans tying him to the club for others, so we can make more money when we sell him in the New Year.
With City’s game on the Sunday, results went against us and the team turned up at Oxford in the relegation zone. Could City gain revenge for the League Cup defeat a couple of weeks ago? The answer was yes and Chaplin marked his full debut with a penalty in a 2-1 win and City were out of the bottom four and into mid table.
The Checkatrade Trophy soon rolled around again as Arsenal’s U21’s visited The Ricoh, to play them Robins selected more or less City’s reserve side. Playing for the first time this year were Chris Camwell and making their debuts was from the bench were Morgan Williams a defender signed from Mickleover Sports, ZaineWestbrooke and Billy Stedman an midfielder from the youth team.
The eleven changes to the side backfired as City lost 3-0. It was back to the 1st team line up as Barnsley visited Coventry looking to win here for the first time in 24 visits stretching back to 1924! They would have to wait for another year as a brave Willis header won it for City.
Next up was a trip to Bristol Rovers, whom we lost to 4-1 in our last visit and the mood of the away fans not helped by no cover over the terrace was worsened when City conceded three goals in a short space of time in the first half losing 3-1 with Sterling receiving a good amount of stick for his performance.
Good news on the injury front as long time injured Jodi Jones was close to a first team recall but this meant, to the surprise of many Allassani went on loan to Ebbsfleet.
Final game of the month was a match that was hyped up on social media over the hatred Sunderland fans had towards Coventry City and former manager Jimmy Hill. Security was beefed up for the early kick off. It ended all square with Sunderland looking the better side but Chaplin failed to score with a late break-away meanwhile Jones came off the bench for his long awaited return.
October (The month of Halloween as City are scary)
City started the month in 14th place, four points above the drop zone and six points away from the play offs.
First game of the month was at home to the league leaders, Portsmouth; in goal was Lee Burge who moved into 17th place in the all time appearances for a City keeper despite being hit by a puck during a Coventry Blaze game in the week.
Three former Portsmouth players in the shape of Davies, Hyam and Doyle played for City but not Chaplin who was not allowed to play against his parent club as he was on loan. The leaders showed why they are top with a 1-0 win.
Good news for a former City player as James Maddison, now at Leicester was called into the England national team but had to be content with a place on the bench. N
ext up was another tricky game this time away at Charlton. City were trailing to a penalty with Athletic well in control then something amazing happen as sub Bakayoko scored two late goals to steal all three points in front of a disbelieving crowd.
City fans sung to the tune of Sing Hosanna, “Give us 20 goals, Bakayoko, give us 20 goals my friend, give us 20 goals Bakayoko, playing football in the off-side way” but no second chorus! For the second time in a calendar year a sub scored twice.
It was back to the more mundane Checkatrade Trophy. City were at home to Forest Green Rovers a game City needed a result to have any chance of progressing. The manager made ten changes from the team that play at Charlton. Making their debuts that night were youth graduate Jak Hickman. Another debutant was Jack Burroughs who became the first Millennium (born after 1999) to play for City. Another debutant was a winger signed from Tamworth called Dexter Walters. City took an early lead but was pegged back and the game went to penalties in which keeper O’Brien saved twice and City won 4-2 on spot kicks.
Meanwhile back in courts it was time for Sisu again to search for a victory but predictably they lost.
Wycombe Wanderers were the next visitors to the Ricoh. City failed to score at home in the league in the first half for the eighth game in a row. It was heading for a scoreless draw before some great wing play from Sterling and a cross to match was headed home by Chaplin for a win. It was then off to Southend. It was yet another late goal as sub Jodi Jones scored with a deflected shot to chalk up another win.
Mark Robins has had a habit of winning on grounds that City never seemed to; one of these was Valley Parade home of Bradford City. The Bantams were in dreadful form and sat one from bottom of the table when City visited them for the mid week fixture. City won 4-2 with a Chaplin free kick the pick of the goals and that was City’s first win there since 1959. City now had won four league games in a row.
Doncaster now stood in the way for five league wins in a row and it happened as City won 2-1, with Hiwula becoming top scorer and Thomas finally getting a well deserved first goal for the club. So five league wins in a row has only happened on eight previous occasions.
November (The month of the bonfire as City’s form goes up in flames)
City started the month in 7th place level on points and goal difference from 6th place only outside the Play Off zone because City had scored one goal fewer. We were also 14 points above the drop zone.
First game of the month was against the 6th placed club Accrington Stanley. City again scored late but only to force a draw the scorer was Doyle with his 24th league goal for the club. Mark Robins; meanwhile won the dreaded “Manager of Month” award.
A break from the league as City took part in the F.A Cup again with a short trip to Walsall. City went two down, battled back to level the game but another defensive slip up and Walsall retook the lead and City were knocked out at the 1st Round stage.
Out of two cup competitions in one season at the first stage, after the Birmingham Senior Cup exit, City travelled to Cheltenham in the Checkatrade to prevent a hat trick. City fielded another inexperienced U23 side and went out of the competition tamely with a 2-0 defeat. Making their debuts that night was Josh Eccles. A midfielder from the youth academy, Jonny Ngandu another youth team member and from the bench Sam McCallum a defender last played for the mighty Herne Bay. Another former City youth player continued his rise as Callum Wilson made his debut for England and scored.
Back to league action next and another short trip this time to Burton and promptly lost by a single goal with the team looking toothless up front with Chaplin again failing to perform.
Off the field matters and the League said that that ground share was out of the question if City failed to agree terms to stay at the Ricoh.
Next to visit was nasty Steve Evans and his Peterborough side and with the game level Jones was sent onto the pitch but didn’t last long as he twisted and fell down with no one around him and had to be taken off, the club assured us it was nothing serious.
Late in the game Doyle gave the ball away and Peterborough seemed to have stolen all three points but straight from the kick off Brown got the ball and played it long to Bakayoko, Chaplin went for his knock-on forcing a poor clearance, the ball went back to Bakayoko who coolly lobed it back in the centre of the area were Chapin was waiting to drive it home for a goal and parity. It was a good point and again Luke Thomas was the star performer.
To no-one’s surprise, Sisu requested permission to appeal to the Supreme Court to continue their action over the Ricoh whilst Wasps refused to do any deals whilst court action was against them which put the very future of the club in doubt.
City then faced a long midweek trek to Fleetwood to see if they could get back to winning ways but it turned out to be a truly miserable day as City lost 3-0 and Chaplin even managed to blaze a late penalty over the bar.
December (Merry Xmas everybody, but not for City fans)
The Sky Blues started the month in 9th place 3 points behind the Play Off places and 12 points above the drop zone. First game of the month was a instant chance of revenge for the cup defeat at Walsall and it was all going to plan with a Thomas goal leading it for City until a mighty collapse in injury time with a mistake by Burge and a disputed penalty gave the Saddlers two late goals to win it both scored by Coventry born Darren Leahy.
Then news none of us wanted as it was confirmed that Jodi Jones had suffered another A.C.L injury and many predicted the end to his career but the optimists might have pointed towards Callum Wilson who suffered two similar injuries but recovered.
Next up was a real tough game as City played hosts to automatic promotion chasers Luton Town.
The main difference between the sides is that Town managed to hang on to their top scorers whilst City now had to do without four of our top five league scorers from last season (McNulty sold, Nazon loan ended, Biambou and Jones long term injuries).
The Hatters deservedly won 2-1 on Jimmy Hill Day. The run extended to nine games without a win as City tumbled to a singl goal defeat at Shrewsbury with Mark Robins coming under increasing pressure on social media.
It is the time of the year for silly rumours and some that were circulating was Burge was heading to Leeds despite a Chelsea web site claimed he was a Chelsea player on loan to City, Stephen Ireland was to be a signing, Marc McNulty would be returning, City would refuse to sign Chaplin and Doyle has had a training ground bust up with someone, happy Christmas.
Boxing Day saw the visit of Charlton who were in good form but it was City who got back to winning ways with a late Bayliss goal for a 2-1 winning completing our first double over Charlton since 1967.
Final game of the year was at home to Southend and City did the double again with Westbrooke and McCallum making their league debuts and Michael Doyle being used as a sub for the first time since 2010, meanwhile Lee Burge entered the 15 for appearances for keepers since we were formed.
So quite a year and with City handily placed in the table, there is optimism for 2019 on the field anyway but the black cloud of Sisu still hangs over the club.