Match Discussion: Play-off semi-final first leg - The Sky Blues (A)

[Joe Jones]

Play-off semi-final first leg:The Sky Blues (A)

Team: Coventry City

Date: 12/05/18

Where: Ricoh Arena

What line-up should Kevin Nolan opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

[Magic magpie]

For me right now the normal season must be forgotten the players that played then can’t just start cause they did then. The team choice must be who played the best at the close of the season so Collins , Grant , Duffy just some of the ones I think but the return of Connor will help. Coyp 1-0 County 

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I wished I could be going but I will be with the players in spirit. I'm looking forward to watching the game with @UnitedPie - I'm actually quite nervous. At the start of the season I went to Coventry feeling like something was different and the vibe I got from the Notts supporters gave me something to optimistic about.

They'll be a difficult team to play, their stadium will remind our players that we can play at an higher level and hopefully they won't get nervous (or lost like they did last time).

I like many fans just want to see them give 100% on the pitch, that will do me but we must defend bravely.

Tactically I think we should try to use the flanks, we tried last time and we clearly didn't have the pace. If we can exploit the centre of the park, pushing them wide I think we'll get some good chances. They also looked vulnerable from quick breaks and set pieces, we just need to go believing we can achieve something and fight for every minute. Form does tend to go out the window, so any team can outplay the other on the day.

COYP!!

[ARLukomski 𝕏 ARLukomski Instagram declanweliczko_arlki]

442. Collin, Tootle, Brisley, Duffy, Jones, Alessandra, Hewitt, O'Connor, Grant, Forte, Ameobi

Subs: Fitzsimons, Hall, Dickinson, Noble, Husin/Virtue, Hawkridge, Stead 

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

First half it was frustrating to see how much respect we gave Coventry, I mean we didn't seem to have any sort of active game plan. It was a case of hoofing it all the time, even when the ball could have been played on the floor. I know the conditions were shocking but hitting the ball forward in hope that Stead or Forte could get control over it never seemed likely to work. Besides, Coventry managed to retain the ball on the ground even in areas where the water literally stopped the motion of play - so why couldn't we?

Second half we played with a bit more of a plan and the game simply changed it all, we grew in confidence but I think we should have pushed harder for a second.

The penalty decision is beyond stupidity, there's no credible reason why the referee gave it - it's just absolutely insane that he believed it was fair foul. The player, slipped and then went down like a sack of spuds. There was no discussion over the decision, I actually think he had a very good line of view but decided to ignore 'common sense'.

I'm confident that we can lift our game and push on, we need to be stronger at home and us fans need to make ourselves known.

Disappointed but not overly bothered now, stupid decisions seems a common thing for us - we move past it.

COYP

[Feral Fox]

I think the team played to Nolan’s brief for the whole match. First half, keep em subdued and tight defending in all areas, second half, attack and push on. Worked well apart from dismal ref decision.

[DangerousSausage]

I felt we sat back a bit too much after we scored. Although Coventry looked to have run out of ideas until the ref gave them their lucky break, these things can happen if you spend the last half an hour in or around your own penalty area...

Still, we were at least a match for them and we'd all have been happy to come back to Meadow Lane with a draw. Can only hope that penalty doesn't tip the balance in the end.

I love watching that goal. Jones' run was just pure willpower and Forte's finish was outrageous. Football doesn't get better than that!

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

I thought we defended superbly the whole match and never really looked like conceding until the ref intervened, the goal was fantastic full credit to Dan Jones he bust a gut to get to that ball, left the defender floundering in a puddle got up look up twice to place a perfect cross for Forte and what a finish it was from him. Fantastic stuff.