The ACN Match Review 24/25 – Coventry (a)

How did we play?

In the week that football paid its respects to Sven-Göran Eriksson, I was reminded of his often heard verdict on England games: “First half good, second half not so much”. Well, this was definitely a Reverse Sven – a pretty poor first half where the ball kept being given away, not a whole lot better than the last away league performance at Oxford, followed by a much-improved second half effort. The goal coming after a good period of possession and pressure, then seen out with some encouraging resilience.

What was the best bit of the game?

The fact that it all, just about, came together and the first win of the JHT era win is on the board. The ridiculous transfer window has meant that for a number of years now, the Championship has a month of phoney war before everyone knows where they stand. Hopefully, with some certainty until January, the team can really start to develop and work on the early promise shown.

What was the worst bit of the game?

It feels like some of the focus on moments of dodgy defending during the early weeks of the season has distracted from the midfield’s problems with retaining possession. We gave the ball away a lot in that first half and the changes at the break were entirely justified.

What was the atmosphere like?

ACN’s cohort of travelling correspondents were all otherwise engaged, so it’s down to me to offer my review from the a Norwich public house. Or pubs as it turned out.

Pub 1: Sorry, waiting for a new Sky box.

Pub 2: Only showing Arsenal v Brighton – disgrace. 

Pub 3: Saw the first half while pressed up against a window in a functional, but never entirely pleasant, city centre venue.

Half-time run to Pub 4: No football on, of any description.

Pub 5: Wonderful – Norwich fans in attendance but not uncomfortably crammed, plenty of big screens and good beers. Support your suburban end-of-terrace Victorian pubs or risk losing them.

Hero of the match

In a one-goal victory it feels churlish not to give it to the scorer, so take a bow son to Borja Sainz who did what it took to force that ball home for the winner. Doyle again looked assured in central defence, already looking like an Oliver Skipp level savvy acquisition. I’m also really looking forward to seeing more of Oscar Schwartau, who as well as being a promising talent, looks like every teenage boy all at once.

Summary in Five Words

International break? For f*** sake.