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00:00And Sunderland in the red and white, kicking from right to left in the opening half.
00:07You would have thought that this will be a lot tighter than last night's game.
00:11Sheffield United winning 3-0 at Bristol City to have one foot in the final already.
00:18Let's see how this one plays out.
00:21Sunderland without a win in six, struggling for goals.
00:25And let's see if Regis Labrice's decision to rotate and rest players in recent weeks pays off.
00:37And there's Rodoni.
00:39The silver beaten to it by Roberts.
00:45An early touch for Ballard.
00:49Roberts throws himself into the challenge on Hadji Wright, who's actually scored four goals.
00:55In total against Sunderland this season.
00:57He also got one up at the Stadium of Light.
01:01And it looks as though, Hadji Wright, is starting out wide, Sam.
01:07Yeah, quite often during my career, it's in the back of your mind, I think, when you go into fixtures and you've got a good record against them.
01:14Especially for centre-forwards as they were coming together off the ball there between Isidore and Kitchen, I think it was.
01:21But, yeah, absolutely, it's important, I think, that Hadji Wright plays tonight, first and foremost.
01:26A little bit of a surprise that he's been deployed off the flank.
01:30But, absolutely, those goals will be so fresh in his memory.
01:34And he'll be expecting to do damage again tonight.
01:37Such will be his confidence coming into this.
01:39And, Regis Labrice there, the first Sunderland manager to complete a full season at the club since Jack Ross in 2018, 2019.
01:50And Freck Lampard has now reached the playoffs in each of his two seasons managing in the championship, having led Derby to the final in 2019.
01:59They were beaten that day by Aston Villa.
02:07Wilson's kick starting against the club where his career began, although he never played at the first-team game.
02:14And Ballard is there to cut that one out, and it's an early Coventry corner.
02:21Yeah, there's not two better centre-halves, I would suggest, in the championship.
02:27Currently, they've attacked the ball better than these two that are making their way forward.
02:31Thomas, in particular, gets so many first contacts and opposition boxes.
02:35He's both good for a goal, and this is absolutely one of Coventry's strong suits.
02:41Thomas could well be a target here.
02:42It's heading his way.
02:45And he's gone for another corner on the opposite side.
02:50Well, he returned for the Middlesbrough game.
02:52Bobby Thomas, a big boost for Coventry.
02:55He'd missed the previous four with a calf problem.
03:00And he here will be looking to rattle a few cages alongside Liam Kitching.
03:05Dennis Surkin, trying to keep tabs on him.
03:11Rufferree with a little bit of sorting out to do in there before the corner can be taken.
03:29Rodoni to deliver.
03:30The best of balls in.
03:37Bellingham there to defend it.
03:41Certainly trying to apply lots of pressure to Patterson early in this game.
03:46Very rare that you see every player inside the six-yard box.
03:50That was the case, almost, from that previous delivery.
03:53Trying to crowd it.
03:54Maybe thinking that the Sunderland goalkeeper is slightly susceptible in these situations.
04:00It's a better ball.
04:02It's glanced out as far as De Silva.
04:05Thomas Asante trying to get there.
04:06Ballard in no-man's land.
04:08But he's bailed out.
04:10And Sunderland get it to safety.
04:13There's a risk coming for it.
04:14Thomas Asante swings the boot at it.
04:17Maybe would have been better place just trying to head that.
04:19I think he would have been able to get the contact.
04:21Yeah, it would have required a special header from that type of distance.
04:25But there's plenty of bodies to go through.
04:27Sunderland just about able to recover.
04:30But early scares for them.
04:33Well, Anthony Patterson's had some really good games this season.
04:36But when he's off his game, it tends to go really bad for him.
04:42This is Matt Grimes.
04:44He's got plenty of experience at the playoffs with former club Swansea.
04:48Although he wasn't successful through them.
04:52But a player who could be so important in games of this magnitude.
04:56The ability to control the game in the middle of the park.
05:1314 of Coventry's 20 wins this season have all come here.
05:20They've been especially difficult to beat on their own patch.
05:24Sunderland will be desperate to still be in with a shout as they head to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.
05:32Almost feels, almost feels like Regis Labrise has felt that.
05:43The best form of defence is to go and attack really tonight.
05:47Deploying two centre-forwards.
05:49They're certainly in the 4-4-2 without the ball.
05:52I'm sure that will probably drop in on occasion.
05:54Had a break the way of Thomas Asante.
06:00In towards Rodoni.
06:03And Sunderland, for now at least, hold it for him.
06:08Yeah, important foot in from 0-9, wasn't it?
06:10Rodoni was just looking to open up the target.
06:12Take it on his back foot so he could shoot potentially left-footed.
06:150-9 was equal to it.
06:17And a really important toe in there for Sunderland.
06:32Sent on its way by Kitchin.
06:35Ballard wins it.
06:37Bellingham.
06:39This will be chased down by Serkin.
06:42But Von Eyweich, who's been outstanding all season,
06:45is there to tidy up for Coventry.
06:47And it's been a real blessing that he's been fit all season,
06:52barring one game, because that is a position that Coventry are particularly light
06:56in that right-back area.
06:59Although Joe Latibodier can be deployed there,
07:02but Von Eyweich has been in scintillating form all season.
07:06He definitely looks like a player who is Premier League ready.
07:12And Sunderland here, giving a free kick.
07:21He's had a couple of glimpses of goal already.
07:26Thomas Asante will be a little bit disappointed.
07:28He hasn't maybe done slightly better with those half opportunities.
07:32And Sunderland just able to alleviate that early pressure.
07:35A little spell with the ball.
07:37And they'll be pleased to have, yeah, got through eight minutes,
07:42having been under a little bit of pressure.
07:46Free kick is very deep.
07:49And Trae Hulme on the stretch.
07:51Unable to get it under his spell.
07:55It's a really clever ball.
07:56Completely deceived.
07:59Coventry's back line to Trae Hulme.
08:02Completely unopposed.
08:03Just couldn't keep it in play.
08:05Sunderland spent 266 days in the top six.
08:14They were never out of the top four all season.
08:19Coventry spent just 60 days in the top six.
08:24And needed that final day win over Middlesbrough
08:28to be absolutely certain of a playoff finish.
08:31In the end up.
08:36A rather hefty touch.
08:39And it's Von Evijk.
08:42For Sakamoto, who's trying to give Serkin the slip.
08:45And it did look as though Serkin had a handful of Sakamoto's shirt.
08:50And John Busby, the referee, has indeed spotted that
08:53and wants a word.
08:54Yeah, thought for a moment that he wasn't going to give the infringement.
09:00Certainly had hold of the Pongsi City winner's shirt there.
09:04Good decision.
09:15Grimes.
09:19Kitching.
09:20Leave it up towards Thomas Asante.
09:29And Anthony Patterson is there to claim it.
09:33Jim Braddoni very much at the peak of his powers right now.
09:37Such a vital player for Frank Lampard.
09:4012 assists during the regular season.
09:43Whether scored or assisted in nine of his last 12 championship matches.
09:52He's in a red-hot form.
09:54Pushed on to Bellingham here.
09:56As Sunderland look to ask a question.
09:59Patrick Roberts.
10:01Goes round to Silva.
10:03We've got something on it.
10:04And Grimes will drive it away for Coventry.
10:11He'll encourage it for Sunderland though.
10:13Dan Neal sharp, aggressive on to the second ball.
10:16Nice little exchange.
10:18Just unfortunately Roberts couldn't get the better of Jadie Silva on the far side.
10:21But, you know, played their way back in after a difficult opening few minutes.
10:26They're having a little bit of control now.
10:28Well, Sunderland are a team that tends to rise to the occasion when expectations are low.
10:36And recent results.
10:39And seeing that lot lose perhaps a little bit of optimism and faith.
10:43But they are giving their team the very best possible backing here.
10:51One scene away by Kitchin.
10:58The field good factor is certainly back at the CBS Arena.
11:12Coventry, a club who have gone through some dark times in recent years.
11:17But Frank Lampard building on the terrific work that Mark Robbins did.
11:22And there was always a belief that Coventry should be challenging at the top end.
11:25But for whatever reason, they lost their way.
11:28They needed that belief breathing back into them.
11:31And Frank seems to have done that.
11:34Absolutely.
11:35Yeah.
11:36It's been a really upturn in form from the early part of the season.
11:42I think the squad was always in place.
11:44Everyone was optimistic.
11:45It could be a season that they challenged for whatever reason.
11:48Didn't start the campaign well.
11:50Noted, really, since Lampard has come in.
11:53Just wonder if that big game experience that Frank Lampard has under his belt
12:07could be a factor in Coventry's progress through these playoffs.
12:11Once again, Bobby Thomas has ventured forward.
12:19Kitching, his defensive partner, is in the mix also.
12:23Kitching, his defensive partner, is in the mix also.
12:25We know that Bonnevaik has a long throw.
12:29And here it comes.
12:31Right over Patterson.
12:33He gets a safe pair of hands on it.
12:36Yeah, it does really well.
12:37Always problematic when you're coming through bodies,
12:40but takes it nice and cleanly.
12:45Second.
12:48Now Le Fay.
12:49Bellingham.
12:58Ballard.
12:59Coventry won the most points of all four playoff sides
13:18in the last six games of the regular campaign.
13:22They picked up ten points.
13:24Sunderland with the least, only one.
13:26But it is fair to say that none of the four playoff sides
13:30were in particularly great form.
13:34Which adds to the intrigue, of course.
13:36The shape of the Sunderland team is good.
13:45They're frustrating.
13:46Coventry, I think.
13:47Yes, it's the opening exchanges, but
13:49unable to get any rhythm.
13:51Still waiting for the Sunderland front two, really,
13:53to connect and get involved in the game.
13:55But in terms of the structure of the side,
13:58they look like they're set up well.
14:00They look like they're going to frustrate
14:01as you would anticipate in the away leg.
14:03And Dan Neal timing that challenge to perfection.
14:12Representing his hometown club,
14:14a lifelong Sunderland fan, Dan Neal.
14:17He's played the most minutes of any outfield player
14:20for the club this season.
14:26Grimes, the January arrival from Swansea.
14:30Kitching.
14:35He's picked out Thomas Asante.
14:38He's looking to clear for touch,
14:41but it doesn't reach it.
14:43De Silva has pounced on this.
14:46And the ball is deemed to have gone out.
14:48It's been difficult for Coventry to get players
14:53between the lines.
14:54They look, obviously, to play through Matt Grimes,
14:56but this has often been the case, I think,
14:58in the opening sparring.
14:59They've had to look for Thomas Asante,
15:01a little bit more direct,
15:03unable to kind of get it into the wide player's feet.
15:06Or Redoni, indeed.
15:08So Thomas Asante has been the target.
15:09Lovely touch from Isidore.
15:18It's on its way by Sirkin.
15:21And well defended by Von Evijk,
15:24who felt he was impeded there.
15:25Sunderland have to get back on the goals trail.
15:31They've dried up drastically.
15:35In recent weeks, Wilson Isidore, their top scorer,
15:38hasn't found the net in his last 13 appearances.
15:42Liza Meyender, just one goal in his last nine.
15:45Joe Bellingham, for example,
15:46who's got a knack of getting a goal,
15:48hasn't scored in 21.
15:52It has to click.
15:55Chief.
16:04This is Sakamoto.
16:06Real fans' favourite here.
16:12Rodoni.
16:25Those two did reach the Championship Play-Offs two seasons ago.
16:30Coventry, of course, beaten in the final by Luton.
16:33Everybody remembers that Fankati Darbo penalty miss.
16:40Sunderland beaten at the semi-final stage by Luton,
16:43who eventually took their place in the Premier League.
16:46As I recall, that particular play-off campaign,
16:52Sunderland were spent by the time they got in there.
16:56The Tony Mowbray that exerted so much energy
16:58to try and squeeze their way in.
17:01Maybe caught up with them in the end.
17:03Regis Labris is the one who's got them back to this point.
17:10And he deserves enormous credit,
17:12because let's not forget,
17:13as poor as they've been in recent weeks,
17:15for the majority of this season,
17:17they've played some sparkling football,
17:19a very young team.
17:21They were leading the way at one point as well.
17:23So it's some achievement
17:24to get this Sunderland team into this position, Sam.
17:28Absolutely, no question.
17:30Early part of the campaign, they surprised many.
17:33I think with the consistency,
17:35the level of their performance,
17:37and clearly a very talented manager,
17:40a really excellent appointment for the team.
17:44And they've set up well for tonight.
17:45I can tell already,
17:46this has probably been in his mind
17:50for the last few weeks,
17:51despite the results,
17:52despite the indifferent performances from individuals.
17:55This looks like a well-coached unit tonight.
17:59The frustrating commentary in the early part,
18:01yes, only nearly 20 minutes in,
18:03but the two banks of four
18:05have looked really hard to breach.
18:08Two wide players, Roberts and Le Fay,
18:10I think big jobs for them tonight,
18:12but their discipline to this point has been excellent.
18:14Cutting off that pass to the wing-backs,
18:17or the wide players when they're developing play.
18:19Grimes invariably dropping in between the two centre-halves
18:22and pushing on the full-backs at the moment.
18:24They haven't had any influence.
18:25Forcing Coventry long.
18:27Let's just see if they're front two.
18:30As you just touch the one from clicking to gear,
18:31and they can have a little bit more of a goal threat.
18:33It's been such a strange time of late for Sunderland.
18:36They've been in a position of limbo, really,
18:39but Regis Labrice using the opportunity to rest players,
18:44get them refreshed,
18:44and they are in a position of relative strength now.
18:48Just a couple of players unavailable for this one.
18:50Romain Mundell and Gio Lise,
18:52both of those players could be involved in the return leg.
18:56Mundell, if he is fit, would be a major boost,
19:00because he has been one of the outstanding players of the season
19:04when he's been fit and available.
19:08So he could be crucial in the return leg at the Stadium of Light.
19:12It's a game of chess at the moment.
19:20Absolutely.
19:21I think you're very akin to play on first legs.
19:25This is normally what you get.
19:27Last night was a little bit of a rarity.
19:29The amount of goals, for one, in the first leg.
19:32But, yeah, it's been cagey.
19:35But, again, you know,
19:37commend the way that Sunderland have set up.
19:39They had a couple of early scares,
19:40a couple of half-chances for Thomas Asante,
19:43and since then worked their way into the game
19:45very even affair at the moment.
19:52OK, has been brought back for a
19:54commentary free kick here.
20:05Grimes.
20:08Bobby Thomas.
20:10Sakamoto.
20:28Brodoni.
20:31Sakamoto sticks it through the legs of Serkin.
20:34And it ends with Sakamoto on the deck.
20:37And there's a card coming here, is there?
20:39Yes, there is.
20:43I think John Budsby thought about it, didn't he,
20:47for the previous infringement,
20:48the tug of the shirt.
20:49Sakamoto is just too skillful here.
20:52It's wonderful stuff.
20:53It's too aggressive, flies into the challenge,
20:55just needs to keep him going back towards his own goal.
20:57It's brilliant play from the wide man,
20:59and I don't think the referee has any choice, really.
21:05Who has to tread carefully now,
21:07Dennis Serkin, who actually missed
21:09Sunderland's last championship play-off campaign.
21:12He was out with an ankle injury.
21:15He's had injury troubles this season as well.
21:18He's had surgery on a broken wrist earlier in the season.
21:20As Matt Grimes surveys the scene here for the Sky Blues.
21:29The usual suspects are in the picture.
21:33Wicked delivery from Grimes.
21:38And the third unable to keep it in.
21:50And the launch pad here again for Coventry.
22:13Partially away, and it's scuffed wide
22:15by Ben Sheaf.
22:18With Ballard taking responsibility,
22:22coming through bodies to be really aggressive here
22:24and head it.
22:25I think if that's on Ben Sheaf's right foot,
22:28maybe we're talking about an attempt onto the target
22:30on his swing up.
22:31Never really confident.
22:34Slices it well wide.
22:37He hasn't scored since getting both goals
22:39in a 2-1 victory at Sheffield Wednesday
22:41in January of last year.
22:44Ben Sheaf is about to move into the final year
22:47of his contract.
22:48His future remains unclear.
22:54Sakamoto on the charge.
22:57Sliffe down.
23:00Grimes.
23:06Sakamoto again.
23:09Backed up here by Von Eyweick.
23:11Mayenda gets out of a tight spot.
23:15Lovely touch.
23:17Isidore is up with him,
23:19but he's the only one up there.
23:22Mayenda's still going.
23:24And still!
23:26And shooting wide.
23:2810 out of 10 for persistence and perseverance.
23:31Well, he gets a little bit of good fortune at the end,
23:34but this is quite magnificent.
23:36Liam Kitchen, let's give him credit,
23:38because he is desperately trying to get back in,
23:40and he does well, ultimately,
23:42to just put another body between Mayenda and the goal.
23:46A little bit of good fortune there.
23:47Doesn't quite catch the strike,
23:49but given the goal he got in similar fashion
23:52against Crystal City recently,
23:53I'm sure the Sunderland fans behind that goal were hopeful.
23:57And he took the words out of my mouth,
23:59I was just about to mention that.
24:00It was a terrific goal, wasn't it?
24:02Picked the ball up.
24:03Locked just outside the D,
24:05in his own half,
24:06and ran the full length of the pitch and scored.
24:09So he's got it in his locker.
24:11In fact, there's no question.
24:14It's hooked away by Bellingham.
24:17And amongst all the negativity, I suppose,
24:20and uncertainty of the last few weeks,
24:23due to the performances,
24:25he's been one that's been at it.
24:27No surprises out there tonight.
24:29Maybe slightly surprised by the setup
24:33that Sunderland have gone with,
24:34but that was an example, was it?
24:36What he can do,
24:37how he can turn the defence into attack so quickly.
24:40We've seen Isidore do likewise as well this season.
24:43Some marauding runs that have led to goals,
24:45and those two can damage commentary, no question.
24:53And Kitching played in the League One playoff final for Barnsley
25:03a couple of years ago.
25:06Sakamoto tries to hold it up.
25:10Good strength from Bellingham to fend off Rodoni.
25:13This is Kitching as Coventry come again.
25:20Wright, with three in the box, up there with him.
25:25Now it's the pullback.
25:26Got away from Thomas Asante, but not from Schieff.
25:29What a vital block.
25:30I think it was Ballard.
25:31Now Rodoni said it.
25:32Had you right?
25:33Not once, but twice denied, and there is a flag.
25:39A flurry of opportunities.
25:41I can't believe that Schieff has opted to cut onto his left side.
25:47It's a brilliant ball back to him.
25:48I think it was Thomas Asante here.
25:49That was a misunderstanding between Sakamoto and Rodoni,
25:53almost as if Sakamoto had done the hard work
25:55and getting into the position
25:56and getting that first touch.
25:58Bad giveaway.
26:00Suspicions of a foul.
26:01Not given by John Busby.
26:03First time we've seen Hadji Wright do this.
26:05Fantastic spot from Thomas Asante.
26:08And the bodies, from a Sunderland perspective,
26:12flinging themselves in the way of that strike from Schieff.
26:16And in the end, the offside flag comes to their aid.
26:25Neil, bringing Serkin into play.
26:31Had the opportunity to cross, but decided against it.
26:35And he'll try now, but Sakamoto gets the blocking.
26:39And developing into a really good battle.
26:42Serkin, this time keeping Sakamoto honest.
26:45Yeah, a little bit surprised he didn't sling it in slightly earlier.
26:49Well defended.
26:50And the country wide player.
26:55And this is where Ballard really comes into his own
27:00in situations like this.
27:06Enzo Le Fay to take this Sunderland corner.
27:15Ballard was the target.
27:17He was surrounded by Sky Blue, though.
27:20And Bonnević will turn it away.
27:25Le Fay.
27:30Serkin.
27:32On it goes to Dan Neal, who continued the run.
27:35Grimes is there to drop in.
27:36Brilliant defending from Grimes.
27:38And dropped on by Ben Wilson.
27:40Yeah, you worry momentarily for Matt Grimes.
27:44Obviously brilliant with the football.
27:46I wouldn't say the strongest side of his game is that type of work.
27:50But track the run of Dan Neal and read his intentions really well.
27:54Sinister streaming.
27:55Sunderland for New York.
27:58All Sharper in.
27:58For Southern Bethany.
27:59For Southern Bethany.
28:01떨어�cap on sunderland.
28:01For Southern faith.
28:01To normal state.
28:03For Southern Buddha.
28:03For Southern football.
28:03For Southernale.
28:05And thank you.
28:07I can do that to show you my somebody else.
28:07More 볼 Bye-bye.
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28:09com for Southern football season.
28:10Hume busting into the challenge on Haji-Wright, it threatened to boil over but it simmers down very quickly.
28:21The referee wants to get in and amongst it and have a word in their ear.
28:30Just really good defending, aggressive, exactly what you want from your full-back, not entirely sure why Haji-Wright is taking exception to that.
28:40Kitching, towards Thomas Asante, a collision between him and Ballard who comes off worse.
28:52It's a mismatch in terms of height but Thomas Asante is a powerful player and he's good in the air as well.
29:07I think we've seen already, despite coming up a few inches certainly, to Ellis Simms who's replaced.
29:14You can put it about.
29:16I think it's the landing more than anything there, isn't it, for Ballard that gives him the problem.
29:25But, er, it's OK.
29:27It's his first start, Dan Ballard, since February, incidentally.
29:35It's a big call from Regis Labritte, actually, to break up that partnership of Mepham and 0-9.
29:40There's the earlier opportunity that started with that tussle on the edge of the box, involving Sakamoto.
29:54Luka 9 there starting his 11th play-off game for Sunderland, this is his fifth play-off campaign overall with the club.
30:09And, er, he's developed into one of the best centre-backs in the Championship.
30:15Mustn't be forgotten that he did start out as a central midfield player.
30:23And here's Mayenda for Sunderland.
30:25Looking to combine with Roberts.
30:31The Silva wins the duel over there.
30:34And now it's with Hadji Wright being pursued by Le Fay.
30:38And Roberts gets a boot on it too.
30:41They're working incredibly hard once more.
30:43Le Fay all the way over on the opposite flank.
30:48Patrick Roberts in tandem.
30:51Applying the pressure.
30:52Good defending from De Silva.
30:541v1 initially, just as Mayenda looked like he was getting goalside.
31:01Rodoni.
31:02All of the night in the match in the match.
31:03.
31:12Grimes.
31:14Taken on by Schieff, Thomas Asante, Sakamoto, Rodoni.
31:18Terrific commentary play.
31:20Von Evijk's cross.
31:22Steered away by 0-9.
31:23nine
31:27dan neil getting there ahead of ben sheath whose eyes were lit up there as it threatened to come
31:34his way yeah possibly the best move of the game from a coventry point of view short sharp incisive
31:40football what they've been trying to execute they've just not been able to find the space but
31:44there tiptoe forward nicely not much to hit for when i like in the end thomas trying to push it
32:07through the gap and the four playoff squads coventry have the most playoff experience
32:2046 appearances combined before this game tonight
32:26sheffield united would you believe with the least amount of uh playoff experience james madison a
32:31former coventry city player no less and now into a europa league final
32:36he's here to support his former team
32:53ballard
32:57hume looking for the run of
33:00he was pleading for a foul but the referee not interested in this
33:09played out nicely suddenly this good movement in off the left-hand side just
33:13working coventry's fullback when they're like you're gonna get that little bit of contact not enough to be a foul
33:19i think there's been a bit of a switch here sam as the doors come out to the left and lafay now
33:32playing up alongside eliza mayenda what's the maker there it's been difficult for
33:40sudor to get involved in the game really he's had very few touches mayenda have probably been the more
33:45prominent of sutherland's front two i think certainly the supporters have been yearning for
33:52lafay to be given a bit more of a permanent role centrally you're going to see that now
33:59inevitably he will be the one as reggie's the breeze touched on pre-match needs one of those
34:05central players to drop in and make up the midfield number sakamoto that's inviting and
34:10patterson had to get something on it and did crucially type of scenario that's something they have to
34:17try and avoid they completely switch off to this sakamoto has an age to pick his delivery into the
34:24right spot and that's where they get so many goals from four or five very physical coventry players
34:31attacking the far post and it's well defended once more goalkeeper excelling
34:41grimes's corner plenty of air on that
34:46sakamoto
34:49bend it back in there out by bellingham the silver now grimes
34:54and behind everyone and the ender will lead the sunderland break here his run was curtailed
35:06coventry quick to get back and recover and grimes will feed it back to ben wilson
35:12who made his first start in seven months in that final day win of the middles for the first time
35:18that frank lampard has seen him play and he was outstanding in that game he pulled off a string of
35:24fine saves
35:26there's no oliver dovin his season was ended earlier in the campaign and defeat to sheffield
35:32united brad collins got the gloves but he made a couple of errors
35:37managers decided that it was time for a change and brad collins now has the shirt
35:48the
35:54just under 10 minutes to go to half time
35:58waiting for the breakthrough goal
36:02held in by von ovike
36:15grace
36:17bought it cleanly enough but the accuracy wasn't where it needed to be
36:21yeah always good for the odd special goal just catches it really well actually in terms of the pace he
36:28gets on it just can't steer it onto the target and have an incredible amount of ball
36:35coventry so interesting the game plan i think suddenly have come with tonight
36:40just about to say that they're going quite long all of a sudden they look to play out but i think
36:45given the you know the athleticism of the front two and just the pure fact that you've got two
36:50players up the front tonight he'll be mad not to play it into them a little bit early we've already
36:57seen what mayenda can do so isidore's gone back down the middle now so it's just a temporary switch
37:05obviously i think both front players have played wide this season at times and
37:09not a problem i don't think often it can you know act as a little bit of a catalyst keep the opposition thinking moving around
37:23bellinger nice touch from isidore
37:27i believe roberts far too much to do with that ball and the silver will scurry clear for coventry
37:36they've done a brilliant job defensively the two white players for some of them but we've not seen
37:40them really as an attacking threat and that will be a frustration i'm sure front two done okay but lefay
37:47roberts to this point you know well marshalled by coventry's fullbacks and also being pushed back
37:53back 77 percent possession so far in the game for coventry sakamoto looking to deliver
38:13bonnet bike grimes
38:23isidore back there defending and that was a real feature as coventry's play against
38:34middlesbrough bonnet bike and sakamoto combining very well down the coventry right and another example
38:40of it there yeah and cue for rodoni just to get himself into the 18-yard box in particular scores so
38:46many headed goals it's been a huge source for them this season his late runs into the box it's just the time
38:52in that making sure they're in good possession and getting himself into a scoring position
38:57i think a few facets probably go into the game plan that regis labrice has gone with tonight but
39:08this is a rarity them having so little of the ball that's what i've liked about them this season not
39:12too precious to to play short all the time they will get it into the front on occasion there's a nice
39:17balance about them but tonight
39:21swept him by rodoni there was something off the ball nine was down on his haunches briefly
39:27must be well close to spot whatever it was it was going on in there
39:34defended the box really well to this point would have been a huge part of the game plan getting
39:40things right from set pieces they'll know about coventry's prowess may be slightly surprising that
39:47ballard came in for mepham given the physicality of the the player that he's replaced but
39:520-9 fiercely competitive himself
40:01rights
40:05and they're cutting inside lefay there's the meat in the sandwich
40:11and much to the dismay of matt grimes
40:15sundland awarded a free kick in a real position of promise yeah i wasn't sure to be honest certainly
40:21gets a piece of the ball maybe the initial contact from kitchen from the other side i don't think grimes
40:26makes a foul no it's a little clumsy what it was was wonderful play once more for my end who looks
40:32really in the mood he's the brightest of the sundown attackers absolutely he's carried off where he's
40:38left the last few weeks really in the mood nice turn of pace going at people looking really inventive
40:57so he lays it off to roberts and gets it back and there's hume training ground routine there didn't
41:08quite come off roberts that's a poor ball they deserve back what a brilliant set piece move
41:18freed up the space for trey hume to just stroll into a brilliant position to work wilson
41:23country able to get the block in it's really well worked and it's set beautifully
41:32yeah probably needs to get that up and elevated towards either corner struck it low ricocheted at
41:38source country's owner doug king he feels the club is better equipped now for premier league football
41:46compared to a couple of years ago says they've improved the structure of the club
41:51we've got the right people in place to cope with the demands of top flight football should they get there
42:00i'm very happy with the way that things have worked out it was a big call to part company with mark
42:07robbins giving his popularity here even though results weren't going mark's way
42:12it's a massive call at the time but it's worked out very well indeed for the sky blues
42:20i think sometimes just a new voice isn't it not to say that they were
42:24having a poor time under robbins last year especially with the cup run when you throw into
42:31the achievements of promotion as well done a sterling job but a lot's gone on at the club i think
42:37sakamoto is looking particularly lively sheaf for von evite up against lefay
42:46sheaf again clipped by isidore yeah once you get back in there you've got to be so clever you've got to
42:58be calm calculated when you're a center forward back here yeah we don't want to be doing that type of
43:03role needs must tonight especially in the playoff scenario but isidore's too easily giving away a free
43:14kick it down in a prime spot for coventry really
43:27a little flat little behind the center forward but maybe could have just
43:55just readjusted his position and worked that onto the target it's half a chance once more but
44:02yeah frustrating half i would suggest for the home side
44:07just uh another example of how good commentary have been since frank lampard arrived they had the
44:14second most shots the second most big chances created since his appointment only leeds had more than that
44:20it's been quite the transformation i just got a shot of joe edwards there on the bench and i think
44:29having lost adi weivash last summer that was huge shoes to fill really joe edwards obviously had
44:38experience at millwall albeit brief working with england most recently chris jones as well in the
44:44back room staff these are people that have got real quality on the training ground so i would imagine
44:50yes frank lampard we know likes to get the boots on and get involved on the training pitch but he's got
44:56two higher pedigree coaches working for him and maybe that was just lost starting his campaign
45:02it's certainly been rediscovered
45:04second throw so bellingham we're now into
45:16first half injury time
45:28much long by patterson
45:29only playing an extra minute here
45:43well that is it for the first half nothing to separate them
46:01sunderland have coped very well with what coventry have thrown at them even if they haven't been
46:08much as an attacking force but given recent results
46:21you