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| Walsall 0 v 1 Coventry Thompson 14 Walsall: Walker , Aranalde , Barras , Brightwell , Chettle , Gadsby (Matias 79) , Bennett , Erivelto (Simpson 57) , Byfield , Wrack , Leitao (Angell 69) Subs not used: Harper , Roper Bookings: Aranalde 41 Coventry: Hedman , Breen , Konjic , Shaw , Hall M , Carsley , Thompson , Chippo , Delorge (Edworthy 72) , Martinez (Bothroyd 60) , Hughes Subs not used: Montgomery , Guerrero , Quinn Bookings: Carsley 1 The Sky Blues moved into fifth place with a victory over Walsall at Bescot Stadium but they made very hard work of a poor side managed by former City winger Ray Graydon. City back by a strong Sky Blues support who quickly snapped up their 2,250 allocation of seats, included fit-again Marcus Hall,Magnus Hedman and Lee Hughes and only took 13 minutes to take the lead. Lee Carsley found David Thompson in space on the left side. He cut in and unleashed a 30 yard pile driver which swerved into the net past James Walker in the Saddlers goal.It was a goal of the highest quality and a good candidate for Goal Of The Season. When it looked like the Sky Blues would give Walsall the hammering they deserved, most of the City players appeared to have left their scoring boots at home. Main culprit again was Lee Hughes, he clearly did not look bothered as he missed a good one on one late on and failed to put away three other chances. There were plenty of rumours flying around the William Sharp stand which housed the City support that there had been a bust-up between Nilsson and Hughes and the former Baggies star now wants out of Highfield Road. Judging by the way he played, these rumours may have some credibility. Jairo Martinez also missed two chances before he was replaced by Jay Bothroyd and Thommo and Breen also could have scored. whilst Walsall always looked like they wouldn't score despite a few half-hearted attempts which never threatened Hedman in the City goal. Again, the standard of the refereeing matched the standard of the opposition - poor. At the end of the day, it was three points but if City are to have a shout of returning straight back up then they need someone who puts away the chances they receive. TEAM 13 Hedman,5 Shaw,3 Hall,6 Breen,22 Konjic,7 Thompson,8 Carsley,28 Delorge (2 Edworthy 71),11 Chippo, 25 Martinez (21 Bothroyd 59),9 Hughes SNU 33 Montgomery,14 Quinn,19 Guerrero RATINGS 13 Hedman 7/10 Good game, held everything for once 5 Shaw 7/10 Solid game 3 Hall 6/10 One bad error that incurred the wrath of the City support but steady for the rest of the game 6 Breen 8/10 Excellent game, sold,strong and always dependable 22 Konjic 6/10 Not one of his better games but still a reasonable performance 8 Carsley 6/10 Reasonable game in midfield 7 THOMPSON 9/10 His best game this season with a superb goal 28 Delorge 6/10 Pretty anonymous throughout 11 Chippo 7/10 Tried hard again 25 Martinez 6/10 Missed two good chances which could have sewn the game up 9 Hughes 5/10 A spell in the reserves would do him the world of good 21 Bothroyd 5/10 Offered little to the attack 2 Edworthy 7/10 Looked good going forward ATT 7515 |