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Coventry
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Is Coventry City's system setting Matt Grimes up to fail?
The statistics make for uncomfortable reading for the Sky Blues skipper.
In 756 minutes of Premier League football this season:
0 goals
0 assists
Just 1 key pass
50 defensive actions (47th among Premier League central midfielders)
0 duels won against Fulham on Saturday
Those numbers do little to support the argument that Grimes should be an automatic starter.
But look at the wider picture.
Coventry are averaging just 38.5% possession, the second-lowest figure in the Premier League. They rank 18th for spells of possession reaching the opposition penalty area, while their 71 non-penalty shots are the lowest total in the division.
They're also playing more directly, with 13.4% of their passes classified as long balls – the second-highest proportion in the league.
So, how much of Grimes' struggles are down to the player himself, and how much is down to the system in which he is being asked to operate?
Last season, Grimes was the man who dictated Coventry's tempo, collected possession from deep and helped control matches. Now, so much of the team's possession is travelling past him rather than through him.
Is it any wonder his influence has diminished?
I've taken a detailed look at the numbers, Coventry's tactical approach and whether dropping Grimes would actually solve the problem.
Read the full analysis on The Phoenix. Link in the comments. #pusb
Read it here: thephoenix.counterpress.medi…
Something a little bit different from the latest big interview on The Phoenix.
Eric Black, of course, discusses his time as assistant to Gary McAllister, his short but sweet time in charge and his shock at being sacked after a thumping 5-2 win.
But, I also dug back into his fascinating career before joining the Sky Blues - including winning trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson, being wanted by Arsene Wenger and thriving in France.
Oh, and don't worry, despite the photo, we don't talk about the Villa!
Read it now on The Phoenix. Link below. #pusb
Read it here: thephoenix.counterpress.medi…
I'm going for it, going in with @ThatCovPod before bed. I hope @dawkinscov1980 goes full Nick Ross Crimewatch at the end and signs off with, 'Don't have nightmares.'
There's a pop culture reference that will mean nothing to anyone under the age of about 35. #pusb
One of the frustrations is that Doug put his hand in his pocket and spent a big chunk of money in the summer. It's just that very few of the new signings have made any meaningful impact.
In pure terms of who has actually improved the team, Pinnock is probably the top pick, isn't he? Yirenkyi has masses of potential, but right here and now I'd say it's the 33-year-old centre half.
Coventry City 0-1 Fulham.
Six defeats in eight Premier League games. Eight Championship players in the starting XI. £30m+ of attacking talent unused.
Questions over recruitment, Lampard's substitutions and another frustrating afternoon at the CBS.
The paywall is down for this one, as if I'm going to write over 2,000 words on that performance on a Saturday night then I want as many of you as possible to join me in the misery.
#pusb thephoenix.counterpress.medi…
Accurate passing stats:
Coventry 279 accurate from 352 passes (79% accuracy) Fulham 583 accurate from 646 (90% accuracy).
Fulham didn't look particularly great with the ball, but they had it more than we did and tended to keep it when they did. They also had the one moment of quality in the match with Bobb's finish.
#pusb
Questions will again be asked about recruitment. Eight players who were with us in the Championship start once again. Again £30m+ of Tchaouna and Gboho missing. Very, very little threat going forward. #pusb
Like for like with the subs. Do we need to be a tad braver here? That said, we saw what happened when we chased the win against Hull.
Difficult conditions, but that first half was the definition of, 'If that match was being played in my back garden I'd close the curtains.' #pusb
Looked like a let off there with a lengthy VAR check for a Fulham penalty after BTA was pulling a shirt in the box. #pusb
Lovely endorsement on the Hadji and Chippo feature. Chippo, I mean, though I'm sure that stuuuaaarrrt is also a man of great taste. #pusb
Same again for the Sky Blues. Glad to see Gboho back involved. For someone who spent a full season in the Premier League last season, Tchaouna sure is needing a lot of time to settle in.
Pouring rain and howling wind - the perfect conditions for players to try their luck shooting from outside the box.
Hang on, shots from outside the box? #pusb
Conditions to suit the Sky Blues more than Fulham today?
Will it be as wet as that League Two play off semi first leg against Notts County?!
Score predictions?
I said 3-1 yesterday on @thelornashow and I'll stick with that. Well, either that or P-P 😂 #pusb
Fancy reliving the year that Mustapha Hadji and Youssef Chippo joined the Sky Blues?
In one of the very first features for The Phoenix, I spoke to both players (as well as Robbie Keane, Carlton Palmer, Gordon Strachan and @shoza11) to find out what it was like when Morocco came to Coventry.
Today only, you can read that feature for free on The Phoenix. Link below. #pusb
Read it here: thephoenix.counterpress.medi…
