Sky Blues rampant

Monday, October 6, 2008

Robertson's encouraging debut meant that he led the attack at Coventry ahead of other possible candidates, but Saints left the Ricoh Arena wishing they had as many options at the back.

The team played well enough when in possession, but after a bright start there were two significant challenges by the Sky Blues. The first was an unnecessary charge on Davis by Best that led to a booking and did Davis no harm, but it did seem to set the tone for a more physical approach from the home team. The second was a heavy but fair challenge on Mills by Tabb, who is built like a bull terrier. Soon after, when McKenzie got to the by-line, the cross should have been cleared by Mills, but Tabb rushing in was able to get there first and head in.

Coventry were also employing that most unattractive tactic of the long throw, and Saints did not cope well. That it led to a second goal was no surprise, and McKenzie scored easily. Davis led the protests about an offside decision, but the officials got this one right; a shame that they had not been so alert in the build up to the opening goal.

Shortly after the break, a seriously heavy defeat looked likely as Best was left alone to score from close range after Fox had got round James with ease. In fact Southampton could have been looking at a record defeat after their defensive effort in the first period: Davis had saved brilliantly from Eastwood, Best had hit the post from point blank range and Lancashire had managed a tricky block on the line.

Lancashire had also conceded a bizarre penalty, which Saints contested, for some reason. Did the defender play the ball? Absolutely not - it was an air shot clearance. Did he make contact with Best as well as thin air? Only just, but definitely so, from where we were sitting. Was it in the area? Again yes, if only just. Centre back Ward looked built for the hit and hope method from the spot but chose a subtle approach that was well beyond him and will no doubt feature in TV howler moments.

Back to the second half, and at three down Saints made a triple substitution. I'm not sure they took off the right players, but the changes worked and were profitable when Surman threw himself at Wright-Phillips' shot and headed a consolation. It would have been an interesting finale but McGoldrick finished tamely when put through and Surman was foiled by goalkeeper Westwood. In the end it was Coventry who scored the final goal, via Tabb in the 86th minute. Successive clean sheets show that we can get away with a lot but some teams make the most of the unreliable Southampton full backs and our inadequate reserve centre back.

LSSC Man of the Match: Andrew Surman, especially in the second half.

Coventry manager Chris Coleman:
"We could have been four up at half-time - I don't think anybody could have had too many complaints if we had been.

"We had a great start to the second half but then Southampton changed their shape and put us under a little bit of pressure, but it would have been a travesty had we got anything else but a win.

"We created a lot of chances and scored four goals so that's a great result for us."

Southampton head coach Jan Poortvliet:
"We have to learn from this because we played two good games and then we perform like that.

"Maybe it was over-confidence and we thought that we could do anything with the ball so we did not fight for it.

"Today we played as individuals rather than a team - and we need to learn to be switched on, concentrating and motivated for a full 90 minutes."

Coventry: Westwood, Osbourne, Ward, Dann, Fox (Hall 81), Tabb, Gunnarsson, Doyle, Best (Morrison 81), Eastwood (Mifsud 89), McKenzie.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Beuzelin.

Booked: Best.

Goals: Tabb 19, McKenzie 33, Best 47, Tabb 87.

Southampton: Davis, James (Gillett 58), Perry, Lancashire, Mills, Cork, Wotton (Wright-Phillips 58), McGoldrick, Lallana (Pekhart 59), Surman, Robertson.
Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, White.

Booked: Davis, James.

Goals: Surman 63.

Att: 15,518

Ref: Michael Jones (Cheshire).