Move Run Sports

It was back to St James Park after a disappointing away performance against Swansea on Saturday (which some how we managed to get a point from). We wanted to see a reaction and in the first 30 minutes we did not get that reaction. We dominated the game but did not put the ball into the box enough to create any clear-cut chances. I had literally said something like “we’re going to do something stupid and they will score” well we didn’t pick anyone up in the box and Clinton Morrison managed to score while slipping?!?! and beat Steve Harper from about 8 yards out. This put the visitors 1 up, against the run of play. Now we definitely needed a reaction and we actually got one, Wayne Routledge hit an effort into the bottom corner of the goal a few minutes after Coventry took the lead to make it all square again. We had to even it out as quickly as possible. Half team we went in 1-1.

Just under 10 minutes into the second half Andy Carroll put us in front using his power to get the ball into the back of the net. Which was a big sigh of relief more than anything. We had come from 1 down to be 2-1 up, something that used to happen a lot in the Sir Bobby Robson era but not so much in recent times. I feel this shows good character from the team and determination. We kept attacking and creating chances, I must say that Jonas Gutierrez is starting to become one of the most frustrating players to watch. Yes he can beat a player which is brilliant but he doesn’t know what to do after he beats the player, so either puts in an awful cross or loses the ball. We had to wait until the 70th minute for a chance to add another goal to the tally when Wayne Routledge easily the best player on the pitch was dragged down for a penalty his pace proving too much for the Coventry defence. Which saw Leon Barnett pick up his second yellow card so it was early bath for him. With Leon Best pretty much ready to come for the Toon it was obvious that Lovenkrands would be the player to make way (he was not really in the game very much) but probably knowing this he confidently picked up the ball and placed it on the spot for the penalty and calmly put it in the back of the net to put us 3-1 up.

After scoring the penalty Lovenkrands was on the pitch for 2 minutes before Best came onto replace him. Again Best has done nothing to impress me, surely the fresh legs up front should be chasing everything down? Yes I know we were 3-1 up but surely Best wants to make a good impression? Well so far he hasn’t done anything for me. But the scoring wasn’t done yet, in the 92nd minute Ryan Taylor tried his best to miss an easy chance by hitting it into the Gallowgate end but luckily he managed to hit the back of the net. 4-1 and a lot of people missed the 4th!

After a poor first half display the quality improved in the second half and a very important 3 points on the road to try to win the Championship. Another game at St James Park this week when we entertain Preston North End on Saturday at 3pm. Eventually a 3pm home game, it’s about time! I am sure Andy Carroll will want to score a goal or two against the club he went on loan to but did not feature very much. I am looking forward to Saturday after last night, let’s have 3 more points boys!