July 21 2006

Wayne Andrews

Coventry have launched "operation Premiership" to get themselves back into the top flight. I wonder what MI5 agents came up with that awful name because they can't have seen them play over the last few seasons, writes Danny Hayes.

Coventry have repeatedly struggled in the Championship following relegation a few seasons ago.

They were considered one of the stalwarts of the Premiership, but their luck ran out at last and they have struggled to come to terms with life in the lower leagues.

However there is cause for optimism at the club, with a new stadium and an industrious pre-season that has seen a number of new arrivals and in manager Mickey Adams they have one of the most astute managers in the lower divisions.

There is one thing Palace fans can be grateful to Coventry for, they have taken the luckless Wayne Andrews from us. No one can begrudge the player for the effort he puts in but he was just never good enough. Maybe he can follow another Palace flop in Dele Adebola and re-vitalise himself at Coventry.

Their Squad

The one star performer at Coventry is without doubt Gary McSheffrey, though whether he remains at the club is another matter. Rivals Birmingham are sniffing around and have had bids rejected.

It is of no surprise a big club has come in for him, he has been Coventry’s most consistent player over recent seasons, scoring goals in a struggling side but his all round game is similar to AJ and he is still improving.

He is partnered by Dele Adebola, a strong centre forward who is more of a provider than a goal scorer, but as Palace fans witnessed first hand he can be very frustrating.

Stern John will battle with him for the second place upfront and there is no doubting his ability to score goals at this level, his quick, powerful and a good finisher.

The midfield is set to include Colin Cameron, Michael Doyle, Stephen Hughes and James Scrowcroft, containing a good mixture of experience and talent. Doyle is an exciting prospect in centre midfield with a good range of passing and an eye for goal, whilst Stephen Hughes compliments his style with his aggressive tackling.

Cameron and Scrowcroft supply the width but also have plenty of experience and will be vital members of the squad.

The defence contains the experienced Rob Page as their leader, a player who has seen it all before; his played in the Premiership and at international level and is a natural leader to the team. Elliot Ward, the brother of Palace’s Darren Ward, will join him. Lets hope his hair gets in his eyes like his brothers.

David McNamee, a recent recruit from Blackburn and Marcus Hall will be the full-backs and will be expected the support the attack at every opportunity, a characteristic both players employ well.

Probable Starting XI

Previous Meetings

22/11/05 – Crystal Palace 2-0 Coventry

15/10/05 – Coventry 1-4 Crystal Palace

20/09/05 – Crystal Palace 1-0 Coventry

09/05/04 – Coventry 2-1 Crystal Palace

When We Meet This Season

23/09/06 – Home

13/01/07 – Away

Prediction for the Season

Expect Coventry to be a stronger proposition than in previous campaigns but "Operation Premiership" will have to be put on hold for the time being. There is just a lack of quality throughout the squad that the other promotion challengers contain.

A top ten finish would show progression for Coventry but at the moment that will be the best they can hope for in a very competitive division.