Scorers: Delfouneso (47'), Gnanduillet (52')
H.T: 0-0
K.O: 3.00 Saturday 26/01/2019
Attendance: 9,786 (362)
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
Coventry manager: Mark Robins
Stadium: Ricoh Arena
Form: LDL - LWD
Preview: https://theblackpoolblog.wixsite.com/theblackpoolblog/home/coventry-a-preview
Teams:
Coventry XI: Burge, Mason, Davies, Kelly, Hyam, Sterling, Thomas, Enobakhare (Bakayoko), Westbrooke, Chaplin, Hiwula (Clarke-Harris)
Subs not used: Addai, Grimmer, Doyle, Brown, Shipley
Blackpool XI: Mafoumbi, Anderton (Feeney), Daniels, Heneghan, Tilt, Bola, Turton (Pritchard), Spearing, Thompson, Delfouneso, Gnanduillet
Subs not used: Nottingham, Kirby, Shaw, Sorensen
Match Events:
1st Half:
It is becoming a common occurrence for Blackpool games to be rather lackluster, this was no different. For what chances there were, they certainly were not falling to the Seasiders. Despite a promising start, with Spearing swinging in a freekick, Blackpool would quickly tail off. There was not actually a real opening though for either side until the 24th minute, and it should have been a goal. The Blackpool players seemed to stop as the ball fell to the danger man, Chaplin, who would head wide from close range.
Coventry were clearly the more threatening of the two sides as they would break forward in numbers again one minute later. Westbrooke would see an effort deflected wide after a fluid piece of build up play.
At this point Terry McPhillips and Gary Brabin had seen enough. They opted to replace Anderton with Feeney ten minutes before half time as their new system failed to really get itself started. In all honesty, this did not really make much difference and Blackpool remained in a state of a lackadaisical mind set.
It was just a matter of making it to half time at this point as Coventry would make a real push before half time. First, Thomas would send a strike just wide of the frame and the Westbrooke would do everything but score, as Mafoumbi only just pushed his low shot around the left post. They got in at 0-0, but seemingly all of the players were on different wavelengths. If ever was the time to try something new, it was now.
2nd Half:
Goals change games and this was truly the case here. An early free kick for Blackpool and suddenly they were ahead. Similarly to the first half, it would be Thompson to take and it would be Tilt to flick goalwards. Delfouneso had the simplistic task of poking home and just like that Blackpool has the undeserved lead.
As quickly as Blackpool had a first, they would have a second. This time all it took was a long ball by Tilt towards Gnanduillet that would result in the eventual goal. The tall striker took it down well and with a snappy shot with his left foot found the bottom left hand corner. Quite simplistically the Seasiders had an early 2 goal advantage and were in a commanding position.
Now that Blackpool had their goals the match returned to its original pattern. Mafoumbi would deny Hiwula twice in a matter of minutes. The first save was that of a recovery save by his feet, as Hiwula seemed destined to pull one back and the second was a more comfortable save as Hiwula shot from a tight angle.
In all honesty though, Blckpool were doing a good job of shutting up shop. The final few minutes consisted of Coventry hopefully shooting from distance or putting the ball into the box. Clarke-Harris would head wide one of these crosses in the 77th minute and go even closer with a similar chance 82 minutes in.
If anything in the last few minutes it would have been Blackpool to extend their advantage and very nearly did when a deflected effort from Thompson almost wrong footed Burge in the 5 minutes of added time.
Player Ratings:
Mafoumbi 9 (MOTM)- That is 3 clean sheets in 3 and despite looking confident between the sticks, he needs to work on his kicking.
Anderton 3 - Much better in the centre back position. He and Bola had no connection at all working on that left side.
Feeney 7 - Always looked a threat and was one of Blackpool's better players.
Daniels 5 - showed nothing all game, but defensively sound.
Heneghan 7 - Probably the best outfield player for Blackpool due to his consistency throughout.
Tilt 7 - He was poor in the first half, but gained redemption with two assists
Bola 5 - He was completely out of it playing a more attacking role. He grew into the match at left back.
Turton 6 - A solid return to the squad for Turton.
Pritchard 6 - Did well going forward when he came on, but not the most dynamic defender.
Spearing 6 - The captian did fine, but not as his levels from earlier in the season.
Thompson 5 - Almost scored twoards the end, but not really ever opening up Coventry.
Delfouneso 7 - Tried his best throughout and was in he right place to snatch his goal.
Gnanduillet 6 - Took his goal well and caused many issues in the second half, but is getting limited service.
In Addition:
McPhillips needs not to try and get too clever. Whatever Blackpool were doing early on in the season, it was working to a greater degree than what he is trying to implement now. Blackpool need greater consistency in their tactics and formation if they are to push up the table.
Blackpool only had 3 shots, scoring two of them. Yes, it means Blackpool were clinical, but they need to be creating more than that. Coventry were well organised, but there must be more urgency in the way in which Blackpool play. At times it feels as if they are playing at about 50% their potential.
What about the loan youngsters? Blackpool have got two talented youngsters in Sørensen and Kirby and they will have the desire that could just encourage Blackpool on their way. McPhillips certainly needs to experiment with these two as they are exciting prospects and their youth and energy will be infectious throughout the team.
Table:
UTP