Diabolical, disgraceful, disrespectful, inept, inexperienced. And that just sums up Simon Davey's half-time team talk! For the first 45 minutes Barnsley looked like a Championship side. Lewin Nyatanga was mopping up at the back, Andy Johnson did more work than Sam Togwell's done in his entire time at the club- snapping into tackles and playing telling balls. Whilst Istvan Ferenczi was flicking on every ball that came his way.
The defensive frailties that gave The Reds the worst goals against column in the Football League (the only team who conceded more in the top FIVE divisions, was St Albans City who finished bottom of the Conference) did resurface within 6 minutes of the new season starting as Leon McKenzie easily brushed off Paul Reid to nod Michael Doyle's free kick past Nick Colgan.
But Barnsley were level just 3 minutes later as giant striker Kevin Kyle literally punched Brian Howard's free kick away in the area.
Now Howard must have a thing about scoring spectacular opening day goals. After his incredible scissors kick against Cardiff last season, yesterday he coolly ran up and then cheekily chipped the penalty into the middle of the net.
1-1. And Barnsley began to dictate the pace in the baking Saturday afternoon heat.
Ferenczi nearly made it 2-1 on 34 minutes as he connected superbly with Martin Devaney's cross but saw his header caught by Coventry's giant Greek goal-keeper, the tongue twister Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.
And as the half-time whistle sounded, coupled with news both Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds were losing, hopes were certainly high of more joy to come in the second half.
But whatever Davey said had catastrophic consequences as The Reds simply failed to turn up.
Nyatanga was constantly second to the ball, Reid was tortured by Kyle and to sum it all up, The Reds, at home had ONE shot on target in the second 45minutes -a toe-poke from Rohan Ricketts in the EIGHTY SEVENTH MINUTE with the score at 3-1 and which was comfortably dealt with by Konstantopoulos.
Coventry were hungrier and controlled the ball so much better than Barnsley in the second half, at times stringing pass after pass together which was greeted with cheers of "ole" from the strong Coventry support.
They regained the lead just 5 minutes after the re-start and from then on it was cruise control.
Ex Barnsley target Jay Tabb curled in a delicious cross and again Reid was left floundering. The ball was much too strong and high for him but perfect for Kyle who planted a header into the corner with Colgan stranded.
If it wasn't for Colgan it would have been more, much more. He clawed away another Kyle header before Coventry put the game beyond doubt.
A shimmy from Tabb took Reid out of the equation yet again and he played the ball off to Julian Gray. He cut inside Rob Kozluk before rifling a blockbuster inside Colgan's near top corner.
Ferenczi nearly pulled a goal back when his goal bound header struck Marcus Hall and went over. Incredibly both linesman and referee gave a goal-kick.
And to rub salt in the already gaping defensive wounds, Coventry broke away in injury time to grab a fourth to mirror the same score line as at the Ricoh Arena last season and also become the first team to put more than three past Barnsley at Oakwell since Doncaster hit 5 in the LDV Trophy in 2005, and the first to do it in the league since Luton won 4-3 in 2004!.
A long ball saw the pintsized Michael Mifsud brush off the much larger Dominik Werling and slide the ball past Colgan.
So a new season full of optimism and hope crushed in 45 awful minutes.
As you said Simon, this is YOUR team and YOUR selection so it's now YOUR job to sort it out!!!
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Couldnt be faulted for any of the goals. If it wasnt for him the scoreline would have looked much worse. 7
Dennis Souza: Looks a very accomplished player. In at left back due to the injuries to Hassell and Bruma and played well until cramp forced him off. (YES CRAMP, after Davey and "Sports Scientist" Dave Kelly boasted about the player being fitter than they haver ever been, one limps off in the first game with cramp). Subbed. 8
Paul Reid ©: Tortured by Kevin Kyle the whole game. Simply couldnt keep up with his power and his lakc of pace is really hurting us in this league. 4
Lewin Nyatanga: Had the game in his pocket first half. But lost himself in that woeful second period. Constantly turned and made some rash clearances. Not the return he would have wanted. 5
Rob Kozluk: A neat and tidy debut but tured far too easily for Julian Gray to smash in the 3rd. Needs to get forward more. 6
Martin Devaney: Awful performance. This Jekyll and Hyde is either outstanding or pure garbage. This time he was pure garbage! Chickened out of every 50-50 ball that came his way. And to be honest didnt look bothered!. 3
Brian Howard: Lovely penalty to match his outstanding goal on the opening day of last season. Tried hard to get the team moving forwards in the second phalf but his team-mates just didnt comply. 7
Andy Johnson: Sam Togwell, be very afraid. Johnson did more in his 72 minutes than Togwell did all last season. Did what a defensive midfielder should do. Snapping into tackles and breaking up possesion. His expierence could be vital this season. Subbed. 8
Rohan Ricketts: Isolated by his team-mates most of the game. A bit more lively in the second half and had the one and only shot on target. 6
Istvan Ferenczi: Looked hungry first half, winning all the ariel challeneges. But muscled out of in the second half. His presence meant the match became a game of hoof-ball. 6
Miguel Mostto: £400,000 for this? Obviously must be given time to get to grips with the English game. But vast improvements are needed to stop him becoming another expensive foreign mistake. Subbed. 4
Substitutes:
Kayode Odejayi (for Mostto 61) Contributed far more than Mostto and gave the Coventry defence something to do in the second half. The one problem though was that now two big guys were upfront any passing game went out of the window. 7
Sam Togwell (for Johnson 72) Should shadow Johnson in training otherwise he will be reduced to cameos like this all season. First thing "Sir Sam" did when he came on was lose possesion. Have we really got another 2 years of this?!? 5
Dominik Werling (for Souza 72) Looks like Roberto Carlos. Certainly doesnt play like him. Muscled out of the way by pint-sized Mifsud for the 4th goal. 4
Unused Substitutes:
Grant McCann, Kyle Letheren,
Sponsor's Man of the Match: Havent a clue, any ideas?
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Hard to pick one amongst the rubble but Johnson impressed!
Most Impressed by Coventry's: We all about Jay Tabbs ability whilst Kevin Kyle destroyed us.
Ref Watch Scott Mathieson: Let off Kyle with some dirty play but not the worset ref ever. 6
Official Report
FootyMad Report
Ticket News
