Give me strength!
EFL Cup 1st round
Wednesday 10th August 2022
Pirelli stadium, Burton 2,680
Subs: Moore, Burroughs, Bidwell, Sheaf, Howley, Hamer, Godden, Gyokeres, Waghorn
Mark Robins made eight changes to the starting line up that faced Sunderland last month, Wilson replacing Moore in goal, Dabo starting at right wing back pushing Eccles into midfield in place of Sheaf and Rose in for Hyam. I was hoping to see both Doyle and Adaramola make their Sky Blue debuts and I wasn't disappointed, Doyle on loan from Man City replacing Panzo at left centre back and Adaramola on loan from Crystal Palace replacing Bidwell at left wing back, a fresh but inexperienced partnership on that left hand side of defence. I was also glad to hear both Palmer and Tavares making their first starts for the Sky Blues, Palmer in for Hamer pushing Allen back into midfield and Tavares up front alongside Walker in place of Gyokeres and Godden.
With that inexperience on the left of defence I could see captain Kyle McFadzean communicating with Doyle, having an experienced head next to him would be a great experience and reassuring especially in this game. In the 12th minute Bristol City win a corner which McFadzean gets a head to but wasn't a strong one as it looped high in the air, Adaramola saw the ball late and didn't jump with conviction as his man manages to head it to the far post and headed in by Naismith, Doyle was late to deal with it, 1-0 Robins.
Doyle several times looked to drive forward with the ball sadly his passes never really came off, when the Sky Blues were in possession Doyle seemed to be playing more wide on the left. In the 18th minute Doyle's debut didn't get much better, Rose intercepted a dangerous ball but his pass to Allen was misplaced the Robins passed into the box and Doyle wasn't strong enough in the tackle as Conway put the ball in the back of the net, 2-0 Bristol City.
A ball was played down the left byline to Adaramola who turned his man who pulled him back for a free kick which Palmer over hit, Tayo showing us a glimpse of his talent. Adaramola showed a lack of strength as he was pushed off the ball, he could learn a thing or two from McFadzean who 2 minutes later was strong in the tackle but the Bristol City attacks were continuous the Sky Blues struggling to get out of their own half. By the 30th minute things got worse as they were playing out from the back Eccles showing a lack of strength looked to be fouled had the ball taken off him by Wells who played Conway into the box who beats Doyle and rolls it past Wilson to make it 3-0.
Walker picked up a yellow card for a late challenge showing his frustration with the score line but it did seem to give them a kick up the arse. Palmer turned his man with a pass from Allen who played it to Tavares on the left who's cross wasn't met. McFadzean played a lovely ball for Allen to turn onto in space in midfield and passing to Palmer who expected Tavares to run on but he was static. Palmer again tried to p,as a through ball to Walker but it was intercepted. Bristol City had the ball in the net for a 4th time in the 40th minute but Pring was ruled off side. The Sky Blues switched play Palmer and Adaramola playing a one-two but Adaramola's shot was blocked for a corner. The corner was headed away but picked up again by Palmer who gets into the box and his shot his over. In the 43rd minute the Sky Blues had by far their best opportunity, Eccles prone on the ground manages to get the ball to Palmer who picks out Walker who's cross from the right across the face of goal had Tavares inches away from contact with the ball and the net. Tavares did force a save from Bentley in first half stoppage time cutting into the box and shooting.
No changes were made at half time but Coventry looked more energetic. Palmer with a long cross field ball for Walker to run onto plays it back to Doyle who finds Tavares with his back to goal passes for Walker to shoot but that's blocked. In the 60th minute Robins made a triple change all straight swaps Waghorn on for Palmer, Bidwell for Adaramola and Burroughs for Dabo. Soon after in the 62nd minute after some beautiful passing between Allen and Waghorn to create space for Allen to find Bidwell on the left who crosses for Allen to score on the volley, 3-1 Bristol City. Allen deserved his goal he's the one that has been trying to make things work.
Bidwell received the ball plays it to Tavares with his back to goal manages to shoulder the ball into Doyle's path who tries to play it through to Walker but it becomes more of a pass as it falls behind Walker who preferred it in front of him. Howley replaced Rose in defence who was very dependable. And it was Howley who played a long ball to the box for Walker who should have done better to get a head to it considering the lack of opportunity he had. Burroughs showed some promise beating his man but his cross is headed away. With the game all but over Bristol City broke and Weimann picking up the ball driving into the box beating Doyle and putting the ball past Wilson to make it 4-1 in the 94th minute.
McFadzean was a stalwart in defence but not even his experience could carry the debutantes. Allen was my man of the match trying to make things work his progression has been remarkable. It was a poor performance under difficult circumstances, Doyle and Adaramola struggled defensively but you won't catch me crucifying them, they're still young and learning the game but God give them strength.
Wilson 6, Dabo 6.3 (Burroughs 6.2), Rose 6.3 (Howley 6), McFadzean 6.7, Doyle 6, Adaramola 6.2 (Bidwell 6.2), Eccles 6, ALLEN 6.8, Palmer 6.5 (Waghorn 6), Tavares 6.2, Walker 6
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