RISE AND SHINNIE
Leveller is tonic for Rooney
POORLY Wayne Rooney was given a welcome pick-me-up as Graeme Shinnie snatched a late point at the end of what had threatened to be an off-colour afternoon for the Rams.
The CBS Arena has morphed into a fortress this season but Coventry’s 100 percent home record crumbled at the seventh time of asking with Rams boss Rooney watching from his sick bed with a non-covid related illness.
Assistant coach Liam Rosenior said: “There was constant communication, but he gives us so much trust.
“It was doctor’s orders for him to stay away. “
The Sky Blues had only themselves to blame after missing a host of chances and dominating for threequarters of the match. Matty Godden set the ball rolling from the penalty spot, having been fouled by Lee Buchanan.
Three weeks ago the Sky Blues striker was branded a diver after receiving an FA charge for simulation in the 4-1 beating of Fulham.
However, referee Dean Whitestone did not hesitate to point to the spot as Godden hit the deck. And neither manager queried that decision.
It should have opened the floodgates. Instead Coventry may well wonder how they came to be just one goal to the good by half-time.
Sky Blues boss Mark Robins said: “Derby are floating underneath the radar because of off-thefield things and point deductions, but they are a good team.
“In the first half we were in full control but lacked quality. Second half was a little bit different, we started to become sloppy, mental tiredness, but we have to be better.”
Having watched a lopsided first 45 minutes, Rosenior took the decision to throw on Louie Sibley and Colin Kazim-richards and they provided the impetus.
Kazim-richards was hugely unlucky to hit the post after collecting a long ball from Phil Jagielka.
Coventry will point to a long-range free-kick from Gustavo Hamer which hit the bar. Godden headed in the rebound but the assistant’s flag was up.
Godden had come close earlier only to be denied by Kelle Roos and he also sent a header a fraction high.
Derby had looked all at sea, apart from an early Ravel Morrison shot which was blocked by Jake Clarke-salter, but their improvement was marked.
Get well soon, Wayne.
STEVE COTTERILL was full of praise for Ryan Bowman after his perfect hat-trick steered Shrewsbury to a comfortable win.
Bowman’s first effort was cancelled out by Jack Iredale, but he struck twice more before Luke Leahy rounded off the scoring in the 90th minute.
“Ryan’s finishing was brilliant,” said Cotterill. “It was a perfect hat-trick, although I couldn’t care if they went in off his knee”
Mark Bonner saw Adam May sent off at 1-1 and said: “It was the turning point at that moment in the game.”