Selection poser for City boss
ROBINS FACING A SELECTION POSER FOR GILLINGHAM TRIP AS CALLS GROW FOR PLAYERS LIKE GRIMMER AND ALLASSANI TO BE INVOLVED AFTER CITY’S SEASIDE FLOP AT BLACKPOOL
COVENTRY City head to Gillingham this weekend with manager Mark Robins demanding a response from his players following their dismal 2-0 midweek defeat at Blackpool.
The Sky Blues boss described the display as one of the poorest he’s seen for a long time as his side failed to score or manage a single shot on target throughout the 90 miserable minutes at Bloomfield Road.
City are yet to score from open play and have only managed two goals in their first five games as pre-season concerns about a lack of firepower have become a reality as new signings Amadou Bakayoko and Jordy Hiwula continue to bed in at their new club.
Some fans have called for changes ahead of the difficult trip to Kent, with talented forward Reise Allassani a popular choice to be included in the travelling squad after scoring twice for the Under-23s against Burnley on Monday.
And while the main concerns lie at the sharp end, supporters are also keen to see changes at the back, starting in goal where Liam O’Brien’s position looks under threat after his part in the goals on Tuesday night.
That will depend, of course, on the fitness of Lee Burge who missed out on starting the new season due to nursing a hip injury. But, if fit, the first choice keeper will be a strong contender to start his first game of the season.
The centre-halves pick themselves, particularly given the fact that Tom Davies has been ill with a virus and isn’t expected to be available for selection for a third game running.
That leaves Jordan Willis and Dom Hyam – two of the few to come out with any credit from Tuesday night – to retain their places in the back four.
It is the full-back berths, however, that have been a major talking point in recent weeks with many fans keen to see one of last season’s favourites, Jack Grimmer, restored to the starting line-up ahead of Chelsea loan man Dujon Sterling who has started every game so far.
Grimmer is yet to start a League One game, having been an unused sub in all four to date. The left-back slot is also open to scrutiny with some fans wanting to see Brandon Mason return to the side ahead of fellow summer signing Junior Brown – the pair having shared the position so far with Mason starting three games and Brown two.
Michael Doyle continues to play a key role in the side, although three games in a week could take its toll on the supremely fit 37-year-old skipper who has been playing alongside Abu Ogogo in the continued absence of Liam Kelly, who is still out with a calf problem.
There are alternatives, with Tom Bayliss an option in the middle of the park. The teenager performed well when used in the middle last season but has been utilised in wider role again this term.
A player who has caught the eye is new loan signing Luke Thomas, who will no doubt improve with the more game time he gets with his new teammates, while lively forward Reise Allassani might well have pushed himself into contention to be involved in the matchday squad after scoring two goals in the Under-23s on Monday.
City’s biggest creative threat is arguably Tony Andreu, who was dropped to the bench at Bloomfield Road but went on in the second half and sparked the side’s brightest spell. So there are strong reasons restore him to the starting line-up.
Max Biamou is a doubt after being forced off injured in the opening minutes with an ankle injury but, if fit, will surely start at Gillingham, although Jonson Clarke-Harris is another option if a physical presence is required, and will be desperate to prove himself after slipping down the pecking order.
In terms of goal scorers, the jury is still out for some fans regarding Amadou Bakayoko and Jordy Hiwula – both of whom started on the bench on Tuesday night. Jordan Ponticelli appears to have slipped put of the matchday squad but it may be time to recall the teenager.
ANDY TURNER’S STARTING XI: Burge; Grimmer, Willis, Hyam, Mason; Bayliss, Doyle; Thomas, Andreu, Hiwula; Biamou.