ALEXANDER SHOWS NO MERCY...
SCUNTHORPE UNITED boss Graham Alexander returned to the club he supported as a boy and ended the Sky Blues’ revival.
Alexander, born in Coventry and a fan all his life, knows about the problems his club are facing on and off the pitch.
As it stands, Coventry will not have a ground to play in next season as the row between owners Sisu, Coventry City Council and the club shows little sign of being resolved.
But at least caretaker manager Mark Venus has improved things since Tony Mowbray quit in September, lifting the Sky Blues from their lowest position for over 50 years in the depths of the League One relegation zone.
Venus had lost only once in six league games before this, collecting 13 points, to remove some of the depression.
And Alexander admitted it was hard to keep emotions in check.
“On a personal level, coming back to my home town club, the club I supported as a kid, you always want to do well,” said Alexander.
“There were old school mates in the crowd and family and you want to show them that you are good at your job.
“I thought my players did that for me.”
Scunthorpe, with 37 league goals, are the most free-scoring team in the country, ahead of Newcastle (34) and Liverpool (30), but they needed to defend solidly as Coventry surged at them despite trailing to Josh Morris’ 15th goal of the season.
It was set up by Paddy Madden in the 55th minute with his pass from the left and as Coventry dallied, hoping for offside, Morris stuck the ball in from close range.
Tom Hopper should have added another when he was clear but angled his shot wide.
Scunthorpe have lost only twice all season and lead League One by five points ahead of Bradford, with third-placed Bolton capable of cutting it to three at Peterborough today (Sunday).
But the Sky Blues did try to fight back.
Defender Jamie Sterry, who scored his first goal last week, was involved the most.
First he cleared away as Tom Hopper closed in and then had a 27th-minute shot deflected wide.
Sterry also had a diving header saved by Scunthorpe keeper Luke Daniels and a drive blocked by Conor Townsend.
But Coventry’s best moment was Marvin Sordell’s 20-yarder just before half-time that was pushed clear by Daniels’ dive. Generally, though, Coventry were short of someone to finish what they cleverly created. “We went toe to toe with the best in the league,” said boss Venus. “I can’t fault our desire, I can’t fault our commitment and I can’t fault the team plan. “Our team is young and they are giving as much as they have got.”
Alexander took the Sky Blues’ unbeaten 14-game home record, but sees a good future and predicted: “That’s a good young Coventry team that looks top six to me.”