Coventry City play 4-4-2 normally attacking down the flanks or route one hoof ball.
Strengths
Ability to break quickly.
Weaknesses
Low confidence in front of goal, poor passing.
Injuries/Suspensions
Defenders Stuart Giddings and David McNamee have hamstring injuries. Centre back Mikkel Bischoff has an ankle injury, as does striker Wayne Andrews. Adam Virgo has a partial rupture of a crucuate ligament in his knee. Centre back Robert Page has a back problem and midfielder Jay Tabb needs an op for an abdominal strain.
Predicted Line-up
Marshall
Whing Ward Heath Hall
Birchall Doyle Cameron Hughes
Adebola John
Player by Player
Andy Marshall: Good experienced keeper
Andy Whing: Right back who loves to attack
Marcus Hall: Left back, good crosser of the ball
Elliott Ward: Solid centre half
Matt Heath: Hard working centre half
Stephen Hughes: Good passer
Michael Doyle: Midfield battler
Colin Cameron: Another midfield battler
Chris Birchall: Pacy right winger
Dele Adebola: Committed striker
Stern John: More than handy close in on goal
Season Preview
Written before the start of the season:
How did you fare last season?
An eighth place finish was highly acceptable considering early on the Sky Blues were in the bottom three. Had mistakes not been made early on then a play-off place could have been possible.
How do you expect you'll do this season?
Our acting Chairman has set Micky Adams a challenge to finish in the play-offs. With three strong clubs coming into the division from the Premiership, they will be amongst the title favourites, so I'm hoping for a top ten place as a minimum.
What have you done on the transfer market this summer?
For once, a Coventry City manager has been given cash to spend. We've signed Jay Tabb, Elliott Ward, Andy Marshall, Wayne Andrews, Mikkel Bischoff and David McNamee.
Which of your new signings are you expecting most from?
Jay Tabb looks a very lively player and as Andy Marshall is currently our only keeper, he'll need to be on good form to keep as many clean sheets as possible.
Where do you think you'll need to strengthen in the January transfer window?
Think we will know the answer to that one in December.
Have you any promising youngsters breaking into the team?
Kevin Thornton is highly promising. Twice voted player of the season for our reserves, he's now a fully fledged first team squad member.
Have you got the right man in charge of the team? Will he still be there at the end of the season?
Due to the club's finances, a City manager has never been under so much pressure to succeed. If things go pear-shaped, he could well face the wrath of our senior management team.
Is the club being run well? Are you likely to be singing 'Sack the board' any time soon?
Whether the club is being run well is open to debate, although it is being run better than it was.
Which team do you most want to beat and why?
To be fair, I'm quite happy seeing Coventry take points off any team. Beating a Liverpool side containing Craig Bellamy in a cup game would give rise to celebrations amongst City supporters though.
Who do you think's going up?
Automatic: West Brom, Birmingham
Play-offs: Palace
Who do you think's going down?
Southend, Colchester and possibly Barnsley
Kev Monks is editor of Coventry City Mad.