Coventry City - Operation Premiership

[SG Cesc]

All brilliant signings man, they will really help the team challenge for promotion

[T-Hawk94]

Originally Posted by T-Hawk94

Coventry sign 6 Players!

With 1 week left before the Championship began, Coventry had sold 2 of their best players and hadn't signed anyone, Coventry fans were worried but today it has been confirmed Coventry have brought in 6 players!

The first signing made was Northen Irish midfielder Sammy Clingan who had joined for an undisclosed fee and signed a 3 year contract, Sammy arrived from Norwich who were from the Championship to League 1 last season.

Clingan is a well-established international and has 17 international caps to his name.

Sammy joined the Canaries last summer and made 43 appearances, scoring six goals. He became the team's set-piece specialist, scoring four times from the penalty spot and twice from free-kicks.

Clingan has had plenty of Championship experience having spent 2 years at Nottingham Forest and a year at Norwich

""I was really pleased when the transfer was done because I know the manager did his homework on me and I already know that he is a great young manager who is good to work with," Clingan said

The second signing is Midfielder Michael McIndoe who has joined from Bristol City for an Undisclosed fee

Coventry City boss Chris Coleman had been trailing the left sided midfielder for several weeks and was keen to bring him into the squad before thse season starts on Sunday

McIndoe played 90 times for Bristol City in two highly successful seasons for the Robins

"I'm delighted to be here" McIndoe said. "It was very easy to sell the club to me, this club is a former Premier League club and I believe this team can get to the promosied land and I'll give everything I have to help the club"

The third signing is winger Andrew Driver, Driver signed from Scottish side Hearts for and Undisclosed fee that is believed to be £1,000,000

Driver had been Hearts stand out player last season and many Championship clubs were chasing after his signature

Driver had establsished himselft as a pacey, free kick specialist last season and scored a great free kick against Old Firm side Celtic in a 3-1 victory for Hearts

"I'm very pleased to be joining Coventry, the team told me their plans and their ambitions for the season and that immediately sold the club to me, I can't wait for the new season so we show everyone what Coventry is made off"

The 4th signing is veteran defender Rhadi Jaidi, Rhadi last played for fellow Midland Club Birmingham City, however he was released from Birmingham, with the sale of 2 defenders, Coventry decided to offer Rhadi a contract.

It is believed that Rhadi will not be a permanent fixture in Coventry's starting 11, but he will be a experienced figure who will help young centre backs Ben Turner and James McPake mature for this season

"I am very glad to be back in the Championship" Rhadi said. "I'm here at Coventry to help the team gain promotion to the Premiership, I'll help the young players in the team mature and give them my experience of playing in the Premiership and I will also be available to go into the first team for Coventry whenever needed and help the team anyway that I can"

The 5th signing is Chinese star Zheng Zhi, Zheng Zhi last played for former Championship side Charlton, but after Charlton's relegating to League 1 he was released, Zheng was a fan favorite at Charlton and was known for his work ethic and ball control, Chris Coleman was a admirer of Zheng and decided to offer a contract to the Chinese international

Zheng Zhi is also a very experienced International footballer, he is captain of the Chinese national team and is regared as the best Chinese footballer of his generation

"I'm happy to be playing in the Championship once again" Zheng said "I thought when I parted ways with Charlton I wouldn't get any offers from England but Coventry obviously saw something in me and for that I'm greatful and I'm looking forward to play for the team"

The final signing is Left Back Peter Gilbert, Gilbert last played for Sheffield Wednesday, but after a un-successful spell at ths club, in which he made only 34 appearences, his contract was terminated, after having a trial at Coventry, Gilbert came on as a substitute in Marcus Hall's testimonial against Everton for Marcus Hall and put in a good display which was enough to convince Chris Coleman to give him a contract.

"It's great that Chris Coleman gave me this chance to show what I could do and thankfully I didn't dissapoint and was able to earn a contract, I know that after Daniel Fox's departure Coventry were looking for a Left Back and I believe that I can take his place in the team and earn everyone's respect."

Last Update

Originally Posted by SG Cesc

All brilliant signings man, they will really help the team challenge for promotion

Thanks and I hope so lol

[Edmonds078]

6? Wow, someones been busy

[timbers]

Great Updates.

[T-Hawk94]

Thanks guys

[connor.]

Driver

[Mitchhh_9]

good updates you got going here
geez 6 players, that should boost your teams skill a bit

[EnglishHero]

All realistic signings their. McIndoe and Clingan should do good for Cov in real life, and Jaidi will add experience in defence. Zhi is also well thought of, as he is a free agent.

Good stuff.

[T-Hawk94]

Come on City, great win today

Originally Posted by Connor015

Driver

you don't like him

Originally Posted by Mitchhh_9

good updates you got going here
geez 6 players, that should boost your teams skill a bit

Yeah, when I did the real life transfers, the team went down to 1.5 stars, but those buys bumped the team up to 2.5

Originally Posted by EnglishHero

All realistic signings their. McIndoe and Clingan should do good for Cov in real life, and Jaidi will add experience in defence. Zhi is also well thought of, as he is a free agent.

Good stuff.

Thanks

[T-Hawk94]

Coca Cola Championship 2009-10 Matchday 1 report

VS
Southampton VS Coventry
St. Mary's Stadium

Today was the day, the Football League officially starts, after weeks upon week of fans waiting for it, it finally kicks off, the first match of the new season for Southampton and Coventry fans began at St Mary's, both teams are former Premier League clubs trying to regain their former glory, can either side be promotion candidates?

The game started rather slow with Coventry having most of the possession and comfortably outplaying the Saints, to no surprise the first chance of the game fell to the Sky Blues, Clinton Morrison had the ball, he squared it Leon McKenzie, to the right of McKenzie, new signing Sammy Clingan was making a run, McKenzie saw Clingan and put the ball through to the debutant, Clingan easily outsprinted the defenders before unleashing a powerful left footed shot, Kelvin Davis made a fantastic diving save to deny Clingan a goal on his debut

Southampton started to play better as the game went on, their first chance came on the 37th Minute, Wotton was able to find Marek Saganowski who was on the left wing, Saganowski cut inside and hit a powerful shot, the ball went past Coventry goalkeeper Kieren Westwood but just skimmed the post, a very close shave as Saganowski buried his head into his hands

Half Time: Southampton 0-0 Coventry

Coventry came out all guns blazing in the second half, new signing Michael McIndoe had the ball, McIndoe found Leon McKenzie who was on the edge of the box, McKenzie turned and hit a powerful shot, the shot beat the Saints' goalkeeper but the ball hit off the post and fell to a Southampton defender who cleared, Coventry were ever so close to being 1-0 up

Substitution (66th Minute)
Zheng ON - Clingan OFF

With only 20 minutes of the match remaining Coventry continued to pile on the pressure, Michael McIndoe played a superb pass to Clinton Morrison, Morrison found a way past the Southampton defence and attempted to slot the ball past Kelvin Davis, Davis dived down low and saved the shot to deny the Coventry striker

With only 10 minutes left, both teams tried to find that elusive goal, it was a Southampton corner, Saganowski whipped the ball in, but big Coventry defender Ben Turner rose above everyone and headed the ball away, the ball fell straight to McKenzie and Coventry were on the attack, Leon sprined up the field before playing a through ball through to Morrison, Morrison found a way past Perry and sprinted up the field, Morrison was 1 on 1 with Davis and laced the ball past the Saints' 'keeper to give Coventry the lead, a well deserved lead to, 1-0 to Coventry

Substitution (81st Minute)
Bell ON - Driver OFF
Best ON - McKenzie OFF

the last few minutes of the game were rather un-eventful with Southampton pressing for a equaliser but they just couldn't get past the Coventry defence, the final whistle blew as Coventry defeated Southampton by a goal to nil

Full Time: Southampton 0-1 Coventry

Man of the Match
Ben Turner (Coventry)

Player Ratings
Southampton
Davis - 6
James - 7
Perry - 5
Svensson - 6
Mills - 6
Holmes - 6
Wotton - 3
Schneiderlin - 6
Molyneux - 6
Saganowski - 6
Mclaggon - 5

Coventry
Westwood - 6
Wright - 6
Ward - 6
Turner - 9
Gilbert - 6
Bell (sub) - 6
Zheng (sub) - 6
Gunnarsson - 7
McIndoe - 7
Best 4
Morrison - 7

Clingan - 8
Driver - 5
McKenzie - 7

[RIC0]

Good Win,Must have been tough.

[liammcc11]

well done m8 great win

BTW: ive sent u a personal message

[Dan]

Great signings and a good win.. Seemed close.. Morrison's goal sounded good too..

[T-Hawk94]

Originally Posted by Ricky101

Good Win,Must have been tough.

Yeah, it was

Originally Posted by liammcc11

well done m8 great win

BTW: ive sent u a personal message

Thanks

Originally Posted by Danthomas2005

Great signings and a good win.. Seemed close.. Morrison's goal sounded good too..

Thanks mate, and yeah it was a good goal

[CFC | Koop]

sounds like one sweet counter-attack.

fantastic report.

do you have msn?

[connor.]

Nice update
Good win.

[T-Hawk94]

Originally Posted by koopIfooty

sounds like one sweet counter-attack.

fantastic report.

do you have msn?

It was , and Yesh I do

Originally Posted by Connor015

Nice update
Good win.

Thanks

[Chelsea11]

Good late win there against Southampton, sounded like a nice counter attack

[timbers]

Good Win

[T-Hawk94]

Thanks

[SPEKZ]

Good win

[T-Hawk94]

City bring in 2 more players!

After bringing in a staggering 6 players, Coventry are at it again and have bought in 2 more players after only the first game of the Championship.

The first signing is American defender Zak Whitbread, Whitbread was signed from League 1 outfit, and last years League 1 Play-Off runners up Millwall for an undisclosed fee

After a great 2008-09 season with Millwall, which attracted much attention from many Championship sides, in which Millwall failed to win promotion to the Championship, Whitbread handed in a Transfer request

Whitbread started his career with Premier League giants Liverpool, in 2005 Whitbread was loaned to Milwall, after a very impressive loan spell at Millwall, the deal was made permanent, during his time at Millwall, Whitbread has been one of the most consistent performers for Millwall

When asked about the move the new Sky Blue said "I've been determined for so long to play in the Championship, last year with Millwall I was agonisingly close to doing that, but we lost, I handed in a Transfer request because I wanted to play in the Championship so much, Coventry thankfully came in for me and I firmly believe this club can get to the Premiership and I'm looking forward to progessing with Coventry"

The second signing is prolific goalscorer, Gary Hooper, Hooper was signed from League 1 outfit, Scúntphorpe United, he was signed for a fee believed to be £1.5 Million.

Hooper had a wonderful 2008-09 season with Scúnthorpe, Hooper scored 24 League goals for Scúnthorpe, he scored 30 goals altogether for them, just 3 short of Billy Sharp's record for the club, after a great season in which Scúnthorpe failed to gain Promotion to the Championship, it was believed he would be on his way out with many Championship clubs hot on his heels

Hooper started his young career in Tottenham Hotspur's youth team, he moved to Isthmian Premier side Grays Athletic, ater a succesful spell with Grays in which he scored 20 goals, he moved to Southend United, during his time at Southend, Hooper has successful loan spells with Hereford United and Leyton Orient, he however didn't have the same success with Southend as he only netted 2 goals in his 32 appearences with the club, in the 2008-09 season he moved to fellow League 1 side Scúnthorpe, Hooper scored 24 goals in 45 games for Scúnthorper which gainned intrest from many Championship clubs

When asked about the move the new Sky Blue said "I'm very happy to be joining Coventry, Coventry already have a prolific goal scorer in Clinton Morrison, and I believe I can together we can set the Championshio on fire and get Coventry to the promised land, I'll always be thankful to Scúnthorpe though because after I had a pretty bad spell at Southend, Scúnthorpe gave me a chance and I repaid them, so for that I'm thankful"

It's believed that both new signings will make their debuts against Blackpool next Saturday

after a staggering 8 new signings, Coventry have only departed with 1, that is Midfielder Michael Doyle, Doyle has been loaned to new Championship side Southend United.

[GermanPor]

Good signings there lad. good win agasint Ipswich IRL!

[Dan]

Whitbread.. Quality signing.. Hooper is too, they should really boost the squad for promotion..

[T-Hawk94]

Originally Posted by GermanPor

Good signings there lad. good win agasint Ipswich IRL!

Thanks , and yes it was

Originally Posted by Danthomas2005

Whitbread.. Quality signing.. Hooper is too, they should really boost the squad for promotion..

I hope so , and thanks