What’s in a curse?
At least, in football terms, it could all be chalked up to coincidence. We haven’t beaten Preston North End in league competition since 2007, but there was a 6-year period in that time where both clubs’ paths diverged into differing divisions, so knock those 18 years down to twelve, and that already appears slightly better. We’ve never won at Deepdale in the league, but in that century-and-a-bit, we’ve spent decades apart from each other. So is it really as bad as it seems? Is a bogey team just something you fall into becoming? Do players take it into account as much as fans and historians do? It’s not as though the winds of fate conspire to blow against you whenever you happen to play against a team you seem intangibly jinxed by, but whatever importance you place upon it all, it certainly is nice to scratch that nagging itch; not least because it results in another three points accrued.
What we saw from within the first ten seconds of kick-off on Saturday, was a Coventry City side very assured in their work, and a Preston side who certainly could have done with a bit of cajoling in order to make things a bit more competitive. Had Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s strike straight from the off beaten the keeper, we may well have ended up seeing a scoreline so great, that it lead to not just a curse being lifted; but the demon bearing the curse being sealed in an obsidian container, locked in several chains, and banished behind seven seals – the first seal is broken only when Sunderland fans finally get over it.
Flights of fancy aside, it was a comfortable opening period, and despite Preston occasionally breaking away down the flanks, nothing was done to test Oliver Dovin. Coventry remained composed and patient, and gradually started to turn the screw; something that was acknowledged by opposing manager Paul Heckingbottom, who himself said he could sense a goal was coming. This was also reflected in the stands, as there was an air of collected faith amongst the faithful, which was rewarded in kind when Jack Rudoni headed home to open the scoring. Bobby Thomas’ second not long after, made sure there was a feel-good atmosphere in the stand, to accompany the first bit of fair weather at a football game this side of Christmas.
Throughout the game, there was never a need for the Sky Blues to have to engage top gear. Perhaps this was borne of an innate self-belief in the team’s ability, and probably also down to the confidence that any team on a good run of form is able to muster up. With a mostly young team though, this did lead to a few fleeting moments of complacency. Fortunately though, nothing much came of them.
In terms of individuals, this was the first real chance to see what Matt Grimes was able to offer the side in Frank Lampard’s preferred 4-3-3 system. What he offered is something that I personally have been crying out for over the course of this season and often during seasons past; and that is a midfielder who was always within 10 yards or fewer of the defensive line, ready and willing to receive the ball from them. The fact that he was on the half-turn whenever he did so was testament to his quality, and resulted in the true control of a game in an opposing half of the pitch that has been lacking even in matches that have ended up with us winning. It is also vastly beneficial to Bobby Thomas’ game in this regard as he has far less to worry about when in possession in terms of picking a more difficult pass. With that said, Thomas was able to play a delightful line-splitting pass through to Ellis Simms in the first half, that only last week I had said was Liam Kitching’s forte. Long may it continue.
At the top end, Ellis Simms put in another good shift that on another day would have resulted in him adding at least one more goal to his personal tally. Whether his second-half swing-and-miss was as bad as it seemed or just him falling victim to circumstance could be surveyed, but he was in the right position at least and that’s reassuring. Simms is a handul for Championship defenders not just because of his height, but also because of his deceptively powerful running. It can be hard to lead the line as a lone striker, but with Sakamoto, Ephron Mason-Clark, and Rudoni offering supporting runs, it means that as long as Simms continues to make himself a nuisance, then the team will be rewarded, and Simms in kind.
We saw the return of Ben Sheaf at the end of the match, and Haji Wright’s return is more or less imminent. Hopefully it won’t take long for two to get back up to match fitness (I suspect Wright may take a couple of matches to get firing properly again), and then when Victor Torp returns from his mystery absence from the last two matchday squads, then we will finally be at full strength. What is making me salivate is the thought of a fully-fit squad playing with this level of confidence and in good form. It really could be something great to witness. Here’s hoping.
It may soon be March, but it does feel as though there is still a long way to go. Despite our recent success, the teams around us seem to be conspiring to do just enough to keep us out of the top 6. Furthermore, there are a lot of teams just below us who are in prime position to pounce on any slip-up we may encounter, just as we are with the teams above. All we can do, is take each game as it comes and not get carried away. We are Coventry City after all, and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if we do manage to encounter a setback between now and April’s end. It would hopefully be at a more forgivable juncture, such as at Bramall Lane or at home to Burnley (just please, not against Sunderland), and not against the teams we’re now expected to pick up a result against. All we can do as fans, is keep the faith, and enjoy the ride.
Onwards and upwards, as ever.
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