By CovSid67
August 14 2005

Clayton Ince: Signed from Crewe, and was one of two keeepers that shipped in 96 goals last season, though his contribution was significantly better than Ben Williams! (A former Coventry City bench warmer) - Ince played 24 times, conceding 37 goals (Managing only three clean sheets). Ince has said he is hoping to benefit from a full-time goal-keeping coach, and, as Coventry City fans, so are we if he gets to play for the first team! Also stated he's not afraid of getting hurt for the cause, as he proved by getting kicked off the pitch in a not-so-friendly versus Rushden.

Stephen Bywater: Forced out of West Ham by the signings of Roy Carroll and Shaka Hislop, despite being a major reason behind their promotion - their loss is our gain. Played 39 matches last season, keeping 12 clean sheets. Somewhere around that average again this season would suit Coventry City just fine....

Richard Duffy: After Stephen Hughes, the best signing (All be it on loan) made by Micky Adams this summer. Looked a class act at right-back, though compared to some of the duffers we've played there in recent years, there's not much in the way of competition! (Mainly down to clueless managers playing midfield players in this position). Has already talked about the loan signing possibly becoming permanent.

Andrew Whing: Apparently was ditched by Coventry City before, rather embarrassingly, being "spotted" (And re-signed) by Coventry City in a trial match for released players! One of the very few highlights the season he made the break through to the first team, though looked slightly dodgy after that (Plenty of time to become CCFC's number one No. 2). Has gone down in Coventry City history as the scorer of the last ever goal at Highfield Road!

Marcus Hall: Looked a fine prosepect in his first spell, but damaged his own Coventry City career after bravely playing through the pain barrier for 88 minutes in a match versus Arsenal, for fear of losing his place to a Ron Atkinson million pound+ signing/flop - and never quite recovered his form. Allowed to leave Coventry City for a few years while he regained his fitness, with his return "home" probably being one of the reasons Steve Staunton has left (And for that we should be greatful!). Missed most of pre-season through injury.

Stuart Giddings: Another "prospect", who is frequently off on England youngster duty. Already the recipient of criticism from some supporters, who don't seem to understand that he is a mere youngster, still learning the game.

Richard Shaw: Was supposed to be a bit part player last season, managing the reserve team, and helping out with the first team only when absolutely necessary. Some decent pre-season displays saw him lose his job as reserve team boss without a ball being kicked, though most would have expected him to be moved on in the summer. He wasn't, and is set to serve his tenth season with Coventry City - probably from the bench.

Matt Heath: Signed from Leicester, and described as looking a bit like "Bambi on ice" at times (A description used for Rio Ferdinand when he was starting out, so there's hope MH could end up being a quality defender). Averages one goal every ten games, which is better than some Coventry City strikers in recent seasons!

Adie Williams: A solid, highly-rated defender while at Reading, where he won the "Supporters Player Of The Season" months before leaving (With his transfer away from the Madejski Stadium upsetting many Reading fans). Claimed when joining that organising the back four is a big part of his game, though with little evidence of that so far, it hasn't quite happened for him so far at Coventry City. The arrival of Heath from Leicester could mean his place is under threat - though if Williams could regain the form of old, he would be a difficult player to leave out. Almost joined Coventry City during the Phil Neal era.

Robert Page: The sort of no-nonsense defender Coventry City have been lacking for years. His displays at the back since arriving from Cardiff (Who have since sold the two players that kept him out of their side) were instrumental in Coventry City avoiding the drop to Division One. If he can produce more of the same, a season of struggle should be off the menu.

Stephen Hughes: Only the biggest optimist (Or somebody in the know!) probably believed SH would still be with Coventry City this season, with his capture being one of very few worthwhile contributions to the Coventry City cause by Peter Reid. Was going to be `the next big thing' when he was impressing at Arsenal, then disappeared after `visits' to Everton, Watford, and Charlton, but seems to be making up for lost time now. On his day, as good as any player in the Championship - which is probably why most of the teams in the division tried to sign him! Without him, or when he's off form, we look clueless....

Isaac Osbourne: Has only made it into the first team on a few occasions, but looked good enough to stay when given the chance. Solid in the tackle, with a decent eye for goal (Without actually managing to score for the first team yet!) - a real star for the future if he continues to progress, rather than tail off and drop down the divisions like so many CCFC youth.

Michael Doyle: Former Celtic star that chose to join CCFC rather than spend time in Celtic's reserves (Would more than likely have been switched to right-back had he stayed and played under Strachan's Celtic). Along with the rest of the Coventry City squad, did nothing worthy of note during the Peter Reid era/error, but the arrival of Micky Adams turned him into a first choice, first class midfield player. Fairly useful from free kick situations, but rarely takes them....

Graham Barrett: Arsenal wanted to keep him, but he chose first team football at Highfield Road rather than staying at Highbury. Has, massive, massive potential, but as of yet, unrealised (Hence being loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday, and being told he could leave in the summer) - except when playing for the Republic Of Ireland. Prefers a central striking role, though is usually played out wide, with the final ball usually disappointing.

Neil Wood: Said to have potential, but also has an injury record to rival Mo Konjic!! His clever range of passing seems to bypass a lot of Coventry City supporters, and, sadly, a lot of the players too.

Claus Jorgensen: Came to Coventry from Bradford, with the reputation of being a goal scoring midfielder - exactly what we've needed for years! So we don't play him unless we've tried every other player available. Under previous managers, it seemed he could be Man Of The Match three games in a row, but if he dared to have a bad five minutes, he was out of the picture again. Explanations please....

James Scowcroft: Signed from Leicester, and believes Micky Adams is the "man to get the best out of him" - a claim it's to be hoped is true, as Coventry City cannot afford to carry passengers. Had a decent scoring average while at Ipswich, which dropped substantially when at Leicester. Can play in a number of positions - we hope!

Gary McSheffrey: `Cov Kid' who should have been given his chance when CCFC wasted £5 million on jail-bird Lee Hughes. Scored goals for fun at every level, and has a fairly decent record in CCFC's first team - which could have been even better had Gary McAllister not played him in every position except goalkeeper. As with Stuart Giddings, receives unfair criticism for not being the finished article - if he was, he wouldn't be here....

Stern John: The best striker at Coventry City - and the most infuriating too! Capable of taking apart any defence in the Championship, but sometimes guilty of not looking too bothered. Has a goal average far better than one in every two matches at international level - playing to his strengths is a must if Coventry City are to have a good season!

Dele Adebola: The second most infuriating player at Coventry City! Prone to moments of brilliance (See 6-2 victory over Derby for more details), where the name "Dele" is temporarily substituted for "Pele", but often goes missing too. Looked as though he was on his way out of Highfield Road last season, but a change of manager brought about an improvement in performances. Fairly poor in the air for a tall man, and possibly guilty of playing the game TOO fairly! (Usually pushed from pillar to post without giving much back, and without getting the decisions he should).

Andy Morrell: Scored goals for fun in one amazing season at Wrexham, so after a short stint up front for Coventry City, Peter Reid rendered him totally ineffective by sticking him out on the right side of midfield - where he looks like a fish out of water. Was said to be interesting a few clubs over the summer, but signed on at Coventry for a while longer.