Sunday Times 17/9/06
Coventry 1 Leeds 0: Blackwell on his last legs
Barry Flatman at Ricoh Arena
Apart from an affinity with Leeds United, London-bred Ken Bates has many things in common with thousands of Yorkshiremen and Kevin Blackwell probably knows these characteristics only too well. Neither party sees the point in being either discreet or forgiving and when hard talking is necessary, they are invariably blunt and to the point.
Leeds fans had their say after a third consecutive defeat left the club second bottom of the Championship. Only four months after losing out in the play-offs, patience is wearing thin at Elland Road and Blackwell’s team have now gone five hours and 29 minutes without scoring a league goal in open play. “Blackwell, Blackwell, time to go,” came the chant from the away supporters with the final whistle still a minute or so away. “Blackwell, time to go!” Those doing the chanting can only surmise whether the chairman is of the same opinion. Perhaps Bates took note of the fact that Coventry’s new home is something of a citadel, with Micky Adams’ team losing only once in the preceding 19 games, but the tax-exiled chairman decided to stay at home in Monaco.
However he is scheduled to return for Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie against Barnet and also plans to watch the forthcoming league matches against Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion.
Blackwell has no idea whether he will still be in employment for all or indeed any of those matches after reporting: “I spoke to the chairman on the telephone this morning and I don’t know what he is thinking.” But the manager, not too long ago lauded for changing the fortunes of the financially beleaguered club, is certain of one thing after this defeat that underlined the current malaise of his team.
“Life is not fair, is it?” he maintained after seeing David Healy’s early header hit the crossbar before Coventry struck through the crispest of goals from Stern John. “There was not much between the two teams but it’s just not happening for us on the field.” And when questioned about the chants calling for his departure, he added: “It’s not nice for anybody, but I just have to deal with the situation. I’m not the first and won’t be the last to suffer that sort of thing.” Certainly, there was a degree of misfortune about Leeds’ attacking display.
Aside from Healy’s ninth-minute header from Ian Westlake’s cross, Geoff Horsfield brought a fine reflex save from goalkeeper Andy Marshall as the visitors’ desperately sought an equaliser. But, defensively, Leeds were poor and deserved to be punished more for hesitant and uncommitted play at the back.
Understandably, Coventry played with far more freedom and their goal was a delight to witness for even the neutral. John began clever inter-play in midfield with the deftest of flicks before the move progressed with Kevin Kyle, Stephen Hughes and Marcus Hall making contributions. The lively Jay Tabb darted down the left-hand channel and, with Leeds’ marking negligible, John was allowed to finish what he started, stabbing in the low cross.
Coventry manager Micky Adams sympathised with under-fire counterpart Blackwell after Leeds’ third successive defeat and their fifth in eight Championship games this season condemned them to their lowest league position since August 1985.
Adams said: “It’s not nice. It hurts. It’s Kevin’s time now but it could be me next week. I’ve had it at other clubs and it’s a horrible feeling. “A football manager is a 24-hour job and when things like that happen it affects you, your family and everyone around you. All I can do is wish him and Leeds all the best.”
On the game itself Adams was delighted to extend his side‘s unbeaten home record this season. “It’s a fantastic three points and a fantastic win,” he said. “We played particularly well in the first half and really set our stall out. I don’t think anyone can deny us this win. It was a fantastic goal and I’m delighted. We are a very good side when we get the ball down and play.”
Blackwell had little more to say but insisted it could have been a different game had Geoff Horsfield taken his chance early in the second half. “Had Geoff scored when he was through one-on-one then it could have been a different story, but it just wasn’t our day,” he said.
Star Man: Stern John (Coventry)
Player ratings: Coventry City: Marshall 7, McNamee 6, Page 7, Elliott 6, Hall 7, Birchall 6, Hughes 6, Doyle 6, Tabb 7 (Cameron 74min, 5), John 8 (McKenzie 69min, 7), Kyle 7 (Hutchison 88min, 4) Leeds United: Warner 7, Kelly 6, Butler 4, Kilgallon 5, Crainey 5, Carole 5 (Stone 69min, 4), Gregan 5 (Douglas h-t, 5), Nicholls 6, Westlake 6 (Blake 85min, 5), Horsfield 6, Healy 7
Coventry 1 Leeds 0: Blackwell on his last legs
Barry Flatman at Ricoh Arena
Apart from an affinity with Leeds United, London-bred Ken Bates has many things in common with thousands of Yorkshiremen and Kevin Blackwell probably knows these characteristics only too well. Neither party sees the point in being either discreet or forgiving and when hard talking is necessary, they are invariably blunt and to the point.
Leeds fans had their say after a third consecutive defeat left the club second bottom of the Championship. Only four months after losing out in the play-offs, patience is wearing thin at Elland Road and Blackwell’s team have now gone five hours and 29 minutes without scoring a league goal in open play. “Blackwell, Blackwell, time to go,” came the chant from the away supporters with the final whistle still a minute or so away. “Blackwell, time to go!” Those doing the chanting can only surmise whether the chairman is of the same opinion. Perhaps Bates took note of the fact that Coventry’s new home is something of a citadel, with Micky Adams’ team losing only once in the preceding 19 games, but the tax-exiled chairman decided to stay at home in Monaco.
However he is scheduled to return for Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie against Barnet and also plans to watch the forthcoming league matches against Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion.
Blackwell has no idea whether he will still be in employment for all or indeed any of those matches after reporting: “I spoke to the chairman on the telephone this morning and I don’t know what he is thinking.” But the manager, not too long ago lauded for changing the fortunes of the financially beleaguered club, is certain of one thing after this defeat that underlined the current malaise of his team.
“Life is not fair, is it?” he maintained after seeing David Healy’s early header hit the crossbar before Coventry struck through the crispest of goals from Stern John. “There was not much between the two teams but it’s just not happening for us on the field.” And when questioned about the chants calling for his departure, he added: “It’s not nice for anybody, but I just have to deal with the situation. I’m not the first and won’t be the last to suffer that sort of thing.” Certainly, there was a degree of misfortune about Leeds’ attacking display.
Aside from Healy’s ninth-minute header from Ian Westlake’s cross, Geoff Horsfield brought a fine reflex save from goalkeeper Andy Marshall as the visitors’ desperately sought an equaliser. But, defensively, Leeds were poor and deserved to be punished more for hesitant and uncommitted play at the back.
Understandably, Coventry played with far more freedom and their goal was a delight to witness for even the neutral. John began clever inter-play in midfield with the deftest of flicks before the move progressed with Kevin Kyle, Stephen Hughes and Marcus Hall making contributions. The lively Jay Tabb darted down the left-hand channel and, with Leeds’ marking negligible, John was allowed to finish what he started, stabbing in the low cross.
Coventry manager Micky Adams sympathised with under-fire counterpart Blackwell after Leeds’ third successive defeat and their fifth in eight Championship games this season condemned them to their lowest league position since August 1985.
Adams said: “It’s not nice. It hurts. It’s Kevin’s time now but it could be me next week. I’ve had it at other clubs and it’s a horrible feeling. “A football manager is a 24-hour job and when things like that happen it affects you, your family and everyone around you. All I can do is wish him and Leeds all the best.”
On the game itself Adams was delighted to extend his side‘s unbeaten home record this season. “It’s a fantastic three points and a fantastic win,” he said. “We played particularly well in the first half and really set our stall out. I don’t think anyone can deny us this win. It was a fantastic goal and I’m delighted. We are a very good side when we get the ball down and play.”
Blackwell had little more to say but insisted it could have been a different game had Geoff Horsfield taken his chance early in the second half. “Had Geoff scored when he was through one-on-one then it could have been a different story, but it just wasn’t our day,” he said.
Star Man: Stern John (Coventry)
Player ratings: Coventry City: Marshall 7, McNamee 6, Page 7, Elliott 6, Hall 7, Birchall 6, Hughes 6, Doyle 6, Tabb 7 (Cameron 74min, 5), John 8 (McKenzie 69min, 7), Kyle 7 (Hutchison 88min, 4) Leeds United: Warner 7, Kelly 6, Butler 4, Kilgallon 5, Crainey 5, Carole 5 (Stone 69min, 4), Gregan 5 (Douglas h-t, 5), Nicholls 6, Westlake 6 (Blake 85min, 5), Horsfield 6, Healy 7