Magpies soar as City’s Meadow Lane misery continues

After the harrowing defeat at home to Yeovil Town on Easter Monday, City travelled to Meadow Lane – a ground we haven’t won at since 1963 – on Saturday with around 4,200 supporters expecting a response. The players had talked the talk on social media leading up to the fixture, but could they walk the walk when it really mattered? Unfortunately for us, the answer was no, and with that, any slim chance we had of automatic promotion had well and truly evaporated.

Admittedly, when Jordan Ponticelli rather delicately back-heeled a finish into the far corner with just five minutes to play, I thought a point would be heading back to Coventry. Then, in typical sky blue style, we threw it away all but 60 seconds later and the elation quickly transformed into frustration. Naivety had cost us the game and that hurt as Jonathan Forte wheeled away in celebration.

What has become evident over the recent weeks is that we miss Jordan Willis’ leadership in the heart of our defence. Having watched the highlights, we have looked shoddy at the back and that is something that couldn’t be said for the majority of games this season. Although statistically we still have the best defensive record in the division, shipping eight goals in two games is a serious concern.

The Sky Blues have only conceded 40 in 41 games, meaning 20% of those have gone against us in the space of six days. Due to that, people are fearful that this season will dwindle out and we will miss out on a play-off spot, but the only positive is that we still lie seventh – it’s all in our own hands. There are now five fixtures remaining and we have very little room for error. I don’t think my heart can take much more.

What surprised me the most at Notts County, however, was to see Tom Bayliss feature out wide in order to accommodate Liam Kelly. You can understand the thought process of Mark Robins’ wanting the latter in there to help shore things up in midfield, especially given the physicality and experience Kevin Nolan’s men possess. Having said that, why then leave out Kyel Reid – a natural winger – someone who has impressed and looked a threat since his return in January? That’s why I wouldn’t want to be a manager.

It was quite a statement to make five changes to the team that capitulated against Yeovil, but given the manner of the result, it was understandable. Some would argue that it had a negative impact on any fluidity we were starting to build, but regardless of that, everyone is disappointed that back-to-back losses have followed a seven-game unbeaten run. All we can do now is dust ourselves down and go again. City have proven they can beat anyone in League Two on their day, but we must stop being our own worst enemy.

Bring on Crawley. Play Up Sky Blues.

 

Images courtesy of @SBA_HaA