Festive preview

Coventry City take on the four sides they have yet to play in the Championship this season in an eight-day spell beginning with a trip to Leeds United on Boxing Day.

The Sky Blues then face Crewe at home on December 28, Preston away on New Year’s Eve and Wolves at home on January 2.

Both Leeds and Wolves currently occupy a play-off place with Preston not too far behind so hopes for a win would appear to rest with the game against Crewe, currently one place off the bottom of the table.

However, City have won their last three games, a run that has lifted the pressure to get results over Christmas significantly.

The confidence they will take from that and their tendency to perform better against the better teams will stand them in good stead.

Some of the best display’s from Micky Adams’ side this season have come against teams at the top, the home win over Watford, the draw with Reading and even the defeat at Sheffield United all spring to mind.

Good recent home form and the holiday season should ensure the biggest crowd yet at the Ricoh Arena for the Wolves game which should help the players even more.

Adams does have some options at his disposal as well to rotate his side for the four games despite a thin squad.

Ady Williams and Stern John are back at the club after loan spells and Isaac Osbourne’s assured display at QPR on Monday means that suddenly there is competition for places among the midfield men.

Matt Heath, Marcus Hall and Stephen Hughes are also still to come back from injury so despite some tough looking games, things look a whole lot brighter than they did just a few weeks ago.

Off the pitch, things are a little less clear. As expected, CCFC did not present their 2004/05 accounts at Tuesday’s AGM due to ongoing renegotiation of the club’s debts.