Great(er) expectations as City take on bottom duo

Coventry City have been creeping up the table in recent weeks almost unnoticed after some important wins over the likes of Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace nudged them up to within three points of a play-off place.

Having played more games than many of the teams around them, Sky Blues’ fans are not getting carried away just yet but having fought their way into the top-half of the table, there will be greater expectation around the club as they prepare for consecutive games against the bottom two in the Championship.

Back-to-back wins against Peterborough United and Plymouth Argyle in December provided the kickstart that City’s season so desperately needed and Chris Coleman will now be looking for his side to repeat that feat, firstly at London Road this Saturday and then against the Pilgrims at the Ricoh next week.

Strength in depth has been a key feature for the Sky Blues during their good run and that will be highlighted against at the weekend when central defenders Leon Barnett and Richard Wood miss out through suspension and injury respectively.

Coleman has the option of playing Martin Cranie at the heart of the back four and handing Chris Hussey a start and also has Ben Turner available again and raring to go.

***Anyone travelling to the game and looking for a pre-match venue may be interested in this forum post.