On Sky
An unfamiliar evening for football will hopefully give Coventry City supporters an unfamiliar feeling as the Sky Blues look to avoid a sixth successive League One defeat in Thursday evening`s live televised game against Sheffield United.
The need for Sky TV to fill their schedules in the run up to Christmas means City are without a home game in December that falls either on a Saturday or Public Holiday and the general mood around the Ricoh Arena at present, coupled with the inevitable drop in away fan numbers, is unlikely to provide much in the way of atmosphere for those watching at home or in the pub.
Vital Quotes:
City remain under the interim management of Mark Venus after a knock back from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink earlier this week. Speaking to the press before the game, Venus confirmed much of what he had said after the defeat at Southend on Saturday.
‘I come to work everyday with the purpose of helping this football club improve. I joined the club on one aspect and that was football. I fully understand the position we are in and the fans’ feelings toward it.’
Coventry City Team News:
Mark Venus has chopped and changed in a desperate bid to stop the rot and is likely to do so again. He is without full-backs Jamie Sterry and Ryan Haynes while Reice Charles-Cook is on standby to replace Lee Burge in goal after he was forced off at Southend last weekend following a collision with Nile Ranger.
Player to watch: Jodi Jones
Surely pushing to start the game and attempt to cause the visitors problems with his pace and trickery on the wing.
Sheffield United Team News:
The second-highest goalscorers in the division, Sheffield United travel to CV6 on the back of a 4-0 victory against Swindon Town where Mark Duffy`s goal early in the second-half sparked a goal spree from Chris Wilder’s side. He is unlikely to make too many changes from that game although Caolan Lavery, a substitute goalscorer in that game, could push for a start.
Player to watch: John Fleck
It is no surprise to City fans that the former Sky Blues midfielder, who left the Ricoh Arena in the summer upon the expiry of his contract, is now being seen as a key figure in United`s run of good form.
Match Facts & Stats
City have won their last three ‘home’ matches against the Blades, two of which took place at Sixfields.
Ref Watch:
David Webb takes charge, assisted by Matthew Bristow and Iain Siddall. Mr Webb took charge of City’s League Cup defeat at Norwich earlier in the season when his notebook nearly ran out of space recording the Canaries’ goalscorers.
Next Fixtures:
Boxing Day is the next action for both sides as City travel to face Bristol Rovers and United are at home to Oldham Athletic.
