Championship Season Preview 2006/07 - Coventry City

Coventry City

Odds: 20/1

Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 8 (Championship), 2004/05 - 19 (Championship), 2003/04 - 12 (Championship), 2002/03 - 20 (Championship), 2001/02 - 11 (Championship).

2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup Fourth Round (replay) vs Middlesbrough (a) - lost 1-0.
Carling Cup Second Round vs Crystal Palace (a) - lost 1-0.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Gary McSheffrey (striker) - 17 goals.

Players In
Elliott Ward (West Ham United - £1,000,000), Jay Tabb (Brentford - Undisclosed), Wayne Andrews (Crystal Palace - Free), Mikkel Bischoff (Manchester City - Free), Colin Cameron (Wolves - Free), Andy Marshall (Millwall - Free)

Players Out
James Scowcroft (Crystal Palace - £500,000), Richard Shaw (Millwall - Free), Clayton Ince (Walsall - Free).

After an inconsistent start to last season Coventry City roared back and finished two places, but 12 points off the final play off place. Manager Micky Adams has done a tremendous job at the new Ricoh Arena since taking over in January 2005 and has turned the Sky Blues from relegation fodder to play off contenders.

Adams spent £1 million in luring West Ham United defender Elliott Ward to the club after shipping out veteran duo Richard Shaw to Millwall and Adrian Williams to Swindon Town respectively. Ward, a youth academy graduate at Upton Park, made 21 appearances for the Hammers but has spent much of his career thus far on loan at Peterborough United, Bristol Rovers and last season Plymouth Argyle.

Following good performances last season, Coventry have taken a chance on Brentford midfielder Jay Tabb, signing the Republic of Ireland under-21 midfielder for an undisclosed fee. Tabb joined Brentford as a schoolboy and made over 150 appearances for the club since making his debut at the end of the 2000/01 season. In May, Steve Staunton called him up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against Chile although Tabb did not play.

Adams has been busy in the transfer market this summer and has snapped up Wolves midfielder Colin Cameron on an initial one year deal with the option of a further season. The former Scotland international had been at Molineux since August 2001. Manchester City defender Mikkel Bischoff joined the club on a free transfer as has Millwall goalkeeper Andy Marshall following the exit of Clayton Ince.

One player Adams will be keen to hold on to is striker Gary McSheffrey. The 23 year old netted 17 goals last season and has been the subject of a £2 million bid from rivals Birmingham City.

Verdict
Coventry have progressed well under Micky Adams and the Sky Blues could break into the play offs this season following some quality acquisitions. However, the club needs to fend off interest for top goal scorer McSheffrey if this is to happen.

About The Author-- David Walker runs Betfred free bet and football betting systems websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both of these websites.

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