Crystal Palace v Coventry Preview

Posted on | April 6, 2009 | No Comments

Both of these sides have absolutely nothing to play for coming into this game, with Palace sat in 13th while Coventry are in 14th. For the home side, it’s been a hugely disappointing season considering last year’s play off finish, whereas Coventry have improved massively on the team that narrowly escaped relegation last season.

Neil Warnock is one of this divisions most experienced managers and having dragged Palace from the depths of the relegation places right to a top six finish last year, similar achievements were tipped for this season. However, that’s simply not happened and the Selhurst Park faithful are once again hugely disappointed that they’ll be spending another division at this level. Things haven’t exactly been helped by Simon Jordan’s decision to sell the club, which has meant that Warnock has had his hands tied behind his back when it’s come down to finances. All through the season Palace have struggled in front of goal and their last two results which have been goalless draws have proven that. However, it took years for Warnock to piece together his Sheffield United promotion side, so the Palace supporters will be hoping that this has just been a blip in their quest for the top flight.

Coventry are sat in 14th, with fifty one points from their thirty nine points. Chris Coleman’s men actually only escaped relegation on the last day of last season, so in one way this has been a hugely successful campaign for the Ricoh Arena side. Football supporters being football supporters though, a few fans aren’t too happy. They feel that considering the resources Coleman has had available to him, they should have at least been contemplating a top half finish. Instead it looks set to be a season of mid-table mediocrity although after holding promotion chasing Reading in their last game, Coleman will be hoping his side continue to finish strongly.

Neil Warnock has plenty of problems heading into this one and he could be without several first team regulars. Shaun Derry is in need of surgery and is unlikely to be risked, while Sean Scannell, Clint Hill and Paddy McCarthy are all set to miss through injuries. Its mixed news for the visitors as Chris Coleman celebrates the return of Michael Doyle, but will be forced to change things through the absence of others. Attacking players Jordan Henderson and Leon Best are both doubtful through injury but with the Sky Blues now not having anything to play for, Coleman may decide to give a few fringe players a chance anyway.

Both of these sides have nothing to play for and with goals being a problem for both during the course of the season, this probably won’t be one for the neutral. With that, we’ll predict a boring 0-0 draw.

Related posts:

1. Coventry v Crystal Palace Preview
2. Bristol City v Coventry Preview
3. Cardiff v Crystal Palace Preview
4. Preston v Crystal Palace Preview
5. Crystal Palace v Middlesbrough Preview

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