Manager: Andy Thorn
Stadium: Ricoh Arena – 32,609 capacity
Travelling distance from Bramall Lane: 83.5 miles
Nickname: The Sky Blues
How did they fare in 2011/2012? Manager Andy Thorn blamed “an inability to buy new players and conflict at boardroom level” for Coventry’s plight in the Championship last season, which ultimately ended in relegation for the Sky Blues after finishing second bottom. Their relegation was confirmed before the final game of the season, after a losing to fellow strugglers Doncaster Rovers.
Last time we met: Coventry City 0:0 Sheffield United – Coventry had to settle for a point after failing to find a way past Sheffield United and in particular goalkeeper Steve Simonsen as the two sides battled out a 0-0 draw.
The Sky Blues mustered 17 corners and 21 attempts on goal compared to the Blades' six and four, statistics which served to highlight the one-sided nature of the npower Championship encounter and the heroics of Simonsen.
Somehow the Blades hung on for a precious point.
Player to watch out for: Gary McSheffrey – This experienced forward is now experiencing his second stint as a Coventry City player, having played for club for eight years, between 1998 and 2006. The 30-year-old knows where the net is when he’s on form, and could be a handful if in the right mood. John Fleck is certainly a threat a fit, but it seems as though the former Blades target will be nursing an injury for this match.
City’s previous match: Yeovil Town 1:1 Coventry City – Cody McDonald gave Coventry the ideal start in Somerset, when he headed in John Fleck’s cross just 10 minutes in. Richard Hinds, however, scored an equaliser for the Glovers 11 minutes later to ensure the two sides shared the spoils, although City did have a strong appeal for a penalty turned down, which manager Andy Thorn described as “blatant.”