Source: Daily_Mail
THE MIDLANDER: Warning signs are ominous for Coventry as Coleman soldiers on
Coventry City's performance at Derby last Friday night worried me greatly. [LNB]Effectively, thanks to a stunning finish by Leon Best, they had been given a goal start. Yet they ended the night with a defeat that could have been far heavier. [LNB]I know that Chris Coleman has a crippling injury list. And I'm not even convinced that Aron Gunnarsson was fit to start, either. But all the early signs were there of a team that's going to be scrapping - again - for its' Championship life.[LNB] Not enough: Leon Best celebrates his opener but Coventry lost 2-1 at Derby[LNB]To my mind, Coleman was absolutely correct in his post-match assessment when he said that his team didn't defend when they were really asked to. I thought Leon Barnett gave a promising display on his debut, but the fact is that there is insufficient quality in that side. Apart from once towards the end of the first-half when Best got the ball stuck between his feet within sight of Stephen Bywater, there was little or no penetration.[LNB]And to make matters worse, the likelihood is that the goalscorer willbe sold during the January transfer window to raise some capital - orelse the club will lose him for nothing. I've got a huge amount ofsympathy for Coleman.[LNB]Ray Ranson said when he brought in the Welshman that he was advised byan old chairman friend that he should spend as much money recruitingthe best manager he could. [LNB] More from Neil Moxley... THE MIDLANDER: Foxes boss makes players wear heart monitors to bed03/11/09 THE MIDLANDER: Time for Nigel Clough to emulate Old Big 'Ead after yet another boardroom upheaval at Derby County29/10/09 THE MIDLANDER: Di Matteo must wise up for West Brom to win promotion21/10/09 THE MIDLANDER: It's tough at the top - as Martin O'Neill is finding out14/10/09 THE MIDLANDER: It's high time Nottingham Forest told Billy Davies his job is safe - or at least banish David Pleat to the shadows02/10/09 THE MIDLANDER: Reo-Coker was wrong to tackle O'Neill - just as I was24/09/09 THE MIDLANDER: Goodbye but not good riddance to Sullivan and Brady16/09/09 THE MIDLANDER: Emile Heskey - a scapegoat or the real Villan10/09/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEColeman is energetic and says it as he sees it. In my experience, players might not like or always agree with such honesty, but they respect it. Some of the signings he has made Kieren Westwood, Gunnarsson, Danny Fox, Scott Dann, Sammy Clingan - have all had the ring of quality about them. Dann, in particular, has surprised me. He has been excellent during the past fortnight for Birmingham City.[LNB] But Coleman cannot keep unearthing these diamonds. As I've said in the past, my wife's family are season-ticket holders, but I'm not sure they understand quite what the financial situation is at the Ricoh Arena these days. [LNB]I certainly don't and I cover the club. Are the Sky Blues still losing money? I would assume so, as I was always led to believe that a break-even attendance figure of 20,000 was par. I think Ranson should let people know what is going on. [LNB]He should say whether Coventry have any funds available to spend in the New Year, because they certainly need help. If not, let people know. The punters will at least cut Coleman some slack.[LNB] I said at the start of last season that staying up would be an achievement. After last summer when the family silver was hawked off, the same outcome would be an even better achievement this time out. [LNB]But sooner or later, something is going to have to give. And the warning signs were there for Sky Blues's supporters at Pride Park last Friday. I suggest the hierarchy ignore them at their peril. [LNB] Luke Young. One question: Why? You've played one Premier League game in six months. Aston Villa aren't in Europe. You have a maximum of 35 games left to play this season. [LNB]Snub: Luke Young[LNB]Fabio Capello clearly doesn't rate Micah Richards. Wes Brown and Glen Johnson are injury-prone. Gary Neville is injury-prone and nearing the end of his fantastic career. You are asked to play a friendly against Brazil. Why not go?[LNB]If nothing else, you could tell your grand-kids that you playedagainst the world's No 1 ranked international side. And, if you helpout Capello, he may look favourably upon it when he names his squad. [LNB]MartinO'Neill has already said that he doesn't think the nation's head coachwill turn his back on the players that helped England qualify. Englandare one of six nations who have a realistic shot. [LNB]It couldhappen. And there are only two more friendlies after this before theItalian names his squad. It's hardly as if you are going to beoverworked. And even though you may think that you have the smallestchance of going, surely that is better than no chance at all? I justdon't understand it.[LNB] Final thought. I had to laugh when Sky's commentator on Friday night asked Dion Dublin about Robbie Savage's role in getting Jordan Clarke a red card on Friday night.[LNB] What did he think the former Aston Villa player, sent-off for butting Savage six years ago during a Birmingham derby, was going to say? Anyone who missed it won't be surprised to learn that he thought the Welshman was a disgrace. [LNB]Funny, that. [LNB] Explore more:People:Leon Barnett, Gary Neville, Glen Johnson, Martin O'Neill, Leon Best, Robbie Savage, Luke Young, WES BROWN, Scott DannPlaces:Birmingham, Brazil, United Kingdom, Europe, Pride Park
