Sideways Sammy

A late win against Stoke City has put Coventry City in charge of the automatic promotion race in the Championship as they head into a tricky run of fixtures up to Christmas. After another gap in the schedule, Coventry face a testing first week back in action that could define whether they pull away from the chasing pack or get sucked back into a dog fight.

It begins with a home fixture against a West Bromwich Albion side struggling for consistency but who can shut up shop when at their best this season. It is the kind of home game that Coventry should be picking up three points from in order to maintain top spot but the combination of it being something of a local derby and a potential loss of momentum due to the international break adds a level of doubt to that assumption.

Expected Line-Up

All eyes will be on whether Jack Rudoni returns to the matchday squad over the next week or so. with the attacking midfielder’s absence having left Coventry City thin in forward areas over the past month or so despite the impressive run of results. That he won’t be fully fit any time soon eases any pressure on Frank Lampard to change up a winning formula but an extra body in the final third will be mightily welcome.

The other key fitness concern surrounds Ephron Mason-Clark, who suffered a blow to the head in scoring that late winner against Stoke City. While the two-week gap came at a good time to evade a concussion-enforced absence, Mason-Clark may not have trained much during that period and could be left on the bench here. That would likely see Josh Eccles played just behind the centre-forward, with Brandon Thomas-Asante moved to the left wing.

Additionally, Haji Wright will probably miss the starting line-up for either this game or Tuesday night’s trip to Middlesbrough after playing in midweek for the United States. The striker’s form dipped notably in October following his previous international call-up, so Frank Lampard may be minded to hand Wright more of a rest this time around so that he’s in a condition to rediscover his mojo heading into a crucial month of December.

Elsewhere, Coventry City should line up as expected. Liam Kitching, Haji Wright and Jay Dasilva are all on four yellow cards with four games to go until the cut-off, which could figure into Frank Lampard’s thinking when it comes to substitutions and squad rotation over the next few weeks.

Last Time We Met

With Coventry City banking on their home form to carry them into the play-offs last season, a West Bromwich Albion side in last-chance saloon made the trip to the CBS Arena on Good Friday to set up what could have been a tense contest. Instead, Jack Rudoni fired home a Haji Wright cross early on to put the Sky Blues well in control against a West Brom team that looked short on inspiration.

There were further chances to put the game to bed early, but Matt Grimes caught John Swift dallying on the ball in the penalty area just after half-time to make it two. Any hope of West Brom turning things around was killed off when Callum Styles rugby tackled Tatsuhiro Sakamoto for the most obvious second yellow card you’ll ever see.

The Opposition

The Manager – Ryan Mason

In his first proper managerial job, Ryan Mason has walked into a West Bromwich Albion side in transition following relatively new ownership and the end of a long spell yo-yoing between the top-flight and second-tier. A promising start at The Hawthorns has given way to a tricky spell recently, with Mason having picked up a crucial win before the international break to stave off any pressure on his job.

Ryan Mason has built a solid defensive foundation at West Bromwich Albion but has struggled to get the team flowing at the other end of the pitch. With one of the better defensive records in the division, the problem has been both creating chances and taking them, with West Brom ranked as one of the poorest teams in the Championship for Expected Goals created and are also slightly underperforming in terms of conversion. As would be imagined, once West Brom fall behind under Ryan Mason, they generally stay behind.

Who To Look Out For?

The strength in this West Bromwich Albion team is most certainly at the back. Academy-produced goalkeeper, Josh Griffiths, has made the number one shirt his own since being recalled from a loan at Bristol Rovers in January following the sale of Alex Palmer to Ipswich Town. Ryan Mason has tended to play a defensive-minded right-back to balance out Callum Styles being a somewhat unnatural left-back, with Nat Phillips and George Campbell taking turns there before Alfie Gilchrist has become first-choice more recently. Phillips has been a star addition this summer after signing permanently from Liverpool and is a tall, gritty centre-back who can be nasty to deal with.

In terms of their threat at the other end, Isaac Price is the team’s leading goalscorer from an advanced midfield position. Recruited in January, the Northern Ireland international has proved excellent at making late runs into the box or shooting from range to make the breakthrough in games. Mikey Johnston on the left wing is their chief ball-carrier with his dribbling ability and can cut inside to shoot or produce telling deliveries.

West Bromwich Albion would love for one of their strike options to find form in front of goal. Norwegian striker, Aune Heggebo, has impressed with his all-round play since joining this summer but his lack of threat in the penalty area has seen him drop out of the team in favour of the poacher-like Josh Maja, who is struggling for service. Additionally, Karlan Grant from out wide can cause trouble when he has space to attack, while Daryl Dike is a significant target to hit as a late substitute.

Where The Game Will Be Won Or Lost

It is not an exactly ground-breaking notion but the first goal will have a huge role to play in how this game goes. If West Bromwich Albion can get it, it will allow them to dig in and focus on their primary strength, defending. If Coventry City can get their nose in front, it forces West Brom to play in a style that doesn’t suit them.

As ever, set-pieces will be a crucial area of the game and could be what allows Coventry City to negate any attempt by West Bromwich Albion to dig in and frustrate. West Brom have one of the better records both in terms of attacking and defending set-pieces but are hardly dominant at either end, which could provide Coventry with one of their favourite routes on goal.

That West Brom’s chief ball-carrier, Mikey Johnston, plays on their left is favourable for Coventry City as it means he’ll be up against the team’s best defender, Milan van Ewijk. However, Johnston has previous of getting the best out of the Dutchman, so Tatushiro Sakamoto’s tracking back will be important in stopping the Baggies’ biggest danger-man.

West Bromwich Albion like to play slow, deliberate passing football in their own half to frustrate opponents. If Coventry City can press them energetically, that could lead to opportunities. Having Brandon Thomas-Asante, Josh Eccles and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto in the front four could be particularly helpful in that regard.