The Coventry City manager addressed the ‘annoying’ WhatsApp incident amidst a tense victory over Watford, marked by considerable tension.
Two goals from Haji Wright propelled Coventry City back into contention for the Championship’s play-offs as they staged a comeback to defeat Watford at Vicarage Road.
Ryan Porteous initially put the home team ahead after a promising start from the struggling hosts. However, USA forward Wright equalized from the penalty spot just before halftime after Josh Eccles was fouled by goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann. Wright then sealed the victory with another goal 18 minutes from time.
The pressure on Watford manager Valerien Ismael reached a boiling point with the team sacking him following their seventh defeat in nine games. Meanwhile, Coventry City’s gritty performance catapulted them back into the promotion race with nine league games remaining.
Here are some key takeaways from the 2-1 victory:
1. Sheaf’s timely return: Ben Sheaf returned from injury and immediately showcased the qualities sorely missed in his absence. His calmness and composure in midfield spurred one of Coventry’s best passages of play, leading to Wright’s winning goal.
2. Adjusting to the formation: Coventry struggled to contain Watford’s quick and elusive forwards, particularly in the difficult first half. The team was exposed in midfield and on the right flank, where Josh Eccles played ahead of Milan van Ewijk. Manager Mark Robins made adjustments at halftime, which provided more pace to counter Watford’s threats.
3. Irksome WhatsApp-gate: Despite a convincing win against Rotherham, Coventry faced a scrappy battle against Watford. Robins acknowledged a sense of “needle” in the game and expressed annoyance over the leaked WhatsApp conversation before the match, dismissing it as irrelevant news.
Overall, Coventry’s hard-fought victory showcased their resilience and determination as they continue their push for promotion.
