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Stick or tweak? Coventry City predicted team v Fulham as questions hang over conspicuously absent pair

Coventry City news from CoventryLive as Sky Bluies reporter Andy Turner attempts to second guess Frank Lampard's starting team to face Fulham

Loum Tchaouna of Coventry City
Loum Tchaouna of Coventry City

In terms of results, Coventry City took two steps forward when they collected maximum points from back-to-back wins over Forest and Newcastle only to take one back at Tottenham on Monday night.

However, as for Premier League progression, Frank Lampard insisted that his players looked more comfortable with the level against Spurs despite being edged out in the end, confident that they’re making incremental improvements with every game that goes by.

Next up sees the visit of early season strugglers Fulham to the CBS Arena and an opportunity for the Sky Blues to get another home win on the board from a rare 3pm Saturday kick-off. The question is, will the City boss stick with the same formation and team that started at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or make a few tweaks here and there?

Given that Lampard has deployed a back four in the last two games it’s likely that he’ll stick with the same system against the Cottagers who also tend to play a 4-2-3-1 formation.

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The back four pretty much picks itself at the minute although the returning Kaine Kesler-Hayden will be keen to give Milan van Ewijk a run for his money as he gets more match minutes and fitness after his long-awaited return from injury. Elsewhere, Stephen Mfuni provides competition for Jay Dasilva at left-back but central defender Bobby Thomas and Ethan Pinnock are bolt-on starters.

Carl Rushworth has had his critics in recent weeks but will almost certainly continue in goal in the hope that the big summer signing grows in confidence and makes a swift return to his outstanding form from last season.

Matt Grimes and Caleb Yirenkyi are the manager’s ‘go-to’ central midfield starters at the minute, while Frank Onyeka has come on from the bench in the last two games in which Victor Torp and Gus Hamer have been options at a time when Josh Eccles remains out injured.

Jack Rudoni is currently City’s standout attacking option and expected to again be deployed in the number ten position with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto currently preferred to out-of-favour summer signing Loum Tchaouna on the right, and Brandon Thomas-Asante getting the nod ahead of Ephron Mason-Clark on the left at a time when another of the French wide men, Yann Ghobo, was conspicuous by his absence from the matchday squad on Monday night.

Yann Gboho of Coventry City
Yann Gboho of Coventry City

Thomas-Asante’s versatility means he’s played on both flanks in the last two games but came in for Mason-Clark last time out due to the winger suffering with a dip in form, while questions will be asked about Tchaouna and Gboho not being in the squad despite costing a combined £30m.

And finally, as for who starts up top, it’s currently a toss up between Sidiki Cherif and Taiwo Awoniyi. Had the teenager backed up his impressive showing against Newcastle with a goal against Spurs he may well have secured his place for Saturday. However, the more experienced player’s return from the bench following a three match ban puts him right back in contention to resume his starting spot, while Ellis Simms is the final striking option and expected to be among the subs.

Predicted City team: Carl Rushworth; Milan van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Ethan Pinnock, Jay Dasilva; Caleb Yirenkyi, Matt Grimes; Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Jack Rudoni, Brandon Thomas-Asante; Taiwo Awoniyi.

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