Coventry City concluded their preparation schedule with an impressive 2-0 victory against AS Monaco
The friendly period has ended and Coventry City now focus on what represents their most crucial season in 25 years.
Warm-up matches against teams such as Northampton, AFC Wimbledon and on this occasion Monaco have concluded, replaced by competitive Premier League fixtures beginning next Friday evening against defending champions Arsenal.
However challenging that may appear, the Sky Blues travel to north London lifted by a 2-0 triumph and the confidence gained from comfortably dealing with one of France’s top clubs.
The result will not count towards anything meaningful, yet the quality of the display, highlighted by first-half strikes from Ellis Simms and Loum Tchaouna, provides valuable preparation. Coventry were deserving winners.
Here were the notable aspects from an entertaining evening at the CBS Arena.
Frank Lampard explained after the match that Coventry had overcome significant interest from rival clubs to secure the signing of Caleb Yirenkyi. The qualities the former England international sees in the 20-year-old were immediately apparent.
Yirenkyi completed his initial hour in Coventry colours and delivered a performance showcasing every attribute required in a central-midfield role.
His opening contribution, just seconds into his debut, was a powerful tackle on Mika Biereth that left the Danish forward requiring treatment. From that point onwards he covered the length of the pitch in typical No. 8 fashion, winning ball, distributing to team-mates and disrupting opposition play.
Whatever Coventry paid for him, with reports suggesting a Danish record fee of approximately €25 million, bringing him to the CBS Arena represents a significant achievement. They have acquired an athletic, intelligent and skilled player who could prove exceptional.
Yirenkyi’s first appearance ended after 63 minutes when the new arrival was replaced by a familiar face.
The anticipation surrounding Gustavo Hamer’s comeback intensified when he was spotted warming up early in the second period. His chant echoed throughout the stadium and continued unabated even after he entered the pitch.
Indeed, the third biggest ovation of the night, following the two goals, came when after several minutes of waiting to enter the field, the creative midfielder was finally permitted to join the action once Milan van Ewijk let the ball go out of play. Never has an opponent’s mistake been received so positively.
Hamer received an enthusiastic response merely by completing his initial short passes, operating centrally rather than on the left flank where Sheffield United had utilised him. The Brazilian-style player has returned to his preferred environment and supporters are delighted.
They also directed some playful jeering towards Matt Grimes when he asserted his authority at a set-piece situation.
Haji Wright’s complete absence from pre-season action throughout the summer had raised concerns. Lampard appeared relatively relaxed during his post-match discussion but became less forthcoming when questioned about Wright’s physical condition.
Lampard stated the American international suffers from a quad muscle problem but declined to provide further details.
This leaves most attention fixed on Simms, who finished clinically from 12 yards after being set through by Grimes.
At present the former Everton and Sunderland striker represents essentially the only realistic option at centre-forward and that represents an area requiring attention.
Should Wright’s recovery take weeks rather than months, Simms’ record of one goal from 12 Premier League appearances falls short of ideal, and while he scored on this occasion, there remained some hesitancy in certain aspects of his play.
Coventry will require improved and greater variety to trouble top-flight defences.
Yirenkyi featured in a midfield three alongside Grimes and Frank Onyeka, who was withdrawn in the closing stages after receiving medical attention. Lampard played down the significance of that substitution.
The three players possess complementary attributes, with Grimes’ tactical awareness, Onyeka’s physical presence and the young Ghanaian’s energy and potential meaning Coventry possess a formidable central-midfield combination for a 4-3-3 formation. Whether they possess the right attacking configuration remains uncertain.
When Hamer entered the match they shifted to a 4-2-3-1 with him operating centrally and Onyeka and Grimes forming a double-pivot. Victor Torp completed the match alongside the captain.
That tactical adaptability, combined with the capacity of Onyeka or Yirenkyi to operate in more advanced positions, provides Coventry with a solid platform to succeed in their first Premier League campaign in a quarter of a century.