January 15 2007

Carl Fletcher

An away supporter's lot is not (always) a happy one. But Jamesey's trip to Coventry was a glorious exception.

As we cruise towards the end of the first decade of the 21st century, what used to be a simple one-hour rail journey from north London to Coventry is now a more complicated affair.

As I discovered, the trip now involves changing trains at Rugby and, at the weekend of CPFC's away game (Jan 13), fighting one's way on to a rail replacement bus for the final stage of the journey.

I had decided to stay on in Coventry, to see the city and especially, visit the world-famous modern cathedral built after the Second World War.

When I arrived at my hotel, the room contained a rumpled bed and many visible traces of the previous incumbent. But my luck was in.

When I complained to the receptionist, the manager upgraded me to a mini-suite with a magnificent view of the above-mentioned cathedral on the skyline. Brilliant.

The Ricoh Stadium, as with so many modern edifices, was impressive but inevitably lacked atmosphere and a sense of history.

Our supporters taunted the quiet Sky Blues with chants of "we forgot that you were 'ere". To be honest, would we have been all that vociferous at Selhurst if unfancied visitors had stuffed four up us in the first 39 minutes? I think not.

As often seems the case currently, the Midlanders were all over us until Carl Fletcher scored in the 19th minute and when Jobi McAnuff netted in the 39th minute to make it four, we red-and-blues looked at each other in disbelief.

No doubt, the stattos will know, but have we ever been four up away in the first half in living memory?

Despite Leon McKenzie's (it had to be didn't it?) late first-half goal, the "Famous" chicken balti pie tasted extra delicious at half-time.

Although the Sky Blues scored again to make the final score 4-2, we played some of our best football in the second half, passing instead of hoofing and despite Coventry throwing everything at us, we looked a classy team indeed.

A few pints of Banks bitter, followed by a wholesome pub meal in the city centre, rounded off a perfect day for this Eagles supporter.

Coventry manager Micky Adams was quoted in the Sunday papers as saying that "any positives we can take is that we won the second half".

If that was what he actually said it must be the one of the daftest football remarks ever.

Oh, and the cathedral was marvellous too.

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