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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
David Byrom

'He's got everything in his locker' - Inside line on Coventry City is a tale of two strikers as Bristol Rovers face familiar opponents

Bristol Rovers make the trip to Coventry City on Sunday to face a Sky Blues side still with more than half an eye on the play-offs.

It is a game that promises to be a tale of two strikers.

The Gas signed Jonson Clarke-Harris from Coventry on transfer deadline day, and the frontman has been a revelation, netting nine goals in 11 appearances.

Yet prior to that, last summer, they were beaten to the signing of Amadou Bakayoko by the Sky Blues.

We caught up with Coventry Live's Andy Turner to get the inside line on the Sky

What's the story of Coventry's season so far?

On the field, not enough goals, conceding too many from set pieces, general inconsistency and poor home form (W8, D5, L7, scoring just 21 goals at Ricoh).

Off the field, the on-going saga of where Coventry City will be playing next season.

Are fans confident of reaching the play-offs this season?

I doubt it. There's still hope but the home defeat to Oxford United a fortnight ago was a real set-back. City would have moved into sixth place, albeit for only a few days, had they won. They're now six points off Doncaster Rovers in the last realistic available spot with six games to go.

'It's something I need to look at' - Full Graham Coughlan transcript as Bristol Rovers head to Coventry City  

How is the pitch at the Ricoh? Will the rugby game on Saturday have much of an impact on it?

Pretty poor and yes, no doubt the Saturday game will make it even worse.

Coventry beat Rovers to Amadou Bakayoko in the summer, how has he got on?

He had a slow start and then showed a glimpse of what he can do with two brilliant match winning goals from the bench at Charlton before suffering a two month injury set-back. He's very much a work-in-progress but he's got everything in his locker - pace, power, heading ability, hold-up play - to be a top centre-forward at this level.

How do Coventry fans view Jonson Clarke-Harris and Abu Ogogo?

With fear on Sunday, particularly JCH whom fans are convinced will score. While never really looking like a prolific goal scorer at City, Jonno was largely appreciated for his powerful presence in both boxes, work ethic and commitment, and many were surprised by his sudden departure in January which came completely out of the blue.

As for Abs, being limited to just six league starts City fans never really got to see him at his best. He was a strange signing given the amount of established midfielders ahead of him, almost a misfit from day one. But again, no doubt fans will see him returning with a point to prove.

'I didnt get a fair crack of the whip' - Abu Ogogo reflects on Coventry City spell ahead of return with Bristol Rovers  

Who are the danger men that Rovers need to watch out for on Sunday?

Luke Thomas with his pace and skill with the ball at his feet attacking down the right wing, leading scorer Jordy Hiwula (10) who is terrific on his day but lacks week to week consistency, and Bright Enobakhare who is Championship class.

What's the latest team news and predicted line-up?

(4-2-3-1) Burge; Sterling, Willis, Hyam, Mason; Bayliss, Kelly; Thomas, Enobakhare, Hiwula; Bakayoko.

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