BORO Home v Coventry City
Riverside Stadium
7.45pm, Tuesday 25th October (6.45am, Wednesday 26th October, Sydney)
Normally, when I’m writing an introduction, the parameters of the next game are reasonably well known and so I look for something a little bit out of left field as the baseball fans say – I must admit that I’ve never really understood why left field should be more unusual than right or centre field.
I do want to have a quick look at the history of Adi Viveash in a bit more detail but that links in with the main question about Tuesday night’s game against Coventry and there are a lot of other reasons to just concentrate on the game itself. In fact, more than reasons, one could say that there are some basic questions to be answered which are quite daunting when you list them out.
- Who is in charge of the team for the game?
- What set up will suit us best when playing against the top team in the division who are scoring goals for fun? To put it another way, should we look to squeeze Coventry in the way that Robins/Viveash have played against us, or can we look to play the kind of open game that we played against Ipswich and take advantage of Coventry’s predilection for a fast, vertical game supported by attacking wing-play? As part of this, we must ask ‘who do we have available’ given the very light bench that was named for the Oxford game.
- Why is our record so bad against Coventry?
- Who will be in charge?
Whilst stating this may be a hostage to fortune, I can see no way that a new manager can have any serious involvement in Tuesday night’s game. He doesn’t know the players and doesn’t know the opposition. Therefore, the club must do everything possible to support Adi Viveash as he prepares for this game. There are two ways that this can be done. The first option is to make it clear that Adi V and his assistant are in charge and nothing more is said about the future until Wednesday at the earliest. If, on the other hand, all the documentation is in place; contract agreed, assistant(s) signed up and work permits issued, then the club may want to introduce Kim Hellberg to the fans. This approach risks to upset the atmosphere in the dressing room ahead of a very big game and it would only seem reasonable if the introduction is accompanied by a statement of 100% ongoing support for Adi V as part of the ongoing team. It’s quite a fine line and possibly more so for the players than the fans.
I want to start with a quick look at Mr Nice Guy, Adi Viveash. He’s certainly an old-style coach in that he gained experience through playing the game. He is listed as having played 425 senior games, mainly in the lower reached of the EFL with Reading, Walsall, Swindon, Oxford and others and has 23 goals to his name. He joined Cirencester Town in 2005 and was given a shot at managing in 2007. This, in turn, lead to his joining Chelsea as a development coach in 2008. He ended up taking charge of the U-21 squad from 2014/15 until he left in 2017. I had a quick look at the players that he was bringing through, and the list is amazing. Here are a few names; Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, Trevor Chalobah, Jay DaSilva, Reece James, Connor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Michi Batshuayi, Tammy Abraham and Dominic Solanke. When you see this list, you realise how big a part he was of the great Chelsea machine.
In 2017, he joined Coventry as assistant manager to Mark Robins. In 2018, Coventry was promoted through the play-offs from League 2 to League 1 and in 2020 went up to the Championship as champions of League 1. Since then, they have been there or thereabouts including (as we know too well) a play-off final. The relationship lasted until mid-2024 when they had a huge bust-up, Robins fired Viveash without telling the board and was himself fired in November 2024 with Frank Lampard taking over. This version of events was confirmed this year by the club chairman without any more details, but I did pick up this quote on a Coventry fan site
“It's quite clear to me that Adi Viveash was the brains behind the rise of Coventry City over the past 7 years or so. Robins was just ok, but Adi was the main reason for our success. The wrong man was sacrificed. I would build a statue to Adi before Robins and perhaps even find a role for him again at our club.”
It seems an absolute given that Viveash has to stay at Middlesbrough.
- How do Coventry play, what set up should we use and who do we have available?
Lampard has Coventry set up to play vertically at speed, either through the midfield or using his fullbacks and wingers. Looking at online analysis, it seems that they set their centre backs very wide allowing the keeper to cover between them and a midfielder – usually Matt Grimes – to drop back into the hole and initiate attacks. This pushes the fullbacks very wide and high and they can play as part of the midfield or even further forward. Evidence of this is the fact that right back Milan van Ewijk is their leading assist-creator with 5 and, perhaps not coincidentally, their leading YC attractor, also with 5. Jay DaSilva does similar things on the other flank with less success so far.
They also have Sakamoto from the right wing and Brandon Thomas-Assante (BTA) from the left providing crosses and goals. Coventry is a tall team at both ends and often look to use back post crosses as an alternative to cutting the ball back for their forwards and midfield players. This height also makes them dangerous from dead-ball situations and Van Ewijk is another in the endless stream of long throw merchants. They also use quite a surprising number of long balls and diagonals to further take advantage of their size.
Top goalscorer is BTA who has surprised everyone by reaching 10 goals already. He was rested at the weekend due to international travel, coming on in the 73rd minute and is expected to start against Boro. The other leading scorer has been Haji Wright with 8 but he missed out on the weekend due to an injury picked up overseas and there is a suggestion that he will miss the game. This does give a chance to Ellis Sims (3 goals) and/or Ephron Mason-Clark (3 goals) and they have had goals from midfield from Victor Torp (7) and Sakamoto (4 goals) from the wing.
Finally, as if they don’t already represent enough of a threat, Jack Rodoni came back from injury at the weekend playing the last ten minutes or so and may be available either to start or again come off the bench.
This combination has scored 43 goals, 15 more than anyone else in the division and 23 more than we have in second spot.
Defensively, they haven’t conceded many – 15 against our 14 which is respectively third best and second best behind Stoke with 12 – but they have conceded in clumps, conceding 2 against West Brom and Oxford and 3 against Derby and Wrexham.
So how do we set up and who do we have available?
I’d start to answer this question by asking another one. Do we want to reverse history and set out to counter their potent attack, or do we want to take the game to them? That then leads to another question; who do we have available to play in defence? If we have Fry and Targett available to play we could go with a back four although that may leave us vulnerable to their wing-play and deep crosses. That being the case, maybe it would be better to go with a back three – Ayling, Fry, Jones – and still look to attack through the wingbacks. If we don’t have Fry, then we have a real problem as I’m not sure who plays alongside Ayling and Jones to deal with the high balls. Maybe Browne will have to play in the middle of a back three. This question will be made worse if Targett doesn’t recover from the calf injury he picked up on Saturday. Sakamoto is a very tricky customer and I’m not sure that Silvera can cope. Having a back 3 – essentially a back 5 as part of a 5-4-1 – will give some cover and McGree will provide more cover in front of whoever plays at left back/left wing-back. On the other flank, I don’t know who we have who can help Brittain defensively as I don’t think that Whittaker has shown that he can do this. Maybe Hansen. Thus, the idea of playing a 5-4-1 carries a risk down our right-hand side unless Brittain stays in a defensive mode and we try to stifle Coventry out wide.
How can we score goals. I’m sorry to say this but I’ve run out of patience with Conway. Maybe he needs a rest or some adjustment to the system under Hellberg. Assuming that he is fit, I would like to see Strelec play in a ‘Harry Kane style’ role, coming deep to pick up the ball and linking with McGree and another forward – maybe Sene, Hansen or Nypan – as his forward partner.
- Why is our record so bad against Coventry.
I’m not sure that I have a simple answer but let’s first set out the grim details of our recent problems.
Coventry came back up to the Championship for season 20/21 and things started well for us with two wins, 2-0 at the Riverside and 2-1 at The Hawthorns.
[TRIVIA moment; The goals in the 2-0 at The Riverside are a high-profile combination – Britt Assombalonga and Djed Spence - but the goalscorers in the 2-1 are very unexpected and would need a real expert to get them. Answer is Grant Hall and George Saville]
Since then, we have played Coventry ten times. We had another win in January 2022 but that’s it. The total of those ten games is Played 10, Won 1, Drawn 2, Lost 7. Goals for 3, Goals Against 16. The last five games against them, which include the second leg of the Play-off semi-final, have all been lost with just 1 goal scored and 12 conceded.
The personal moment that I keep coming back to came in the second half of the play-off first leg when Akpom missed a header that would have put us one up. That was the Sliding Doors moment when the Premier League slipped from what should have been our grasp.
Anyway, there is an obvious link through these five years of misery and that is the Robins/Viveash combination which was together for the first 8 games and probably cast a shadow over us for the two losses last year that came as we were falling apart. Tactically, as we have morphed into a more attacking side that plays vertically and carries the ball through the midfield, Coventry have often played a midfield diamond, looking to throttle our movement and pick us off because of our defensive frailty. Now that Coventry City are playing that vertical attacking game, I wonder if AV can now turn the tables and deliver a cunning way to stifle and beat Coventry. It would be a nice turnaround.
So, what do I see happening. I’m not sure what impact the Oxford comeback/failure/pick your word will have had on the Boro spirit. We played reasonably well up to the point of being able to shoot straight. Once again, we recovered from giving away a sucker punch goal and if Conway had headed in that last gasp chance we would all be in a very cheerful mood. However, we did all expect to win and should have done so. However, we did also expect to lose ground to the chasing pack, but the strange mixture of results meant that the point for the draw extended our lead to three points over Stoke in third.
Coventry trailed 2-0 down at home until West Brom went down to ten men and then they just stretched West Brom until they snapped.
It is a statement of the obvious to say that any result is possible. I would settle for a draw but do feel that a win is possible. Given that we are unlikely to score more than 1 goal, maybe a 1-0 or a 1-1 is the most likely outcome. Having said that, it will probably be 4-4. Whatever, it’s a night at The Riverside under lights. I hope that it’s a great night for everyone who can get there, and we’ll all be watching on our faraway screens.
UTB
A well structured and well written analytical piece Selwyn. Thank you.
I knew our modern day record against Coventry was poor, but it is only on reading your opener that I see just how bad it is. We do have to hope that it was Adie V that had the better of us over that period and that he should now turn the tables on the Sky Blues is a poetry that the footballing gods can not resist.
Much will depend on who is available to start in our back line. We certainly can do with Fry starting with Jones. Will it be a back 3, or a back 5. Certainly this ia a game for which AV should be prepared to start with Fry even if he might otherwise have been given another day or two of recovery. The loss of Targett would be a concern for me as unless Bangura, I dont know who we could depend on at left back/ wing back.
There is part of me that agrees with you Selwyn, about giving Conway a rest. Selic and Sène with McGree providing the intelligent play behind and wide of them. With those three the foward line can be very fluid which could unsettle their defence. Morris with Hackney in the middle and Brown filling in between Fry and Jones, being expected to link from defence to Morris and Hackney. That leaves right back/ wing back. Brittain has still to convince me since his arrival. I might just prefer to see Bill start. His pace has not really been an issue for me this season and I do think he delivers a more telling final ball than Brittain.
I have a positive feeling about this one. Let's hope that feeling is vindicated tomorrow evening.
Selwynoz
wow ! A great preview and must have taken a long time to prepare many thanks it’s appreciated.
Unfortunately I’m going to have to miss my trip to the riverside tomorrow evening as I have to stay out of the cold and away from crowds prior to my heart surgery.
Mrs OFB and her sister will be cheering the Boro on whilst I shall sit at home in the warm watching it on TV..
Mmmm doesn’t sound like a bad alternative does it ?
Come on Boro or as Delia from Norwich would say “Let’s be Avin yer !”
OFB
Thanks for a very thorough and informative starter, @selwynoz.
I watched some of the Coventry/WBA game and the Sky Blues looked full of confidence, even when they were behind on the scoreboard - I’m quite pessimistic about the result tomorrow and would happily take a draw at this stage. No more injuries would also be a bonus!
Selwyn, that was absolutely brilliant.
I'll warrant that you will not find a better preview of the game from any other source.
The blog is really fortunate to have the combination of intelligence, research and communication skills, all in the service of a coherent argument, that you bring to any subject.
Although we are on opposite sides of the fence in our assessment of Kieron Scott,I always have the utmost respect for the case you present because it is, like this opener, always so well argued and coherently presented.
Thank you for all of the background on Adi. I knew nothing about him when he arrived at the Boro, but was reassured to discover that he had been Robins' right-hand man at Coventry.
I have to say that I was disappointed by his apparent passivity compared with the dynamism and pro-active presence of Harry Watling. Rooted to the bench and hiding behind his computer screen, Adi appeared to have little influence over proceedings during matches, so when Edwards departed taking Watling, but not Adi, with him I feared the worst.
During the Birmingham game, Adi, prowling the touchline, seemed like a fish out of water, his gestures and instructions too muted to carry further than a few yards beyond the touchline. His reluctance to go over to the fans was of a piece with the later revelation that he had asked his senior players to give the pre-match pep talk, and his admission that he was best suited to being a No 2.
All doubts were assuaged, however, by two events. The first was Boro's all-hands-on-deck performance against Birmingham. Even though the captain had been the first to desert the ship, the rest of the crew showed themselves to be perfectly capable of sailing it themselves through the choppiest of waters. (I’ve observed a similar phenomenon in education. Whenever a head is away for a prolonged period, the school seems to run more smoothly and to be a happier and more relaxed working environment for the rest of the staff.)
The second event was Adi’s post-match assessment which gave a more detailed and coherent account of the game than any we have witnessed over many a long season. it was all the more impressive for being delivered in such a modest and self-effacing manner, as indeed were his equally coherent post-Oxford comments.
Adi comes across as a most likeable person. The word one reaches for is “shy”. It’s a word rarely heard or used nowadays. It used to speak to a perfectly normal, even admirable disposition. For some reason it seems, over the past couple of decades, to have been pathologised into an unfortunate condition requiring stiff doses of “assertiveness training”. In my view we need more people around us of Adi's intelligence, integrity and modesty, and far fewer of the brash, narcissistic egos encouraged by so-called social media
I agree with Selwyn that it will be crucial for Adi to be retained and his qualities recognised, particularly over the next few weeks when the games will be coming thick and fast and the fate of the rest of our season will be decided. I’d like to see his contract honoured and his expertise fully recognised and utilised.
I just hope that if, through no fault of his own, we suffer a heavy defeat on Tuesday, that this will not be used as a defining reason for dispensing with his services.
May I just end by saying that on my 86th birthday after opening all of my cards and presents this morninbg it was a delight to read your opener, Selwyn, which I treated as a bespoke hand-crafted gift for which I send my sincere thanks
@lenmasterman Many happy returns Len 🥳🎂🍾 and I hope we will be able to say that again for many more years still to come.
Happy birthday Len have a great day
OFB
So it is official now. Kim Hellberg met the players for the first time this morning.
Adi Viveash will continue to handle the Coventry match tomorrow, as well as being part of the new coaching staff. The 37-year-old Swede is joined by his long-standing assistant David Selini, who links up with Adi Viveash on the coaching staff.
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2025/november/24/kim-hellberg-appointed-boro-head-coach/
Up the Boro!
@lenmasterman Wishing you the happiest of happy birthdays, Len.
As a very shy person, I appreciate your comments that shy bairns do have merit. As a child, I rarely interacted with adults, hardly ever stuck my hand up in class and the thought of appearing in the Nativity play filled me with dread.
As an adult, I have tried to deal with shyness as best I can. I took a job that involved far too much client meeting and interaction than I would have chosen, but did pretty well at it. Social occasions have always been a struggle, but I’ve tried to face my unease head on.
I reckon there’s a place in most teams for extrovert and introvert personalities, but trying to turn the latter into the former is never a good idea.
It is being reported in a couple of sources that Ames Mravac (interim manager at Malmo FC) will be joining Hellberg at MFC, in December after Malmo finish their European campaign.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/from-sweden-anes-mravac-moving-to-middlesbrough-with-kim-hellberg/
Come on BORO.
@original-fat-bob - I hope you are allowed a glass of a nice red wine, or maybe a Single Malt as you watch the game, OFB.
So it is official now. Kim Hellberg met the players for the first time this morning.
Adi Viveash will continue to handle the Coventry match tomorrow, as well as being part of the new coaching staff. The 37-year-old Swede is joined by his long-standing assistant David Selini, who links up with Adi Viveash on the coaching staff.
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2025/november/24/kim-hellberg-appointed-boro-head-coach/
Up the Boro!
Wow... Well... I never saw that one coming 😉
@lenmasterman - Eighty six! A decent knock so far, but with scope to stroke quite a few cultured boundaries and play several high quality innings over the seasons to come (if that isn't to stretch the metaphor too far). I'd rather see you continue play a number of measured innings, playing each ball on its merits and taking into account the situation rather than a hell-for-leather slog which ignores the time available. Not that I would ever try to make a point of anything....
... and wan't that the most disappoining thing about that two day test match, that there was only plan A. The match was there to be won and all it took was a little thought@lenmasterman - Eighty six! A decent knock so far, but with scope to stroke quite a few cultured boundaries and play several high quality innings over the seasons to come (if that isn't to stretch the metaphor too far). I'd rather see you continue play a number of measured innings, playing each ball on its merits and taking into account the situation rather than a hell-for-leather slog which ignores the time available. Not that I would ever try to make a point of anything....
Thank you, Selwyn, for a fantastic opener, full of insight and interest.
Tactically, I think a lot will depend on who is fit. If Fry is, then you'd imagine he'd start whatever the setup. If Targett isn't then we might see Luke Ayling shifted once again, this time to left back, or possibly Brittain to that side.
If neither Fry or Targett are fit then we have a bit of a problem as it seems as if Bangura isn't match fit either.
In that case, it might be an idea to go back to the old Keiron McKenna / Carrick / De Zerbi tactics of playing the left back in a very advanced position, which brings Silvera into play. I agree that Silvera would be a risk up against Sakamoto but sometimes the best option is simply to try and push the other guy back by going forward yourself.
In that scenario I'd start McGree back in his favoured wide left role, coming into central areas when Silvera advances up the line alongside Hackney, with Browne and Morris under strict instructions to patrol and protect the remaining three defenders.
Problem is you need an old fashioned right winger on the other side to hold width, as the right back stays at home and forms the back three. That was Jones' role, later taken on by Doak but I'm not sure what we've got now - it isn't Whittaker, who always wants to come inside and most likely isn't Burgzorg either. The closest might be Hamilton but we've seen nothing of him really. Could Sene play that role?
Perhaps we best hope that at least one of Fry or Targett make it.
Oh, and happy birthday, Len!
A brilliant, informative and thought provoking opener Selwyn, thank you.
Best wishes Len on your 86 not out, wishing you many more.
Hope all goes well for OFB’s upcoming operation.
As for tomorrow, I have everything crossed that we can take at least a point, which might have to be by keeping a clean sheet as I can’t see us scoring, based on recent displays. 😎
Great Stuff Selwynoz - packed full of details and analysis that we've come to expect from your previews. I'm hoping AV makes a few changes in attack but realistically probably only McGree will start as it's come quickly after the Oxford game and it's probably his last in charge. Though I agree that Conway is putting everything into his game when Boro are out of possession and not enough into his main job of being a striker.
Some good observations about the way Coventry play and where they will look to attack Boro - could be tricky if we are relying on Whittaker to supply cover and Silvera to defend - we could do with Fry back really.
Happy Birthday, Sir Len. 🍾🎂🌹
I hope there is late present coming your way from Riverside tomorrow. Up the Boro!
The left back of Coventry was really bad on Saturday - both WBA's goals came from his side. Unfortunately our right side is not the strongest. Eventhough Whittaker has scored three times in the last few matches. Doak would have been nice to have against Coventry. Up the Boro!
Big congratulations Len on your 86th birthday - which incidentally a date we share for celebration as today is also mine and Mrs Werder's 25th anniversary - though not the wedding one as that came later - albeit on the same day! Just glad it wasn't tomorrow as I'm looking forward to watching the Coventry game 😉
Many thanks to you all for your birthday wishes, which have really enhanced what has been a splendid day, now to be rounded off with a televised match. Perfect.
Best wishes to Bob for his forthcoming operation. We will all be rooting for you
I’m blushing as I read your very kind comments. Writing for this blog is a genuine pleasure because of the openness of everyone involved even when, as we do over Kieran Scott, there are disagreements. It will be interesting to see how the decision to appoint Kim Hellberg works out as Scott has been very open about admitting that he has been an admirer of our new manager for quite some time and led the move to appoint him.
Regarding Adi Viveash the other term that comes to mind is decent, another term that has somehow lost its potency. He comes across as a really decent guy and I sense that we are lucky to have him.
I wish you a very happy birthday and hope that Boro give you a great present.
UTB
I’d just like to add my belated congratulations, Selwynoz, for a quite brilliant opener, undoubtedly one of the very best I’ve read on this blog, and that’s from an incredibly strong field! Amazing, simply.
Congratulations to Len - 86 not out and still going strong - and to Werder for both the birthday and the anniversary. Best wishes to you, Bob, too, as you prepare for hospital. I hope Boro bring you all well-earned rewards tomorrow night.
I will be at the game, but am very anxious about it, especially as we may have to survive with a makeshift defence. It’s probably a makeshift attack, too, given our current scoring problems. At this stage, I’d be very happy with a point, but I’m cheered by the optimists amongst you who can see us getting all 3. Everything crossed.
On who comes in at left-back, I’d go with McCormick. He’s a left-sided defender by trade, and could even play as a centre-back if necessary. He certainly did his cause no harm in the Birmingham game. I agree that Sakamoto will be a difficult challenge, but pitting young George against him might just be a trump card.
An absolute cracker of a Headliner Selwynoz, with its detailed analysis of our number one nemesis
Thank you very much for the immense effort to put that together.
Hopefully I will be at the Riverside tomorrow night, but to be honest, I think the journey back home will probably be one of disappointment.
We just cannot score goals whatever we try to do, or who is favoured to try. Then we appear to hit a mini crisis with a lack of defensive options, one you could say was predictable.
Lenihan was always going to be subject to being not available and likewise Fry given the last couple of seasons. I think in reality we have been lucky with Ayling and so the CB choices were poor given Edwards we thought preferred three at the back.
I would take a draw now if offered.
@lenmasterman what a lovely post Len and many happy returns.
Thanks for a great intro. Hopefully Adi's knowledge of Coventry will help us over come one of our bogey teams, although I do think that the unbeaten home record may go. Looks like it might be a good atmosphere as Coventry has sold their full allocation. The referee tonight is Matt Donohue who was in charge of our win against Ipswich this season, when he gave them a penalty. It would be nice if he could give one to us.
Thanks Rich. I thought your earlier post on the "calculated" (ie bleedin' great) risk of the new appointment was spot on.
Boro are predicted to be short of key defenders against the best scoring team in the League.
So I’m not optimistic of a win and would take the draw now. I fear defeat but if so, just hope Boro put on a decent performance.
I don’t think we should expect a significant quick improvement in Boro’s attacking and goals scored output not least of which the new coaching team will have limited time to spend with the players due to periods of 3 games in a week.
So, it’s fingers crossed for tonight.
👍🤔👍
Philip of Huddersfield
@philip-of-huddersfield I understand where the anxiety many of us have about our patched up back line squaring off to the mightily impressive Coventry offensive line. On the other hand. We do have a group of players taking to the field tonight in front of their new boss, sitting next to Steve Gibson. All of them will have that basic, sub-conscious human instinct to want to impress on their first date. All will up their game tonight. Even if the Coventry goal machine finds the target, then I actually think we will see a sharper Boro up front. Strelec is sure to start (surely!) and given Len's astute observations from the Oxford game, about Boro getting behind and through the defence, we will create more realistic golscoring opportunities ourselves. Coventry might be prolific up front, but they have also been shown to be vulnerable at the back.
I am expecting a hightly entertaining and possibly high scoring game and I am not ruling out a Boro victory.
CoB
I'm encouraged by the home performances against Ipswich and Birmingham - sides who came to attack us and left us space to exploit ourselves. It suited us.
Coventry appear to be a level above the rest in their attacking but there are reasons to hope.