Published:
5:00 p.m. June 25, 2022
As we continue our AZ Championship run, Chris Lakey takes a look at Coventry City, Huddersfield and Hull City
Administrator
Marc Robins
Mark Robins, Coventry City Manager – highly regarded in Carrow Road
– Credit: PA
In Norwich City’s record books as an excellent striker who scored twice in a 4-2 win at Arsenal on the opening day of the inaugural Premier League season. In his second spell at Coventry, where he has found his true home – and has just signed a new contract.
last season
Coventry’s best finish in over a decade – 12th. In truth, they had been higher for much of the campaign and gradually faded down the home stretch.
Last time against NCFC
(2020-21)
Coventry 0 Norwich City 2
Pukki, Buendia
Norwich City 1 Coventry 1
Vrancic Biamou
star man
Callum O’Hare
Coventry City’s Callum O’Hare, right, has been linked with a summer move to Norwich City
– Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
The attacking midfielder is well known to City boss Dean Smith, having been at Aston Villa from the age of seven until his departure in August 2019. Had one season on loan at Coventry before the deal does not become permanent. His displays – five goals and eight assists last season – won him many admirers, although reports that the Canaries were among them turned out to be a bit off the mark. Has been compared to Jack Grealish – another player very familiar to Smith
AOB
Coventry’s 12th place finish was their best since 2005-06 when they finished eighth, one place and a point ahead of the Canaries. They actually started this season with a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road.
Verdict
Robins is working on a tight budget but will be determined to do better and get the Sky Blues into the play-offs. The bookmakers don’t fancy it – but you have a feeling the manager will be perfectly happy with this view.
Administrator
Carlos Corberán
Carlos Corberan helped transform Huddersfield
– Credit: PA
At the helm for two years now, having succeeded Danny Cowley. Corberan had been with Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa and he revitalized the Terriers, taking them to last season’s play-off final when they lost to Nottingham Forest. Popular with supporters, with whom he has already established a good bond. Fans everywhere know what that means for the odds of success.
Last time against NCFC
(2020-21)
Norwich 7 Huddersfield 0
Pukki 3, Buendia
Cantwell, Dowell,
hugil
Huddersfield 0 Norwich City 1
idah
star man
Harry Toffolo
Won the FA Youth Cup with Norwich in 2013 – a side managed by Neil Adams and including Josh and Jacob Murphy and King’s Lynn Town‘s Kyle Callan-McFadden. Toffolo, 26, owns the left side of Huddersfield and was instrumental in a big burst of form at the end of last season when he scored five goals in the last seven games of the regular season. He is fast, agile, a good defender and a good attacker, with a good imagination.
AOB
Jordan Rhodes also had a strong end to last season, with two in the last three regular season games and the winner of the play-off semi-finals at home against Luton. Rhodes scored six out of nine starts during a loan spell at Norwich, where he became one of those much-loved temporary players.
Verdict
Good manager, some momentum from last season despite loss in play-off final to Nottingham Forest. The bookmakers have them on the fringes of the play-off picture – the Terriers might just prove them wrong.
Administrator
Shota Arveladze
Shota Arveladze has a big job to do in Hull
– Credit: PA
The Georgian is a prolific former striker whose clubs included Rangers and Ajax. Directed in Uzbekistan, Israel and Turkey and coached in the Netherlands. Was appointed in January to replace Grant McCann. Won six of his 20 games in charge.
Last time against NCFC
(2018-19)
Norwich 3 Hull City 2
Stieperman
Buendia (2) Pugh, Martin
City of Hull 0 Norwich 0
star man
Keane Lewis Potter
Hull City’s Keane Lewis-Potter – his form last season attracted a number of clubs
– Credit: PA
The 21-year-old striker featured in every Tigers game last season, scoring a dozen goals, and also played for the England Under-12s. Same old story, though – plenty of big clubs are interested in his services.
AOB
Hull’s first home game of the season is against Norwich City – seen as a high degree of difficulty given the visitors have just come down from the Premier League. Hull’s start is statistically the toughest in the division when considering the average finishing position of the top six opponents.
Verdict
They finished 19th last season and if that start (Preston and Bradford away, Norwich, Burnley and West Brom away and then at home to Coventry) causes them problems, they are catching up again. Bottom half, of course.
