The Sky Blues do battle with Bristol Rovers for the third time in the space of four weeks and here’s everything you need to know about tomorrow's opponents.
Fact File-
Name- Bristol Rovers
Founded- 1883
Stadium- Memorial Stadium
Capacity- 12,296 (3000 seated)
Nickname- The Pirates/ The Gas
Address- 33 Filton Avenue, Bristol, BS7 0BF
Pitch Size- 101 x 68 yards.
Kit Colour:
Bristol Rovers - Home Strip
Coventry City - Two-Tone Strip
Earlier This Season:
17/08/2019- Coventry City 2-0 Bristol Rovers. Shipley (45’) Kastaneer (82’) League One.
Coventry maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a good performance against the Gas. Hometown midfielder Jordan Shipley notched his first of the season before the break after a good cross from Wesley Jobello.
Late on in proceedings, debutant Gervane Kastaneer marked his cameo with a goal, smashing in a half volley just a minute after coming on.
CCFC Line up- (4-3-3) Marosi (GK), Dabo, McFadzean, Rose, Mason, Shipley (Eccles 90’), Kelly ©, Westbrooke, Jobello (Kastaneer 81’), Godden (Bakayoko 75’) , Hiwula
BRFC Line up- (4-3-1-2) Jaakkola (GK), Hare, Davies, Kilgour, Leahy, Clarke ©, Ogogo, Sercombe (Upson 59’), Bennett (Nicholls 63’), Smith, Clarke-Harris (Adeboyejo 72’)
06/01/2020- Bristol Rovers 2-2 Coventry City. Clarke-Harris (6’) Craig (32’). Walsh (31’) Craig O.G (53’) FA Cup.
City battled back from behind twice to force a replay back at St Andrews against Bristol Rovers. City trailed twice through Clarke-Harris’ penalty and Tony Craig’s header from a set-piece.
A 25-yard drive and a delicate chip leading to an own goal from man of the match Liam Walsh ensured the pair would meet again in a replay.
CCFC Line up- (5-2-2-1) Marosi (GK), Rose, McFadzean, Hyam, Dabo, McCallum (Mason 84’), Walsh, Kelly ©, Westbrooke (Allen 73’), Shipley (O’Hare 51’), Godden
BRFC Line up- (5-3-2) Van Stappershoef (GK), Menayase, Craig ©, Kilgour, Rodman, Leahy (Holmes-Dennis 83’), Hargreaves (Adeboyejo 88’), Upson, Sercombe, Nicholls (Bennett 64’), Clarke-Harris
14/01/2020- Coventry City 3-0 Bristol Rovers. Biamou (4’, 56’) Pask (50) FA Cup Replay.
City ran out comfortable winners in the third-round replay after defeating the Gas at St Andrews.
Max Biamous’ early finish set the tone before a rapid double in the second period from debutant Josh Pask and Biamou once more secured the safe passage of the Sky Blues into the hat for the next round.
CCFC Line up- (5-2-2-1) Marosi (GK), Rose, McFadzean (Shipley 85’), Hyam, Pask, Mason, Walsh (Eccles 71’), Kelly ©, Allen, O’Hare (Jones 60’), Biamou
BRFC Line up- (4-2-3-1) Van Stappershoef (GK), Kilgour, Menayese, Craig ©, Holmes-Dennis (Adeboyejo 46’), Upson (Clarke 84’), Sercombe, Rodman, Hargreaves (Kelly 62’), Leahy, Clarke-Harris
Head-to-Head
Coventry Wins- 18
Draws- 11
Bristol Rovers Wins- 17
The Opposition:
Bristol Rovers come into the fixture on a bad run of form, failing to win a game in any competition since December 17th. The main area for concern for the Gas has been their inability to score goals having only finding the net on four occasions in their last 11 games.
The Gas have been extremely active in the January transfer window recruiting six new faces, including striker Timmy Abraham and former Sky Blue Cian Harries on deadline day. Rovers will be hoping that the influx of new faces at the Memorial Stadium can help to rejuvenate their campaign.
Rovers have concentrated on young, promising players in their recruitment model during the window and have strengthened their squad well going into the fixture, with five of their January additions being under the age of 22.
Connections:
Cian Harries-
Rovers’ deadline day signing Cian Harries began his professional career at the Sky Blues after joining the Sky Blues youth system from Aston Villa.
Harries signed his first professional deal with the club and proceeded to join Cheltenham Town in the National League. Upon returning, he made his full Coventry debut against Oldham on the final day of the 2015/2016 campaign.
Harries went on to feature 17 times in all competitions for the Sky Blues, before he departed for Premier League Swansea in the summer of 2017.
Harries joins up with the Gas from the Swans on a permanent contract after a recent loan spell with Dutch outfit Fortuna SIttard.
Josh Barrett-
Attacking midfielder Josh Barrett signed for Bristol Rovers this month from Reading for an undisclosed fee after being scouted playing for Irish side St Kevin’s Boys as a youngster.
Barrett enjoyed his first loan spell away from Reading when he joined Coventry in January 2018 during the League Two promotion campaign.
He featured eight times for the Sky Blues in total, including a start against Brighton in the FA Cup. He joined Bristol Rovers this January after five years at Reading and will be hoping to establish himself as a first team regular at the Memorial Stadium.
Match Officials
Craig Hicks is the referee for this weekend’s fixture, last taking charge of a Sky Blues game during the 1-0 opening day win over Southend United.
Hicks had taken control of 22 games so far this season, giving out 67 yellow and four red cards in the process.
He will be assisted on the day by Kevin Morris and Craig Taylor, with Louis Marks acting as fourth official.