The Sky Blues welcome the visit of AFC Bournemouth to the Coventry Building Society Arena tomorrow afternoon (3pm kick-off), here’s everything you need to know about our opponents.
Fact file:
Name: AFC Bournemouth
Founded: 1899
Stadium: Vitality Stadium (Opened as Dean Court in 1910)
Capacity: 11,364
Nickname: The Cherries
Address: Kings Park, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 7AF
Pitch Size: 114.8 x 74.4 yards
The Opposition:
Bournemouth are hoping to bounce back to the Premier League at the second time of asking this season, having been defeated to Brentford in the play-off final last year.
Since the last campaign, Jonathan Woodgate has been replaced by Scott Parker in the dugout, and the former Fulham manager has guided The Cherries to 2nd place in the Championship table so far this season.
During the January transfer window, Parker opted to make a range of new signings, as Kieffer Moore, Siriki Dembele and James Hill joined the club permanently while Todd Cantwell, Freddie Woodman, Nathaniel Phillips and Ethan Laird all arrived on loan.
Out of 40 games played, Bournemouth have won 21, drawn 11 and lost 8 in the SkyBet Championship so far this season.
The Manager:
Having made his professional debut for Charlton Athletic against Bury in August 1997, Scott Parker went on two enjoy a playing career which spanned over two decades and saw the former midfielder represent England.
Having been named as Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year at Charlton Athletic on multiple occasions, Parker earned a move to Chelsea from Charlton for a fee of £10 million in January 2004. However, irregular appearances for the Blues resulted in another move to Newcastle United the following year, where he was made captain.
After joining West Ham in 2007, Parker was named as the FWA Footballer of the Year for the 2010/11 campaign, even though his club were relegated that season.
The following summer Parker made the move to Tottenham Hotspur, which was when the midfielder established himself as an England regular. After captaining his country for the first time against the Netherlands in February 2012, Parker started all four of England’s games at the 2012 European Championships.
After making 63 appearances at Spurs, Parker then joined Fulham in 2013. Here, Parker went on to represent the club in both the Premier League and the Championship before retiring at the end of the 2016-17 season.
Following his playing days, Parker was appointed as manager at Fulham on a permanent basis in the summer of 2019. In his first season in charge, he guided Fulham back to the Premier League via the play-offs, however after a relegation in the following campaign Parker left to join Bournemouth.
Last Six Games:
Draw - Bournemouth 0-0 Middlesbrough (SkyBet Championship)
Draw – Sheffield United 0-0 Bournemouth (SkyBet Championship)
Loss – West Brom 2-0 Bournemouth (SkyBet Championship)
Win – Bournemouth 3-2 Bristol City (SkyBet Championship)
Win – Huddersfield 0-3 Bournemouth (SkyBet Championship)
Draw – Bournemouth 1-1 Reading (SkyBet Championship)
Last Time We Met: Bournemouth 2-2 Sky Blues
Late goals from Matty Godden and Todd Kane saw Mark Robins' side fight back from 2-0 down to earn a point at AFC Bournemouth, as Jaidon Anthony and Phillip Billing had initially put the hosts ahead at the Vitality Stadium.
Sky Blues XI: Simon Moore (GK), Todd Kane, Fankaty Dabo, Kyle McFadzean, Dom Hyam, Ian Maatsen (Tyler Walker 90+2’), Jamie Allen (Viktor Gyökeres 63’), Ben Sheaf (Jodi Jones 85’), Liam Kelly (C), Callum O’Hare, Matty Godden.
Unused Subs: Ben Wilson (GK), Jordan Shipley, Josh Eccles.
Club Connection: Claus Bech Jørgensen
As the first ever player to score at the Coventry Building Society Arena in August 2005, Jørgensen played for the Sky Blues between 2003 and 2006.
The midfielder started his career at Holstebro Boldklub in 1994, before making subsequent moves to Aarhus Gymnastikforening and AC Horsens. His first move into English football came at Bournemouth, becoming a professional footballer at the age of 23. His last goal at The Cherries was also the last ever goal at the old Dean Court before its demolition.
A move to Bradford City followed, spending two years at the club, before moving on to Coventry. During his time at the Sky Blues, Jørgensen spent time on loan at Bournemouth, and the midfielder spent three years at the club. During this time, Jørgensen also appeared on the international stage with the Faroe Islands.
Jørgensen enjoyed a League One play-off win at his next club, Blackpool, in 2007. It was here that Jørgensen made exactly 100 appearances for the club. His later career saw the midfielder spend short spells at Port Vale and Fleetwood Town, before retiring in 2009.
Match Officials:
The EFL have confirmed that Matthew Donohue will be the man in the middle of the Sky Blues clash with AFC Bournemouth.
Donohue will be assisted by Philip Dermott and Mark Russell whilst Jeremy Simpson will act as the fourth official.