Bristol Rovers v Coventry City (kick-off 3.00pm)

[dutchman]

[rebbonk]

Good grief!

[dutchman]

Doesn't surprise me in the least I'm sorry to say.

[dutchman]

Russell Slade tastes defeat in first match in charge of Sky Blues



There was no new-boss bounce at the Memorial Stadium as Russell Slade’s first game in charge produced the Sky Blues’ seventh league defeat on the spin.

The scoreline flattered a Rovers side whose recent form has been woeful compared to just about anybody but the free-falling Sky Blues.

But midfielder Billy Bodin made all the difference with a left-foot hat-trick, the first two superb finishes from outside the box and the third a soft but immaculately-converted penalty.

Results elsewhere mean that City are only two points adrift of the relegation cut-off but with no reinforcements available until next week Slade’s man management skills will be stretched to the limit if he is to breathe some self-belief into his new charges.

Slade made just two tweaks for his first game in charge, favouring the experience of Marcus Tudgay and Kyel Reid over the youthful promise of loan pair Dan Agyei and Andre Wright up front.

City made an enterprising start, Sordell clipping an angled shot over after a flowing move involving Rudgay, McCann and Reid while the latter dribbled through well but blazed yards wide.

Burge had to make routine stops from Gafney and Bodin before being stretched full-length by Montano’s angled blast.

And the keeper was left exposed in the 18th minute, Taylor winning a free-kick off Turnbull on Bristol’s right flank – the defender harshly booked for his indiscretion – and Bodin’s lofted ball to the far post finding Hartley in space for a deft back-header into the bottom corner.

City made a lively start to the second half, McCann’s free-kick flicking wide off the wall, but found themselves two down in the 54th minute as Bodin cut in from the right and dummied twice as he ran along the 18-yard line before unleashing a cracking left-foot shot that left Burge helpless.

Slade sent on Thomas in a bid to find the equaliser but although they showed plenty of energy they struggled to create any openings – hardly helped by the fact that Brendan Malone seemed inclined to give the home team every 50-50 decision and more than a few 40-60 calls.

Montano came to his defence’s rescue with a last-gasp block of Sordell’s volley but Rovers promptly gave themselves some breathing room when Bodin produced a carbon-copy of his first goal from 20 yards.

A brief spell of set-piece pressure saw Puddy make a flying save from Turnbull before Rose headed against the bar.

But any flickering home of a comeback was extinguished when Rovers again broke swiftly and Bodin hurled himself over Turnbull’s half-offered challenge.

Mr Malone was never going to give any benefit of the doubt in that situation and Bodin picked himself up to accept his hat-trick.