Which game was I watching ?

After being thrilled to see us take the lead in four minutes,I hoped to see the team gain confidence from that and dominate the first half.Infact by the twentieth minute Derby had driven us back and made five good goalscoring opportunities

A wild shot from Jack Cork was our only other effort on goal. After surviving what looked an obvious penalty,and a glaring miss by Paul Dickov I was screaming for the half time whistle.

Its beyond me how anyone could conclude we were the better side.Of course I hoped our luck would hold out in the second half as we needed a win however it came

Predictably we were behind by the hour mark. Personally I didnt think either goal was a blatant example of bad defending. Leon Barnett and Elliot Ward made a decent partnership at the back.

Barnett was built like a boxer and at times played like one too. Ward thankfully survived that first half penalty

It was likely that we'd concede eventually If only for the huge pressure put on the defence by our anonymous midfield. Gunnarson,Cork,and Osbourne were overrun in the centre of the park.

Not for the first time this season the team cried out for the tenacity of a Michael Doyle in midfield

Clarke seemed unlucky to be sent off.The referee off course doesnt have a slow motion playback and it did look clumsy

I dont know if not getting thrashed by Derby is a definition of a gutsy display. It could have easily been worse

I think instead of whinging about injuries we should take a long hard look at ourselves in the International break.Derby did not field an outstanding side.Man for man we should have been able to compete with them

But no one can seriously argue they did not deserve to win and win well. A team who cannot compete with Derby is not one who'll challenge for the play offs

As we dip closer to the relegation zone, the next home gate could dip even lower
The Coventry City board will be monitoring that with interest