Micky Adams was bored out of his brains in the first half of Coventry City's match at home to Derby County on Saturday. His team's response? To score five goals in the second half and win 6-1.
Coventry's victory was reminiscent of the 6-2 win against Derby last April in the final match at Highfield Road. But Adams was perplexed by the dramatic change in fortunes. In the first half, Coventry played without conviction; in the second, they played with style and panache. Somewhere in between is the real Coventry.
"We got off to the worst possible start and then came back into the game and, to be honest, I think I was as bored as the fans in the first half,"
Adams said. "I think that was possibly the worst half of football I've seen from our point of view.
"We went in at half time 1-1 and we needed to sort it out, we needed to push further up the pitch and get close to them and we did that and got our rewards for that.
"We've got a good record against Derby and sometimes it works out like that. Certain clubs don't like playing certain clubs and I think we are one of Derby's bogey teams."
Adams was keen to single out Dennis Wise, the new signing, for special praise. The former England international midfield player took little time in showing his class.
"Terrific, wasn't he," Adams said. "He's a fantastic role model. I know that's a strange thing to say when you consider his disciplinary past but in terms of handling the ball, playing, winning tackles, breaking up play, I don't think there's been anyone better than him for 20 years.
"He's not on a goal bonus, that's the one thing he didn't negotiate so he's half gutted."
* Cardiff City manager Dave Jones has rebuked his Sheffield United counterpart Neil Warnock on the valuation of striker Cameron Jerome.
The Blades bid £2 million for the England Under-21 international but Cardiff said the youngster was worth £3.5 million.
Jones said: "The only bid we've supposedly had is from Neil Warnock at Sheffield United. He (Warnock) is moaning because his price doesn't match ours so what does he want me to do? Neil must put up or shut up."
