Ellis Simms and Haji Wright are in excellent form for Coventry City with their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United approaching.
The Sky Blues struggled to start the new season after losing key players Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer in the summer. The previous season, they suffered a heartbreaking play-off final loss to Luton Town on penalties.
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After an amazing run of form, Coventry, who dropped as low as 20th in the Championship rankings in late November, are now among the top six contenders once again.
On Tuesday night, Southampton defeated the Sky Blues 2-1 at St Mary’s, which ended their hopes of making it to the playoffs.
The Saints took control of the game in the tenth minute as Haji Wright of the visitors missed a penalty kick. They led by two goals before the half thanks to strikes from Che Adams and Kyle Walker-Peters.
Despite a goal by Jake Bidwell in the second half, Coventry lost their second game in a row without being able to tie the score.
Despite having a game in hand, Mark Robins’ squad now sits five points behind in the standings than sixth-place Norwich City.
In addition to their play-off push, Coventry is looking for a dramatic result against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley later this month, thanks to the recent form of forwards Ellis Simms and Wright.
Manchester United must be wary of Ellis Simms and Haji Wright threat
Simms and Wright both arrived in Coventry in the summer, with Simms leaving Everton for a substantial financial gain and Wright becoming the club’s record signing after paying £7.7 million to come from Antalyaspor.
Simms scored just three goals before the year began, while Wright took some time to get used to the Championship. The two had a difficult start to the season.
Wright’s miss from the penalty spot against Southampton midweek was a letdown, but both he and Simms have been on fire lately. Simms has scored an incredible 14 goals in his last 12 games to bring his season total to 18, while Wright has only scored 17 goals so far.
Robins is happy with Simms and Wright’s current form and feels that their performances have improved because they have gained confidence.
Last month, Robins told Coventry Live, “Ellis just needed a bit of confidence and a run where he could get some chances and have the confidence to finish them, and he’s been on that run.”
And that’s precisely what occurs with strikers. It has required some time. Although there was undoubtedly a lapse in his confidence, it was brief, and you are aware of his history of scoring goals. That is the situation involving both him and Haji.
With one month left in the season, it appears certain that Simms and Wright will fulfil the objective the manager set for them: scoring 20 goals combined.
Many have stated that because United avoided Manchester City and Chelsea, they have the easiest semi-final draw conceivable; nonetheless, the Red Devils should not undervalue Coventry, especially with players like Wright and Simms playing well.
There is a lot of pressure on United manager Erik ten Hag to win a trophy this season because the top four is seemingly unattainable, and new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be keenly monitoring the Dutchman’s destiny over the next several weeks.
let that United has let up 46 goals in the Premier League thus far this year and has a negative goal differential, Simms and Wright will undoubtedly have high hopes that they can take advantage of their defensive shortcomings.
The Sky Blues have often ended games well this season, so United’s tendency of giving up late goals might be expensive. Callum O’Hare and Kasey Palmer are two other threats in the Coventry side besides Simms and Wright.
United will be the clear favorites going into the semi-final, but Coventry will be hoping for a historic shock because their trip to the final is far from assured.
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