Conor Coventry - not called up for Republic of Ireland Mar 2026 World Cup qualifiers (p35)

NabySarr · April 26

He was playing well at the start of this season so he can clearly do it at this level. He played through injury mid-season and doesn’t seem to have returned to his best. Docherty has been a better player than him this season which I don’t think anyone would have predicted in the summer

I’m undecided on what to do, he definitely shouldn’t be first choice next season, we should be looking to upgrade. But as I said he has played well at this level and is still at an age where he could improve so I’d be fine with him staying

Crispywood · April 26

Wrexhams 7th choice Cb has realistically outplayed Coventry at CDM if that’s not a sign to upgrade him I don’t know what is really

_uptheaddicks · April 26

The perfectly weighted (notice the sensible height) pass Coady played to Kelman for the goal was what you need from your midfielders.

Conor would have booted that near the floodlights, and I've no idea why he does that each game. Coady has shown it's not under instruction, but down to quality.

Talal · April 26

_uptheaddicks said:

The perfectly weighted (notice the sensible height) pass Coady played to Kelman for the goal was what you need from your midfielders.

Conor would have booted that near the floodlights, and I've no idea why he does that each game. Coady has shown it's not under instruction, but down to quality.

Completely different situations when Coventry does that first time lofted ball.

_uptheaddicks · April 26

Talal said:

_uptheaddicks said:

The perfectly weighted (notice the sensible height) pass Coady played to Kelman for the goal was what you need from your midfielders.

Conor would have booted that near the floodlights, and I've no idea why he does that each game. Coady has shown it's not under instruction, but down to quality.

Completely different situations when Coventry does that first time lofted ball.

Not just talking about that. He did similar in the closing minutes against Ipswich.

ns9 · April 26

I would definitely keep him. If our evolution is to involve being slightly better on the ball, a player like him at the base of midfield keeping things ticking over will become much more important. I think he’s good, and will improve

elbiglad · April 27

_uptheaddicks said:

The perfectly weighted (notice the sensible height) pass Coady played to Kelman for the goal was what you need from your midfielders.

Conor would have booted that near the floodlights, and I've no idea why he does that each game. Coady has shown it's not under instruction, but down to quality.

I totally agree that Coady's performances have shown the gulf in technical quality between him and Coventry. This is probably a slightly unfair standard to hold Coventry to: Coady played ten times for England and made 200 PL appearances, mostly as a centre back known for being good with the ball. Whilst there were concerns about Coady's legs, there were no worries about his technical quality. Coady is so good at retaining the ball, and showed on Saturday that it makes a big difference if you can play long forward passes that turn defences around and give our attackers something to chase rather than simply punting for territory.

Coventry's defensive statistics are, mostly, brilliant. I think if we are to progress then Coventry would likely shift from a nailed on starter to squad player, which has basically happened in the second half of the season. He will still have a role to play in a lot of games next year. In an ideal world his replacement would be able to match his energy and defensive reading of the game, but with more technical quality that allows them to contribute creatively. That role will never be our main creative force, but a player that is able to play more progressive forward passes, and perhaps chip in with a few goals and assists would improve us. These players aren't easy to find, and definitely aren't cheap.

Garrymanilow · April 27

The thing to remember with Coventry is while he's 26 he's only really had two consistent seasons of first team football at a team. West Ham kept him around for ages and sent him on short term loans which haven't really helped his development that much. He had two different loans at two different levels in 21/22, half a season's loan in 22/23 and then only half a season with us in 23/24. It wasn't until last season that he actually played a full season of football at a club.

This season he has had times when he's been good but he's also struggled to hold the middle together in a side with a very weak midfield. Carey's loss of energy has reduced his high press which has allowed teams to work the ball into the middle more and that's left Coventry with a lot to do if Doc gets beaten in the first engagement, which he often does as teams can pass around him. Coventry isn't great at reading those situations, unlike Coady who has a very good reading of the game and holds the middle together very well. We lose mobility with Coady and Coventry is great at popping up all over the pitch in possession but he doesn't force enough opportunities or contribute any goals. I think there's still more to come from him, I see him as a younger player in terms of development than his actual age would indicate so I'd like him to stay and learn a bit from a new first choice holder who offers the positional sense and the mobility that we don't have in an individual player at the moment. It's such an important position for us, forcing teams out wide and making them cross really limits the goals we concede so him improving in that area is essential if he's going to work in this team. I think Coady proved this season that being able to stop teams running through the middle of us is more important than what Coventry offers outside of that so if Jones feels he can't develop that side of his game quickly enough I'm not that surprised that he might be off.

_uptheaddicks · April 28

A summer of athletic training would be ideal, with end results.

Elthamaddick · April 28

ns9 said:

I would definitely keep him. If our evolution is to involve being slightly better on the ball, a player like him at the base of midfield keeping things ticking over will become much more important. I think he’s good, and will improve

he'll himself be a much better player with a couple of better CM's around him, he can easily nail down the CDM role. I'm surprised alot don't rate him

blackpool72 · April 28

Our midfield is Our weakness this season.
Pretty much every team we play has a better midfield than us.
Imo Coady has improved us a touch but the midfield needs serious surgery over the summer.
We definitely need better than Coventry.

Leuth · April 28

Our biggest weakness has been our wide players, and Fevrier coming in from L1 and looking decent to good just shows how awful the others have been (except TC, sometimes). Coventry had a great first half of season then a bunch of injury issues; if he gets back to full fitness he'll be absolutely fine for a squad place next season. Painting him as the weakest of our regular starters is grossly unfair

blackpool72 · April 28

Leuth said:

Our biggest weakness has been our wide players, and Fevrier coming in from L1 and looking decent to good just shows how awful the others have been (except TC, sometimes). Coventry had a great first half of season then a bunch of injury issues; if he gets back to full fitness he'll be absolutely fine for a squad place next season. Painting him as the weakest of our regular starters is grossly unfair

I don't think many have said he the weakest of our regular starters, but the midfield has not been particularly good this season and you can't put that all down to the wide players who admitingly have not been good.

Chunes · April 28

Let's hope we can build competition in the team and not have a string of first teamers versus 'squad players.' That system let us down in the past.

No secret that I've always been pretty cool on this guy. He's good defensively. And that has been great for a Nathan Jones team, up to a point. But there is so much that he can't do. In most aspects of the possession side of the game, he is pretty limited. And coming up against faster/stronger players at this level, he's not quite the defensive asset that he was in L1.

Will be interesting to see whether NJ opts for a more physical type in this role or more of a ball-player.

NabySarr · April 28

Chunes said:

Let's hope we can build competition in the team and not have a string of first teamers versus 'squad players.' That system let us down in the past.

No secret that I've always been pretty cool on this guy. He's good defensively. And that has been great for a Nathan Jones team, up to a point. But there is so much that he can't do. In most aspects of the possession side of the game, he is pretty limited. And coming up against faster/stronger players at this level, he's not quite the defensive asset that he was in L1.

Will be interesting to see whether NJ opts for a more physical type in this role or more of a ball-player.

I think our midfield lacks physical strength and progressive passing at the moment. Coventry lacks both of these things unfortunately. What we have got is plenty of energy/stamina. Docherty and Coventry cover a lot of ground.

Costello is a good progressive passer, but he can’t cover the ground required and isn’t physically strong. I don’t see him fitting in because being able to cover that ground feels like a non-negotiable attribute to play in a Jones midfield

We need to add 2 players in midfield in my opinion. One needs to add that physical strength. And the other progressive passing, but unlike Costello they’ve got to be able to cover the ground required to play in a Jones midfield

I’m fine with us keeping Coventry, he was good at the start of the season and I think he can definitely get better with his progressive passing. If he can add that to his game and pass forwards more and in between the lines, he’ll be a good player at this level

dwb · April 28

I'm a fan of Coventry and am rather surprised by so many negative comments.
He's got a great engine, is tidy in possession, rarely giving the ball away, and in a more passing based team he would be perfect as the defensive central midfield role.
As it is, with NJ's preference for a long ball game, Coventry's assets are not being utilised to their full extent.

JohnnyH2 · April 28

Our biggest weakness is our midfield. We simply do not create enough (passing, carrying the ball, abilìty to open an oppo up) Coady has been excellent in giving the back 3 extra protection and his all round experience in winning positions.

But he has shown what we have been lacking with Coventry, we need an upgrade in this and Docs position

Crispywood · April 28

dwb said:

I'm a fan of Coventry and am rather surprised by so many negative comments.
He's got a great engine, is tidy in possession, rarely giving the ball away, and in a more passing based team he would be perfect as the defensive central midfield role.
As it is, with NJ's preference for a long ball game, Coventry's assets are not being utilised to their full extent.

Wouldn’t say people thinking he’s a squad player is negative as much as it is progressive. It’s not like people are calling him a disgrace and never to wear that badge again it’s more of a case we finished 18th how can we improve and we can absolutely do better than Coventry doesn’t mean he’s a horrible player

superdulvertonred · April 28

I am a big fan of Coventry but agree not been great recently but is he playing through injury. Hopefully another who will benefit from a break and a good pre season. Feel he has the ability to evolve and develop along with the team next season certainly would not want to see him moved on.

Henry Irving · April 28

Will be a big asset for Huddersfield

Scoham · April 28

Will be a useful squad player if he stays. I wouldn’t rule him out improving, but I can’t see how there won’t be players out there who we can sign to take his spot.

We won’t get an all rounder great at everything so I see that either being a more physical or more technical player. Either type would improve us.

Same goes for Doc, other than at his age he’s not got the same room to improve.

Crispywood · April 28

superdulvertonred said:

I am a big fan of Coventry but agree not been great recently but is he playing through injury. Hopefully another who will benefit from a break and a good pre season. Feel he has the ability to evolve and develop along with the team next season certainly would not want to see him moved on.

He was playing through injury over Christmas Coady came in gave Coventry a rest but it’s not like Coventry massively impressed when he came back into the squad

ct_addick · April 28

If we can get a creative mid for him to play alongside I would keep him…he needs to work on his passing and fitness

killerandflash · April 28

Scoham said:

Will be a useful squad player if he stays. I wouldn’t rule him out improving, but I can’t see how there won’t be players out there who we can sign to take his spot.

We won’t get an all rounder great at everything so I see that either being a more physical or more technical player. Either type would improve us.

Same goes for Doc, other than at his age he’s not got the same room to improve.

We can certainly get someone who's a better all rounder than Coventry. Someone who can do the tidying and defensive work he does, but is more creative and dynamic. It'll cost us, both in wages and fee, but we do have some money to spend.

It's a question of priorities. Personally, I wanted a better central midfielder last summer, and would have prioritised that over some of the other signings we made.

wmcf123 · April 28

Leuth said:

Our biggest weakness has been our wide players, and Fevrier coming in from L1 and looking decent to good just shows how awful the others have been (except TC, sometimes). Coventry had a great first half of season then a bunch of injury issues; if he gets back to full fitness he'll be absolutely fine for a squad place next season. Painting him as the weakest of our regular starters is grossly unfair

Not the weakest but part of the issue . The fact that we were better with Coady says a lot

BalladMan · April 29

killerandflash said:

Scoham said:

Will be a useful squad player if he stays. I wouldn’t rule him out improving, but I can’t see how there won’t be players out there who we can sign to take his spot.

We won’t get an all rounder great at everything so I see that either being a more physical or more technical player. Either type would improve us.

Same goes for Doc, other than at his age he’s not got the same room to improve.

We can certainly get someone who's a better all rounder than Coventry. Someone who can do the tidying and defensive work he does, but is more creative and dynamic. It'll cost us, both in wages and fee, but we do have some money to spend.

It's a question of priorities. Personally, I wanted a better central midfielder last summer, and would have prioritised that over some of the other signings we made.

A better all rounder you say…. Knock knock, George Dobson at the door. Proven championship player pushing for the play offs.

I am not saying he will come back, but was a travesty we let him go.

se9addick · April 29

Talal said:

He's been involved in 40 games this season, he's certainly played his part. Coady has come in and shown his experience, which we've needed, but I don't think it means Coventry's time here is done.

But I think Coady has shown what’s missing from our midfield, or at least some of what’s missing. In reality I don’t actually think Coventry, Docherty or Carey are good enough to be starting XI. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to replace all three with new staters this window, but that part of the team would be a priority for me.

Crispywood · April 29

BalladMan said:

killerandflash said:

Scoham said:

Will be a useful squad player if he stays. I wouldn’t rule him out improving, but I can’t see how there won’t be players out there who we can sign to take his spot.

We won’t get an all rounder great at everything so I see that either being a more physical or more technical player. Either type would improve us.

Same goes for Doc, other than at his age he’s not got the same room to improve.

We can certainly get someone who's a better all rounder than Coventry. Someone who can do the tidying and defensive work he does, but is more creative and dynamic. It'll cost us, both in wages and fee, but we do have some money to spend.

It's a question of priorities. Personally, I wanted a better central midfielder last summer, and would have prioritised that over some of the other signings we made.

A better all rounder you say…. Knock knock, George Dobson at the door. Proven championship player pushing for the play offs.

I am not saying he will come back, but was a travesty we let him go.

To think the majority of fans thought Coventry was better than Dobson

BalladMan · April 29

Crispywood said:

BalladMan said:

killerandflash said:

Scoham said:

Will be a useful squad player if he stays. I wouldn’t rule him out improving, but I can’t see how there won’t be players out there who we can sign to take his spot.

We won’t get an all rounder great at everything so I see that either being a more physical or more technical player. Either type would improve us.

Same goes for Doc, other than at his age he’s not got the same room to improve.

We can certainly get someone who's a better all rounder than Coventry. Someone who can do the tidying and defensive work he does, but is more creative and dynamic. It'll cost us, both in wages and fee, but we do have some money to spend.

It's a question of priorities. Personally, I wanted a better central midfielder last summer, and would have prioritised that over some of the other signings we made.

A better all rounder you say…. Knock knock, George Dobson at the door. Proven championship player pushing for the play offs.

I am not saying he will come back, but was a travesty we let him go.

To think the majority of fans thought Coventry was better than Dobson

A vocal majoity on here maybe. I think general Chartlon fans loved George and probably did not have a strong opinion either way. I would rather have both, but if I had to choose between the two, I think Dobson has proven this year he is more dependable and better all round player in the champ. Obv that is the beneift of hindsight.

PragueAddick · April 30

Crispywood said:

BalladMan said:

killerandflash said:

Scoham said:

Will be a useful squad player if he stays. I wouldn’t rule him out improving, but I can’t see how there won’t be players out there who we can sign to take his spot.

We won’t get an all rounder great at everything so I see that either being a more physical or more technical player. Either type would improve us.

Same goes for Doc, other than at his age he’s not got the same room to improve.

We can certainly get someone who's a better all rounder than Coventry. Someone who can do the tidying and defensive work he does, but is more creative and dynamic. It'll cost us, both in wages and fee, but we do have some money to spend.

It's a question of priorities. Personally, I wanted a better central midfielder last summer, and would have prioritised that over some of the other signings we made.

A better all rounder you say…. Knock knock, George Dobson at the door. Proven championship player pushing for the play offs.

I am not saying he will come back, but was a travesty we let him go.

To think the majority of fans thought Coventry was better than Dobson

They were encouraged to think that by reports that Andy Scott thought that, and drove Dobbo out, to be replaced by Coventry. Let's not forget that Nathan Jones made it clear he would have wished to keep Dobbo. Cov is a few years younger than Dobbo, of course, and I'm with those who mention the difficulties he has had this season since the autumn.

Conor Coventry - not called up for Republic of Ireland Mar 2026 World Cup qualifiers (p35)

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