Guillaume Beuzelin (Hibs)
Aron Einar Gunnarsson (AZ Alkmaar)
Keiren Westwood (Carlisle)
Freddy Eastwood (Wolves)

Coventry had a mixed season last time out. They started well with a 4-0 win at Barnsley and looked a decent bet for the playoffs under Iain Dowie.

Dowie had his side organised and in Misfud they had plenty of pace and goals up front. They hung around the top six for the first half of the season and went on a good run in the Carling Cup beating Manchester United 2-0 at Old Trafford.

Off the field problems began to take their toll and they managed to avoid administration buy the skin of their teeth when Ray Ranson's takeover finally went through in December. The problems off the pitch seemed to affect them and they began to slip down the table as the new Year approached.

Dowie still helped his side to a shock FA Cup win as they beat Blackburn 4-1 at Ewood park but despite getting them to the fifth round of the cup the league form was dropping off and with no money to spend in January they slipped down to lower mid table and Dowie was sacked.

In came Chris Coleman and he didn't fare much better at first as his side slipped into a relegation battle and it was only Leicester's inability to score at Stoke on the final day which kept them in the division.

After the disappointments of last season Chris Coleman will be looking to stamp his authority on his new side and finish far higher up in the table.

They looked a poor side when we faced them in March but Coleman has looked to improve them with some decent summer signings. Freddy Eastwood should add a cutting edge to the side after his year at Wolves whilst Jay Tabb should build on what was a decent individual season last time out.

Eastwood will be partnered up front by Leon Best who on his day can be a handful for anyone and I Coleman can get his two strikers firing on a regular basis they'll be a match for anyone.

They also look like adding Clinton Morrison to the side which should ensure they score plenty of goals this season. I think they'll struggle at the back though where I think they will leak goals.

In Chris Coleman though they have a good manager and I think they'll avoid any of the problems they faced last season and finish in mid table.

PREDICTION: 12th in the Championship

I asked Coventry fans on an unofficial message board for their thoughts on the new season and here is what they had to say.

How do you think Coventry will fare this season?

Top half with a chance of the playoffs

Who are your players to watch out for?

When Jay Tabb plays well so do Coventry

Is your Manager the right man for the job?

yes, he kept us up last season and deserves a chance

Which three teams will be promoted this season?

Wolves, Sheffield United and QPR

Which teams will be relegated?

Barnsley, Southampton and Plymouth

How do you think QPR will fare this season?

I think you'll go up via the playoffs

Leon Best had a loan spell at QPR back in 2004 but failed to score in his month at Rangers. He has since gone on to join Coventry and looks a decent forward with pace and goals in him.

Another forward to play for both clubs is Paul Furlong. The QPR legend started his career at Coventry but never really made it with them. He had two loan spells at QPR before signing on a free transfer and he went on to score some crucial goals for us including the winner in the playoff semi final and the second goal at Hillsborough when we won promotion in 2004.

Current QPR manager Iain Dowie's last job was at Coventry where he guided his old club to safety in 2006/07 and then helped them to cup wins at Man Utd and Blackburn. Things didn't work out though and he left the club in February,

Coventry v QPR was a regular fixture back in our Premiership days but now we're both having mid table tussles a division lower.

The first meeting since Coventry virtually relegated us in 1996 came at Loftus Road days after the exciting 3-2 win over Leicester City. Rangers played some of their best football of the season during the first half completely playing Coventry off the pitch and two goals by Jamie Cureton had us comfortably ahead by half time.

The second half saw the visitor’s comeback in it with a goal and they put pressure on us to get an equaliser. Rangers held strong though and Jamie Cureton completed his hat trick before Paul Furlong added another for a 4-1 win.

The return game was Micky Adams first in charge at Coventry and our last ever visit to Highfield Road. Rangers started well and Jamie Cureton scored his first goal since his hat trick against Coventry earlier in the season.

The home side got level after the break and the game looked set to be a draw before Georges Santos header was parried just over the line to give us a 2-1 win during injury time.

In the summer of 2005 Rangers met Coventry in the Copa De Ibiza final. The pre season tournament saw the Sky Blues take a 2-0 lead at half time but Rangers fired back to win the trophy with a double strike from Dean Sturridge and a late winner from Kevin Gallen.

In the league Rangers were the first ever visitors to the Ricoh Arena and made it a good day for the home side by not turning up and being thrashed 3-0. Dan Shittu was sent off and the 1,500 QPR fans went home disappointed. The home game was just as bad as the Sky cameras covered a dull game which came to life late on when Simon Royce was sent off and Gary Mcsheffrey scored from the penalty spot to give the Sky Blues the double over Rangers.

In 2006/07 season Coventry continued their good run against us with a 1-0 win at Loftus Road to end an impressive winning run for Rangers. The return game was all change though as we played well and picked up a vital three points thanks to a Jimmy Smith goal.

Last season Rangers faced Coventry in De Canios second match in charge. Akos Buzsaky scored his first goal for QPR to give us the lead but it was short lived on a night when we lost Cranie and Nygaard to injuries.

Click on the match for a report of the game from this web site.