Coventry City’s first home league game of the season, ended in defeat as they were beaten by a strong Preston North End side at the CBS Arena. 

The Sky Blues remain rock bottom of the Championship after earning just one point from their opening four league matches, which was an opening day draw to Sunderland. 
 

As for the visitors, Preston secured their seventh clean sheet of the season, despite only scoring two goals all season so far. They battled well and at times, rode their luck as they picked up the three points on the road. 
 

However, what four things did we learn from the game? 
 

  • Sky Blues miss Callum O’Hare

Throughout the match, both sides had some well worked opportunities. Coventry hit the crossbar on two separate occasions and were, in truth, very unlucky to not come away with a point. 
 

With midfielder Callum O’Hare suffering with a hamstring injury, Mark Robins’ side have been left with a dent in the attacking midfield position. So far, Robins has attempted to play Jamie Allen, Kasey Palmer and Martyn Waghorn in the role, with mixed reviews. 
 

Allen is a central midfielder rather than an attacking outlet, so has struggled to find his feet and add that killer final ball that O’Hare has. Waghorn has adjusted himself very well and was one of Coventry’s standout players on the night but isn’t necessarily cut out for the role long term. Kasey Palmer is the clubs only other attacking midfielder, but he hasn’t played consistently over the last two years and he currently lacks match fitness. 
 

Therefore, the absence of Callum O’Hare was very noticeable, with the club struggling to challenge the Preston back-line. 
 

  • The woodwork hates Coventry

During a period of time when nothing seems to be going Coventry City’s way, the last thing they would want is for the crossbar to also be against the Sky Blues. 
 

During Wednesday’s match, Coventry hit the bar on two separate occasions and despite going the closest to scoring, they still failed to become the first side to score past the Lilywhites this season. 
 

First to hit the bar was striker Martyn Waghorn, followed by wing-back Jake Bidwell. Firstly, Waghorn was picked out well by make-shift wing-back Josh Eccles, he cut inside onto his left foot but saw his curling effort beat Freddie Woodman but hit the woodwork. To add to Coventry’s frustration, Godden’s cross found the head of Bidwell at the back post but despite beating two players, his looping header also hit the crossbar. 
 

If there was ever a sign that it wasn’t going to be your night, that was certainly it as far as the hosts are concerned. 
 

  • Riis is back

Preston may have only scored once this season, which was a superb acrobatic goal from Brad Potts against Luton, but they certainly didn’t show that on Wednesday evening and more importantly, their star man was back on the scoresheet. 
 

Despite a double hint of offside in the build-up, substitute Emil Riis grabbed his first league goal of the season from close range, beating Simon Moore. The goal was made more impressive when you realise he was only on the pitch for seven minutes, after replacing fellow forward Ched Evans. 
 

The Danish striker scored 16 league goals last season and despite six attempts, he finally got himself off the mark, which can only be good news as far as Ryan Lowe’s side is concerned. 
 

  • Seven clean sheets for Ryan Lowe’s side

Preston North End set a new record last time out, going six league matches without conceding a goal, from their first six league games. This was extended to seven after holding their own against Coventry.
 

The Sky Blues definitely went closest to scoring on three separate occasions. Twice Mark Robins’ side hit the crossbar and mid-way through the first-half, wing-back Jake Bidwell found himself in a perfect position from inside the box, only to be denied by the fingertips of Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman. 
 

Ryan Lowe’s side were very well organised and in truth, it was easy to spot why they are so strong defensively because they really seemed to do their homework on the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Ben Sheaf.