“Absolutely ridiculous” – Claim made on Haji Wright exploits at Coventry City…
This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Haji Wright marked his first Coventry City home start in over four months in the perfect fashion last Saturday, as he bagged a hat-trick to help his side to a 3-0 win over Sunderland.
The American had been out of action due to an ankle ligament injury sustained back in November, but announced himself back on the biggest stage with three well-taken goals against the Black Cats to keep the Sky Blues’ momentum going in the race for the play-offs.
With ten goals in just 19 appearances this season, the 26-year-old has proven himself to be one of the top marksman at the level right now, and could play a huge part in Cov’s quest to earn promotion to the Premier League this season.
With that in mind, we asked Football League World’s City fan pundit Chris Deez how Wright matches up against the sharpest shooters in the EFL, as well as his thoughts on what the summer holds for club and player.
Haji Wright marks return to Coventry Building Society Arena action with Sunderland hat-trick
Having been given brief cameos as he made his way back to full fitness, Saturday afternoon proved to be the day that Wright fully announced his return to EFL action, as he put a promotion-chasing Sunderland side to the sword in front of his home fans.
A typical scamper on the last man set up his first, as he cut inside from the right after receiving the ball in space, before rifling in an effort from all of 25 yards that nestled in the bottom corner.
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard, Coventry flag
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The Sky Blues boss revealed Jack Rudoni, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ben Sheaf should all be fit for the clash with the Blades.
Another burst forward was stopped abruptly by Chris Mepham in the penalty area for him to add another from the spot, before his third could well have been the best of the bunch, as he nonchalantly chipped the ball over the onrushing Anthony Patterson to claim the match ball.
With eight games remaining in the season and everything to play for in the race for the top six, Deez believes the return to form of their main marksman can make all the difference between now and the end of the season.
When asked about the USA International, the Sky Blues fan said: “I think I speak for all Cov fans when I say we are thrilled to see Haji Wright back.
“Even though we have had a really good run of form – the best in our history – we have still struggled for goals up front while he has been gone.
“He has been gone for four months, and in that time neither Ellis Simms or Brandon Thomas-Asante managed to catch up with Haji Wright’s goal tally, which really does say a lot.
Haji Wright Coventry City 24/25 Championship stats (FotMob)
Appearances
19
Starts
13
Goals
10
Goals.90
0.72
As of 18/3/25..
“We had players chipping with goals from defence and midfield, but you still need your best striker at all times, especially when you are pushing for the play-offs like we are.
“He got some minutes in against Oxford and Stoke and looked pretty slow and wasn’t getting back to fitness as expected. He then played the whole game against Derby and again you wouldn’t have noticed he was there unless somebody told you.
“I absolutely did not expect him on his first home start in four months to score a hat-trick against the third or fourth best team in the league.”
Haji Wright, Josh Sargent, Joel Piroe comparison made
Despite missing so much of the season due to injury, Wright’s treble at the weekend sees him comfortable sit among the top 20 marksman in the division this season, with a return better than a goal every other game as it stands.
In fact, only Sheffield Wednesday’s Callum Patterson (0.76) can better his goals per 90 ratio this season, with a return of 0.72 proving just how clinical he can be when given the opportunity in front of goal.
Borja Sainz is the Championship’s top scorer with 17 goals, in terms of out-and-out strikers, it is Joel Piroe on 15, while Josh Maja, Wilson Isidor and Josh Sargent all have 12.
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