Hopkins - Time To Find Some New Players

Last updated : 20 October 2015 By LW

Coventry Sphinx manager Luke Hopkins has said that it is time to find some new players after his side were beaten 4-2 at home by Heanor Town last night.

Hopkins told the Sphinx website: "I think its safe to say I have given all the lads in the squad a fair amount of time in a shirt and it's probably best that I go and find 3 or 4 players.

"I don’t like making wholesale changes in the season, but feel its best to try and freshen things up and get us out the rut we are in. We need to stay in the FA Vase next week and that’s the target for the coming two weeks, hopefully a win in that would lift the spirits and kick start some league form. 

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"If we are realistic, we should have been two up before Heanor scored, we had a lot of pressure and possession in the first ten minutes and had three good chances so law of averages I expect at least one or two.

"A long punt down the pitch caused mayhem as our two centre halves were bullied and we conceded. For the second and third goal off the ball we were a mess and it was 3 or 4 players making mistakes, I have been saying that for the last few games but if you are making mistakes every week, is it a mistake or are you just not good enough to play at this level?

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At half time and three down, the aim was to restore some self respect and see where it took us, we got a goal back from the spot from Blythe and then another 5 minutes later and it was game on, I felt perhaps a draw would be possible and you take that after being three down against a top of the league side,  but their fourth goal was a fluke and killed the lads when they were on the up.

"Credit where credits due, we didn’t stop and went until the final whistle.

" I thought we looked fitter stamina wise, but their physical presence was big and each wardrobe coming off was replaced by another!! perhaps we learn from it and get on the weights a little more in our own time?

"Just to add I thought Blythe and Downes in the middle of the park were outstanding again and certainly making us tick.

"Looking ahead at one end we are creating chances, not putting them away so we are looking for a goalscorer, there arent many about they are a rare breed, so I think its looking and seeing who fancies a challenge, to be honest any forward coming in should be rubbing his hands together with the amount of chances, ball in box we have.

"And then at the other of the pitch we need some experience and a voice, half of the goals we have conceeded this season have been poor defending, but at times where we have missed big chances, take chances we win games, shut out goals we draw, we are in the middle of strengthening the middle of the park as well and with Club Captain Robbie Banks to return it makes us stronger, its keeping him fit, always be a hard year for him, playing full games at pace after time out in previous years.

"Frustrating is the word I think, as anyone watching can see the mistakes and the missed chances.

"It was bad news to lose Lewis Rankin tonight to a poor challenge which again the officials never seen to see correctly. Hopefully Mitch Thompson is back fit with Lewis out and then if we can add the players I want this week I think it will click.

"Something has to change or I'll probably be stood with all the other £6 opinions in the stand watching the team I support."

 

 

Picture by Marcus Robinson