On loan defender Leon Barnett has said he would love to join Coventry City on a permanent basis in the summer.
The 24 year old joined Coventry from West Brom on loan and has made 18 appearances, but has been sent off twice. On both occasions, at Newcastle and at home to Scunthorpe, his first game after serving his ban for his dismissal at St. James' park, were for two bookable offences.
Barnett said of the two incidents to the CT: "At the time I thought it was a bit unfair," he said; "I think I made five tackles and I got four yellow cards, but the boys were all behind me, telling me to keep my head up, and it paid off. I'm trying to be more careful in tackles now, concentrating and timing them better."
"I'm always trying to improve and I think I have, when you've got coaches like Chris Coleman and Steve Harrison you can always learn new things. I came here to play games, put myself in the shop window and see what happens."
"Everybody thought that because I was coming from West Brom I would walk straight into the side, but James and Richard have done very well and I've found it quite hard to break through."
"It's not easy when you've got players like that breathing down your neck and a youngster like Jermaine Grandison coming through so when you do get into the team you've got to work hard to keep your place."
As for making the move permanent, there are a few problems to sort out first. The money side of thing could be a stumbling block. Barnett has a year left on his contract with the Baggies and it is almost certain they will want to recoup some of the £2.7m they paid Luton for his services and Coventry City might not have sufficient funds available, or may prefer to use any money on another player.
Another point going against Barnett s his position in the centre of defence, Coventry have more players vying for those places than any other position. Coleman might think he does not need another central defender at the moment.
Barnett has been doing his best to prove to Coventry that he is committed to other cause by declining an invitation from his parent club to join in with their promotion celebrations.
He said, "I spoke to some of the lads to wish them the best of luck and they're obviously really excited. Who wouldn't be? They asked me if I wanted to go out and celebrate but I didn't really think that was right because I'm a Coventry player at the moment and I can't really be floating around with other teams."
"They asked me what's happening and I told them I don't really know. I've not really spoken to Roberto Di Matteo about what's happening but they've brought in a centre back on loan (Gabriel Tamas from French club Auxerre) and talking about making that permanent."
"I have spoken to Chris Coleman and I got some positive feedback from him so I hope the clubs can come to an agreement because I'd love it if my future was here. I'm very happy here and I wouldn't have to move home but it's not really in my hands at the moment and I'm not going to shut off anything else that comes up, if I did hear from other clubs I'd obviously have to speak to them.
"I've really got no idea what will happen but I just want to play football, whoever it's for. Whatever happens off the pitch is nothing to do with me, but I'm a Coventry player for the rest of the season and my only plan is to play as well as possible in the last two games, starting at Middlesbrough this weekend.
"That should be a good game of football because they've got a great stadium and a team who almost made it to the play offs."
Reflecting on the next game at Middlesbrough, Barnett was philosophical, saying, "We've hit a poor patch recently but I think we can work out what's gone wrong, put it right and push on next year.
"Sometimes it seems to take us half a game to get going and we need to be ready as soon as the first whistle goes, but for now all I'm thinking about is those next two games."
Everybody's tired at this time of the season, but we're professionals and the job isn't over until the second of May. Respect to Coventry, they paid a fee to get me on loan and obviously I want to pay them back in performances and help push them up the table."