Boothroyd To Decide To Stick Or Twist

Last updated : 21 January 2011 By Covsupport News Service/RD

Coventry City striker Marlon King has served his three match ban after being sent off in the 1-1 home draw against Ipswich on New Years Day and will be available for selection for Sunday's televised away game at QPR.

The City boss Aidy Boothroyd will have to decide whether to stick with the team that played so well last week against Sheffield United, but failed to score in a game they dominated, having a total of 21 shots at goal.

"I am thinking of bringing Marlon back in but there is also a temptation to stick with the same side because of how well they did," said Boothroyd to the CT.

"Clive Platt has been unlucky as well because he has played a part in just about every game and he certainly gave Rangers problems when we played them first time around, so that's something I will have to mull over."

Boothroyd had seemed to prefer a Platt and King partnership, but that decision was forced on him after Eastwood was sidelined though injury for several weeks. However, Eastwood has now returned to action and has been scoring goals and has provided his manager with food for thought.

When Coventry last played QPR a few weeks ago, Boothroyd selected Platt and King, but City went down 2-0 at The Ricoh, although the score didn't reflect the closeness of the game, but with Eastwood in form and King, who was in form before his ban, could form a formidable strike partnership.

Boothroyd was asked about the possibility of an Eastwood/King pairing and then said: "I think all the variations we have got have all played together and when you come up against an opposition you have got to find a key to unlock the door."

"We have got a nice combination at the top end of the pitch which is a good position to be in because you can throw people on who can cause different problems for the other side. You have to look how they relate to each other and connect with other members of the team."

"The Championship is so important in terms of set plays that it is also important that you have someone there who can mark and defend their own box as well. So a lot of thought goes into it and it is not a case of picking them out of a hat, but the most important thing is their form, and those who are showing good form need to be playing."

Coventry City were not overwhelmed in the 2-0 home to defeat to QPR at Christmas and could have come away with a draw, or even a win, had Paddy Kenny not pulled off a string of fine saves to deny City.

"Paddy Kenny made two terrific saves and they kicked one off the line so that does give you a buzz because you know that you came up with a way to create chances against them,"said Boothroyd about the earlier game.

"To a certain degree they know what we'll do just as I know what they'll do. We have shown their weaknesses and they have shown us their strengths, so we have certainly got to make sure we defend correctly. I think it will be a tactical battle, an exciting game. We've just got to focus on what we've been talking about all week."

After his release from prison last July, King was linked with several club including QPR before deciding on joining his old friend and mentor Aidy Boothroyd at Coventry.

Boothroyd added: "I'm sure QPR and several other clubs thought 'shall we- shan't we.' but it is not as if they're shy of attacking players. They've got Rob Hulse, Heidar Helguson, Tommy Smith, they're taking Wayne Routledge on loan and talking about Ishmael Miller as well as Danny Shittu at the back."

"They're good Championship players, a couple of them are coming from Premier League clubs and they've got a good manager and the fifth richest man in the world, but I like it here this is the place for me! The morale is really good and there's a buzz about the place."

"We know that last week would have been so much better with three points but you have to look at the longer term picture. We know we have got some good performances under our belt and you know that if you keep doing that the law of averages say that you bare going to win more than you lose."