Boothroyd: We need to keep the ball and use it better

Last updated : 02 March 2011 By Covsupport News Service/RD

Aidy Boothroyd has instilled in his players a good work ethic and they work hard to regain possession of the ball after they have lost it, but the City boss has now told his player they need to work on keeping the ball and making the best use of it.

“At this stage of the season, or at any stage for that matter, all I want and all I demand from my teams are that people give their all and are organised and disciplined, and for the last three games we have been that,” said the City boss reflecting on encouraging displays against Crystal Palace, Swansea and Leicester," explained Boothroyd.

“The results have been won one, lost one and drawn one but looking at all of them the performances have all been very good and very positive. We have still got work to do in certain departments, of course we have, but I think all in all I have been pleased with it.”

“In terms of when we have not got the ball the defensive and pressing side of our game is very good but what we have got to get better at and what we’ll be working at between now and the end of the season, is that when we get the ball back that we use it better, more effectively and more consistently."

“That is probably the difference between us and the top teams in the division that when they get the ball they don’t tend to give it you back too easily. So I want us to be working on that so that we are better at it, and that’s where we start from today.”

Boothroyd and the coaching staff are working hard to get the first choice players fit and ready to play.

Sammy Clingan returned from injury at  Leicester last weekend, but despite the hopes of many, Boothroyd revealed that Ben Turner and Lee Carsley will be out for at least another two weeks.

 He said, “I am hoping to have them both back and with a good week’s training in them ready for Monday the 14th.”  Coventry City travel to the north west to Burnley for their rearranged on March 15th. City play Preston the following Saturday.

“The extent of Ben’s injury was a couple of strands of ligament away from having a really big operation and having it sewn back onto his knee, so it has taken him longer than perhaps a normal medial ligament strain would take, but he’s the sort of lad that wants to play all the time and we have had to hold him back a little bit."

"It is a fine balancing act because you want all your players fit and pressing to get into the team. He’s still some way away but if he maintains the progress he’s been making then we should be in a good place for him in a couple of weeks. It would be nice to have my best team available."

"I have said all along if we have our best 11 players available we are a match for anyone but you don’t always have that and therefore you have to adapt and get on with it.”