Cranie has been a different class

Last updated : 12 March 2010 By Covsupport news service. RD

Sky Blue boss Chris Coleman has hailed Martin Cranie as being in a different class after his return to fitness and form.

The defender took a little while to settle in a Sky Blue shirt and had some indifferent form during the team's November slump, but he has now returned with his best form with a vengeance.

Chris Coleman knows he can play Cranie in a variety of positions, although the player himself prefer the central defender role, he can play at either left or right back if required.

Coleman said of the 23 year old defender , "Martin has been different class, one of our best performers this season whether he's playing right-back, left-back or centre-half. When you've got players who can perform in more than one position with equal effect you've got a chance, and he was tremendous again against Peterborough."

Cranie, who is clearly a team player said, "I hope to play there again (central defence) but we will have to see how Woody gets on with his injury, but I won't be too disappointed if I am not because I have been playing at left-back and am just happy to be in the team at the minute and I am not too bothered where I play."

"I wouldn't say I am starting to enjoy playing left-back but I am starting to get used to it and use my left foot a bit more, and the main thing is we keep playing well and winning. I came out of the team for a couple of games and since then I have had a good run in the team and some pretty solid performances over the last few months which has helped me keep my place, and if I can carry that on until the end of the season I will be happy."

Speaking about his and the team performance at Peterborough last week, he said, "I will take an assist but it was a good run by Steady and I just clipped it over the top and luckily it went into his path and he hit a great finish."

"Clinton Morrison had a great chance when he beat the off-side trap and to be fair to the keeper it looked like he went early, and in the end he pulled off a great save, but it was another win for us and everyone was delighted in the dressing room."

"I think we are starting to look like more of a solid unit these days from the front to the back, all over the pitch everyone is working really hard. The pitch wasn't too good and we tried to play football at times but in the end it came down to the result, which we got."

"It was very boggy in the middle and the ball was going a bit wayward at times, but it was the same for both teams and it was a case of who dealt with it the best on the day, and we were the better team in the end."

 Cranie then spoke about the fans and how they helped lift the whole team, "The fans were brilliant at Peterborough because they made a lot of noise and it was great for us to hear them above the home fans, and that spurred us on to get the result, it would be great if that interest transferred back for the Plymouth game."

"I think the crowds are getting a bit bigger there every week but if we can get a really good attendance and all the crowd behind us then that will be great for the players who will do their best to get another result for them."