Great Season For The Academy - Rioch

Last updated : 25 April 2012 By Covsupport News Service

Coventry City Academy boss Greg Rioch has said that it has been a great season for the Academy.

City were pipped to the FA Academy League Group B title by Trevor Peake's Leicester City despite a 4-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday and Rioch told Sky Blue Player:  "It was a fantastic win and I think it shows there is another exciting group coming through which can only be good for the club.

"We have taken more Under-16's in our first year intake than we ever have in my five years at the club and a few of them played at the weekend against Palace which shows there is quality throughout.

"We are pushing in the right direction and they are fighting for places at the moment which has really raised the bar here. They have to work hard to get their chance at the moment which helps.

"Crystal Palace are a well established Academy who have produced some fantastic footballers and we were 3-0 up inside the first 25 minutes, which is remarkable.

"There is a lot of work which has gone into the youth players who have made the step up this season and I feel there are exciting times coming with more players showing some very promising signs.

City have one game left and travel to Birmingham City next Tuesday and Rioch commented: "We have had such a great time this season and I have really enjoyed it because to see so many players giving everything they have for the club is really pleasing.

"We know we can't win the league but they know it is important to continue to produce performances and we don't want to just go through the motions.

"There is a lot of work to be done and the players have the right mental attitude, which we have worked on a lot over the years, to progress into professional football.

"It has been a great season and we would love to round it off with a derby win at Birmingham."

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