Iain Dowie Forum part 2

ID - described how he arrived at the training ground at 7am on Monday morning and then visited the Academy players at 7.15am, even managing to take in a room inspection once the lads had woken up and realised it was Iain Dowie waking them up by knocking on their door!

Then in training Tim took the keepers for training for as yet he is the clubs goalkeeping coach, whilst Iain took the squad through some short, sharp intensive sessions - the players reportedly said that this was the hardest they'd worked all season! More to come maybe?

Floor - what is the situation regarding Wayne Andrews?

ID - Wayne is a nice lad who is a friend and the options will be looked into when it's right for the club and the team, and fits in with the current loan agreement.

Floor - Anything to read into Elliot Ward being captain against Southampton?

ID - said that had a gut feeling that Elliot would put himself on the line especially after coming back so soon after his injury, and he also wanted a leader out there and felt that Elliot would provide this.

As for Robert Page he is still club captain and with a clean slate for everyone Iain said that Pagey had been a man about the club, and that after the game all the players, led by Pagey, remained in the dressing room.

TF - Mike Kelly taught him to improve as a player and helped him achieve the level he achieved in his playing career, by teaching him what to do, lines and angles, and that since stopping playing he has been coaching 'keepers. Interestingly he said he's already identified improvements for Andy Marshall which will only help everyone, and then there was some light hearted banter between TF & ID about TF's goal kicking exploits and how at 6ft 1ins they went nowhere near ID when they were in the same side!

TF did say that he's very keen to learn and that he couldn't turn down the opportunity despite Manchester city's efforts to keep him there, and that he's a bit of a 'Rabbit' at the moment but a very quick learner. In all it was an opportunity he couldn't miss.

 

ID - would like to develop the support that follows the Sky Blues at away matches as this makes a huge difference to the players.

 

Floor - What made ID bring TF in as assistant?

 

ID - "I don't know!!" to more laughter

 

He is a good goalkeeping coach but also has a good knowledge of the game too, as well as being a Coventry fan. He is honest, trustworthy and someone who you want at your side. ID admitted that he can be too intense at times and that TF allows a good balance to be struck with a lighter side.

 

PF then asked Iain to explain a little on the scientific side of things.

 

ID - Said that there are many areas that can be covered including diet, weight, sprints, high intensity runs, weights, urine tests, aerobic and anaerobic elements, lactose, and the use of pro-zone stats.

He believes in learning both individually and collectively and that each person needs their own development curve.

What he doesn't want is a team of his being outfought and outplayed.

 

ID then let us know how John Harbin sets out, by the Friday, what the following weeks schedule is so that everyone knows what's in store, whilst he plans out the football side of that weeks training with TF.

He hopes that the level of football fitness he'd like to see will be achieved in the next 3 weeks or so, and again stressed the intensity and quality of the training.