O'Driscoll Reflects Ahead Of Coventry Clash

Last updated : 28 September 2010 By Covsupport News Service/RD

Coventry City's next opponents, Doncaster Rovers, visit The Ricoh tonight and take on a City side eager to set the record straight after losing to Preston in a game they should have easily won.

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll is fully aware of the threat that The Sky Blues will pose to his side and has been analysing the new style City are now playing under Aidy Boothroyd.

Under the leadership of O'Driscoll, Doncaster have gained the reputation of being a good, solid footballing side capable of playing attractive free flowing football.

Reflecting on Coventry's defeat to Preston, O'Driscoll said: "The amount of penalty box entries was quite staggering. They get the ball forward early and cause teams problems."

"It was one of those anomalies that they lost on Saturday because if you'd look at the stats you'd have thought that there was only going to be one winner. Preston were probably guilty of a smash and grab raid."

Pondering the question as whether the first home defeat of the season will affect the way Coventry approach tonights game O'Driscoll said, "They aren't going to change the way they play against us. In fact they'll probably look at the two goals we conceded at QPR on Saturday and think that is a major area that they can exploit."

Speaking of exploiting any Doncaster defensive frailties, O'Driscoll conceded that City's latest striker Marlon King could be a massive threat.

After much adverse publicity surrounding the signing of King, the 30 year old striker receives huge applause from the City support when he came on as a second half substitute against Preston.

"He played for over half an hour on Saturday and looked sharp so I would imagine that he will start," said O'Driscoll.

"The way they play their two centre-backs (Wood and Turner) are key because they come up for everything, and Gunnarsson with his long throws puts the ball in the box. The two front lads, Platt and Jutkiewicz have been doing well. They are a big team and they've got two experienced midfield players in Carsley and Sammy Clingan, so they've got a nice balance."

Despite losing at this seasons pace setters QPR 3-0 on Saturday, O'Driscoll claimed he was happy with the way his player approached the game, but he has dropped hints that he may make changes for tonights game, especially to counter City's aerial threat.

He could move James O'Connor to full-back and bring in another big defender at centre-back.

O'Driscoll is boosted by the return to fitness of James Hayter which gives him the option to provide striker Billy Sharp with crosses and to give him more support up front.