We Have To Be At It From The Start

Last updated : 01 January 2009 By Covsupport News Service
Coventry City manager Chris Coleman has warned his side not to under-estimate the threat of Kidderminster Harriers when the sides meet on Saturday.

"You take games like this lightly at your peril," said Coleman to the CT. "We know it is going to be a hard game and I don't think there will be a lot in it. Even if I had a full squad to choose from I wouldn't be looking to rest anybody because I know what the FA Cup is like and it can bite you on the backside.

"We are approaching it 100 per cent because we want to go through. But anything can happen on the day - being the FA Cup there will be surprises and you just hope and pray that it is not you.

"Kidderminster have got nothing to lose. They are going great guns in their league and we have done as much homework on them as we have on any team we have played against.

"All form goes out of the window in the FA Cup and on Saturday, all the pressure will be on us. It would be tough enough if we had a fully fit squad but when you have got a depleted squad like we have had for the last four or five weeks it is even tougher.

"But we are fully aware of the task that lies ahead and it is imperative that we keep the run going and get a result by hook or by crook, even if it is not pretty. If it is one of those games in which we have to roll our sleeves up and dig in, then so be it,.

"We have watched them once or twice and I have spoken to Dean Saunders who is at Wrexham and they were 1-0 up but Wrexham had hit the post three times, so they are dangerous at one end and maybe they can be got at as well.

"They have some big lads playing for them and they have got a bit of pace. They look to do things quickly from set plays so it will be an interesting afternoon.


"They will bring a big following because it is not that far away and it is a big day out for them. We have been a bit nervous at the Ricoh, but if we perform like we did against Sheffield Wednesday when we created chances and were gritty as well, we will have a great chance of getting through.

"We need to be professional and approach the match like any other, whether it is a league game against Birmingham or Wolves, it doesn't matter.

"Kidderminster are three leagues below but they have earned the right to play us at the Ricoh and they have done that because they are a good outfit.

"So we dare not go into it thinking we can take the first 15-20 minutes off, have a rest and then it will come good for us. It doesn't work like that.

We have got to be at it from the start and try to put the tie to bed. Whether we win it in the first minute or the final minute, as long as we win it I don't care."

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