Source: FOOTYMAD
Homework was key to penalty save
Westwood's assessment of cup tie and next game Coventry City goal keeper Kieren Westwood kept his side in the third round FA Cup tie at The Ricoh last week with a penalty save against Crystal Palace. It was his second penalty save of the season and he revealed a little of his game preparation. The penalty save, along with others, ensured City did not have to face the prospect of a replay at Selhurst Park, or worse, go out of the competition at the first hurdle. In the modern game coaches analyse all aspects of their opposition methods and style of play to see if they can gain an advantage or spot weakness and goal keepers are no different. Westwood practises penalty saves with his team mates and does his homework on free kick and penalty specialists. “They mix it up from time to time and I know from watching Lukas Jutkiewicz here, he has gone left and right, so you never really know,” said Westwood. “I thought we dominated the game for 80 minutes and then had a bad ten minutes when they could have sneaked it, but we managed to hang on and hopefully that could be a big turning point in our season. e have to kick on from here. I know it was a cup game but a win is a win.” Next Saturday Coventry City entertain Sheffield United, a side currently struggling to maintain their Championship status this season. The Blades recently replaced their manager Gary Speed, who accepted the Wale manager's job, with a former Coventry City manager Micky Adams. Adams has yet to lead his side to a win since taking over at Bramall Lane. Coventry go into the game after a confidence boosting win in the FA Cup, but need to halt their recent run of poor form in the league, so a win over Sheffield United is seen as vital and Westwood agrees. He said, "Sheffield United is an even bigger game now because we have to build on Saturday’s result and hopefully get another win." " We have to try to knock the ball about like we have done. We played it on the deck a bit more and I thought we mixed it up very well. We played some good football at times and played the right ball as well.”
