Source: FOOTYMAD
Next two games are a big test says Boothroyd
Barometer to see how far Coventry have progressed Coventry City have two very tough games over the Christmas holiday. On Boxing Day they travel to third placed Cardiff City, then. just two days later, on Bank Holiday Tuesday they entertain top of the table QPR. Coventry have yet to beat a top six placed opponent this campaign, but both Cardiff and QPR are suffering a dip in form after making strong starts to the season and City boss Aidy Boothroyd is keen to make sure his side take points from both games. He said, “The two games will be a gauge for us because they are the teams who are up there at the top and have been, in Cardiff’s case, for the last three or four years. "They are a big team and a top team in this league. They are the Man City of the Championship with the players they have got and the expectations with Dave Jones having had them up at the top end for so long." “They are a good side and we have got to be full on to get anything out of the game and QPR have proved under Neil Warnock this year that they are as good as there is. So they are good games for us to show what we are about and how far we have come.” Boothroyd doesn't think last week's defeat to Norwich will adversely affect his players saying, “No, not really because when you look at it statistically we have only lost one in five and conceded two goals in five so it is all right and that’s how I will bend the stats this week."“So I don’t think there is any pressure on us at all although no-one puts more pressure on themselves than I do. "We look forward to and relish these games and we only hope that the game is on so we can play Cardiff.” Boothroyd is being cautious and is wary of the poor run of form of both of his next two opponents explaining, “We have all stumbled. We have just lost to Norwich and had a man sent off but this is just a platform for the second half of the season when we have to make sure we stay with the pack." “We have to get on the coat tails of the leaders and if we can take points off them then all the better, and that’s what we have got to start doing, taking points off those teams around us.” Coventry travel to Cardiff without the banned Aron Gunnarsson as he starts his three match ban, but Boothroyd said the Iceland international will not be having a break over Christmas. He said, “He won’t be getting any time off and will be getting ready for when we play Barnsley. Luckily for him he has got three games in quick succession that he can get out of the way and put himself back in contention.” “We will mix it up because we have got four games in nine days, but they are looking healthy with colour in their cheeks. One player who might miss out on Sunday is Sammy Clingan, he has flu, but his knee injury has healed and flu apart, he is fit to start. “Sammy’s knee is going to be fine." said Boothroyd, " but he has come down with a bit of flu so he’s keeping out of the way and will be assessed before we travel.”
