Source: FOOTYMAD
Thumbs up for 3-5-2
Cranie likes playing three at the back Coventry City defender Martin Cranie, who played in the middle of a three full back set up at Middlesbrough, has given his approval to the formation. It is the one position the the right back had never played in for City, but felt comfortable there and preferred it to filling in as a left back and would be more than happy to continue playing there. The 23 year old defender said, “I think we played quite well at Middlesbrough, where we were set up a bit differently and we had quite a lot of the ball and created quite a few chances. We probably deserved to win the game." "We played with three at the back and two wing-backs and sometimes we were even five at the back but that obviously helped us get more of the ball to play football. In the last few weeks we have made a few mistakes at the back but I thought we looked pretty solid. The gaffer was pretty pleased with it." "We have played it a couple of times this season and we might well work on it a bit more this week in training and play it again on Sunday. I enjoyed it, especially because I saw a lot of the ball which is what I enjoy doing and I felt really comfortable." “I have never played there before, to be fair. he added, "I always played right-back with the Under-21s, so right of the three was sort of right-back but just tucked in a bit.” With nothing to play except pride, Coventry City entertain Watford, who made sure of their own Championship safety with an impressive 3-0 home win over their local rivals Reading. Watford have a poor away record and City will want to win their final game of the season to end a 10 game winless run. Cranie thinks Sunday's game will be a bit more like a friendly as there is little riding on the outcome. Three points for either team will not see either of them rise far in the table. Crane thought, “It would probably be more of a quicker-paced game if Watford had to come here needing to win to stay up, Saturday was a case of nothing riding on the game and maybe that’s why we saw more of the ball." “I thought we could have snatched it in the end. Young Shaun Jeffers went on and it would have been great for him to get a goal because he’s only played a handful of games, but at the end of the day everyone played well and put the effort in." “Neither team has anything to play for but we still want to finish strongly and get a win, so maybe we will play like that again on Sunday and get the win we want. We will see what happens because we are definitely going into the game wanting to win it. We want to give the fans something to hold onto going into the summer." Looking back on this season and pondering on next, Cranie said, "We obviously had the little run where we went close to the top six and then things have fallen away lately. It isn’t anything to do with the staff. We are the players who have got us here and we owe the fans a victory on Sunday.” “Carl Baker and Gary Deegan made an impact when they came in and maybe two or three more over the summer in the right areas would maybe give us a bit more depth because we have got quite a small squad at the minute. Bakes and Deegs will go from strength to strength." "They have settled in well and hopefully next season they will both push on and be vital for us.”
