Source: Team_Talk
Wake-up call for Westwood
The 24-year-old, who joined the Sky Blues from Carlisle in a £500,000 deal last summer, is currently in the form of his life and riding on the crest of a wave.[LNB]His manager Chris Coleman has identified him as Coventry's outstanding player this season, a claim Westwood underlined last week with an injury-time penalty save which ensured City beat Championship leaders Wolves.[LNB]Westwood's form since moving to the Ricoh Arena has seen him linked with big-money moves to the Premier League and earned him a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad - he is able to represent Ireland by virtue of his grandmother.[LNB]But life has not always been so rosy, and ahead of Saturday's fifth round tie at Ewood Park Westwood recalled how his career was almost unceremoniously stubbed out just a stone's throw along the A679 at Accrington.[LNB]"It has been a whirlwind what has happened to me and it doesn't seem real sometimes, but hopefully my story will show young lads that it is still possible to make it," said Westwood.[LNB]"I remember the lowest point was when I went to Accrington and played in a charity game with Neville Southall and Dave Watson playing as centre-halves and I had an absolutely storming game and everyone came up to me afterwards and said how well I'd done.[LNB]"Then there was a game three days later against Crewe and the manager asked me to go down and when I turned up I was one of three goalkeepers.[LNB]"I was told to get changed but there was no kit and that was it, that was the end of my trial at Accrington.[LNB]"No-one said anything to me and that was the lowest point because they didn't even say I wasn't good enough.[LNB]"If they had said, 'well done, but you're not what we are looking for at the moment,' I could have accepted that, but they said nothing.[LNB]"It was the worst summer in my life because I suddenly realised I would have to get a job. I have got a few GCSEs but not that many qualifications that could get me a good job.[LNB]"I was close to being a policeman and I was on the internet filling out the application forms when luckily I got a call from Carlisle - and I haven't looked back since."[LNB][LNB] Blackburn 4/6[LNB], Draw 12/5[LNB], Coventry 5/1[LNB]
