Source: FOOTYMAD
Westwood given two weeks to sign contract
Ultimatum issued to goal keeper. Coventry City's managers Aidy Boothroyd has issued an ultimatum to his goal keeper Kieren Westwood. He has give the 25 year old Irish international goal keeper two weeks to decide if he wants a future at Coventry City or if he wants to leave. Boothroyd underlined his authority and determination by relegating Westwood to the bench for last Saturday's defeat at Millwall and gave loan 'keeper Iain Turner a starting place instead. Westwood has been reluctant to sign the new, improved contract he has been offered by the club, although his agents and advisers want him to sign and so Boothroyd has given Westwood time over the international break, until September 11th, make a decision. Boothroyd has been getting frustrated by Westwood's delaying tactics recently and has started to get tough with his highly rated 'keeper. “As a manager you’ve got to make decisions and I made one regarding the goalkeeper,” said Boothroyd last Saturday, after the 3-1 defeat at Millwall. “We’ve got two very good goalkeepers, one who’s proved himself to be the best in the division, but last week he nearly cost us the game then he won us the game, and I don’t want to work with that inconsistency." “We’ve got a situation where I want him to sign, his representatives want him to sign, the club and everybody in Coventry wants him to sign but he’s not quite sure yet. I do want to make it very, very clear that I absolutely love Keiren. I think he’s a terrific keeper and a brilliant lad." “He needs fair but firm handling and I think he’ll go all the way to the very top, but he’s not ready, nobody’s come in for him and therefore I’ve got to go with what I think is consistent and settled." “I want Keiren to play in the Premiership with us but, as good as he is, I’ve got a decision to make before the next game. I have to have a chat with him and find out it he’s part of the future here or not. If he isn’t, we’ll have to deal with it.” Iain Turner returned to Coventry from Everton after recovering from a head injury and concussion sustained 15 minutes into the game at Watford and was given the nod ahead of Westwood, but Boothroyd thought he was at fault for the first Millwall goal, but then went on to make three outstanding saves later on. Westwood has now joined up with the Republic of Ireland squad for their European qualifying fixtures against Armenia and Andorra.
