Source: Northern_Echo
Southgate defends tough decision to leave out Coyne
GARETH SOUTHGATE admitted it was a tough decision to drop Danny Coyne for the trip to Coventry but felt the change was vindicated, despite seeing his side lose a two-goal lead.[LNB] The Middlesbrough manager relegated Coyne, along with full-backs Tony McMahon and Jonathan Grounds and midfielder Mark Yeates, to the bench following the 5- 0 defeat at home to West Brom.[LNB] The changes looked a masterstroke with Boro two-up with 13 minutes left but a late capitulation saw the Sky Blues rescue an unlikely point.[LNB] Southgate said: It wasnt an easy decision. Danny in particular has been very good for us but Brad we had in our mind at the beginning of the season as our number one.[LNB] He (Jones) relieved a lot of pressure on our defence by coming and claiming a lot of balls played into our box and he made some good saves.[LNB] In the end when we look back on it there were some crucial saves he made that may in fact show a draw was a fairer result than were feeling now.[LNB] Well have to watch it back again.[LNB] Left back Joe Bennett started his first game for Middlesbrough and Justin Hoyte came in on the opposite flank a move Southgate believed would allow his side to keep possession better and press Coventry back.[LNB] There were some freakish events against West Brom and what we wanted against Coventry were some different qualities in our team, said Southgate.[LNB] The four full backs weve used in the last two games all have different attributes.[LNB] We wanted to be a little more comfortable in possession of the ball and push Coventry back.[LNB] The changes were made because we felt the players who came in deserved their opportunities.[LNB] Southgate, meanwhile, has been linked with a move for Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.[LNB] Reo-Coker is deemed surplus to requirements at Villa Park following a well-publicised training ground bust-up with manager Martin ONeill.[LNB] Boro would take the player on a three-month loan deal prior to a possible permanent transfer in January.[LNB] The former West Ham player was a target for the Teessiders in the summer as part of the package that took Steward Downing to Villa, but that offer came to nothing.[LNB]
