torchomatic
Well-Known Member
STEVEN Pressley remains hopeful that his Coventry City players will travel to Portsmouth on Saturday with their play-off credentials intact.
Friday appears to be D-day for the club when a High Court judge could put the Sky Blues in administration, incurring a ten-point deduction which would send City to Fratton Park with a morale-sapping 50 points on the board rather than their current tantalising tally of 60.
"Obviously it’s all ifs and buts but I am very, very hopeful that there can be a positive outcome for the players because they have worked exceptionally hard after a difficult start to the season," said the City boss.
"For us to find ourselves in the position that we’re in is testament to their efforts and I don’t want that to be taken away from them.
"They deserve more than that and I seriously hope that between now and the end of the season that they get the opportunity to grasp that play-off place.
"I sense an excitement in the group. We trained twice yesterday, morning and afternoon, and the attitude towards the training has been fantastic and there’s unity and feeling about the group.
"They have had to deal with a lot of adversity throughout the season but sometimes adversity brings a group closer together, and they are a very close
group."
Pressley, who remains unbeaten in his first three games in charge with two wins and a draw, was delighted with the club’s 2-1 development squad victory over Birmingham on Monday which he says adds to the current feel-good factor among the players.
"After the win at the weekend, followed by a 21s win, it’s a week that brings an energy to the group," said the manager who was at St Andrew’s to run the rule over the younger members of the squad.
"It was a great win and they very much impressed me, especially with their second half performance which was terrific. It was a very young 21s team and I don’t think we had any over-age players.
"They played with a great energy and spirit and sometimes your young players that come through your system bring a heartbeat to your club.
"I have said that before but they played with that type of spirit. It was good to see Jordan Clarke and Jordan Willis, both of whom did particularly well in the game.
Friday appears to be D-day for the club when a High Court judge could put the Sky Blues in administration, incurring a ten-point deduction which would send City to Fratton Park with a morale-sapping 50 points on the board rather than their current tantalising tally of 60.
"Obviously it’s all ifs and buts but I am very, very hopeful that there can be a positive outcome for the players because they have worked exceptionally hard after a difficult start to the season," said the City boss.
"For us to find ourselves in the position that we’re in is testament to their efforts and I don’t want that to be taken away from them.
"They deserve more than that and I seriously hope that between now and the end of the season that they get the opportunity to grasp that play-off place.
"I sense an excitement in the group. We trained twice yesterday, morning and afternoon, and the attitude towards the training has been fantastic and there’s unity and feeling about the group.
"They have had to deal with a lot of adversity throughout the season but sometimes adversity brings a group closer together, and they are a very close
group."
Pressley, who remains unbeaten in his first three games in charge with two wins and a draw, was delighted with the club’s 2-1 development squad victory over Birmingham on Monday which he says adds to the current feel-good factor among the players.
"After the win at the weekend, followed by a 21s win, it’s a week that brings an energy to the group," said the manager who was at St Andrew’s to run the rule over the younger members of the squad.
"It was a great win and they very much impressed me, especially with their second half performance which was terrific. It was a very young 21s team and I don’t think we had any over-age players.
"They played with a great energy and spirit and sometimes your young players that come through your system bring a heartbeat to your club.
"I have said that before but they played with that type of spirit. It was good to see Jordan Clarke and Jordan Willis, both of whom did particularly well in the game.