Changes promised after Stoke defeat
TOWN manager Jim Magilton promised changes for today's match at Coventry after saying his players lacked conviction in their 1-0 Championship defeat to Stoke on Saturday.
By Elvin King
TOWN manager Jim Magilton promised changes for today's match at Coventry after saying his players lacked conviction in their 1-0 Championship defeat to Stoke on Saturday.
Billy Clarke was fit, but left out of the final squad, but he was set to start today with Alan Lee likely to be given a rest.
“I don't think we had the conviction to win the Stoke game,” said Magilton. “We should have hurt them more.
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“It was not a game we should have lost. We looked solid up to a point and handled their big strikers very well.
“We started the game well and had plenty of possession over the 90 minutes, but we were poor up front.
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“Alan Lee has gone off the boil a little, although he has worked very hard.
“Gavin Williams gave us a good shift for 90 minutes, but we have to be careful with him as he is still carrying a niggle.
“Gary Roberts is nursing a sore groin, and we have to keep an eye on Owen Garvan, with so many games in a short time after he's been out for so long.”
Stoke boss Tony Pulis had praise for scorer Liam Lawrence, one of his loan players.
“It is most important to have good balance, good unity and good spirit as well as a good shape to the team,” said Pulis.
“We have a useful set-up and players who are dangerous on the break. Liam Lawrence produced an exceptional finish.
“Liam has formed a smashing relationship with the rest of the group and always gives 110 per cent and we will have to talk to Sunderland to see if we can keep him.
“I was concerned about missing the suspended Michael Duberry in defence but youngsters Lewis Baxter and Carl Dickinson did well.
“It was very important to bounce back after the travesty of a defeat at Colchester and we certainly showed character.”
