Week 9

Football Academy · Cult Status

Week 9

messiah · Cult Status

Watford take point

Coventry grabbed a lucky point with a late goal against his Watford side and Walker begrudged them the draw. "Forlan has to sell the shirts somehow to pay his wages and we were unlucky it was against us today. Our team is young and learning. I am disappointed to concede three goals but a point keeps our momentum so we have to accept it and move on."

When asked about the comments made by the Coventry manager he was his usual unreserved self. "When Coventry can beat us we might respect them. If their manager feels humbled when he faces us and wants to be quiet in the build up that is a decision he can make. I did say I would like to relegate them when we faced each other and my interview this week was giving him credit for not being in that situation yet but he has taken it as an insult so I will not waste my good wishes next time."

Next Walker was quizzed on his claims that Coventry had not copied him. "We had Carlisle here but DeZeeuw arrived as his replacement and we sold Carlisle on. They were nearly identical players. CC had been with me since I arrived here so Mingo is a great match to that type of player. I did not expect them to acknowledge it I was just observing how he was changing his team. I have not even gone in to detail on players like Ambrose who played for us long before Coventry were even on his radar."

The interview moved on to discussing the announcement that Sampdoria will be shown live this Friday. "They are on a roll. I would not want to add pressure to the new manager but it is a big test and if they lost the fans around the world would all see. It is a must win game for them."

Besty · Cult Status

Wolves manager talks after draw with Preston

Jamie, a close game and you've finished it with a point, how happy are you with a draw?

I think Mark will be much happier after this week's game than i am. I'm usually quite a laid back figure in the dressing room but i lost it in there after today's result. The boys got complacent with our recent good form and it's not acceptable, if they want to make it into the Championship then it's a season long run we need not a few weeks. I knew these few weeks would be testing for us as the fixtures had been quite helpful to us to start with but now it's time to show their metal and only a win will do away at Derby next week, losing is not an option. I must add though that Mark has made some superb signings since talking the helm and has really turned the club around and i hope he makes the playoffs.

Sunderland are now 3 points ahead of you in the title race and 2 ahead of Derby, is that something you expected?

If you had said to me after the first game of the season when we lost at home to Sunderland that we'd be three points behind after 8 games then i would have taken that, but after the run of wins we had and then to draw our last two fixtures is a big stumble, we could be a point clear at the top! A few players need to take a look at themselves and start performing because i am certainly not afraid to sell to bring in the money i need to change things around.

The loan signings you have, with the exception of Cotterill, all return after week 11 games, what do you intend to do to fill the void left by those?

My first priorities will be making sure i have cover for those positions and then attempting to bring them back in! Especially with the likes of Routledge and Obinna who have been key to our relative success so far this season, but that is something i must speak with their respective clubs about. Our defensive record has been poor so far this year and Joan (Capdevilla) from Deportivo helped to some extent but the arrival of Luis (Filipe) from Deportivo on a permanent deal is massive, he will be a big player for us.

Thanks Jamie

Spartikus47 · Cult Status

Coventry stave off relegation at Watford.

Coventry City picked up another impressive result away at Watford this week to continue their good start to The Championship season and leave them safely within the play-off positions. The press gathered at the Watford ground, speculating how Mr Walker was going to manage to relegate his rivals after just eight games, and with The Sky Blues safely clear of any relegation troubles. Of course, this was never possible, and merely highlighted the latest embarrassment for Watford boss Walker in his war of words and dismissive attitude towards Coventry.

Walker has displayed his disrespect of Coventry and boss Mark Rollings consistently over the past two seasons. After writing off Coventrys hopes last season, dismissing their Championship hopes this season, and categorically stating his desire to relegate Coventry Walker has been forced to climb down off his high horse and suggest a home draw is a satisfactory result. In true Walker fashion the over-stated boss tried to cover up his embarrassment post match with a string of ill-prepared and clumsy jibes which have left a fair chunk of his credibility in tatters.

The bottom line remains that Watford have dropped points against a team which Walker has shown nothing but discontempt for since his appointment at Vicaridge Road and has illustrated the closing gap between the two sides over the last two seasons. Rollings later explained his satisfaction with the point, but was unwilling to use the result to retaliate to Walkers jibes.

'However, you look at this result it represents the strides we have made this season. Its a great point away at a good footballing side who will be there or there abouts come the end of the season. I think Jamie has ended up a bit embarrassed after his words this season towards us with this result. I have heard some ridiculous accusations of "copying", which frankly I dont even see the need to respond to given the hilarity of his shoddy attempt at clutching back some dignity. It was a cracking game between two of the divisions most exciting teams and I think everyone will have really enjoyed it, its definitely one to set the record button for.

But its all over now and there is no time to dwell on the result. We look forward to our next game. I have had some warm words coming in via text and email from other managers congratulating me on the result and exclaiming their delight at the outcome, Thanks to all concerned, its always nice to receive the support of your peers. But Waford are not my concern until we play the return fixture now and we move onto Southampton next week.'

-- Edited by Spartikus47 at 11:23, 2008-08-20

Stu · Cult Status

Sevilla interview

You must be pleased with beating a very strong Atletico team on Monday?

I'm very pleased. It used to be a fixture I looked out for at the start of the season but Spurs have benefited from their good manager and it has taken the edge off the fixture for me. They are still a very good team thanks to him and we couldn't go in with less than full commitment

What can you say about Miroslav's debut?

Klose and Lucio were disappointed not to get in the team straight away for the european game but it shows a desire to play and do well. Both of them trained hard and played very well and you could see they wanted to secure their places in the team. A hattrick for Klose on his debut is outstanding he really is world class

Will you stick with the same players against Madrid this week?

Real have a squad full of galactico's. I know this is a long season and nothing will be won in a single game and I will be using my squad fully through the season

Why have you decided to advertise five of your players now?

Our squad is too big now with Klose and Lucio. I think its time some of the young players we've developed go out and try and make names for themselves. They deserve to be playing for a club that owns them and I think Sevilla has out grown their potential. Someone will get some great players there and I'll be sad to see them go

Does the sale of these players mean the end of the loan set up?

The feeder club idea is something I'm very proud of. We maximised it before and I think it's something we will always have our fingers in

Have you got a comment to make on the on going feud between Coventry and Watford?

I think one manager knows he is better and one thinks he is better. The testosterone around that is irrelevant

Lastly you mentioned Chris and Spurs earlier so what do you think of their season so far?

Chris has taken his style and attacking flair with him. Spurs results are similar to Atletico's results now. I think its a step in the right direction because I think Spurs are a bigger club and he will take them to the next level

Jozz · Cult Status

Cardiff managers view

GarethGardner · Cult Status

RE: Week 9

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Davies-Evans wants a performance from his players.

Cagliari boss Steve Davies-Evans has today come out and challenged his team to put in their best perfomance of the season against Siena this week. Cagliari haven't had the start to the season that Davies-Evans was expecting but he has not lost hope that this week could be the start of good things to come from the Italian side.

"It's massive that the player realise that their recent performances haven't been to the standard that the fans and I expect. Therefor, we haven't picked the points that we wanted. I am looking for the players to go and prove to the fans that they have it in them to push for this promotion and to entertain the fans too."

Davies-Evans has watched his side pick up three consecutive 1-1 draws and is hoping that new signings can insipre his team.

"We simply haven't created enough chances in recent weeks and have therefor brought in a very good midfielder in Seol. I worked with him whilst at Leicester and he was a stand out player for me and I hope he can recapture that form for Cagliari. We have also brought in an extremly good centre back in Richard Stearman. He is another player that I worked with in the past and I have full faith in his ability to help strengthen our defence. I am hoping that him and Jack (Hobbs) can start playing together as soon as possible."

Davies-Evans was then asked about the ongoing media saga involving Coventry Mark Rollings and Watford boss Jamie Walker.

"It's hard for me to comment too much as I have great respect for both managers. I was on the end of one or two media backlashes from both managers in the past but I think it sells papers and people will be facinted by their words. I think both managers have done a brilliant job since promotion and could come down to a dream playoff final come the end of the season.

I hope that the battle continues but I wont be draw into anything as I have firmly learnt my lesson on that score."

Luke_C · Cult Status

BBC Talk to Man City Boss Luke Coakley

A good victory for you against a strong West Ham team today, you must be delighted?
This is probabley one of our best results since I took over. West Ham have so much quality throughout the team and in my view and not many players short to challange the top 3. It was always going to be tough to pick up three points but the lads stuck to it and played some great football, in trusth we should have scored a few more but it was the three points that we wanted and thats what we took. Credit to West Ham though who gave us a hell of a game after going three nil down.

You went three nil up very early in the game only for West Ham to come back into it as the game wore on. Did your players become complacent?
No not at all, we continued to play in the manner we know and thats attacking. We were very dissapointed to conceed but it wasnt through complacancy or anything of the sort. I can gladly say every player gave it a good go today and everyone can be delighted in playing there part in a good win and performance.

Eto'o made his long await debut after his big money move, how pleased were you with him?
Im delighted with everyone today and Eto'o was part of a good performance. Ive read some press reports on how ive spent to much on someone that is 29 but today showed why I spent that extra bit of money on him. He can turn draws into wins and if we want to push up the table we needed someone of his quality. I dont think many clubs can say they have better quality partnerhship upfront than Anelka and Eto'o. We have an extra edge to the team now and I still expect to see more from him in the coming weeks.

Its all gone very quiet on the transfer front, are you expecting any changes anytime soon?
We dont have any transfer funds so I would have to sell before I can buy at the moment and I dont see anyone in the squad I would want to sell. We have Keogh coming back to us just after the half season point to add numbers into the defence. We are also looking to bring in a right back on loan but thats seems to be a lot more difficult than thought but we will keep looking on ways to improve the squad in anyway we can.

A few weeks ago you felt top 6 was an over ambitious aim by your chairman but you have stood your own so far. Do you feel top 6 is now achievable?
I still think its a very big ask for us, we are still two or maybe three players short but we go out to win every game and at the moment we are doing ok but still plenty to improve on, we want first but we do what we can.

-- Edited by Man_City at 00:39, 2008-08-22

Stu · Cult Status

Sevilla back Cagliari for first win

There is talk you have been in touch with Cagliari is this true?

Yes I've had a talk with Steve. He has the potential to be a top league manager and I think he was surprised by the change in football when he moved away from England

Your feeder clubs have always had success of some sort so will it rub off on Cagliari?

I hope so. He's had a difficult start to the season and he wants to succeed so its frustrating for him. He is still in with a chance to make the play offs and if you can get into form in those leagues you can fly up the table. We all saw Jamie change the fortunes of Napoli and end up winning the league

Are you confident enough to back them to pick up only their second win of the season?

I would put money on it. He has so many draws to his name I think the bookies would give great odds on a Cagliari win. He seems open to help and suggestions and I don't think he is very far from getting the wins he wants

You have also been reported to reserve special praise for the Wolves manager , why is that?

I'm impressed every week by the success he has brought to the team. He has some of the best loan signings in the whole game in my opinion. What loan player can match the form of Obinna this season? He looks like he is good at everything in management and if he stays at Wolves beyond this season I think he should get a lot more credit because I'm sure he won't be short of offers from bigger and better teams

Are you looking forward to being live this week?

Real Madrid is a huge club. This might not have been picked for a live showing seasons ago so this shows how far we've come. I cant promise a win but I can promise right now it will be a great game to watch

Stu

Bluebird99 · Cult Status

Cagliari boss hails Price as "True Great"

At his pre-match press confrence this week, Cagliari boss Steve Davies-Evans was quizzed about his dealings with Sevilla manager Stuart Price after manager from Spain confirmed that the two had been in discussions.

Steve, We have seen that Stuart Price at Sevilla has come out and claimed that you both have been in discussions regarding Cagliari and trying to get them winning, is this true?

SDE - "Yes, to a certain extenet this is true. I am a big admirer of what Stu has done at Sevilla and there is no doubt that he one of the best managers around so I wasn't going to pass the chance up to gain some good tactical advice from him.

How did this meeting come about?

SDE - Well I heard that Stu was in Italy looking a possible player for the future so I invited him to myself and my girlfriend for a glass of wine and to taste some of the local cooking. We had a good night and I hope that the vino hasn't clouded Stu's thoughts too much ahead of his big game this week.

What did you make of Stu's advice and will you be using any of it?

SDE - Well only time will tell, Stu gave me some sound advice and I have taken everything that he said on board and hopefully it will start to filter through. I think that I have a decent knowledge but when you are wrapped up in a team, sometiem you just need a second opinion from some other managers incase there is something I was missing. Stu isn't the sort of manager you ignore and I was very greatful for his words and it proves that he is a true great.

Is Stuart Price the only manager you have spoken to about it?

SDE - Well Stu is the only manager I've managed to sit down with over a glass of wine, except Simon (Newcombe), But I know a good few managers around Europe now and I would be happy to sit down over some local cuisine anytime.
I'm sure that myself and Mr Mark Rollings are due a meet up as it's been a few weeks since our last encounter.

So will you be watching the Real Madrid v Sevilla game?

SDE - I'm really not sure if I will get time due to my match with Siena aswell but I would love to catch some of it as it will be a cracker!

Who are you backing and who do you expect to win?

I couldn't pick a winner to be honest, both a fantastic teams coached by great managers so its going to be a tough one to call. You would say that Stu has the experience of this league and will definatley fancy his chances but then Real have the home advantage. I think if there is winner in this one then they team will have had to work very hard to get it. I wish both managers the best of luck.