A Big Pat On The Back - Hopkins

Last updated : 13 October 2014 By Covsupport News Service

Coventry Sphinx manager Luke Hopkins has said that he was happy with the response from his players in the 4-2 win over Loughborough University on Saturday.

Hopkins told the Sphinx Website: "There were a few changes to the starting line up and we changed the approach to the game.

"We wanted to play football on the ground, we knew Loughborough were coming to play a similar style and they do it very well, but they also let you do it.

"Their goals came from individual errors from our centre halves, but when they are 17 and 19 and you are encouraging them to play, you have to accept they will make mistakes and 9 times out of 10 at this level they will be punished for them, but I thought the two lads reacted brilliant and its the only way they will develop and learn.

"We all dug in and got one back before half time, although we had chances to have 2 or 3 at least. Kiam Galdins was my MOM, he worked hard, won his personnel battle and affected the game in a very positive way.

"Many around me gave Ash Cain MOM, his delivery was brilliant as always and it always gives you a head start on set pieces with big aerial presence in the team with Ash Wilks, Ricky Fletcher, Galdins always capable of getting on the end of one.

"On the other wing Luke Downes popped up with another two goals and has a habit of getting important goals.The two lads, who came on dId very well.

"Adam Bilic provided the much needed fitness boost at the sixty  minute mark and Rickie Cutting getting the goal to take the lead with us seeing  the work rate and desire that made Rickie the player he was last season and made him ever present in the eleven.

"Big pat on the back for all the boys Saturday, but its only the start, we are now in mid October and haven’t won away in the league yet this season so its something we are looking to do tomorrow away at Rocester.

"That would put us back on course to collecting points and climbing the table and put the defeats behind us.

"Every team has a sticky patch in the season for one reason or another and I hope that the previous four weeks have been ours for this season. Perhaps a rant every now and then does the trick."