Boothroyd Aiming For Another Win Over Palace

Last updated : 11 February 2011 By Covsupport News Service/RD

Saturday's visitors to The Ricoh are Crystal Palace and Coventry City boss Aidy Boothroyd is aiming to end his sides then game winless run with a victory over them.

Palace are the only side since the beginning of December that Coventry have beaten and that was the comfortable 2-1 home win in the third round of the FA Cup in early January, despite a late rally by The Eagles.

Boothroyd's plight has not been helped by a crippling injury list of many of his key players. Ben Turner James McPake, Sammy Clingan and skipper Lee Carsley would all normally be automatic choices on the team sheet.

Although frustrated by the loss of at least eight high profile players and rues their loss, Boothroyd is happy to get on with the job with the players he has available.

He said after watching City lose 1-0 at Leeds last week to the CT: "You always get situations . We've got to get our players back fit and maybe add one or two to boost the squad up a bit. We're moving towards the key part of the season."

"We're not on a very good run right now, that's for sure, but the stats show that we're getting done by the odd goal against good teams and in terms of attitude, application, work rate, you've got to say the performances are good.

"When we've got our best 11 on the pitch I don't fear anybody, but the fact that we've gone so close so often is really irritating.

"If we were getting beaten three or four every week we'd really have a problem but we're talking about fine margins; we're not too far away even though we do keep getting punched in the face, but we carry on - it's very difficult right now but that will make it all the better when things start going well and we get a little bit of glory.

"I don't feel sorry for myself and I hope the players don't. We're very, very close to being a good team. The fans who watch our games, who have seen the character and the team spirit know that we're heading in the right direction, even if it is a longer road than we expected it to be."

Boothroyd has said he and his players are desperate to end their run of ten games without a Championship win. They have taken a derisory 3 points from three draws out of the 30 points that were up for grabs.

The City boss did have a piece of good news this week, Marlon King returned to training after missing the Leeds game with a bout of flu, so Boothroyd is hopeful he will be included in the squad.

Boothroyd celebrated his 40th birthday last week and a win would be as good a birthday present as any.

"I'll wait until Saturday and hopefully we'll have something double to celebrate, which would be absolutely lovely because we need it," said the City boss.

"It feels a bit like Groundhog Day at the moment but we will try to make it a happy day for everyone and that will be a marvellous present. Nothing would be better than getting three points."

"I'd be happy, the players would be happy and we'd just feel we have got some reward for the work we have put in. It does turn, it really does, but at the minute it is one of those situations that no matter what you do it gets thrown back at you and you have to get through it."

"We're battling on. It would be nicer if we were higher up the table and winning every week but it is all sent to test us."

All of Coventry City's players who were on international duty returned unscathed, although goalkeeper Kieren Westwood sat out his game with Wales in Dublin because of a sore calf, but it is thought he will be OK by Saturday.

Boothroyd confirmed: "Nathan Cameron and Jordan Clarke both played full games for England Under-20s and did very well, and Freddy played 20 minutes for Wales and everyone came back OK."