I'm A Work In Progress - Turner

Last updated : 02 August 2009 By Covsupport News Service

Coventry City defender Ben Turner has described himself as a work in progress.

Speaking to Andy Turner, whose article was published in the Sunday Mercury, Turner said: I wouldn't say I am a success story yet because I feel I am a work in progress.
'I still think I can get better and hopefully that will come with time.

"It's really difficult moving up from the Academy because you can be a good player but until you get experience, managers don't really trust you.

"That's why they like young players to go out on loan to get that initial burst of 10 games to show that there is something there.

"Until you get that then you are always playing second fiddle to someone who has already done it.

"For example, when I was first trying to break into the first team at 17 or 18, there were people like Ady Williams and Robert Page who had 500-600 games under their belts.

"Even if you are level with them in terms of training, the manager is still up in his office thinking they are the safe option, and that's why I was sent out on loan to Peterborough and Oldham.

"The next thing you know the gaffer has a bit more trust in you, because you've been away and done well and that sows a little seed in his head.

"And I think that's what some of the young lads here will have to do.


"Although the manager has shown he will play them, they have got to do exceptionally well to get a proper run in the team. That's possible, but the more realistic thing for them to do is go out on loan and show that they can handle it at that level and then come back and say 'I'm ready gaffer!'

"Personally I think I improved last season. "I petered out towards the end, certainly in the last month, but I think that coincided with the whole team petering out. Other than that, I was really happy with my season.

"I'd like to improve and get more comfortable on the ball but the bigger you get the more difficult it is. You tend to find the best ball players are always the lads who are 6ft and under.

"I feel my positioning is improving, but a player's best years for that come when he is nearing 30. We saw that with people like Robert Page."

"Physically, I feel I have got the size, strength and fitness. If you clear the ball into row Z, especially in a home game, you sometimes hear disgruntled noises from the crowd but all the lads on the pitch are patting you on the back and saying 'well done.' Sometimes you have to distance yourself from how it looks to the fans because the result is the most important thing."