Platt Has Never Played Better
Last updated : 23 November 2010 By Covsupport News Service/RD
When Aidy Boothroyd brought in the virtually unknown 33 year old Clive Platt from the lower leagues, a few eyebrows were raised and questions asked, but the tall hit man has proved to be an inspired signing.
While he may not be anywhere near international standard, he has certainly had an impact at Coventry with his hard work. He has scored three goals and assisted in many more and has become an important member of Aidy Boothroyd's squad. He missed the three previous games through injury and whether it was coincidence or not, City lost all three games.
Platt returned to the Coventry side on Saturday to play his 500th league game of his career against Burnley, but he didn't get himself on the score sheet and remains two goals short of 100 league goals. He has been on 98 for a few weeks now and he is keen, but not desperate, to pass the landmark.
He said to the CT: "I think I've got 98 in the league so it will be nice to reach that, although I didn't know about the appearances so I have had to get my shirt from Saturday and get it signed by the lads."
"I'm really enjoying my football. I worked with the gaffer on what my attributes are and what I can bring to the team last year and it has fitted in with what he is doing here. No disrespect to the other lads I have played with before, but we have got a lot better players here and when a ball goes into the box it is slightly better and gives you the advantage."
"We have got Westy's kicks which give me the advantage with their direction, and as well as me believing I am playing my best football, I am playing with some of the best players in the division around me which is obviously helping as well. The fact that I went straight back in, I think, shows the gaffer has got belief in me."
"He said he wouldn't do that unless I deserved it, so he seems to think that my performances before I got injured deserve that and I am just glad he did and glad to be part of the team again.
"Even when you are not playing you cheer the lads on and want everyone to do well but you still don't feel completely part of it until you are back fully fit and part of the squad again, but luckily the gaffer put me back in and we got a result."
Platt suffered a calf injury in the home game against Leeds and he explained,
"My calf tightened up before that game and I thought I would be able to get through but I went up for a header and felt a sharp pain and knew I couldn't carry on."
He initially feared the injury was more serious than it turned out to be and was relieved when he discovered the nature of the injury.
He added: "Luckily it wasn't the calf, it was the muscle just below that was torn and that tends to heal quicker and I was able to train after about seven or eight days. It was great to be back because obviously when you are sidelined you miss the action and the lads have been through a tough time and you want to help."
"Although they have been playing well we have missed a couple of results but we managed to get one at home on Saturday against a strong Burnley side. It always helps when you come back in and the team win. We needed to prove a point, especially off the back of three defeats. At half time they looked strong and some teams could have gone under, but we showed great character as a team to get all three points."
Platt and his team mates travel to Scunthorpe next Saturday relieved that they have ended a three game losing streak, but well aware that they must not be complacent and will continue to work hard to grind out results.
"We have got to take that forward now and try to become more consistent," he said. "I think we are a very tough team to beat but we have got to start proving it and keeping it going by not just winning the odd game but getting a run going. I have played at Scunthorpe a few times over the years and I used to travel in with their manager Ian Baraclough when we were at Notts County, so it will be good to see him."
"It's a small old fashioned ground and they will try to use that to their advantage because it will be tightly packed and their fans will be right on top of the pitch, but we have got to be big enough to go there and be professional because these are the places that if you want to do well you have to go there and get the points."
"We then have Middlesbrough back here and if we do things right then hopefully we can get a good run going into Christmas."
