Coventry City keeper Joe Murphy feels that the Sky Blues are not that far away from having a squad which is able to push for a promotion place next season.
“The gaffer has got a picture of what he wants to do and wants to make plans for next year, and if we can keep the nucleus of the squad I think we can have a right go next season," Murphy said to the Coventry Telegraph's Andy Turner.
“We started the season pretty poorly and it takes a while to get used to this league so it probably shocked a few of the lads.
“It’s a tough, tough league to get out of but we looked good under Mark Robins and I feel now that under the new gaffer he’s very positive and thorough and wants to do well. He does a lot of analysis on each team and it’s very professional.
“I just think that if we have a good summer when he can stew over what he wants to do in terms of bringing people in – if he can – we’ll have a right go next year.
“But I still feel we’ve got the players here. We’ve had one year in League One and been there or thereabouts without the ten points deduction so we’ll know what it’s about more next year and hopefully do well.”
But first things first, Murphy and his team-mates are determined not to let the season fizzle out in their last two remaining games.
“We want to finish strongly because it puts you in a good mood for the summer and to come in for next season,” said the 31-year-old who is particularly keen to end well at the Ricoh Arena.
“Our good away form seems to have left us a little bit and we’ve come good at home in a crazy season where there has been a lot of change in managers and things going on off the field.
“But we have to stay professional and see the season out now. And hopefully we can do the job in the last two games.
“It’s always hard when you’ve got ten games to go and you’re pushing and you think you can make the play-offs and then you get a ten-point deduction.
“But a footballer is never going to go out on to the pitch to play badly or take their foot off the gas. It’s not as if we feel there’s nothing to play for because you’re always playing for your position in the team.
“We have to look to next season but first off we’ve got two games to go and hopefully we can take that into next year.”
More on this: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/coventry-city-fc/coventry-city-fc-news/2013/04/19/92746-33201025/?#ixzz2Qu5mGU6w