They're Not Barnsley, They're Barcelona

Last updated : 09 August 2007 By Covsupport

Coventry City manager Iain Dowie has asked his players to treat the game like they were playing Barcelona instead of Barnsley on Saturday.

Explaining his different way of motivating his charges, Dowie told the CT: "I'm excited about the new season. "It comes around very quickly. "It is always better to start with a home game but we have got Barnsley away and it will be a tough game.

"We have had them watched three times and they will be treated with the utmost respect, as if we are playing Barcelona.

"I made the point to the boys yesterday that we treat this as the hardest game of the season and be absolutely thorough because I never would underestimate teams because that is disrespectful. "It is a very serious game football, with managers' jobs and players' careers on the line, so we have got to do it properly and we pride ourselves on being as organised as anyone."

"Simon Davey has brought a couple of bodies in and I hear is trying to bring a couple more in, but it is about what we do - we have got to go there and concentrate on what we are about.