Coventry kicked off their Championship campaign with a hard-earned and well-deserved point against promotion favourites Norwich on Saturday, and they will be on the road for their next two league games too as they wait to move into their spanking new stadium. Ian Clarkson talks to James Scowcroft about all things Coventyry, and finds out that the 'Mr Verstile' tag that he has been burdened with in the early part of his career is now proving a blessing in disguise.
Q:HOW DID PRE-SEASON GO?
A:If you look at results, they are all over the show! It's behind us, we're now into the season and Championship matches that matter. We've got every reason to feel confident. The club has kept most of its players. They've added two or three but there has been no mass exodus. I think we've got a bigger squad than last year, so the opportunity to do well is there.
Q:YOU'VE BEEN USED IN A VARIETY OF POSITIONS - WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE ROLE?
A:Ideally, I'd like to play up front but I'm not someone who will rant and rave if I'm not. I'm quite happy to do whatever the manager wants me to do. If you are at a club the size of Coventry and the squad is not as big as some of those in the Premiership, then if you have got a few players who can do that, it leaves you in a reasonable position.
Q:HAS BEING A UTILITY MAN BEEN A BURDEN AT ALL?
A:Sometimes it can backfire on players. I think if you look at the way that football has gone, take a look at Alan Smith at Man United. It looks as though he's having to adapt. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done it too. I think sometimes if you have the right application, it can help. I don't think the majority of players mind where they play, as long as they play.
Q:I BET YOU CAN'T WAIT TO MOVE INTO THE NEW STADIUM?
A:We've known what the situation has been for a while now, so we have had plenty of time to get used to it. You have got to play everyone home and away so what goes around comes around as far as I'm concerned.
Q:WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIP THIS SEASON?
A:It's a tough, physical league. There are no easy games and the gap between top and bottom is certainly a lot closer than it is in the Premier League, that's for sure. It's up to the manager to juggle around with what he wants to do.
Q:WHICH PLAYERS HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH SINCE YOU ARRIVED?
A:There are some good players here. I think the key for the club this summer has been to keep hold of some of the players who are out of contract. The likes of Gary McSheffrey and Stephen Hughes for example. But there are a lot who have the potential to do well. There's a good blend here. There are a lot of youngsters and I think the squad has a nice balance.
Q:HOW HAVE YOU FOUND MICKY ADAMS?
A:There's a strong work ethic at the club. He expects you to do your work. As long as you do that, he is fine with you. That said, we are just starting the real stuff now. Pre-season is all about your fitness. We will see how the season goes.
Q:WHAT IS A REALISTIC AIM?
A:I'm not going to predict anything in this league, you leave yourself open. I mean, Derby County stayed up by one point the season before last but last season they finished in the play-offs. This league is like that. If the club and players can stay together and one or two individuals play well, then you don't know what might happen. It's a hard league to predict and only really starts to shape up in January or February time. As for us, it's difficult to know. We need to keep people fit, if we can, there's no reason why we can't enjoy a decent season.
