It's been a somewhat stop-start season for Coventry thus far, with the Sky Blues currently lying in 18th place in the Championship. Despite their lowly position, Peter Reid's side are only nine points off the play-off pace and a good run of results over the festive period could yet see the club climb into the promotion picture. Givemefootball's Mark Shail spoke to defender Louis Carey, who has made a big impression at Highfield Road since his free transfer arrival last summer. Before his move to the Midlands, Carey made over 400 appearances for his hometown club Bristol City.
Q:HOW HAVE CITY BEEN PERFORMING IN RECENT WEEKS?
A:To be honest we have been playing really well without picking up the points that our performances have deserved. There is still a long way to go though and if we can get into the top half of the table then anything is possible. You have to look at what Crystal Palace did last year for evidence of that.
Q:WHY DO YOU THINK THE CLUB HAVEN'T BEEN GETTING THE RESULTS YOU FEEL COVENTRY DESERVE?
A:I suppose the biggest reason is we haven't been putting the ball in the net while we are on top in matches. For example, in our last few games we played very well at Stoke, but lost 1-0, and then had 30 shots on goal against Crewe, but again lost the match 1-0. We've certainly played better than our league position would suggest.
Q:HOW HAVE YOU SETTLED IN SINCE YOUR MOVE FROM BRISTOL CITY?
A:At first I found it a little difficult because it was the first time I had moved away from Bristol in my entire career. But now I'm much more at home with everything and I am pleased with the way I am playing.
Q:ARE YOU ENJOYING WORKING WITH PETER REID?
A:I respect him greatly for what he achieved in the game as a player, and he is certainly a player's manager. His man-management skills are excellent and it is easy to see that he has coached at a higher level.
Q:WHO'S THE BEST SIDE YOU HAVE COME UP AGAINST SO FAR?
A:I would say that Ipswich are the best footballing side - they are full of confidence at the moment and last night's win against Wigan will have given them the belief that they can now go on and take the title. Wigan are a very strong, powerful team and Paul Jewell has got them well organised. With Jason Roberts and Nathan Ellington up front they are always going to get goals.
Q:ARE THE PLAY-OFFS STILL A REALISTIC TARGET FOR CITY THIS SEASON?
A:Most definitely - if we would have managed to win our last three matches we'd now be sitting just a point behind West Ham, who are in sixth place. The next five or six games are crucial to our chances. The last thing we want to do is see the season dwindle away without anything to play for.
Q:WHAT DOES YOUR CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
A:It will be hectic stuff, with four games coming up in the space of nine days. This is our busiest time of the season so we have to stay focussed and get plenty of rest in between matches. We come up against Sheffield United, Gillingham, Rotherham and Leeds - they are not going to be easy, but it is crucial that we get at least two victories in that time.
