Richard Duffy was sent to Coventry last season – but he enjoyed it so much he is back for another stint this term! The 19-year-old full back was snapped up by the then Sky Blues boss Peter Reid in September on a loan deal and when Micky Adams took over he was more than happy to keep Duffy at Highfield Road. It wasn't the best of seasons for Coventry as they just avoided the drop to League One, but with a new stadium ready to go on August 20 hopes are high of a renaissance this term. Duffy will hope to be an integral part of that not only to help City climb the table but also to further his international career. Welsh manager John Toshack took the former Swansea player to San Sebastian in Spain for an end-of-season training camp in May and he hopes to kick on this year. Duffy spoke to givemefootball's Ian Clarkson about his international aspirations and the season ahead after a tough first day at the Sky Blue Connexion training complex.
Q:DID JOHN TOSHACK INFLUENCE YOU IN ANY WAY REGARDING YOUR LOAN MOVE TO COVENTRY?
A:I hadn't signed when I went away to San Sebastian for the training camp but it was more or less done. John and I had a good chat and he said that if I could play Championship football with Coventry then I should go for it. He said that it would help me regarding the national side. It is definitely going to help me because if I had stayed at Portsmouth and been stuck in the reserves then it wouldn't have done me any good.
Q:YOU HAVE REPRESENTED YOUR COUNTRY AT UNDER 21 LEVEL – HOW IMPORTANT WAS IT TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE FULL SQUAD?
A:Training with Wales was very valuable and going away with an international squad was the highlight of my career so far. It is a good platform to build on for this season. Hopefully I can play a few games this season and play a big role for Coventry.
Q:WHAT CHANGES DID YOU NOTICE WHEN MICKY ADAMS TOOK OVER LAST SEASON?
A:The first week he came in he laid his own rules down and told us what he wanted to do. I think people adapted to that pretty quickly as you saw on the pitch. If Micky has got something to say then he will say it and there is no hiding from him. But I like that, as it is best to come out and say exactly what you think. The manager got us playing and we got a few good results towards the end of the season. We bonded together and played pretty well in patches but I think we will have a better season this year. I was pleased with my own form but I am looking for even better performances this season.
Q:I TAKE IT YOU LIKED WHAT YOU SAW LAST SEASON?
A:I was keen to come back after seeing the way the manager worked. The fans and the players also impressed me. I had a chat with the manager at the end of last season and he said he wanted me to be here again so I am happy to come here even though it looks like being a very hard pre-season.
Q:WHAT IS THE SITUATION WITH PORTSMOUTH?
A:I have got two seasons left at Portsmouth after this one which is a long time so we will have to wait and see. I met the new manager Alain Perrin last season as he was on the bench for the last game but he has let me continue my development so we will just wait and see what happens. For the time being I am more than happy to concentrate on Coventry for the next 12 months.
