City will do some DAMAGE in this league – Harford

LUTON Town boss Mick Harford is backing his former club Coventry City to “do some damage” in League One if they continue to play as well as they did against his title chasing Hatters.

The 60-year-old felt his tabletopping side did enough to win the game but gave credit to the Sky Blues for holding out for a point which, he says, could prove extremely valuable for Town come the end of the season.

“Overall we’re disappointed with the result because we did enough, in my opinion, to win the game,” said the manager, who had an injury plagued season with the Sky Blues back in 1993/94 when he made one appearance and scored one goal – a brilliant winner against Newcastle United.

“We got in numerous times down the right hand side with some very intricate play, especially from

Jack Stacey and Andrew Shinnie.”

Reflecting on his side’s goal, scored by centre-half Matty Pearson from a corner, he said: “We got a free header at the far post and it’s something we work hard on in training so we’re delighted with us getting a setpiece goal.

“Their keeper had a bit of a fumble, having had the chance to save it, but that’s not our problem.

“But fair play to Coventry, they got themselves back in the game. They have a very expansive game, they’ve got some good players, good young players who will go on to have good careers.

“They made it difficult for us for 20-25 minutes when they looked a really dangerous outfit. We had to counter that.

“At half-time we had a little reshuffle, so to speak, and second half I think we countered their strengths very well.

“We created numerous chances, so overall we’re disappointed with

Luton Town boss Mick Harford gave credit to Sky Blues the result but the performance Asked about the penalty in my opinion appeals, one for Coventry when was excellent.” Amadou Bakayoko was taken out

He added: “There were a lot of by keeper James Shea in the first balls going into the box and flying half and another when Town around. Alan McCormack will be striker Danny Hylton went down disappointed after finding himself under a challenge from Dujon in a strange position and he was Sterling, Harford said: “I have seen unlucky that the ball didn’t hit the them and I’ll be honest, but I am back of the net. going to be biased and say James

“James Collins had a one-onone Shea got the ball and the lad has late on and the keeper made a dived over. good save so overall, when a team “I think when Hylton went down come and they sit deep, especially and Sterling came across him, it in the second half and they make looked like a penalty to me. it hard for you, it is very hard for “But it’s a tough job for referees you to break them down. and it’s 50-50, ‘do I give it, don’t I

“But I thought we created more give it’ and he’s gone the other than enough chances for a home way. On another day we could team. And I said to the players in have had it. the dressing room that this will be “But they stick together when a valuable point for us come the the going gets tough, and they end of the season. City are a good stuck together for 20-odd minutes outfit who are set up well and in the first half and came through they’ll do some damage in this it. league if they keep playing like “And I thought we were brilliant that. in the second half when I don’t

“They are a real good team.” think they hardly got in our half.”

They have a very expansive game, they’ve got some good young players who will go on to have good careers.