Boss praises senior stars for top effort

TAKING a step down to the development squad to get game time can be a tricky thing for senior players at any level.

Some embrace it while others sulk and go through the motions. But that latter accusation cannot be levelled at the handful of Coventry City seniors who turned out for Luke Tisdale’s development side in a bid to get valuable game time ahead of a busy period in the fixture schedule.

Several players benefited from this week’s run out, which saw midfielder Jamie Allen continue to build his match minutes and grab a goal after three-and-a-half months out injured, Max Biamou continue his hot streak of form after completing a three-match ban, and Gervane Kastaneer also get on the scoresheet as he attempts to get himself up to speed.

Striker Jordy Hiwula also stretched his legs after four weeks out injured and Callum O’Hare kept his fitness levels up after being limited to substitute appearances in recent weeks.

Reflecting on Monday’s 3-1 Allard Way victory over Colchester United Under-23s, Tisdale said: “Once we established a little bit of possession and settled down you could see the quality of the players on the pitch, with Jamie Allen, Max Biamou, Callum O’Hare , Jordy Hiwula and Gervane Kastaneer, they opened the game up for us and we got a nice lead.

“The senior players were amongst the goals and they have to be at this level. It’s what we say to them but it’s not always easy to come out of first-team football and play these games. It’s a lot harder than people think.”