THINGS LOOKING UP FOR PRESSLEY
COVENTRY CITY manager Steven Pressley believes his side have everything in place for a successful season after a draw at Swindon.
The Sky Blues took the lead with their first shot of the game as Josh McQuoid forced his way past Wes Foderingham and slotted into an empty net.
But they couldn’t hold on to the lead as Raphael Rossi-Branco’s second-half header header earned Swindon a share of the spoils.
Although after finally securing a return to the Ricoh Arena, and holding off a spirited surge from Mark Cooper’s side to take a point, there was no dampening Pressley’s mood at the County Ground.
“It was an outstanding spectacle,” Pressley said.“I believe we can have a good season.The attitude of the group just now is absolutely first class. I’ve got a really good feeling about this group.
“I’m really pleased for Josh, he wants to score goals and he has got two already.
“Aaron Phillips had a wonderful game. Every time he has come in he has performed exceptionally well.
“Danny Pugh has so much experience but is on the bench because Ryan Haynes has come in and played exceptionally well. I didn’t feel we had competition for places last season – but it is heating up now.”
After a quiet opening half-hour Coventry took the lead with their first shot of the game. Jim O’Brien broke down the right after a Swindon corner and swept the ball across to McQuoid. Despite a strong second touch, where Foderingham nearly claimed the ball, he took it beyond the Swindon goalkeeper and tapped home.
Before then, Massimo Luongo had been denied by the foot of Coventry stopper Ryan Allsop when through one-on-one. Coventry should have doubled their lead after 64 minutes but Foderingham made a tremendous one-handed save from Andy Webster’s header.
But from then on it was Swindon who dominated and the home side eventually levelled through Rossi-Branco on 72 minutes as he headed home Nathan Byrne’s teasing delivery.
Iraq international Yaser Kasim then saw his free-kick deflected over before Luongo glanced the resulting corner onto the roof of the net.
Coventry could have stolen all three points three minutes from time when striker Simeon Jackson blazed wide when unmarked in the penalty area, but both sides had to settle for a point.
“We had numerous opportunities for an overload where we were three versus two at one-on-one,” said Swindon manager Cooper, who had to bring Connor Waldon when Michael Smith could not complete the warmup with injured ribs.
“We probably could have picked a better option for a pass that would lead to a goal but I am incredibly pleased with the players.The effort was incredible again, it is a great point.
“Waldon is a very good centre-forward. He is probably the best of getting hold of the ball at the club and he can pleased with his hour on the pitch.”