Mowbray: Let’s make the Ricoh a fortress
TONY Mowbray is running low on recruits at Coventry City but the boss still insists his side can continue to turn the Ricoh Arena into a fortress with victory over Southend United tomorrow.
Midfielder James Maddison and defender Jordan Willis are ruled out with long-term injuries while Chris Stokes’ ankle problem is a cause for concern.
Throw in the fact that on-loan duo Adam Armstrong and Bryn Morris will both be on England Under-19s duty when the Sky Blues travel to Burton Albion next weekend and Mowbray’s squad are feeling the squeeze.
Coventry saw their 100 per cent start to the season ended by Walsall last weekend and the former Celtic boss is desperate to get back to winning ways against newly-promoted Southend.
“Our expectation is three points, but you have to be respectful of the opposition,” said Mowbray. “Southend are adapting to a new division but they have shown that they are up for the challenge. They are difficult to beat and I’m sure we’ll find that on Monday.
“This is a very important game – if we can win it, that will be four out of five and I think we would all have taken that at the start of the season.
“Our ambition is to try to make the Ricoh a fortress for all the opposition and we also want to make it good for the supporters who will hopefully be entertained by a good performance and three points.”
Phil Brown’s Southend, meanwhile, have two points from their first four games and have only scored one goal so far.
But defender Adam Thompson – who signed a new one-year deal with the Shrimpers this week – is confident his side are ready to tackle all-comers in their new surroundings.
“I love the club and the team here is like no other. The team spirit here is unbelievable,” said the 22-year-old.
“The performances have been there early on and we’re not far off. It’s a harsh league at times.”