COVENTRY CITY

TONY MOWBRAY has quit Coventry City, who are rock bottom of League One after only 18 months in charge. The former Celtic and Hibernian manager blames himself for the club’s plight after the midweek 2-2 draw at AFC Wimbledon left them at the foot of England’s third tier with only six points and without a victory in their opening 10 matches.

“It’s embarrassing,” he said. “I’m an honourable guy and I won’t be a burden to this club. They’re young boys playing against big men and look like they’re being bullied a little bit. It’s my fault we haven’t got a dominant centre-half on the pitch to help the young lads.” his players, writes Darren Johnstone.

He is feeling hard done by after having Marvin Bartley and Lewis Stevenson dismissed in back-to-back matches. Midfielder Bartley’s red card for a tackle on Ayr United’s Jamie Adams was downgraded to yellow on appeal but the damage had already been done as Hibs suffered their first Championship defeat of the season.

Lennon also lamented referee Steven McLean’s decision to show Stevenson a second yellow card for a coming together with Dale Hilson during the weekend’s goal-less draw at leaders Queen of the South.

“I thought it was harsh,” said Lennon. “the winger has cut across Louie and he has got nothing else to do. He’s (Stevenson) trying to stop his momentum from going into him. He’s (Hilson) actually on his way down before there is contact. I don’t get it.

“Look at (Erik) Sviatchenko at Inverness (in the game against Celtic), the guy’s clean through. (Ross) Draper cuts across and goes down; no yellow card, no free-kick. Against Queens, we’re down to 10 men. That’s a lack of a consistency I’m not happy about.”