Mick pre-Coventry City | We can't be complacent
COVENTRY CITY PREVIEW | MICK
The Bluebirds host Coventry City at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon, looking to capitalise on two fine away wins at Bristol City and Rotherham United over the past seven days.
Mick McCarthy’s side have accumulated eight points from the past twelve on offer, having drawn against Barnsley in his first game in charge and at home to Millwall in City’s last fixture played on home soil.
But speaking in his pre-match virtual press conference on Friday afternoon, the City Boss said that it’s now about performing to the highest level against the Sky Blues when Mark Robins’ side arrives in the Welsh Capital.
“What we can’t do is be complacent,” said Mick. “We’ve taken eight points from four games which is a great return, but we can’t suddenly start believing that we’re this team that can press all the way. We’ve got to go and win now against Coventry on Saturday and then get something out of the next game at Luton next week.
“I only ever look as far as the next game. Let’s see where we are on Saturday and if we’ve picked up another three points then I’ll be delighted. It’s a big ask as Coventry will be a tough nut to crack. They’re not frightened to express themselves under Mark [Robins] and they’ve had success with it after coming up last season.
“Arguably, this is the best squad I’ve ever inherited, and it’s been really pleasing to see the work ethic they have. Quite clearly, confidence and belief can go if you lose a run of games. But the 2-2 draw at Barnsley showed this squad’s willingness to work and fight back and that started restoring self-belief, I think.”
There was some positive news in terms of personnel available to the Gaffer this weekend, too, with an immediate return for one player and brighter news for two more of City’s key names.
“Leandro Bacuna is fine [and available]: he trained fully today [having picked up a knock against Bristol City],” Mick stated. Jonny Williams isn’t fit for tomorrow though. We’re going to make sure that he’s okay and then he should be fit for the rest of the games then.
“You don’t want to rush any players back with so many games coming up; if it means missing a game to be fit for the games that are coming after it then that’s better to my mind than rushing somebody back and causing further injury.
“Alex [Smithies] won’t be available tomorrow either; he’s had a virus [not COVID-19] but it’s wiped him out and really taken it out of him. On the upside, I thought Dillon [Phillips] was excellent the other day. You want players coming in to put in a good performance when they get their opportunity, and he did that.”
