Coventry Look to QPR...Seek First Away Win...and Third Consecutive Win

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Adams calls for Sky Blues treble
Coventry Evening TelegraphDec 12 2005
By Andy Turner

MICKY ADAMS has challenged his Coventry City players to get three consecutive wins after chalking up back-to-back league victories for the first time since April.
The Sky Blues' boss was impressed with his team's 1-0 win over bottom of the league Millwall at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday, and is now targeting next Monday's trip to Queens Park Rangers to get the club's first three points on their travels.
"The next step is to get our first away win, but that is easier said than done," said the manager whose side are the only team in the Coca-Cola Championship not to win away from home.
"It is a live Sky game at QPR after we have had two wins on the bounce. The question is can we make it three, which is
obviously the intention. We will go down there with renewed confidence and if there is ever a time we are going to get one, it will be at Queens Park Rangers."
Eight points from the last four home games leaves Adams hoping that his side are on the up, and he was particularly pleased given the fact that Saturday's result was achieved with so many players unavailable.
"We talked about getting our mentality right before the game and I thought we did that, which is great considering the injuries we had," he said.
"Although we have got a small squad, hopefully the players have turned the corner and we can get some of the injured boys back. Stern John is back this week so that will add to the squad. So from a club in crisis, we are not doing too bad."
Adams's only criticism was that his players squandered so many chances in front of goal, saying:
"Their keeper made a couple of good saves but we were a bit wasteful. But I can't complain about that because I thought every player looked up for the game."
And the manager had special praise for youngsters Isaac Osbourne and Kevin Thornton, adding: "I thought Isaac was terrific - all I could ask for. He competed, won his tackles and was first class.
"And once again the one thing that Kevin does is handles the ball and plays, and I felt we needed that when they went down to ten men."
The final result left the City dressing room in high spirits, but Adams said: "I keep saying I don't think there is a lot wrong with the dressing room.
"We have had a bit of luck and there has been a resilience about us over the past few weeks.
"I had a chat with the senior professionals individually about how they felt things were going and I think since then we have picked it up, and I think that started on the training ground."
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Stern setback
Dec 14 2005
Coventry Evening Telergaph By Andy Turner

STERN JOHN'S return to Coventry City has been delayed after Derby County insisted he sees out his loan spell.
The striker, who has not featured in the Rams' match day squad for the last seven games, was expected back at Coventry on Monday, a week short of completing his three-month stay at Pride Park.
But manager Phil Brown wants him to continue training with the club ahead of their match at Cardiff on Saturday, even though it is highly unlikely that he will feature.
"Stern will be back but not at the moment because Derby are insisting that he sees out his loan which runs out on Saturday," revealed Adams who is keen to have a look at the player to assess his fitness.
"It is not a problem for me but I don't know why they would insist on that bearing in mind they are not picking him.
"Ideally we would like him back, but because we haven't got a game until Monday and the fact that he is training at Derby, I don't see any problems."
Asked if the Trinidad and Tobago international is set to figure in Monday's game at Loftus Road, he added: "We have got a thin squad at the minute so I can't rule anybody out. "Obviously I haven't seen him for three months so I don't know what sort of shape he is in.
"But I will have a look at him when we train on Sunday and decide then. But I would think he will be in the squad."
Derby boss Phil Brown explained: "He is needed for training until Thursday afternoon and if he is not in the squad which travels on Friday he can go back."
Adams will also be assessing the player's state of mind, bearing in mind the fact that his confidence has taken another battering, this time from County fans who booed him early on in his loan which was originally with a view to a permanent move.
"Confidence is a fragile thing but as we have seen with our players, you can get that back very quickly," said Adams.
"Stern is a boy confident in his own ability and I wouldn't imagine it being a problem for him."
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