City caretaker boss says success will all be down to mindset
Coventry City caretaker boss Richard Shaw says concentration is the key to League One succcess for the Sky Blues.
In his first game in charge following the weekend departure of former boss Andy Thorn, Shaw saw City come from behind on Tuesday night to beat Midlands rivals Birmingham City 3-2 at the Ricoh Arena after extra-time to book a place in the third round of the Capital One Cup.
Shaw said though that the result and performance will have been a waste of time if the Sky Blues cannot carry it through to get a positive result when they travel to Alexandra Stadium on Saturday to face Crewe in the league.
Shaw said: "Tuesday night, as much as I and the players and the fans enjoyed it, will have been a waste of time if we cannot follow it up with a few good results because games like this Saturday against Crewe are the important ones.
"League One is all about mindset for me. It's a change of scenery from what the players are used to and sometimes you can beat yourself up before you've even got to some of the grounds we will visit this season.
"The grounds are tighter, the dressing rooms are smaller, the pitches are different and the stands are closer and we've told the lads that this is what League One will be like so it's crucial that their minds are in the right place.
"There's no question that our lads have the ability, no question, but we just have to make sure that the concentration is there as well because you only have to switch off once and before you know it you are one down from a set piece after three minutes like we were on Tuesday.
"Concentration is all important at this level, it's key and that's what we tell the players and that's what we will want to see on Saturday."