City's new boss ready for the challenge as he completes his first day in charge...
Coventry City’s newly appointed manager gave his first address to the press this afternoon and pledged to put all efforts towards distancing the club from the relegation zone.
The Sky Blues currently lie in 23rd place, two points off safety, and the new boss is under no illusion that the second half of the season will be a ‘battle’.
Russell Slade commented: “This football club has got a fantastic tradition, but it has lost its way at this moment in time. We’re not in a great position. But that is why I am here, I want to help.
“I’ve had my first session with the lads and they all had a great attitude this morning, let’s hope we can turn that positivity on the training ground in to results on the pitch.
“The reality is we’ve got 18 or 19 weeks to get as many points as we can, we’ve not got a second to waste. What we can’t do it make excuses, the only people who can do anything about it is the players - with the support of the staff.
“It is going to be a battle and there may be times where it isn’t pretty, but we need to win football matches.”
The 56-year old, who has vast experience at League One level, will be in charge of the club until the end of the season.
Slade will be working alongside Technical Director Mark Venus in the January transfer window and has confirmed that plans for squad reinforcements are already underway.
He added: “My focus whilst I’m here is on the football, that is my job. What happens off the pitch is out of my control.
“When the players rock up in the morning they need to be the very best version of themselves and know what is required to get us away from the trouble we’re in. They understand that.
“Mark and I are going to work extremely hard, we’ll be wheeling and dealing for sure. We need a bit more experience, perhaps a few leaders.
“You appreciate this game more when you’re out of it, I can’t wait to get started.”