Tony Mowbray discusses the 19-year-old Welsh international who has been making a big impression this season for Sky Blues...
The Sky Blues travel to Fleetwood Town this afternoon, hoping to replicate last October's victory in the league.
Prior to the game, City manager Tony Mowbray has been impressed with the progression of his younger squad members, with no fewer than four City Academy graduate debuts in recent months.
19-year-old Cian Harries has come in for a lot of praise of late, and although Mowbray is happy with the youngster, he admits there is still a lot more to come from the defender.
Mowbray said: “I’ve always tried to build football clubs with good people who are honest, hard working and willing to improve. It doesn’t matter if they’re 17 or 37.
“Cian is a good young talent – I think because I’ve been in his position I can pass on my 20 years of experience playing that role. At this moment I am trying to help him with his voice and his reading of the game.
“There are not many better defenders with his passing ability, but there are others who can head it better and are physically better so it gives us ways to improve his game further.”
Mowbray's attacking style of football, coupled with a new forward-thinking formation, has suited the balling playing defender and Harries, amongst others, have embraced the new shape.
“I think it is the way you prepare your team that breeds success. If you want to focus on defensive position and shape that can still be good coaching.
“That’s not the way I prefer to work, but some have been very successful with it. I like to coach a side when in possession, to try and dominate the game and score goals.”
Mowbray added: “The way I look at it is the most successful teams in the world are known for winning football matches with the ball and dominating matches by scoring goals. It’s the style of play I prefer to try and teach.”