Sky Blues midfielder pleased with gritty cup win over Daggers
Sky Blues midfielder Gary McSheffrey was pleased to 'get the away win out of the way' in their first game of the season.
Coventry's away form last season saw them record one away victory all season, against Hull in March but in their first game of the new season in the Capitol One Cup, Andy Thorn's side came through a difficult test at Dagenham to win 1-0 at Victoria Road.
Kevin Kilbane scored a late penalty to see them through and McSheffrey believes that will give the side plenty of confidence going forward.
The 30-year old said: "We took ages last year to get an away win and it is good that we can get that out of the way early.
"It wasn't a pretty win, actually at times it was rather ugly and probably wasn't a great game.
"But with the luck we had last year, we would have probably lost that so it was nice to get that luck in the last minute.
"So, overall to get out of here with a win is great as it gives the side plenty to work on but with a confidence which was missing last season."
The midfielder was brought off in the second half to give a competitive debut to summer signing Stephen Elliott.
With eight new signings brought in by Andy Thorn, McSheffrey believes everyone will have to raise their game to keep their place in the starting line up.
He added: "It is good that the manager has plenty of options because again, that was something which was missing last season.
"Sometimes, we had to play when we weren't fully fit but it will be different this season now with the options.
"The manager has players to choose from. Everyone has dips in form, good and bad spells so to have a good squad is always important.
"Everyone will have to be on their toes now and that can only be good going forward."