Lee Carsley wants his side to have a measured approach to the JPT Area final...
Coventry City interim first team manager Lee Carsley has urged his side to be ‘patient and measured’ as City travel to Crewe in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
The Sky Blues have a difficult tie facing them if they going to reach the Wembley final with Crewe winning the first leg 3-0 at the Ricoh Arena.
Despite the huge task facing them, City have scored three or more goals away from home six times already this season and have scored 71 goals in all competitions.
The interim City boss has played down the importance of getting an early goal and believes there is no pressure on the players.
Carsley said: “I tried to imagine how I would approach the game if I was 3-0 up and you’d think in the back of your mind, a draw is enough.
“But also, if they concede first, as a manager of that side, you know there is going to be a panic. If we went a goal behind early on, we’re really in no better position as we were before the game.
“A lot of games at the moment consist of late goals and momentum is a wonderful thing. The important thing is we stay in the game and we are patient.
“To score three goals could only take a second. Sometimes we can be a bit expansive in our play and commit too many men forward.
“They will try and soak up the pressure like they did in the first leg but we have to make sure we find the back of the net this time.”
With Carsley working with the City Under-18s last season and the Under-21s this season, he has the unique advantage of knowing all the Crewe players from the Academy to the first team.
Carsley continued: “They are a very good side. I watched them against Bournemouth and they were probably unlucky to lose that game.
“They play a lot of good football and Steve Davis has a great reputation in football. Throughout the whole club, from the Under-10s right up to the first team, they have a good style of play.
“I have seen their Under-18s side and Under-21s side recently so I know everything they can throw at the team so we will be fully prepared for the match.”