The City Under-21s manager believes the second-half performance was 'a joy' and praised the young players mentality...
Coventry City Under-21s manager Darren Murray said that his side's second-half display against Sheffield Wednesday merited a share of the spoils.
The City side, which featured five Under-18 players, conceded two first-half goals in Sheffield before bouncing back with an excellent second-half display.
Despite the defeat, Murray was pleased with his side respond well in the second-half after some small tactical tweaks have City a foothold in the game.
"I was delighted with the team's performance in the second-half," Murray said.
"But of course we know the game lasts 90 minutes and we have to be strong for the whole game if we want to win football matches.
"We changed the system slightly at the start of the second-half to more of a 4-2-3-1 and that probably have us a bit more of an impetus to get forward.
"Our second-half display was excellent and as a result, we probably deserved something from the game. Again, we had five Under-18's against a much older side, but our young players are improving all the time and our older players helped played their part too. We scored an excellent goal and deserved something but that's football, but the young lads acquitted themselves excellently."
In several games this season the Under-21s sides have had over half of their players from the Under-18s.
Murray admits that he is proud of the players who continue to make the step up against older opposition and believes they will improve because of that.
He continued: "It's not easy for these young lads to play against lads who are in average three or so years older.
"At times in the second-half they passed it really well and it was a joy.
"Sure, we all want to win games, all the staff and the players and I'm a winner. But they give it their all every week and as a coach, I am so proud of them.
"They all responded so well at half-time. You've got players from Under-18s playing against first-team players and it is tough, but professional football and League One football is tough. We're trying our best to use these experiences to help them on their way."