The Sky Blues skipper reveals learning off the pitch is just as important as being on it...
Coventry City captain Sam Ricketts believes getting a different perspective while off the pitch can give a significant advantage on it.
The 33-year old defender missed the game against Oldham Athletic at the weekend through suspension, after picking up a red card against Sheffield United in the game before.
But ahead of the game against Port Vale this Saturday, Ricketts believes missing last week’s game wasn’t all bad news.
He said “You learn a lot when you watch football, especially when you are watching the team you play in.
“I learned a lot when I was injured as I watched a lot of football then. You can pick up a lot more. I tried to watch the game from quite high up, as you get a far better view when you are up high.
“You can see the areas and spaces when you are at pitch level but, although you feel the intensity at pitch level, you can’t see tactical things. This is why you get so many managers sitting in the stands and watching the game there.
“Other managers will have people watching the game in the stands, so they can come down and say things at half-time, so you can always get different perspectives.”
Ricketts is in contention to return to the starting XI against the Valiants in the Boxing Day clash, but the skipper reckons it will be a difficult game as City look to continue the only unbeaten home record in all four divisions of English football.
He said “I am expecting a tough game, every game is hard in this league, you can’t take anyone for-granted in opposition or standing.
“It will be a game where if we play to our maximum we can win.
“It’s a game we cant take lightly, they obviously have their own threats which we need to nullify and we need to try and exploit some of their weaknesses.”