The Sky Blues Academy Manager has praised the application of the side and goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook...
Coventry City Academy manager Richard Stevens believes that the Charlton draw emphasises the feel good factor surrounding the club at the moment.
Ryan Haynes netted a 90th minute header to gain a valuable point in the 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic, to make it just one defeat in five games for the Under-21s.
With the first-team sitting in second, Stevens believes that the club is in a good place at the moment and was full of praise for his side, which featured five apprentices, who battled extremely well to get a deserved point at Charlton’s training ground.
“The result fits in with the current ethos at the football club - working hard to increase performance levels,” Stevens said.
“We came up against a strong Charlton team and it was a difficult game. They were physically more mature than us and we had several apprentices in the team.
“They showed unbelievable application being 1-0 down with ten to go, we put in a lot of effort, found a little but more energy and deserved the equaliser for our efforts. Everyone is enjoying their football within the club at the moment.
“It was a good experience for the apprentices in particular, playing with players who have been in and around the first-team and against an experienced Charlton 21s side.”
Stevens was also quick to praise the attitude and performance of the older pros playing in the 21s, with Conor Thomas, Ryan Haynes and Reice Charles-Cook completing 90 minutes.
The Academy manager praised all three for their contribution and believes they did their chances of a permanent first-team recall no harm.
He continued: “It was a good opportunity for some of the older players, Ryan Haynes and Conor Thomas have done themselves no harm with another 90 minutes to try and impress the manager and get in his eye-line.
“Reice Charles-Cook was a real leader today for the team. When you’re under pressure you need the back four and keeper to stand up and perform – he did that and was outstanding. He claimed crosses, dealt with corners, his kicking was excellent giving us a threat on the break. All the senior lads have shown exceptional application.”