Chris Stokes wants to continue his run in the starting XI, having made a full complementary of appearances in a Sky Blue shirt this season...
Coventry City full-back, Chris Stokes has admitted that his side might have been guilty of searching too forcefully for the win on Saturday.
The Sky Blues fell victim to a last minute penalty, converted by Rochdale’s Ian Henderson and the goal dealt Tony Mowbray’s side their third consecutive loss.
With 12 games remaining in the League One campaign, Stokes has reemphasised the need for his team to look forward and concentrate on the busy run in.
Stokes said: “It is difficult to pick yourself up in terms of recent results, but everyone remains upbeat. We are positive, with 12 games to go.
“The performance was much better on Saturday, unfortunately the result didn’t come. We didn’t want to settle for a draw and maybe pushed a bit too hard for the win.
“Importantly, we are still in and around it. We have a game tomorrow night and if we win that we are back in the play-offs.
“Teams above us are also having a blip - Walsall, Gillingham - there is a long way to go yet, anything can happen.”
There has been a dip in form from a number of top six teams in League One, as the demands of the fixture congestion appear to be taking effect. Promotion chasers Walsall and Gillingham have failed to win in six and four games respectively, while the Sky Blues have won just one game in eight.
City now sit just outside the play-off places for the first time this season, but have a game in hand on sixth placed Barnsley.
Stokes commented: “We had a really positive result at Bury and we probably thought we had turned a corner after that. The two week break didn’t really help us.
“One result and we are right back in it again. It’s not all doom and gloom.
“We have given ourselves a lot to do now, it’s very tight around the play-offs. The season is far from over, we are right in the mix.”
The 24-year old defender has been a staple in the City starting XI, having been the only player to feature in every league game this season. Stokes has wracked up a total of 36 appearances and scored two goals (against Walsall and Bury).
Asked if the long season was taking it’s toll, Stokes replied: “I feel fresh, 12 games to go and I’m thinking it’s time to kick on. Everyone will be giving 100%. Plenty of time to rest when the season ends - it’s a 12 game season now.
“It’s a good tension, we’ve lost games but the season is miles from over. A lot of points to play for.”