Captain Michael Doyle sat down with the press today to reflect on the early season form and look ahead to the away game against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
Manager Mark Robin’s new look Sky Blues sit 5th in the early SkyBet League Two table, just 1 point off third place Luton Town, and the Skipper is happy with how the team are doing currently.
“We’re going along nicely at the moment. It’s still fairly early days, we can still improve. We’re still growing as a team and have a lot of new players.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves, I think we’re still coming together as a team. There is a lot more to come from us – we can only get better.”
One of the key aspects of the summer recruitment was to build a squad of players to compete for places, and Doyle said that the attitude of the entire squad – not just the starting 11 – is good.
“Everybody has a great attitude at the moment and are working hard” said the Captain.
“The lads that aren’t playing want to play, and the lads that are playing are keeping hold of the shirt. It’s 46 games and a nine month season, and that’s the sort to attitude you have to have. It’s not just about now, it’s about long term. You need that competition and to be pushing each other.”
City will be backed by more than 1400 fans at Accrington Stanley on Saturday, and Doyle commented that he has enjoyed the backing of the Sky Blue Army both home and away this season.
“I have to say I’ve really enjoyed the home games because the crowd have really got into the games, it’s been great. Away from the home the numbers have been unbelievable.
“I remember playing in the Championship and I don’t think we were taking as many away from home as we are now on a regular basis. I just hope we can start rewarding them with some more wins away from home.
“There’s nothing better as a player when you go away from home and you have that great support. It’s certainly something we’re aware of as players. Accrington will be aware of that and will raise their game too.”
Accrington are the Sky Blues’ neighbours in the table, sitting in 6th place. Doyle has played against them for previous club Portsmouth in recent years, and is expecting another tough encounter.
“Accrington are a good side. I’ve played against them in the last few years and they’ve been one of the form teams in the league. John Coleman always does an unbelievable job there, and his teams play football in the right way so it will be a really tough game for us. We’ll have to be ready for them.”