Coventry give Chelsea unwanted tag

13 April 2012

The significance of Lincoln's victory at Mansfield was not lost on the loyal band of Chelsea fans who travelled to Highfield Road.

Faced with the unappealing label of the only team in all four divisions still without an away victory after a goalless draw at Coventry, their frustration surfaced in chants for the return of Gianluca Vialli.

Although Chelsea's continued failure away from London under Claudio Ranieri is clearly irksome to the fans, skipper Dennis Wise dismisses suggestions that their dismal record is eroding the side's confidence.

He said: 'We will soon sort it out, don't worry about that. If we play the way we did today it is only a matter of time before we win away. This is a new time, new

things are happening and there are a lot of changes.

'The fans have to be patient. We have won a lot of things over the past five years and they want that to carry on. We all want that.

'They have to get behind the manager. He is the one who has to help us and hopefully we will do well with him.'

Coventry boss Gordon Strachan may not be a dedicated follower of football fashion, but his choice of goalkeeper was a principal reason for extending Chelsea's misery, while keeping his own club's Premiership flame flickering a little longer.

Magnus Hedman is still rated among the top 10 goalkeepers in world football, plays regularly for Sweden and might reasonably have felt that his position at Coventry was secure.

But Chris Kirkland, a 6ft 6in teenager, was preferred by the under-pressure Scot - and justified his boss' decision.

Young goalkeepers are the vogue across Europe, with four Serie A clubs fielding keepers under the age of 23.

Four months ago, Kirkland was sent off in only his second match for Coventry, against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after a collision with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

The red card was subsequently withdrawn by referee Stephen Lodge after he reviewed the incident on video.

Strachan said: 'That was not why I picked him today. I know Magnus has been selected in the top 10 goalkeepers in the world so it was hard to leave him out.

'But I do feel that big Chris is as good as I have seen in young goalkeepers.

'I had decided to play him early in the week and then the coaches reminded me of what happened at Chelsea. Luckily, I'm not superstitious.

'It was good for him to exorcise the ghost of that game because he was upset at the time and was harshly treated. I told him these are the steps in becoming mentally stronger.

'The trend in France and Italy is for young keepers and I think the theory is that if they are good enough, stick them in.'

Kevin Keegan was quick to recognise the potential of Kirkland last season when he invited him to join the England squad before the European Championships.

Wise recalls it well. He said: 'Chris was with us with England and he looked a quality goal-keeper. I told him after the game today that he was fantastic. He saved them from defeat. It was as simple as that.'

Just how long Coventry can hold on to him is another matter. Liverpool have already indicated they would pay a record fee for a goalkeeper to secure Kirkland, which values him at around £8million.

Liverpool will no doubt bid again should Coventry fail in their latest great escape attempt. But if heart and endeavour keep you up, Coventry will survive.

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Coventry give Chelsea unwanted tag

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