[17
AUG 00] COVENTRY CITY NEWS
Strachan Looks To Join The Better Half
A
top ten finish could beckon Coventry City this season if the
squad can keep fit, according to manger Gordon Strachan.
But
he told Radio 5 Live that he felt it would be a miracle to do
that well if there were serious injuries.
And
he said he hopes to keep his international players in England
more this season.
He
said:
“We
lost our Moroccans for three weeks last season and we had to
pay them their wages.
“If
the associations had to pay their wages I think the silly
friendlies and get-togethers and away matches when 20 players
travel will soon end.”
The
Sky Blues boss said that now the new season was dawning the
players were starting to show the motivation to get on the park.
However
Moustapha Hadji definitely faces a lay-off.
Strachan
said:
“Last
Saturday we had 11 players injured but, miracle of miracles,
eight of them are fit this week.
“Hadji
will miss at least three games, which is unfortunate. He’s a
top player and he’s our captain.”
Coventry
City today formally completed the signing of Norwich City
striker Craig Bellamy. The clubs have given different versions
of the transfer fee, but it is believed to be £5 million,
rising to over £6 million after appearances.
Strachan
agreed that the cost of players had gone through the roof this
summer, and the Sky Blues had to pay over-the-odds for players along
with everyone else.
He
said:
“It’s
been a silly summer season for transfer figures. I think we
had to pay over the odds and we did, but we are happy he’s
here.”
“The
two lads we’ve signed are both quality players. I said to my
other players that I would replace Robbie, Noel Whelan and
McAllister with quality players and I’ve done that.”
Strachan
added that he had hoped to keep Robbie Keane at Highfield Road,
but quickly reconciled himself to losing him.
He
said:
“For
24 hours I was keeping my fingers crossed that he wouldn’t
like the San Siro and the coach and playing with Ronaldo and
the wages, and he would come back to Coventry!”
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