Playing Catch Up .... Again!

Apologies to the few that tune in - I've been neglecting you! Here's all the team news you probably haven't missed, but do need to know....

THE TEAM:

Kieran Westwood: Second choice keeper Andy Marshall believes the Republic Of Ireland keeper should stay with Coventry City for at least one more season, so that he can learn how to deal with the bad times when they occur! A  fair few thousand Coventry City supporters share the former opinion, and hope the latter never becomes relevant....

Isaac Osbourne: IO requested to go out on loan as he wants to play more games, and in his preferred position of central midfield, but was refused by Chris Coleman. Osbourne looks set to be given at least one game to impress enough to keep the position before the season ends, though it will have to be something special if he's to gain selection ahead of Gunnarsson, Doyle, and Beuzelin!

Daniel Fox: The talented left-back has jokingly claimed: 'I saw [David Bell's] goal against Doncaster but it wasn't as good as mine!' Having recovered from injury, Fox should be in the squad for this weekends fixture against Reading, one of the sides who have been on the receiving end of his dead-ball expertise this season.

Scott Dann: Scott Dann won the 'Soccer AM Cross Bar Challenge' against his Coventry City team-mates, and was rewarded with the sort of school-boy pile-on that could have seen him seriously injured! The link: http://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,15855_5111302,00.html . Having seen that certain players can hit the target from distance, I would expect a few players to try their luck from further out in future....

Marcus Hall: Despite seemingly looking off the pace at times this season, Hall will be at the club for another season - reason enough to wrap Daniel Fox in cotton wool, and ensure he is kept free from injury.

Jordan Henderson: Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia is happy with the progress of youngster Jordan Henderson, and is especially pleased with the number of games he's starting in. Henderson, who played 80 minutes for the England U19 side last week, is classed by Sbragia as an old-fashioned style of footballer, who is in it for the game, not the rewards that go with it - with that in mind, we should try and keep him!

Aron Gunnarsson: Celtic are once again reported to be interested in the young Icelandic midfielder, but, according to his FaceBook page, he's going nowhere! While hoping he sticks by his comments of: 'It’s not all about the money. I can learn a [at Coventry City], develop as a player, but if I went to a bigger team I would probably be on the bench most of the time', I'm fairly sure pie-eating Champion John Hartson was making the same sort of claims before wandering off to join the two-horse race league....

Beuzelin: With rumours in the paper that the club were set to send the Frenchman out on loan before the transfer window closed, as well as stories that his contract won't be being renewed in the summer, Chris Coleman has stated that the club are looking to offer GB another deal - hopefully with a clause in his contract that sees his pay cut when he gives away possession to easily.

David Bell: Having scored a contender for 'Goal Of The Season' against Doncaster, it was revealed that David Bell will need surgery on his ankle in the summer. Bell's 40-yard+ screamer failed to receive all the plaudits it deserved, failing to even make Sky Sports 'Six Of The Best', though had Ronaldo or Torres scored it....

Kevin Thornton: The enigmatic midfielders Coventry City career isn't necessarily over, as long as he can learn to run back towards his own goal! Despite a fair few people suggesting his fitness levels are questionnable, after a surprise gruelling fitness test thrown by Chris Coleman, KT performed to a level normally expected by elite, top class athletes!

Freddie Eastwood: The former Southend players poor form has seen him once again ommitted from the Wales squads for their World Cup qualifiers, so he missed the tantrum more than likely thrown by Craig Bellamy after defeat against Finland, and barring a late call-up, won't be a part of Wales' historic 3-0 victory over Germany on Wednesday.

SUBS:

Andy Marshall: The second choice keeper is to be released at the end of the season, as he is a 'luxury the club can't afford', with Konstantopolous (Two massive howlers so far in his Cardiff career!) and Ireland still on the books - though manager CC concedes Dimi might not be happy with being a bench-warmer, and Ireland isn't ready for it!

James McPake: The central defender has taken a trip to Germany for a hernia operation, which for some reason takes a mere two weeks to recover from when done over there, rather than six in the UK (I presume the delay is because you have to wait four weeks for a bed?).  

THE MANAGER:

Chris Coleman has requested a personal hearing after comments made following the F.A. Cup quarter final against Chelsea, where he failed to praise referee Steve Bennett to the skies. Maybe if the F.A. don't like managers being honest, they should forbid anybody being interviewed until at least an hour after matches have finished, so they have time to work out their 'script'?