Dean Smith was looking ahead to this weekend’s Premier League tie against Leicester City at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.
The head coach had a number of questions to address as he spoke to members of the media via video call.
Here’s what he had to say…
On team news…
“Kortney Hause is still off his feet at the minute. I’m expecting that to change in the next week or two.
“Wesley had some manipulation on his knee last week and he looks a lot better. He’s been on the training ground with us already and that will continue. I’m hopeful for progression with Wes.
“Matty Cash has a hamstring strain and I’m expecting three or four weeks [out]. It wasn’t a fatigue injury, he actually got pushed with a straight leg and felt his hamstring.”
On recent form…
“I think our performances haven’t been as consistent as they were earlier in the season. There’s a lot of reasons for that.
“We played a game against Manchester United on New Year’s Day and then had to close the training ground down due to a COVID-19 outbreak and ended up with no one training for ten days.
“We came back and had six games in 18 days with zero training again. It was pretty much recovery strategies and with that, you’re going to get some inconsistencies.
“There have been some very good performances within that, and I think the hunger and desire to keep playing well has been there for all to see.
“In the last two games we’ve played Arsenal and Brighton, conceded zero goals and taken four points, so it’s certainly not a bad place to be in.”
On Jack Grealish and James Maddison comparisons…
“I don’t compare them. They’re both very talented players. I’ve spoken about Jack an awful lot already this season with what he’s produced.
“His numbers are getting better, in terms of goals and assists. You can lay the same claim with James Maddison, who came through the ranks not far from here at Coventry.
“He’s taken the Premier League by storm himself, he’s a very creative force and scores goals himself.
“They’re just both very good players and Gareth Southgate must be licking his lips at having those kinds of players at his disposal.”
On Leicester City…
“I think they’ve become one of the big ones [clubs]. The winning of the Premier League a few years ago catapulted them into that group.
“With the season they had last year they were very unfortunate to miss out on the top four. I think they would have made it if we hadn’t gone into Lockdown.
“They’ve continued to impress this season and it doesn’t surprise me. I would certainly put them up there as one of the teams that’s breaking into that big six.”
