List of all Irish players abroad

[CraftyToePoke]

I haven't heard anything to suggest he is, but that's the third game in a row he hasn't played for Coventry, and the second in a row that he hasn't even made the matchday 16.

James Scowcroft played on the right for cov and they hit him with long hopefull diagonal balls all day.Adams used him for this a lot in their time at leicester and its a very basic tactic, frustrating to watch but Adams stusk with it to the bitter end.lets hope for Floods sake they decide to try something else.

[Tenderloins]

Anthony Stokes and Patrick Cregg both came on as late subs for Arsenal last night V Sunderland. Daryl Murphy came off the bench for Sunderland too.
Darren Potter started for Liverpool.
Derek Geary and Stephen Quinn played for Sheffiled United
Barry Cogan played for Milwall

[eirebhoy]

Gustavo has edited the list of premiership players to make the squads and links up to date. Championship will be done whenever I'm in the mood.

[CraftyToePoke]

cardiff city v leicester city 0-1

McCarthy and Maybury both played the 90 and Sheehan was named among the substitutes.
Alan Lee played for cardiff.

[tetsujin1979]

no sign of Willo Flood,i dont know if he is injured or not
Confirmed injury on mcfc.co.uk, he's going to be out for a few weeks, seems to be back from the loan deal to coventry
See more here: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid=%7BDBD12D53%2D8346%2D431D%2DA04F%2D5D0F866 4DE80%7D&newsid=256913&siteid=&pageno=&newscategory=1051&frommonth=8&fromyear=2005&tomonth=10&toyear=2005

Willo Flood will be out for a couple of weeks.

[drummerboy]

That ******** Adams wasn't playing him at Coventry

[eirebhoy]

That ******** Adams wasn't playing him at Coventry
Is that not because he was injured? :)

[drummerboy]

No, if you check it out, he was on the bench quite a lot www.soccerbase.com

[eirebhoy]

Kavanagh set up the only goal against Fulham with a freekick. They haven't scored without Kavanagh in the team this season. :)

[dr_peepee]

Can't argue with them stats. Impressive, but I still haven't been fully convinced of him at international level. Hopefully his best is still to come.

[CraftyToePoke]

preston v leicester 0-0

McCarthy and Maybury both played the fullgame and several of the reports make mention of how solid the defence looked,and how it was never looking like conceding.the sweedish u21 centre half came in alongside McCarthy with Johannson playing at left back with Dublin on the bench,Maybury was at right back. Johannson has done well recently in the problem left-back role (7/8 different players have played there so far) , so Sheehan may have to be content with reserve team action for now.

[CraftyToePoke]

from the 'blue army' site on Paddy McCarthy's injury


Paddy waiting game

by BILL ANDERSON

Craig Levein is anxiously awaiting a fitness check on Paddy McCarthy to see if his Leicester City defence can remain intact for tomorrow night's trip to Plymouth.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international managed to play on in Saturday's draw at Preston despite a fierce challenge by Patrick Agyemang which went unpunished.



But McCarthy may not be able to resume his emerging central defensive partnership with Swede Patrik Gerrbrand which gained a second successive clean sheet at Deepdale.

The solidity of the defence was one of few plus-points Levein took out of Saturday's draw and he said: "Paddy is lucky he did not get his leg broken.

"It was a terrible challenge and if he had not had his foot off the ground then I am sure it would have been a fracture.

"We will have to have a look at him to see if he is all right for tomorrow night, but there will be changes.

"Joey Gudjonsson is suspended for a start and there could be other options in other areas."

If McCarthy does not make it, then Dion Dublin is a ready-made replacement at the back, although Levein is also looking to boost his attack after they failed to cash in on some good chances at Preston.

[jorge]

Dominic Foley scored again for anyone who cares.

[CraftyToePoke]

interview with Maybury from 'blue army' site

Earn the right to play your game

by BILL ANDERSON

Full-back Alan Maybury's return has coincided with City keeping two clean sheets away from home, but he is taking nothing for granted.

A three-match ban at the same time as a two-week international break meant it was almost a extra close-season for Maybury and he has certainly come back looking eager and refreshed.


Now he is keen to make up for lost time and stave off the competition for the right-back spot from Richard Stearman who never let anyone down when he filled in.

Maybury said: "The ban was self-inflicted and I had no divine right to come back into the team.

"Richard Stearman had been doing well and it was maybe a bit harsh on him that he didn't play last week at Cardiff. But, on the other hand, I am delighted for myself and now it is up to me to persuade the manager that I should stay in the side."

City will face another test at Plymouth tonight and, having felt the draw at Preston was perhaps a win that got away, this could bring all three points.

Maybury said: "We have to match them early on with our work-rate so that, when we get the opportunity, we can get the ball down and pass it.

"They played on Sunday so we have had an extra day to recover, but then we have got the travelling to contend with. But we will be prepared correctly for the game.

"We felt we should have won at Preston. For an hour we both just banged our heads against each other because they are in there fighting for their lives. It was windy, the pitch was poor, there are a million reasons but we never really played properly until the second half.

"You say a point away from home is good but, as the game panned out, maybe we should have won it.

"It is the same everywhere in this league. For the first half-hour it is a battle then after that you can play your football. But it didn't happen for too long at Preston.

"Against Plymouth we want to get into our stride as soon as possible."

[SaucyJack]

Bunch of Irish involved in Ipswich reserves demolition of Watford reserves, and Gerard Nash back from injury , from an Ipswich site


http://boards.footymad.net/mboard/fmb.php?tno=304&fid=152&sty=1&act=1&mid=2138622935


Jaime Peters grabbed a hat-trick as Town destroyed Watford's reserve side, with Supple getting in on the action saving a Les Ferdinand penalty

Billy Clarke set the ball rolling with the first goal coming on 22 minutes following a smart pass from Danny Haynes.

Peters was on the score sheet shortly after, and Liam Craig made it 3 following a corner created by Clarkes fierce drive.

10 minutes before the break, Watford were handed a penalty, albeit harshly against Krause's apparent hand ball. Supple saved Ferdinands strike at full stretch and Ferdinand was the first to congratulate young Supple in a show of sportsmanship that impressed the entire ground, including Royle.

Clarke, who had tortured Watfords defense all night, made some smart moves resulting in an own goal by Adam Griffith to make it 4, before he made it 5-0 himself via a Peters cross.

Second Half

Watford pulled back what was always going to be a consolation goal at best on 52 minutes, Diagouraga bending a free kick round the wall and Supple.

But just two minutes later the score was made 6-1 through a Jaime Peters header after he had connected onto Liam Craig's free kick.

Aiden Collins made it 7-1 in a goal mouth scramble before Peters completed his hat-trick in the final minute leaving a final score of 8-1 to Town.

More good news was brought by Gerard Nash's second half appearence as he stepped up his progressing come back.
(The contents of this post were edit

[CraftyToePoke]

plymouth v leicester (abandoned at h.t. due to waterlogged pitch)

McCarthy and Maybury had both started here but the ref deemed it unsafe to play on at h.t., but going by this report from the 'blue army' site Paddy McCarthy wont be too upset about it.
Leicester had managed 3 wins and a draw and one loss in 5, 5 unbeaten away, and 2 consecutive clean sheets coming into this so form their point of view they will be happy to have it struck from the record books.

REPORT;

City, and especially Paddy McCarthy, will have been relieved when tonight's game at Home Park was abandoned at half-time. Plymouth went 1-0 up in atrocious conditions when McCarthy's header intended for Douglas was intercepted by Chadwick in the 28th minute.

City never adapted to the conditions, while Plymouth realised early on that this would be a night for brawn rather than brain. City's 4-3-3 formation had to be abandoned and it was all hands to the pump (sorry) as Argyle laid seige to Douglas's goal.
Buzacky, Capaldi and Evans all went close to opening the scoring before Chadwick cashed in on McCarthy's error just before the half hour mark.
With the driving rain getting heavier as half time approached doubts began to be raised about the game lasting the course and the Home Park faithful were not happy when the game was called off as the teams were due to emerge for the second half.

[drummerboy]

Kevin Thornton, brother of Sean, made his debut for Coventry last night, coming on as a 60th minute substitute in a 2-1 home defeat against Stoke. He was also booked. No sign of Willo Flood, even in the subs, perhaps he is still injured.

[tetsujin1979]

Richard Dunne made his comeback from injury last night in a 1-1 game for Man City's reserves against Liverpool reserves, including Darren Potter. Karl Bermingham played his first game since returning from loan with Burnley, and could have won it with a late run and shot. Bermingham seemed to be played out on the wing, with Robbie Fowler and Bradley Wright-Phillips playing up front.

Dunne was substituted in the second half, and should play against Fulham at Craven Cottage this weekend
Man City review: mcfc.co.uk (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?syndicatorguid={7EB24EFC-E397-48B3-977A-BC40E4795300}&rmasiteinstanceguid={5B147D34-2BCF-448D-976C-AE1944ED09F5}&pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=267521)
Liverpool review: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N150464051102-2242.htm


No sign of Willo Flood, even in the subs, perhaps he is still injured.
He is and is back at Man City after his loan period ended

[CraftyToePoke]

leiceter reserves v fulhan reserves 1-1

Alan Sheehan played at left back but Conrad Logan was again on the bench.it was a very youthfull leicester side with very little first team experience against a fulham team which included Knight,Legwinski and Pearce among others, so a decent result for leicester.

No irish in the fulham line up.

[Tenderloins]

Probably Old News but Shane McFaul and Saul Deeney were Released by Notts County last Month.
Is Southampton player David McGoldrick Irish? He played for them in the League Cup this year and also had a spell on loan at Notts County.

[tetsujin1979]

No irish in the fulham line up.
Is Timlin playing with the first team so? Or is he just injured?

[eirebhoy]

McGeady starts for Celtic today. Kickoff 2.00 on Setanta.

[eirebhoy]

Playing very well and just scored. He's unstoppable on the ball today but poor crossing. I suppose if he was playing in his preferred position behind the strikers he wouldn't need to cross much though. He's just not a winger.

/edit - Stephen O'Donnoll (released by Arsenal in the summer) played well for Falkirk.

[Junior]

Is Timlin playing with the first team so? Or is he just injured?

He's a squad player only managed one league cup appearance so far.

Interestingly BBC have him now as English, but I saw a Fulham club programme where they definitely had him down as Irish.

[CraftyToePoke]

leicester v southampton 0-0

McCarthy and Maybury both played the whole match and both had fine games,the leicester defence needs to keep clean sheets at the moment as the side it looking a bit toothless at the other end. McCarthy made 2 fine blocks when he made up 10-15, yards inside the penalty area to intercept goalbound shots. thay faced Fuller,Walcott (who had scored 3 in 3 starts previously) and Pahars for 20 mins and they denied southampton any clearcut chances in the game.

Maybury also provided nice overlapping runs in the second half and put 2 nice crosses in.

[CraftyToePoke]

heres a piece from the 'blue army' site about McCarthy and the leicester defence generally of late:


Central partnership looks to thrive from solid start

by Steve Pumfrey

Paddy McCarthy and Patrik Gerrbrand made a compelling case for the Leicester City defence against Southampton on Saturday.

The burgeoning central defensive partnership nullified the threat of Saints livewire duo Ricardo Fuller and Theo Walcott. And, for Gerrbrand, it is the fourth game he has started in which City have gone on to keep a clean sheet.



Like all good double acts, it is the contrasting styles which make the combination work.

McCarthy wears his Irish heart on his sleeve, attacking every ball with bags of determination and playing the agg-ressor to Gerrbrand's pace and vision.

Craig Levein has been working hard on the training ground to encourage the back four to play higher up the field, with Gerrbrand often the starting point for attacking forays.

As you would expect from a team managed by Harry Redknapp, though, Southampton did not come to the Walkers Stadium with the intention of putting 10 men behind the ball. Their tactics asked questions of the City back four - and they were mostly answered.

"It's nice to see a team coming to the Walkers and having a go," said McCarthy.

"They kept us busy but didn't threaten too much and I thought we looked comfortable throughout. I don't think Rab (Douglas) had a lot to do."

Gerrbrand admits his attacking tendencies are being kept on a leash by Levein, and there was a first-half incident which illustrated why. He skilfully beat two players to reach the midfield, but a loose pass from Gareth Williams was seized upon by Fuller who went past Alan Maybury before his cross was dealt with by McCarthy.

On the half-hour, the roles were reversed as McCarthy slipped, but this time Gerr-brand tidied up.

The Swede also produced a fine defensive header to prevent Fuller getting on the end of a Neil McCann cross.

But the best example of the former Under-21 international's strengths came early in the second half as Southampton were in the ascendancy. Walcott, the 16-year-old who had scored in his previous three games, used lightning pace to skip round Gerrbrand but, despite having yards to make up, the City defender hared back to make a timely block.

Another terrific interception by Gerrbrand after 70 minutes confirmed why Levein identified him as one of his first-choice centre-backs.

Levein said: "We were losing goals, but hard work on the training ground, and the introduction of Gerrbrand, means this is not now happening."

McCarthy, too, is pleased with the way the partnership is developing with each match.

He said: "It is working well and there's plenty to build on.

"Patrik has come in for the last couple of games and done really well. We're enjoying playing alongside each other. We're doing a lot of work as we have a young squad and the gaffer is trying to build a new team."


«Back to list

[robbie_B]

Quakers' Murphy worry

Darlington fear their prospects of signing Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy have diminished.

The League Two outfit were confident of bringing in the Irish youngster on loan to hand him some Football League experience.

Murphy had struggled to make an impact at The Stadium of Light since his arrival from Waterford in the summer and Mick McCarthy had appeared happy to sanction his loan.

But Murphy started on the left wing during Saturday's defeat at Arsenal and Darlington manager David Hodgson is now less bullish about landing the player.

"We have been told we can have him on loan but I'm not sure what the situation is now after he played at the weekend," said Hodgson.

"I'll be speaking to his club again and hopefully we can push something through before the weekend."

Hodgson will also have to try to convince Murphy that a move to The Quakers is a viable option, as the forward wants to press his claims on Wearside after starting at Highbury.

Murphy said: "I said when I came here that I wanted to push on and get into the first team.

"I've had a start now and it's up to me to do well and try to stay there."

[Stuttgart88]

Anyone see SWFC vs Cardiff last night?

[tetsujin1979]

Bits and pieces, from what I did see, SW weren't great, defence was at fault for at least 2 of the goals. Cardiff's striker (name escapes me, young lad, highly rated) simply outpaced them to score. Partridge came on for the goalscorer Eagles, and didn't do much to impress. Odd, considering his contract is up in January, you'd think he'd be playing out of his skin to earn a longer deal

[Tenderloins]

Barry Corr Started for Sheff Wed last night. His First League Start. He did OK.
Glenn Whelan played also and as mentioned earlier Partridge came on as a sub.
Alan Lee started for Cardiff.

[CraftyToePoke]

leicester reserves v spurs resreves 1-0

Logan and Sheehan both played in this win against a spurs side which included Reid,Pamarot,Davis and Brown and both seem to have done well again,with Logan being credited with several impressive saves.

[robbie_B]

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=324127&CPID=11&clid=&lid=5&title=Quinn+heads+back+to+MK+Dons

[eirebhoy]

Mark Yeates got MOTM for Colchester in the last round of the FA cup and is now up for Player of the round:
http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/

info: soccercentral.

[Stuttgart88]

Yeates got a great goal from about 25 yards to in an easy 9-1 win. My London cabbie recently was a Spurs season ticket holder & insisted Yeates is highly rated by Jol but has been told to build himself up. As everyone knows, London cabbies are never wrong!

[CraftyToePoke]

Yeates got a great goal from about 25 yards to in an easy 9-1 win. My London cabbie recently was a Spurs season ticket holder & insisted Yeates is highly rated by Jol but has been told to build himself up. As everyone knows, London cabbies are never wrong!

would you agree stutt, that if we are going to look at lads at that level then it makes more sense to call up Yeates,Keogh or even Reddy(who i read has been watched by blackburn) , even if its only to train with our seniors initially, with at least the outside posibility of developing them, than bringing on board Mr. Trundle, ?

[Peadar]

Matthew Connolly, Sean Kelly, Patrick Cregg, Shane Tracy and Anthony Stokes all played some part in the 0-3 victory for Arsenal Reserves over Charlton on Wednesday.

[tetsujin1979]

Yeates,Keogh or even Reddy(who i read has been watched by blackburn)
It would be ironic if they were, seeing as how Burgess was released by them, is a similar player, scored regularly in the lower divisions and could be in the Premiership with Hull in a few seasons

[Stuttgart88]

would you agree stutt, that if we are going to look at lads at that level then it makes more sense to call up Yeates,Keogh or even Reddy(who i read has been watched by blackburn) , even if its only to train with our seniors initially, with at least the outside posibility of developing them, than bringing on board Mr. Trundle, ?

It's a tough one. I do think as a general principal there's room for players with "development potential" to be included in enlarged friendly squads but it's hard to call which players are best served by playing U21 internationals and which are best being selected for a 27-30 man senior squad.

Players like McShane & Whelan I feel should be part of the international set now because they seem mature & play a good standard of club football every week so I'm not sure how much they'll learn from U21 football. Joey O'Brien too. Players like Yeates are probably best suited to U21s right now because they still have further to go to establish themselves at club football. For players like Reddy you just have to make the call whether they indeed do have the potential.

Without having seen Trundle I can't really comment. But at 29 my instinct is that we'd be better off trying to develop someone for later than use a squad place for someone who doesn't have that long left.

If Blackburn are loking at reddy that's great news. Chris Kamara says he's way too good for Div2.

[CraftyToePoke]

id go along with that,by and large. although i argued strongly against Trundle elsewhere, i suppose the more options the better, but at this juncture, the focus must be on the lads about to push through, i woudlnt mind even seeing Clark and Stokes involved once the progress a little more at club level, this approach bore fruit under McCarthy in many cases.

with the English sides taking only 13 kids over this year theres talent left at home now too, and if over the next 5-10 seasons the loi can continue to progress as it has done in the past 10 years, i wouldnt see why the elite youngsters there shouldnt get more consideration and a better crack at it.

i dont think Reddys missed chance v newcastle will have done him any favours though ,did you see it?

also in these parts, McCarthys sunderland were tracking Lincolns Peter Gain for months last season , the local press had it as good as a done deal but once they looked prem bound, it all died down, he is at peterboro now.

[eirebhoy]

I think there's being too much made of Trundle's age. By the time the Euro Champs start he'll be 29. He's the same type of player as Sheringham and look at Sheringham still going. :) People have a point about Kavanagh or Holland's age but Trundle still has a good few years left, especially considering he's only 4 or 5 years into his professional career.

[CraftyToePoke]

I think there's being too much made of Trundle's age. By the time the Euro Champs start he'll be 29. He's the same type of player as Sheringham and look at Sheringham still going. :) People have a point about Kavanagh or Holland's age but Trundle still has a good few years left, especially considering he's only 4 or 5 years into his professional career.

but isnt Sheringhams pedigree throughout his career a big difference there?
E.B. i didnt work a day till i was well into my 20's, does this mean ill be expected to soldier on for 10 years past retirement?:eek: by your reasonong this could well be the case and im not sure im up for that at all.:)

[Stuttgart88]

i dont think Reddys missed chance v newcastle will have done him any favours though ,did you see it?
I saw he missed a good chance against Spurs, chipping the ball over Robinson but wide, but only saw scraps of the Newcastle game.

Re-Trundle: if he's good enough 29 certainly isn't too old I agree. But if all he will be is our 5th choice striker then I think we could be better off trying a Murphy or Burgess type player, for the diversity, or blooding the next in line.

But if Trundle is better than that then of course pick him. Only one way of finding out I suppose. I said my instinct was that we'd be better off trying the next generation because I reckon the likes of Elliott, Doyle & Connolly would all score goals for the top side in Div1 so I'd doubt Trundle is better than these. But I admit I'm not basing this on firm evidence.

Off home now. Good w/e all.

[eirebhoy]

but isnt Sheringhams pedigree throughout his career a big difference there?
E.B. i didnt work a day till i was well into my 20's, does this mean ill be expected to soldier on for 10 years past retirement?:eek: by your reasonong this could well be the case and im not sure im up for that at all.:)
Sorry didn't explain that too well. :) Most players hit their peak at around 27/28 after being in a professional environment for around 10 years. Trundle most likely hasn't reached his peak yet.

[CraftyToePoke]

Sorry didn't explain that too well. :) Most players hit their peak at around 27/28 after being in a professional environment for around 10 years. Trundle most likely hasn't reached his peak yet.

he was on the mark again at the weekend made one and scored one in a 2-1 win, if the man hits 20 league goals before Christmas, as it seems he will, it would be rude not to give him a chance sometime i suppose,and if as you maintain,e.b.,that the best is yet to come from him then he would comfortably be in line for one of the 4/5 striking spots in our squad. as long as he isnt pointlessly blocking the way of one of our youngsters then fair enough.thats my only concern with him. i think the Doc did this to Elliot this time round and id rather not see this.

B.T.W., did anyone see Keogh of scunny on sky on sunday?

[robbie_B]

Reading snap up youngster Sinnott

Reading are set to sign Irish teenager Conor Sinnott until the end of the season after he impressed on a three-week trial with the Royals.
Sinnott, 19, is a former Irish youth international and has been playing for Bray Wanderers in the Eircom League.

Director of football Nicky Hammond told the club's website: "Conor has gone home for a week and he'll come back to stay with us on a non-contract basis."

Sinnott played for Royals' reserves in last week's friendly with Bristol City.

[Stuttgart88]

B.T.W., did anyone see Keogh of scunny on sky on sunday?
I only saw SKY's Football League Review. Keogh got a basic assist for a goal on 3 mins, a glancing header / flick on to give a forward a run on goal but the goalscorer did all the hard work.

Keogh was also fouled by the Blackpool 'keeper for a penalty but it's hard to give him any credit for it. The ''keeper, just as a corner kick was coming in, simply pushed Keogh with both hands to the ground, right in front of the ref!

The real star was Ian Morris in midfield for Blackpool. Scored a very good header and scored Blackpool's fifth with a really top class cut inside followed by a floating, curling left footer from 20 yards with his left. Morris was part of the Irish U19 side that won 3 games in Cork recently & is on loan from Leeds I think. Very impressive. Was interviewed on TV - big broad Dub accent!

Trundle's case is getting stronger & stronger too I think.

[livehead1]

Reading seems to be truly scouring the irish leagues for talent now. They've signed another irish player, from Bray Wanderers this time. Is it about time other sides took a leaf out of their book and started to look towards ireland a bit more, or is it bad that we can't keep our own lads at home. Does anyone even know anythign aboung Sinnett, or are there any others who EL lovers can see making the trip across the irish sea in the near future?

Reading snap up youngster Sinnott
Reading are set to sign Irish teenager Conor Sinnott until the end of the season after he impressed on a three-week trial with the Royals.
Sinnott, 19, is a former Irish youth international and has been playing for Bray Wanderers in the Eircom League.

Director of football Nicky Hammond told the club's website: "Conor has gone home for a week and he'll come back to stay with us on a non-contract basis."

Sinnott played for Royals' reserves in last week's friendly with Bristol City.


...from bbc sport

[pete]

I think theres another thread on this in eL section.

Sinnott couldn't even get in the Bray team so no lose to the league.

[tetsujin1979]

Wasn't Steve Coppell checking on Stephen Bradley as well?

[CraftyToePoke]

heres an interview with Maybury from the 'blue army' site


Fight for the right!

by Andy Mann

Alan Maybury believes Leicester City must earn the right to play their football against Burnley by winning the physical battle.

The City right-back expects a tough test at Turf Moor when the Championship recommences on Saturday.

It will be City's first game in two weeks, following the break for international fixtures.

And it comes a month after Burnley beat City 1-0 at the Walkers Stadium in the reverse fixture.

Now Maybury is looking for City to match the aggression of their opponents if they are to come away with a success.

"Burnley are solid," said the Republic of Ireland international. "They play a 4-5-1 and hit you on the break.

"They have hit a good run of form but we were disappointed when we lost at the Walkers Stadium. We felt we played the football and got hit with a sucker punch.

"First and foremost we have to win the battle, like we did at Preston. We need to believe in our passing and movement after that, and we will hopefully come through."

Maybury has started City's last three games after missing out for a month following his sending-off against QPR in September.

The 27-year-old was initially suspended for three matches but then found his route back into the team blocked by teenager Richard Stearman.

Maybury was eventually restored to the team for the Carling Cup win at Cardiff and has kept the shirt since.

But he admitted that being out of the side knocked his confidence.

"I was out of it and had to be patient," said Maybury.

"Richard Stearman did well and I have no divine right to be in the team.

"I am starting to get back to where I was. Maybe I lost my confidence a little bit. I hadn't played for seven or eight weeks but I am starting to feel better now."

The Championship remains a tight affair with City, sitting in 15th place, a couple of wins away from the top six and just four points off the relegation places.

But Maybury said he has given up worrying about the league standings for now.

"I looked at it for a while but I have given up because it all changes so quickly," he said.

"We are a couple of points off the bottom and a couple of points off the top. We have to get on with how we are playing.

"Later on in the season, if we are still in there, we can push on for the promotion spot."