Another week, another big game

Coventry City face another crucial relegation battle next Saturday when they travel to Southampton but after a 5-0 defeat at Hull, are the Saints in freefall or will be they raring to make amends?

'We've done okay over the last five games but I thought we were awful all the way through and we never got to grips with the game,' said manager Nigel Pearson after the hammering at the KC Stadium.

'We showed no real spark and they took full advantage.

'I don't think we worked hard enough to get things going. I take full responsibility as I pick the team, but unfortunately we couldn't cope with them.'

New signing Vincent Pericard, on loan from Stoke, remains upbeat, saying: 'I am looking forward to next week (against Coventry) and hopefully we are going to win that game and climb back up the table.

'It's very difficult as obviously the lads are a bit down but the manager is doing his best, keeping everyone motivated and taking the pressure off them.

'I believe they are going to do it and hopefully I am going to help them do that. I'm not going to judge the lads on one game.'