Adams apologises to City star

Micky Adams has said sorry to Richard Shaw for his humiliating early substitution against Crewe on Saturday - but defended the decision to bring the veteran defender off after less than half-an-hour.

'I am disappointed that I have had to make such an early substitution, particularly to such a magnificent professional,' said the Coventry boss.

'But I needed to change things and try to wake the rest of the back four up.'

Shaw was subbed with City 3-1 down against the league's bottom club and was clearly upset with the decision.

'I didn't see Richard's reaction but I have apologised to him in the dressing room for having to do it,' added Adams.

'But managers have to do things to try to change the course of games and when he's a manager he might see the same problems that I have got and decide on the same course of action.

'If I could have made four substitutions I would have done so.

'But I would like to publicly apologise to Richard. While he might not have agreed with my decision, I needed a reaction from the players and unfortunately I didn't get it.'

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