Sky Blues back to reality

WING MAN....Kyel Reid is Coventry City's danger man on the flanks

COVENTRY City manager Russell Slade hopes that his side can carry forward the feel-good factor into a crucial battle at the bottom of the table.

A crowd of 11,672 watched on as the Sky Blues - a club in turmoil, with fan protests against the running of the club by owners SISU a regular occurrence - made it to Wembley after seeing off Wycombe 2-1 in the semi-final of the Checktrade Trophy.

The problems of a club rock-bottom of Sky Bet League One, five points adrift of nearest rivals Chesterfield, were at least partly forgotten as goals from Stuart Beavon and George Thomas helped bring about a celebratory pitch invasion.

It was only Coventry's third victory in the last 17 outings, earning the club a final outing against either Luton or Oxford on Sunday, April 2.

While hailing a special night, Slade's focus now switches firmly to the game at SportsDirect.com Park.

'MAGNIFICENT'

"It was a good night for us and I'm pleased for the lads and the fans who were unbelievable, magnificent," Slade told the Coventry Telegraph. "I haven't know an atmosphere like that for a long time.

"It will probably cost us a few quid them coming on to the pitch at the end but it was great to see them so excited and enjoying it. And why not? I think I'd have run on as well.

"They threw the kitchen sink at us - they kept coming and coming and coming.

"We rode out luck at times but they hung on in there and we managed to get the job done. We've got a young back four so we had to be resolute and do our job.

"But we have to park it on the shelf for now.

"We will look forward to the final but we have a lot of hard work to do in the league and that is what I have said to the players after the game.

"I'm hoping this will give us a little bit of momentum at Oldham because that's important.

"We should enjoy it, because it is not often you get the opportunity as a player or a manager to out at the national stadium in any competition.

"But success will be retaining our status - we are back at that very quickly and reality will hit quickly."