Town manager Joe Royle hailed supersub Pablo Couñago after Town's 2-1 win against Coventry. The Spaniard was quickest to react as keeper Fabien Debec failed to hold Jim Magilton's 81st minute freekick and stabbed the ball home to give Town the points.

Royle said of the Spaniard: "That was the sharpest I've seen Pablo, he has a marvellous touch and is strong enough - but I had a word with him in midweek and told him what was required in the English game.

"I told him he has to adapt to the English game, it's a totally different type of game to Spain, where a low tempo speeds up around the box.

"In England, it accelerates when the first whistle blows and doesn't stop until the final whistle.

"Pablo came on and looked fired-up. It was nice that he scored, and the goal he scored was a goalscorer's goal.

"It was a strange game and I thought we were a bit dozy in parts in the first half. But when we put Matt Holland on Gary McAllister in the second half, they only had one shot - which they scored from.

"Chris [Makin], who was otherwise outstanding, gave the ball away and they scored. Chris was excellent apart from that pass, so I'm pleased we dug out the win, as otherwise people would be reading about his mistake costing us.

"The best lesson for me was the spirit we showed when it went to 1-1. Instead of heads dropping, we got stronger. I was delighted with our response."

Royle spoke to Sky Blues' player-manager Gary McAllister after the game and told him he was impressed with his side. This though was little consolation for the former Liverpool midfielder: "I'm saying the same sort of things every week.

"We're playing positively, moving the ball around the pitch nicely and getting in behind them. We're keeping playing well - but we're not getting the right results.

"I'm picking people up in the dressing room. But we won't panic and change our type of play. We'll keep going.

"It's no consolation that Joe said to me we're the best side he's played as Ipswich boss.

"I've shared a beer with a few managers who've said that - but it's all about winning and getting results."

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