BREAKING NEWS: Coventry City excellent man opens up on transfer interest, new contract and filling the goal void left by

Coventry City in-depth interview from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner talks summer speculation, new contract and the secret behind the special bond between the striker and the football club

Matty Godden has thrown himself into his fifth season at Coventry City with four goals in the club’s opening five Championship games to underline his manager’s on-going faith in the player he sees as the club’s ‘talisman’ striker.

His blistering start, which would have seen his tally on five but for a saved penalty against Watford – the first time he’s missed from the spot in a Sky Blues shirt – and possibly more had he not fired blanks at Leicester on the opening day, comes after a summer of speculation.

 

Entering the final year of his contract when he reported back for pre-season training in July, the 32-year-old was linked with interest from League One Derby County. The arrival of Ellis Simms and then Haji Wright as big money replacements for Viktor Gyokeres further fuelled talk that it might be time for Godden to move on.

That, however, came from the ill-informed; those who didn’t know the special bond he has with not only the club but also Mark Robins, and on August 9 the front man reaffirmed his commitment to the club by signing a new two-year extension.

The decision was a no-brainer, with Godden explaining: “Yes, there were talks about it a while ago and then once official talks started it only took a couple of days. It was something I wanted to get done and the gaffer wanted it done, so it was very quick.”

Asked if he was aware of interest from other clubs, he admitted: “Yeah, but at the end of the day that’s part of football. I was coming into the last year of my contract and there’s always going to be talk around players who are in that situation. But when the talks had started with the football club it was a matter of days before it was sorted, so that was all just brushed under the carpet and that was that.”

 

Longevity is rare for footballers at one club in the modern game, but Godden said: “I’m very settled. I love the place. The club has done a lot for me and I feel I have given it a lot as well. It’s part of me and has been an important part of my journey, so I am very happy to be here.

“The reason why I joined was to go on a journey and see how far we could get, and at the moment it is going very well and hopefully we can get to the top.”

So what is it that’s such a good fit, what’s the secret of the success between him and the club?

“Ever since I have come here I have built a good relationship with everyone,” he explained. “I enjoy the place. I live in a town near the training ground and everything about it suits. My little boy, my family have bought into it and enjoy coming up and it’s a journey I have enjoyed being on and want to continue.”

A freak plantar fasciitis foot injury and burst appendix are among the medical issues and injuries that have held him back in recent seasons, limiting him to 24 and 25 games in his first two Championship campaigns at City. He’s certainly due a bit of luck.

“It would be nice if a random thing doesn’t pop up in my body,” he agreed. “I’m feeling pretty good at the minute and it’s the fittest I have felt since I have been here, and the stats say that, and I am enjoying that at the moment.

“I didn’t think I was me away at Leicester on the opening day, which I was disappointed about. But I signed my contract the next day and from then on it was a case of, ‘That’s it, my future is sorted, head down, just do what you do.’

“I watch clips of myself after every game to give me little reminders of what my game is about and the goals haven’t stopped since. I didn’t score against Sunderland but did against Watford and I am as confident as ever and I just want to keep myself as fit as I can.”

Given the two high profile arrivals in the summer, was he thinking he’d have a tough job to keep his place this term?

“No, not really,” he said confidently. “I know the kind of player the football club are bringing in now and I never let anything like that affect me. I know what my role is in the team and I know what I can do in front of goal, so I just stick to that and score the goals when they are put in front of me.”

It’s a clear case of so far so good with Godden the manager’s first choice and Simms and Wright taking turns to partner him.

“That’s what I am about,” he said, “I come alive in the 18-yard box. I’m not the modern day striker that’s lightning quick and going to run away from someone from 30 yards. I will from five or ten but that’s my game, coming alive in the box and I’m enjoying my football at the moment.

“It will take a little bit of time to get the understanding going. The two boys that have come in are different players but I feel I am getting to know their games week on week, I’ve played two or three times with both now, so it’s just about knowing what they want and I will try to provide as much as I can for them.”

Asked how different he feels they are to last year’s star man and leading scorer, Viktor Gyokeres, he said: “Umm, Viktor was obviously an animal in respect that we played on the counter a lot last season and that suited his style of play because he would bully three or four defenders and get a shot off, but the two boys who have come in are completely different and probably won’t do that. But as football players, in and around their feet, they are going to offer us a lot.”

So is he confident the three of them can fill the goal void left by the Sweden international?

“Yes, 100 per cent,” he said. You can see the boys have got a lot about them in front of goal, and away from goal as well, so it’s exciting times for the football club. Vik had the power when we turned the ball over in our defensive third when we sat deeper and were a counter attacking side. That suited Vik because his running power would get him away from three or four defenders. Everyone can see we have changed our style of play and we’re a lot more of a passing team, as such. We build up our play from the back and have had a lot of passes in recent games, so that side of the game has changed and we don’ really need the counter as much now.

“The lads who have come in are all good with their feet and that’s what we’re going to aim to do.”