Coleman keen to raise bar

Chris Coleman has predicted Coventry will be a force in the Championship if he is allowed to "keep on improving the squad".

Coleman has already snapped up the likes of Clinton Morrison and Freddy Eastwood, but, after seeing his charges give Newcastle a genuine scare in Tuesday's narrow Carling Cup defeat, believes they can make more progress.

Coleman refused to be downbeat after seeing England striker Michael Owen notch a trademark strike in the 97th minute to earn the visitors a 3-2 win at the Ricoh Arena and said he will continue to raise the bar.

"Our supporters have not had a lot to shout about in the eight or nine years they have been out of the Premier League but I think it is important that we get to Christmas and if we're in the top 12, we need to set a target to be pushing the guys," he said.

"We need to keep on improving the squad."