The CCFC season in quotes

‘Players like Gary McSheffrey are at a premium, so I think that’s why Birmingham have pursued him for so long.

‘We’re not going to replace him. You never say never in this game, because all players have got their valuation.

‘He is not going anywhere at this moment.’ – Micky Adams after Gary McSheffrey scored the winner in the opening game of the season against Sunderland.

‘It was never our intention to let Gary McSheffrey go. But we’ve made a decision which we believe is in the best interests of Coventry City FC, having discussed the latest offer with the board, the manager and the player himself.’ – Managing director Paul Fletcher nine days later after the striker is sold to Birmingham City.

‘Leon has pace, skill and an eye for goal and it gives us added options up front.’ – Adams after sealing a deadline day deal for Leon McKenzie from Norwich.

‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ – Travelling Sky Blues fans at Barnsley as McKenzie is substituted for Wayne Andrews.

‘If the supporters don’t want me at the helm they should just keep singing songs like that because that is the quick way to get rid of managers.

‘But I have got big shoulders and I will be there again on Tuesday against Birmingham, in my technical area making rubbish substitutions.’ – Adams after Andrews scores the winner with virtually his first touch.

‘I won’t be resigning. But I am not going into all that now, because it will all come out anyway, and it would be disrespectful to Bristol City.’ – Adams in the aftermath of the FA Cup defeat by Bristol City.

‘I’m devastated and bitterly disappointed. I wish the club every success in the future, but sadly I won’t be part of it.
‘It’s not been a disastrous tenure and that’s what I can’t understand. I felt I could have turned it around.’ – The morning after and Adams’ departure is confirmed.

‘It wasn’t pleasant last night getting phone calls from people who knew what was going on.

‘If they’ve got the man they want, I understand that. It doesn’t make it any easier to accept but that’s the way the game is.’ – Caretaker boss Adrian Heath on finding out about Iain Dowie’s imminent arrival at the club.

‘Iain was incredibly impressive on the occasions we met and there is no doubt that he was by far the strongest candidate in all the criteria we set,’ – Managing director Paul Fletcher on why Dowie got the nod as manager.

‘They (the consortium) have seen what is happening in both US and UK football and want to get involved. I am a Coventry fan and I have been working with managing director Paul Fletcher for six months.’ – US-based businessman Gary Hopkins on takeover talks at the Ricoh Arena.