Coventry City man opens up on transfer interest, new contract and filling the goal void left by Viktor Gyokeres
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.
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The decision is clear and Godden explains:
“Yes, there were discussions on this issue not long ago, and after the official negotiations began, it only took a few days.
It was something I wanted to do and the conductor wanted it done so it happened very quickly.
When asked if he was aware of interest from other clubs, he admitted:
“Yes, but at the end of the day it’s part of football.
I’m entering the last year of my contract and we will always talk about players who find themselves in this situation.
But when discussions started with the football club, it was only a matter of days before everything was resolved, so it was just swept under the rug and that was it.
The longevity of club players in modern football is rare, but Godden said:
“I’m very stable.
I love this place.
The club has done a lot for me and I feel like I have also contributed a lot.
It’s a part of me and an important part of my journey, so I’m happy to be here.
“The reason I signed up was to go for the ride and see how far we could go, and so far it’s going really well and I hope we can reach the top.
”
So what suits you so well, what is the secret to success between you and the club?
“Since coming here, I have built good relationships with everyone,” he explains.
“I like this place.
I live in a town near the training ground and everything happens there.
My little boy and my family loved it and loved going there.
It was a trip that I enjoyed and wanted to continue.
A serious foot injury caused by plantar fasciitis and a ruptured appendix are among the medical problems and injuries that have set him back in recent seasons, limiting him to just 24 and 25 appearances in the competition.
his first two league campaigns at City.
That’s definitely due to one
“I don’t think I would have been at Leicester on opening day, which disappointed me.
But I signed the contract the next day and from then on I thought, ‘This is it, my future is decided, put your head down, do it’.
What do you do.
“
“I watch clips of myself after every match to remind myself of what the game was about and the goals haven’t stopped since.
I didn’t score against Sunderland but I did score against Watford and I’m still very confident and just want to stay in the best form possible.
With two new recruits emerging this summer, does he think he will have difficulty keeping his place this season?
“No, not really,” he said confidently.
“I know the type of players the football club is recruiting at the moment and I have never let things 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 stick to that and score goals when they are put in front of me.
It was a clear example of things going well with Godden the manager’s first choice and Simms and Wright taking turns partnering him.
That’s who I am,” he said.
“I come alive in the box.
I’m not a modern-day striker who is lightning quick and will run away from someone 30 meters away.
I will do it from five or ten meters but that’s the game.
“ my play, coming up alive in the box and I’m enjoying my football at the moment.
“It will take some time to understand.
The two new boys coming in are different players but I feel like I’m getting used to their games every week, I’ve played two or three times with both of them so now it’s just knowing what they want and I will try to provide as much as possible for them.
When asked how he felt different from last year’s star and top scorer, Viktor Gyokeres, he replied:
“Well, Viktor is obviously an animal because of the fact that we played on the counter-attack a lot last season and that suited his style of play because he would bully three or four defenders and shoot , but the two boys entering the field are completely different and I probably won’t.
But as footballers, they offer us a lot in and around their feet
So are you confident that all three can fill the void left by the Swedish player?
“Yes, 100 percent,” he replied.
You can see the boys have a lot of talent in front of goal but also talent away from goal so it’s an exciting time for the football club.
Vik has the strength when we turn the ball over in the defensive third as we sit deeper and are a counter-attacking team.
This suits Vik as his running power will keep him away from three or four defenders.
Everyone can see that we have changed our style of play and are more passing-oriented.
We’ve been building our play from the back and making a lot of passes in the last few games, so that aspect of the game has changed and now we don’t really need to counter-attack.
“The new players on the field all play well with their feet and that is what we aim for.
City started the new season with a 3-4-1-2 formation with two strikers.
Previous campaigns have seen Robins utilize the midfield and forwards effectively.
When asked if he has any hobbies, he replied:
“Honestly, it doesn’t bother me.
Throughout the season it will change with different opponents, different formations and systems because Gaffer and Adi (Vivesh) feel suited to the opponents we face, so I very much doubt that there will be two for the entire season.
I’m sure this will change again.
Looking back at the new team as a whole and without disrespect to those who have left, does he feel the quality has increased this summer?
Yes, and what the club has done has really improved everyone and made the team much better,” he said.
“It’s a team game and we all know the squad will change, the teams will change and it’s about having the depth of the team.
On this year’s ambitions after the club reached the play-off final in May, and whether that has raised expectations this time around, he said:
“I wouldn’t say expectations because the league has improved a lot thanks to the teams that have gone down and the big clubs that have risen up.
But we imagine we’ll take on anyone.
I don’t think there are higher expectations because of what we did.
did last year.
It’s a new season, a new start with a lot of new players in the squad and we just need to build the process and enjoy the journey along the way.
And finally, reflecting on the supporters and their role within the club, he added:
“Playing in front of big crowds always keeps me going.
We know the support has always been there throughout my career, to see full crowds everywhere we’ve been away from home has been unbelievable, and when we come home and there are 25,000 people in the stadium movement, that’s special and it’s only going to help us.
along the way.
“
How many goals do you think Matty Godden will score this season?
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