Football: Salako warned about under-achievement

Ian Parkes
Sunday 21 September 1997 23:02 BST
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Sheffield Wednesday 0 Coventry City 0

John Salako was warned that he could be wasting "a great talent" by his manager Gordon Strachan after a goalless draw at Hillsborough in which the former England winger missed two gilt-edged chances to give Coventry their first away goal of the season, not to mention their first away win.

It has to go down as an opportunity missed since Sheffield Wednesday, already seriously troubled by injury, lost their goalkeeper Kevin Pressman after 22 minutes with a groin injury, new signing Jim Magilton with bruised ribs and captain Peter Atherton after his knee locked during the warm- up.

Strachan believes time is running out for the 28-year-old Salako if he is to make his mark on the game. "He is so close to being a truly great player," Strachan said. "I hope he doesn't look back on his career and have any regrets. I would also hope he doesn't end his career and then realise what a great talent he was. I still think he has time to make the most of his ability because he is so fit and so skilful."

Salako refused to comment on Strachan's words, only saying: "I would rather not add anything to that. I will settle for what the gaffer has said."

Matt Clarke, who came on for Pressman, will now make his full debut for the visit of Derby on Wednesday determined to erase the memory of a red card gaffe last season.

Clarke, signed from Rotherham for pounds 350,000 last summer, was unfortunate to be sent off in the final game of last season after just nine minutes of a 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool, a decision which was later rescinded by the referee.

Sheffield Wednesday: Pressman (Clarke, 22); Atherton (Collins, 17), Nolan, Pembridge, Newsome, Walker, Whittingham, Hirst, Di Canio, Nicol, Magilton (Oakes, 73). Substitutes not used: Humphreys, Clough.

Coventry City: Ogrizovic; Shaw, Burrows, Williams, Dublin, McAllister, Salako, Telfer, Soltvedt (Boland, 61), Hall, Nilsson. Substitutes not used: Breen, Lightbourne, Ducros, Hedman (gk).

Referee: G S Willard (Worthing).

Bookings: Wednesday: Pembridge. Coventry: Burrows, Dublin.

Man of the match: Clarke.

Attendance: 21,087.

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