City's decision to fly a good one, says Craig Shakespeare
The City assistant manager said flying the team to and from Saturday's visit to Plymouth Argyle had given them the best chance to extend their six-game unbeaten run at Doncaster Rovers tonight.
The flight to Devon had meant City could avoid the four-hour each-way coach journey and, after the 1-1 draw with the Pilgrims was played out on a energy-sapping heavy pitch, Shakespeare said the one-hour flight home was a blessing.
"Playing on a pitch like that can take its toll," said Shakespeare.
"It was a real leveller. I was on the pitch during the warm-up and I couldn't believe how bad it was. It was cutting up while the players were just jogging.
"After a game like that, the recovery is very important and it really helped us flying back from Plymouth.
"It reduced the travelling time dramatically and we were back at 7.45pm. That has helped with the mindset of the players because they haven't spent hours on a coach. It was the proper thing to do.
"We had a 50-seater plane and we were looked after very well on the flight. I couldn't fault it.
"I hope now the players will be bright and breezy tonight."
City face a Rovers side that successfully stifled them at the Walkers Stadium just two weeks ago.
Frustrated City boss Nigel Pearson was critical of Rovers' negative tactics that night as City were held to a goalless draw, and his mood was not helped by Rovers captain Brian Stock's challenge on Matty Fryatt that left the City striker with a double fracture of the jaw.
But Shakespeare is expecting a different encounter this time at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The draw at the Walkers ended a sequence of four consecutive defeats for Sean O'Driscoll's side, but they have won two of their last three games and Shakespeare is confident it will be a much more open game, which could suit City.
"I think this time it will be very different against Doncaster," he said.
"Last time we cancelled each other out but I have seen them play many times and they do play good football. Sean is renowned for the style of play he likes to see from his side and I expect it to be much more open. Both sides will be better and I hope it suits us, but you never can tell."
City have no fresh injury concerns ahead of tonight's game, although Shakespeare did say there were a few heavy legs after their recent run of fixtures.
"I think there are just some tired limbs," he said.
"We have discussed what we will do with team selection and we have planned ahead.
"As always, we will pick a side we feel can win the game."
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