Micky Adams is a feisty individual and it is safe to assume that strong words were exchanged following Tuesday night's defeat at Hereford United.

Coventry's Carling Cup commitments ended abruptly at Edgar Street in a humiliating 3-1 defeat and manager Adams, still smarting after the sale of Gary McSheffrey to Birmingham, is likely to have stripped the paint from the dressing-room walls with his ire.

Nevertheless, his anger has subsided and a rational approach to the season thus far tells him that points collected fails to equate to the level of their performance.

A goalless draw with Leicester aside, Adams is comfortable with the fare served up by his side despite their relative lowly position.

A trip to Hull City, one of only four teams beneath them in the table, looms tomorrow, which, Adams insists, affords his team the perfect antidote to a grotty week.

With Sunderland striker Kevin Kyle still on his radar as a potential new acquisition ahead of tomorrow's game, Adams is looking for his players to adopt a bullish approach to the fixture.

"Football is a test of character every time you cross that white line. You should test yourself mentally and physically every day on the training ground, particularly when things aren't going too well but let's not get too carried away here," said Adams, referring to their haul of four points from as many fixtures.

"The players have lost their mate (McSheffrey) and star player and everyone is feeling a little bit sorry for themselves. I am sure our supporters are the same.

"Gary McSheffrey was a big part of that dressing-room with his character and the way he was on the pitch.

"To try and replace him is going to be a major task and we are looking for people to step forward but we hope we will find the solution. I haven't got time for people who feel sorry for themselves.

"We will get through this little spell."

The fact that Adams is trawling the country in an attempt to replace McSheffrey with only a week remaining of the transfer window rankles.

While £4 million is a welcome addition given their heavy burden of debt, he is critical of the time scale remaining and insists the Sky Blues will have to reassess their policy regards sales in the future should a similar situation arise. "The tactics of it all have disappointed me," said Adams. "We should have been trying to do something before we sell a player. Tactically we got that wrong.

"You are talking to clubs now who think you have millions of pounds to spend. As I have said many times before - I am bored of saying it - I haven't got millions of pounds.

"Kevin Kyle is someone we are all aware of and I am led to believe he is available by Sunderland. That's all I'm prepared to say at present."

Adams also has a German goalkeeper on trail as he attempts fill the vacuum left by Luke Steele's decision to sign for Albion. Andy Marshall's form has been impressive thus far, but Adams is keen to rectify the scenario of just one senior goalkeeper.

But he has little time for harbingers of doom.

"If people are trying to get me down in the dumps they won't succeed," he added. "People who don't panic, understand the problems, don't moan about it and get on with it, are the ones who will enjoy the most success."

Adams hinted at changes, however, with Rob Page likely to feature in his starting line-up.

David McNamee, Wayne Andrews and Mikkel Bischoff are all expected to return for the fixture against Norwich on September 9 but Jay Tabb has undergone a double hernia operation in Germany.