Following the match, CoventryLive provides commentary from Sky Blues manager Mark Robins regarding the disappointing 1-0 loss at Ashton Gate.
Coventry City’s Mark Robins acknowledged that his team squandered a “brilliant” away effort by missing opportunities and giving up a subpar goal at the other end.
In an encouraging first half against Bristol City, the Sky Blues controlled possession and had plenty of chances to grab the lead, with Ellis Simms dragging wide, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto being denied by the keeper, and Ben Sheaf and Matty Godden striking the crossbar.
“I should be talking about a brilliant away performance and three points because, first and foremost, it was a brilliant away performance,” Robins said to CoventryLive when asked whether the outcome was a result of regretting those wasted opportunities and control in the final third.
When we were in good situations, we simply lacked the finishing touch or perhaps a little bit more quality; perhaps we made a slightly poorer choice or decision with the ball. However, those are the specifics and the finer points; overall, we have accomplished enough to win the game.
“Yet you’re correct—the game changes if you take one of those chances, and if you don’t, you’re vulnerable to the sucker blow, which is exactly what happened. Additionally, the set plays they offer are of high quality.
home first-half stoppage time, center-back Rob Dickie headed home a free-kick delivery to the far post to give Nigel Pearson’s team the lead
“Rob Dickie just moved Fadz out of the way a little bit and got sucked under the ball, and he’s managed to get his head on it,” said Robins. “Their delivery for the free-kick for the goal was good,” Robins said.
Additionally, Ben Wilson did a fairly good job of getting his hands on it because it was too close to the goal. However, it had speed, so he didn’t really have a chance. Though he nearly did so, he didn’t.
“But the changes that they made when they brought on Jason Knight in place of Haydon Roberts, that’s more of what we expected from them,” he continued. We had to find a different strategy because they had first matched us up, but then they adjusted it so that they suddenly had an extra body higher up the pitch and in your faces to prevent you from playing. They are the highest pressers in the division, so you know that’s the change. However, that shouldn’t have an impact on us because you only need to locate the spare man—there are still spare men there—so go find him.
We found that we occasionally went a little bit longer. Fadz felt pressured when the ball got to him, so he just shoved it away, but you have to attempt to find a way out of it rather than giving up. We didn’t have that with Jamie Allen hurt, but you have to be aware of it, ride with it, and adapt to a different tactical adjustment when people are coming in for the press.
That’s why we were disappointed and frustrated, as we should have been talking about an incredible away performance and a fantastic three points. However, this isn’t the case; rather, what we have here is a very strong effort that ultimately gave up a sucker punch due to a lack of spark.
