Mark Robins admitted that Coventry City’s first day defeat at Stoke is an “eye-opener” for his players, in particular his new signings.
Three summer arrivals – Oliver Dovin, Jack Rudoni and Ephron Mason-Clark – made their competitive debuts from the start while Brandon Thomas-Asante went on from the bench in the 1-0 loss at the bet365 Stadium where the Potters took the full three points courtesy of a second half goal from substitute Lewis Baker.
That was against the run of play as the Sky Blues looked far brighter than a poor first half when Stoke created a number of chances and went close to opening the scoring when they hit the post.
“We were better in the second half but we didn’t get to grips with it,” admitted the City manager, reflecting on the game. “We allowed them to build their momentum in the game and when we talk about bravery and courage, we didn’t show enough of that and weren’t in good enough positions to put them under pressure, and ended up thinking that sitting off them is the right way to go about it. And it wasn’t, so that’s what we spoke about at half time, trying to be a bit more aggressive and on the front foot.
“To be able to gain control in the game you have got to be willing to go and press and put them under pressure, and when you win the ball back you are in good positions, which is what we have always done. So then we started to play but there were too many long balls for me, too many back to front and trying to force things to get the edge, and that’s not what we do, so I just needed to remind them about that.
“We have got a lot of really good players there but you don’t have to rush. You have to build in the same way that we have in pre-season and sometimes it happens and the season starts and it’s like a little bit of an eye-opener, and when you fail to get to grips with it, it can put a bit of doubt in your mind at this level.
“So it was disappointing. It was a disappointing goal. We had got enough of the ball to build into and to create something but we didn’t show the quality that we have to create enough good chances for the players that we have got. And that’s something we have clearly got to work on.
“There are things in there tactically that weren’t quite right and the understanding, because there are a lot of forward players in there who want to be near the goal and sometimes that means it causes you problems when you lose the ball, so it’s just getting that balance and having that calm head to keep building in the right way.”
