Mark Robins acknowledged that the defeat for Coventry City on their first day at Stoke was a wake-up call for his team, especially for his new signings.
Three new players – Oliver Dovin, Jack Rudoni, and Ephron Mason-Clark – made their competitive debuts in the starting lineup, while Brandon Thomas-Asante came off the bench in the 1-0 loss at the bet365 Stadium. Stoke took the three points with a second-half goal from Lewis Baker, despite the Sky Blues showing more promise in the second half after a lackluster first half which saw Stoke creating numerous chances.
“We improved in the second half but we didn’t quite figure it out,” admitted the City manager, reflecting on the match. “We allowed Stoke to establish momentum, and we lacked the bravery and aggression needed to put them under pressure. We need to be more proactive and aggressive in our approach to regain control of the game.”
Robins emphasized the need to stay true to the team’s style of play and not resort to long balls and forced plays. He highlighted the importance of patience and building up play methodically, rather than rushing and losing composure.
While disappointed with the result, Robins recognized that there were tactical aspects and player understanding that needed improvement. He stressed the importance of balance and maintaining composure, especially in the final third.
Overall, Robins sees the defeat as a learning experience for his team, highlighting the need to work on creating quality chances and maintaining a calm and composed approach to their game.
