Chirpy Robins wants Coventry to maintain their focus
Posted Sunday, March 01, 2020 by PA
Boss Mark Robins says promotion-chasing Coventry must maintain their focus after they beat Sunderland 1-0 to move top of Sky Bet League One.
Matt Godden clinically finished from Jamie Allen’s pass after just 94 seconds to stretch the Sky Blues’ unbeaten run to 13 matches.
Sunderland should have levelled when Tom Flanagan volleyed over from close range in the 18th minute, before Coventry had two shouts for penalties waved away either side of half-time.
Liam Kelly blazed over on 53 and 66 minutes, before Jamie Allen had a shot saved by Black Cats goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.
Sunderland were denied a late leveller when Luke O’Nien had a goal ruled out for offside on 73 minutes after he deflected Max Power’s shot in.
Robins is now urging his players to take it one game at a time as they look to seal a Championship return.
“We just have to do what we are doing,” he said. “We are looking at this as the start of a four-game block.
“We have Ipswich next and we will need to keep playing well. There are a lot of tough games to come, there are no easy games.
“We will just look at it game by game and not look too far ahead.
“We had a brilliant start today and one we needed against a strong powerful team who are full of confidence.
“To score a goal of that quality and keep a clean sheet is pleasing, we had to defend well at times.
“It was a tough, hard-fought game – as we knew it would be. We defended well to see it out and got a much-needed three points.
“We knew their goal was offside. We thankfully don’t have VAR, but the officials have got the right decision.”
Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson was left counting the cost of his side’s dire start.
“It is frustrating to have got off to the start that we did,” he said. “There was a lack of communication in and around our box and we were punished.
“It’s very annoying, after conceding so early against Fleetwood.
“It was always going to be a tough game and when you give a team a goal start so early it gives them a boost.
“The offside goal was the right decision, I can’t complain at the call.
“I thought the effort was there but we were just as bit frantic today and lacked quality.”
He explained: “We gave the ball away too cheaply and were chasing the game too early.
“We needed more calmness in our game. Our final ball and our care was not there and that is what you need.
“We wanted to get back into the game but there has to be a method and we were too hurried.”
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