Coventry manager Robins: We struggled to cope with Shrewsbury’s game plan

Posted Monday, April 29, 2019 by PA

Coventry boss Mark Robins admitted his side struggled to cope with Shrewsbury’s game plan in their 1-1 League One draw.

Excluding a huge goal difference swing, the home side’s hopes of reaching the play-offs were all-but over, and kind results the previous day meant Shrewsbury were practically safe from the drop. That was mathematically confirmed with Sunday’s point.

Robins said: “It was lacklustre. They come with a game plan, they wanted to make it difficult, and that’s what they did.

“We scored an early goal but failed to build on it, which was disappointing.

“It was flat, really flat. So there is a disappointment there definitely.

“We had Steve (Ogrizovic) retiring, so it was an emotional day and a brilliant send off for his unbelievable service over 35 years. We’d have liked to have gotten all three points for him.

“It was a frustrating afternoon to watch, I bet, but the fans were brilliant again today.

“It’s been a tough day but a very a positive year in general. We’re still a bit short, but I think we’d have taken this at the start of the season to be honest.

“We’ve fallen short in terms of goals this season, we need to improve in areas which will help us get to that next level.”

Jordan Shipley gave the home side the lead after 16 minutes. A smart one-two with Jordy Hiwula played the midfielder in, his effort was saved by Shrews goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell and Shipley finished into an empty net when the rebound fell at his feet.

Shrewsbury equalised after 78 minutes when a long-range effort was scuffed by skipper Luke Waterfall and the miss-hit fell kindly to Fejiri Okenabirhie who poked home from six yards out.

The biggest cheer of the day came as Coventry favourite Ogrizovic was presented to the fans after the former goalkeeper’s recent retirement announcement having spent 35 years at the club as both player and coach.

Shrewsbury manager Sam Ricketts said: “I was disappointed at half-time.

“I wanted to hit heights I know we can hit but I thought we were only on about 70, 75 per cent (there) so (there were) a few words at half-time, we tinkered a bit and I thought we were far, far better in the second half.

“We controlled vast amounts of the game we asked a lot of questions of them, so we certainly deserved a draw.

“I thought Fejiri Okenabirhie’s work rate when he came on was excellent, and he was rewarded with an equalising goal.

“I thought our supporters were excellent, singing, making a lot of noise and it’s so pleasing we’ve given them a positive result.”