Ryan Lowe admits Preston lacked quality in attack in draw with Coventry

Posted Wednesday, March 01, 2023 by PA

Preston manager Ryan Lowe was left disappointed after his side failed to capitalise on a strong performance in a 0-0 draw against Coventry.

The hosts had a string of scoring chances at Deepdale, with Liam Delap and Bambo Diaby both firing off target in the final 15 minutes.

The visitors probably had the better of the opportunities in an end-to-end first half, but faltered in the second as a mounting injury list began to take its toll on those available.

And Lowe believed Preston should have come away with the maximum points, with every box ticked apart from the finishing.

Lowe said: “I’m just disappointed we didn’t get all three points. The lads were excellent across the pitch.

“We tried hard enough, and that was a lot more like us tonight, but we just missed a bit of quality at times.

“We played some fantastic stuff – the effort, determination, and all the other ingredients you need were there.

“If anyone was going to score it was us, but that’s not being disrespectful to Coventry in any way.”

Eager to impress after a four-match suspension, Ched Evans was a nuisance in attack and Lowe was particularly pleased with his contribution.

Lowe said: “[Evans] made a difference I thought. It’s tough for Ched because he doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

“He’s strong and powerful and he’s worked his socks off again tonight.”

For Coventry boss Mark Robins, it was clear that the club’s injury list is stretching the playing squad to their limits.

Kasey Palmer’s hamstring issue against Sunderland last weekend is the latest blow, with Ben Sheaf, Jonathan Panzo, Liam Kelly, Callum O’Hare and Fabio Tavares all ruled out.

Robins said: “It was a difficult game for us, played in difficult circumstances.

“We’ve got players out injured, key players out, and I thought that was perhaps reflected in our overall performance – it was a bit flat.

“I’m pleased with a point, our players are tired and at the moment we’ve got a small squad of players to choose from. We’re paper-thin, but we’ve got to deal with it as best we can.”

Nonetheless, the Sky Blues boss could not fault the energy of the 11 on the pitch and said he had faith they can still produce the requisite performances.

Robins said: “We were trying and both sides gave it everything. Everybody is fighting for their lives at this stage of the season.

“I was pleased we stood up to anything Preston threw at us tonight, but there was a lack of quality out there at times.

“We’ve still got the players available to get results, I know that.”