Coventry boss Mark Robins: We were rubbish first half, brilliant second half

Posted Tuesday, April 11, 2023 by PA

Coventry boss Mark Robins was delighted to escape with a point but bemoaned his side’s first-half performance in their 2-2 draw with fellow play-off hopefuls Watford.

Joao Pedro and Imran Louza put the visitors two goals ahead by half-time, but Matthew Godden and Ben Sheaf rescued a point for the Sky Blues.

Robins’ side have suffered from slow starts recently and it was a case of deja vu as Pedro put the visitors ahead just six minutes into the Championship clash.

“We were rubbish first half, brilliant second half. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb,” Robins said.

“We cannot do that, especially against a team like them who have speed merchants.

“Unfortunately we allowed them to run off the back of us, and once they are away, we are not catching them.

“I am pleased with the second-half performance but I am really frustrated we did not get the three points.

“It looked like there was only going to be one winner. We got into good positions but we chose the wrong option from time to time. We need to start using the spare man better.”

City are still in with a shot of reaching the play-offs with three points between them and sixth-placed Blackburn.

But Robins feels his side’s sloppy start to the season will ultimately cost them.

He added: “It is great to be involved in that and be talking about it. You cannot help but look back at the end of the season on it as a whole and be very proud.

“The first seven games has killed us.”

Fuming Watford boss Chris Wilder was less than impressed with his side’s second-half capitulation, which left them six points adrift of the play-off places.

He said: “It’s three games now where we’ve been in front and not had the confidence or belief to see it out.

“The first half was a great away performance, we scored two goals and we went looking for a third at the start of the second half.

“We should have found it (the third goal) and that is my little criticism. They get a goal from a couple of mistakes and the picture changes.

“Maybe a point for both sides has not done either of us any favours.

“Five games left – I said to the players I will go to the final whistle of the season. I’ll demand everything of the players. We have an obligation to the fans to go right to the end.”