Mark Robins demands focus as Coventry stretch lead in League One

Posted Sunday, March 08, 2020 by PA

Mark Robins called on Coventry to keep their focus for the League One run-in after they moved five points clear with victory over free-falling Ipswich.

Matt Godden scored the only goal in the 16th minute as the visitors extended their unbeaten run to 14 games, stretching their lead over second-placed Rotherham who lost to lowly Rochdale.

Robins said: “It was a really tough game.

“I thought we started brilliantly, we kept the ball really well and the goal was really magnificent the way they got through, the way they passed it, a great through-ball from (Liam Walsh).

“We needed the start because the way it finished was bitty and scrappy and we didn’t keep the ball.

“We gave them opportunities and they are fighting for their lives. It was a tough game and we got a clean sheet which was outstanding and the goal was good enough to win it.

“Thankfully we can get home and give them a bit of a breather going into next week. We have got 10 games left and we need to be better than that.

“We have got to be better against the teams we have got coming up.

“Can we keep going, can we keep our focus and learn and keep learning? Nobody’s cracked it yet, we have got to keep focused and keep going.”

Ipswich’s Jon Nolan had an early penalty appeal waved away before the Sky Blues went ahead in the 16th minute with a brilliantly executed goal involving Fankaty Dabo and Walsh, with the latter’s pinpoint pass finding Godden who calmly slotted the ball past Ipswich keeper Will Norris.

Nolan had a golden chance to draw the sides level when he was put through with just City keeper Marko Marosi to beat but headed the bouncing ball straight at him.

Freddie Sears’ low, angled shot inside the box was easily gathered by Marosi and Coventry should have extended their lead when Dabo’s cross found Godden whose half-volley went over the bar.

It was the fourth defeat on the trot for Town, who dropped down to 10th as injuries and suspensions limit manager Paul Lambert’s selection options.

He said: “I know it’s hard but we have to go for absolutely everything. I will never give up and hopefully we can go on a run and get our players back and look a better, stronger team.

“We played a good game. We had a lot of the game but I can’t ask for anything more. I’m proud of them, proud of everybody in the stadium – the fans were great again.

“Considering the lads we’ve got, we have got two kids on the bench coming on (Armando Dobre and former rugby player Tyreece Simpson) but there’s a lot of things to be proud of.”

He had praise for the returning Cole Skuse and Gwion Edwards, saying: “There was a lot of good things there.

“Coventry, congratulations to them, Mark has got a good team but I think today with Flynn Downes, arguably one of the best midfielders in the division, out and the three strikers missing, there’s a lot of big players out.”