Coventry City manager Mark Robins candidly owned up to his team’s lackluster display against Derby County, labeling it as below par and squarely placing the blame on himself for the outcome.
The opening goal fell into Derby’s lap as a miscalculated back-pass by Jack Rudoni was capitalised upon by Jerry Yates, who outmaneuvered the keeper and slotted home from a narrow angle early in the game. Matters worsened for the Sky Blues with Derby doubling their lead controversially midway through the second half; Robins and his coaching staff vehemently contended that Yates was clearly offside when he struck a deflected shot that found its way past the goalkeeper.
The defeat marked Coventry’s fourth loss at home in the Championship this season while Derby celebrated their inaugural away victory. Robins, visibly frustrated, expressed disappointment in his team’s inconsistent performance, emphasizing the stark contrast from their recent high levels of play. “The first half was a significant letdown. We gifted them an advantage,” a perturbed Robins commented post-match.
He lamented the underwhelming intensity displayed by his players and acknowledged that they failed to meet the expected standards against a diligent Derby side known for their relentless work rate and defensive prowess. Criticising the lack of quick, incisive ball movement, Robins noted that his talented squad failed to rise to the occasion against opponents who effectively disrupted their rhythm and stifled their attacking play.
Robins also voiced concerns over the contentious second goal, highlighting his staff’s insistence that Yates was notably offside during the build-up. While he acknowledged not having reviewed the footage himself, he accepted the verdict of his coaching team, who affirmed the substantial offside infringement. Taking full accountability for the disappointing result, Robins accepted responsibility for the team’s overall performance, stressing the imperative of raising their collective standards in future fixtures.
