City boss previews the Port Vale clash, ahead of tomorrow's evening kick-off...
Mark Robins has overseen three games in charge of Coventry City, but is yet to find that elusive win, as he prepares his side to face 21st placed Port Vale.
Vale boosted their League One survival hopes as a goal and an assist from returning defender Ryan Taylor saw off Shrewsbury Town on Friday night, their second win in the past seven days.
Assessing Saturday’s defeat, the manager said: "The main thing is we’re not able to build sustained attacks, it is a fear thing. Too much playing the ball backwards or taking the easy option.
“I don’t see a lack of work rate or a lack of effort, we passed the ball better on Saturday but it was still a bit insipid. They need to free themselves of the shackles of fear.
“In this moment in time they hold their hands up, they know they haven’t been good enough. I wish I’d been working with them for longer.
“We’ve got to try and help them rediscover the fun element of football, it is graft and hard work, but that should be part of the fun.”
Talking about the rebuilding process and the task ahead, Robins has put emphasis on playing progressive football and scoring goals, in order to reward the fans who support the club week upon week.
He added: “The sides were evenly matched on Saturday, we dealt with most things, but we’ve not had enough end product. The biggest stat for me is the goals for column, and shots on target.
“It isn’t somewhere anyone wants to be in football, we need to rebuild and build the club for the future. But before then we have to make sure we’re as competitive as we possibly can be, get that feeling back of winning games.
“I know the supporters are desperate to get behind us, I can see it. I feel it. They expect us to let them down, so let’s try and cheer them up by putting the ball in the back of the net. We’ve got a real chance tomorrow night.
“The fans don’t need me to beg them to come to games, we will get it right for them, sooner rather than later. I’m relishing it, root and branch, and build it right to be sustainable.”