Mark Robins was left delighted as his Coventry City side recorded their first win of the new campaign. Amadou Bakayoko scored the game’s only goal with a first-half penalty, as the Sky Blues striker opened his account for the club.
City were impressive throughout the 90 minutes, creating multiple chances, and despite not scoring from open play, the manager was pleased with the performance.
“It’s a relief. First half, I thought we were outstanding. We created loads of openings, just that last finishing touch was missing.”
“We led at the break but looked to try and finish it off in the 2nd half and the amount of chances we had that we haven’t scored just nearly gave me a heart attack!”
After seeing his side miss a host of chances, Robins was particularly pleased for one of his new recruits, as the competition for places amongst City’s strikers continues.
“We managed to get a penalty which Bakayoko took and obviously he’s off the mark now. He scored the winner so that’s brilliant for him, brilliant for his confidence.”
As well as City’s latest goal scorer, most of the side were singled out for praise, with Michael Doyle, Jordy Hiwula and both full-backs earning plaudits.
“There were a number of other good performances where players were trying things and being brave with the ball and taking passes under pressure, and the movement was good”, Robins admitted.
However, Robins suggested that one of the day’s biggest positives was the impact made by the players coming off the bench, with squad depth a crucial component for a successful season.
“It’s good for confidence, but also we’ve had some real good cameos. Its great having competition for places and people are going to have to be on their game to stay in the team.
“We’ll settle down eventually and those players that are in possession of the shirt have got to try and keep it and those that aren’t have got to work hard to try and grab one.”
Despite looking in control for much of the game, the manager did also admit that he would ideally like to see his side take more control of possession in the latter stages of games, especially when Plymouth went down to ten men.
Although, as the Sky Blues await a Tuesday night trip to Blackpool, he is solely focussed on enjoying the winning feeling tonight.
“It’s a great three points, great win at home, and the second clean sheet in a row. The supporters have been brilliant. I think [Plymouth’s] support was good as well, noisy and loud, that was great and made for a really good afternoon’s football.
“We’ll enjoy tonight’s game, but then we’ll turn our attention to that in a little, obviously we’re going to enjoy what we’ve just done.”
City travel to Bloomfield Road on mid-week and will be confident that, if they can replicate a similar performance in Lancashire, then their first victory on the road will not be too far away.