Mark Robins saw the positive side of keeping a clean sheet after the Sky Blues were held to a goalless draw against Accrington Stanley in Sky Bet League One on Saturday.
City were reduced to 10-men in the second period but looked the stronger of the two side’s despite being a player short for the remaining quarter of the match.
Robins was pleased his side held firm to record a clean sheet as well as controlling the game from start to finish.
Robins said: “We were up against it with 10-men, but we saw the game out. The positives are a clean sheet and we’ve not gone and lost the game or shot ourselves in the foot.
“I thought we controlled the game from start to finish, other than the usual shenanigans.
“They had four efforts at goal, I don’t think any were on target, and not really created anything against us.
“We’ve created some really good opportunities and then just not been able to take them. That’s the disappointment because you know against this opposition it’s not going to be a great spectacle.”
The manager also touched on Max Biamou’s red card and felt the Sky Blues should have been awarded a penalty for handball.
“I felt we should have been awarded a penalty, it hit the lad’s hand. I’ve been told that Max’s is a sending off, although I’ve asked Max and he said he may have caught him.
“I certainly don’t think it was intentional, Max is genuinely really honest it’s not something that he’s meant to do.”
Robins praised striker Amadou Bakayoko after the 23-year-old had been struggling with an illness in the build-up to the game.
“We’ve just not had that cool head in front of goal. Baka today, I think he’s done brilliantly. He was off with a sickness bug in the week, that must have taken its toll, and then obviously to lose Max is another impact.
“We haven’t got the strikers available and those changes to make which is frustrating. Players that aren’t available cost you in games because if I’ve got different personnel to pick, I can make different changes.”
The gaffer admitted he was frustrated not to have come away with all three points but was pleased with the efforts of his players.
“My frustration isn’t necessarily with the players. The goalkeeper, back three and wingbacks put a great shift in. The midfielders did great in creating things, even with 10-men we played brilliant football out from the back and created a great chance.
“For whatever reason we haven’t managed to get the win. I’m glad that game is over and done with.
“With what we’ve got available with suspensions, injuries, illness or whatever, we need to be ready to go again.”