The Sky Blues Under 23s continued their unbeaten start to the Professional Development League with a 2-0 win over Hull City at the Alan Higgs Centre.
The 23s have matched that of the first team, as both sides have begun with an unbeaten start in their 2019/20 campaigns.
Hull City were the latest side defeated by the Sky Blues, as goals from Max Biamou and David Bremang secured victory.
Speaking after the final whistle, Under 23s coach, Luke Tisdale spoke of his delight with a ‘dominating’ performance against the Tigers.
He said: “We are happy, it’s nice to keep the run going, we deserved it and it’s the best we’ve played in terms of dominating the ball.
“We spoke a lot in the week about making sure we’re able to have a better grip on games and dominating them a bit more and obviously the personnel out on the pitch helps that.
“We had a very strong under 23s team that played, but in terms of how well we kept the ball and controlled the game is really pleasing, but we have to be better and creating chances and breaking teams down, which is the next part of the building block.
“We limited their chances. We spoke at half-time about making sure that we were right away from the ball, so when you spend a lot of time with the ball dominating it’s important you don’t give them chances on the counter-attack.
“So, while they’re attacking, we need to be set up properly to defend and at times we gave them chances by switching off really, so we had to tighten it up at half time and I think we really limited their chances.”
The Sky Blues fielded a strong side against Hull City, with the likes of Tennai Watson, Jamie Allen, Charlie Wakefield, Max Biamou and Amadou Bakayoko starting the game.
It was Allen’s first game back since suffering an injury in the final pre-season fixture of the season against Swindon Town, however, he was forced off after seven minutes.
Tisdale revealed the change was a precaution for Allen:
“There’s a real good feel factor at the minute and there’s competition for places in the first team and obviously we’re trying to stay hot on the heels of the first team with our standards and how hard we work, so actually its good to have the first team players involved with us.
“Baka and Max obviously want to be pushing Matty Godden and Jamie Allen wanted to be in and around it again, so the 23s is a positive team to be around.
“Jamie’s substitution was a precaution, we told him before the game to manage his body and let us know if he feels anything and that’s exactly what he did.
“We have to get on with it, but it gave Dan Bartlett an opportunity and hopefully he’s injury isn’t too bad, but if it is, that gives Jonny Ngandu an opportunity which is why its good that we have a lot of good young players which are given opportunities.”
There was also a first appearance in a Sky Blues shirt for Deadline Day signing, Joe Newton who joined from Royston Town.
Tisdale was impressed with what he saw from Newton and is looking forward to working with the youngster.
“Joe did alright, he played 90 minutes on Saturday in the FA Cup for Royston Town so he’s only had one day recovery, so to come in and play another 90 minutes will be tough for him but he has to adapt to that.
“The relentlessness of it and training every day and grinding the games out means he will have a lot to learn but we can see early on where his development areas are going to be.
“You can’t question his attitude to defend, he tackles, he gets forward and he covers the distance, so he is one we’re looking forward to working with.”
Next up for the Sky Blues is a trip to St Andrew’s to face Birmingham City Under 23s on Friday 13th September.
Tisdale believes it will be the most difficult challenge his side will have faced this season but is one they are relishing the opportunity of playing against.
“It will be a very tough game; I think they’re one of the stand-out teams in the division to be honest.” Luke said.
“It will be nice for the boys to play at St Andrew’s because they wouldn’t have had that opportunity in the first team, so that will be a nice experience.
“But Birmingham are really good, they’re a strong under 23s side and we’re going to have to be at it right from the first whistle to make sure the game is competitive and try and keep our unbeaten run going.”