Sky Blues Under 18s Coach John Dempster, was able to take the positives from City’s narrow defeat to Wigan Athletic this past weekend.
City fell behind to two early goals in the first half, which left them with a difficult task in coming from behind to get anything from the game.
The youngsters fought to get back into the game, but ultimately fell short from grabbing an equaliser and a point against the Latics.
Speaking after the game John Dempster said: “It was a proper game; very competitive and you can see why Wigan are top of the league.
“They started very brightly, they pressed with real aggression and then towards the end of the game they managed it well, in terms of keeping the ball in the corner and you can see why they have won a lot of football matches and not lost any, so credit to them.
“I thought our boys, after a difficult start going 2-0 down, competed well in a hard contest and we were pleased with some of the individual performances.
“Obviously, we are disappointed with the lapses in concertation in the early part of the game, but we will reflect over the weekend individually and collectively.
The Sky Blues lined up slightly different this week compared to recent set-ups, with personnel changes and players occupying different positions.
With Kai Forsyth returning from injury and with the option to give Joe Nightingale and Aaron Evans-Harriott a run-out on either flank, Dempster was happy to give the lads a chance in different areas.
“We just wanted to see some of our players in different positions today.” He said.
“Joe Nightingale got the opportunity to play wide, as well as Aaron Evans-Harriott on the other side, so it was good to see them in their favoured positions.
“Kai Forsyth was back from injury today and played left-back which is positive and Matty Harland got a run out in the centre of the pitch which he favours.
“So that was the idea and thinking behind that. We will focus on Southampton now and whether we stay with this system or shift will remain to be seen.”
City take on Southampton in the FA Youth Cup this weekend, with further details coming in the coming days.