Jason Farndon stressed the importance of the Sky Blues getting “minutes” into their legs after overseeing City’s 3-1 win against Southampton Under-23s at St Mary’s.
Despite falling behind to a Jake Vokins strike, second half goals from Jonny Ngandu, Max Biamou and David Bremang secured a come from behind victory for the Sky Blues.
The win extends City’s fine pre-season form, but Farndon insisted the main aim was to give everybody some game time before the start of the competitive season this weekend.
Farndon said: “The main aim was to get everybody ready for the start of the season and give everyone some minutes and to try and put our philosophy and structure into the game.
“I think we got what we needed out of the game, there was plenty of fitness work for everyone involved.
“We started off a little bit slowly, but then we got to grips with our shape and it’s always nice to win, whether it be pre-season or competitive fixtures.”
The Under-23s boss was pleased with his side’s turnaround, after making a sloppy start to proceedings on the South Coast.
“We were really sloppy in the first half and there was a lot of finger pointing and people not knowing where they’re going, we tried to sort it out at half time.
“I think we just worked a little bit harder in the second half and got to grips with it, all in all, it was a good day.
“We always felt that we would get chances and we took those chances at the right time.”
City’s latest summer recruit, Tyler Walker, managed 60 minutes at St Mary's as he continues to build up his fitness, having arrived from Nottingham Forest last week.
Farndon was also delighted for youngsters Ngandu and Bremang, with the duo both scoring from the substitutes bench.
“Tyler’s plan today was 60 minutes; he hadn’t played any games at Nottingham Forest and he’d only been in training for two weeks.
“The plan was for him to get those minutes and get that game time into his legs, which is a lot different to just running and what he’s been doing.
“It was good, Jonny scored with his first touch I think, he’s been off ill for about 10 days and scored a great goal.
“Those were David’s first minutes of pre-season, due to Covid we probably haven’t had enough Under 23s games, but he’s come on and scored, I’m delighted for both of them.”