Mark Robins praised his “outstanding” Sky Blues side after ending the 2020/21 campaign with an emphatic 6-1 win against Millwall on Saturday lunchtime.
Goals from Jordan Shipley, Kyle McFadzean, Dom Hyam, Callum O’Hare, Matty James and Tyler Walker secured a remarkable victory for City in their final home game at St Andrew’s.
The manager was delighted with his side’s performance and was pleased to finish the season on a high note.
Robins said: “Physically it’s been really tough, they deserve every bit of credit they get because they’ve worked so hard and that culminated in a brilliant performance, I wanted a good performance to finish the season off and I got it in spades, it was outstanding.
“We grew into the game, we grew in confidence, Millwall are a really good team but we’ve managed to use the ball really well and get into some good goalscoring positions and today they’ve been really focused on the final product as well.
“The players have given everything, we’ve fallen short from time-to-time which is absolutely no disgrace at this level, a lot of players have only just experienced their first Championship season.
“It’s been a brilliant couple of seasons here and to sign off from St Andrew’s with a win and performance like that is just what we wanted to do, it gives everybody that feel good factor.
“We’ve come out and played some really good stuff in a relaxed manner but in a really good way, we’ve got some academy graduates on the pitch and they’ve performed outstandingly well which is fantastic experience for them.”
Josh Eccles and Jack Burroughs were introduced as first half substitutes against the Lions and Robins was pleased to be able to give more game time to some of the club’s academy graduates.
“Josh played three positions today, he’s versatile, if he gets some intensity and drive in his game there will be no stopping him, that’s easier said than done, he’s laid back which is his personality which is a good thing at times but he needs that little bit extra drive.
“Quality wise, I don’t think I’ve got a better player there, he’s outstanding, really calm on the ball and athletic, Jack is the same, he’s growing in stature, athletically he’s outstanding, he still needs to tidy up a little bit on the ball.”
The game marked City’s last as the home side at St Andrew’s and Robins is looking forward to returning to the Ricoh Arena in front of the Sky Blues faithful next season.
“We’re back in Coventry next season, hopefully we can get support it, to sign off the way we have done here is brilliant, we move back to Coventry now and we’re looking forward to that, it’s what we need moving forward.
“It gives us a platform, we need to move things forward, if you don’t you’ll go backwards, we need to work hard to keep moving forward and get the balance right.
“We look forward to experiencing a full stadium at the Ricoh next season and we can get on with planning another good campaign.”