Sky Blues Under-23s Head Coach, Luke Tisdale was delighted with his sides performance as they maintained their winning start to the Professional Development League.
A brace from Fabio Tavares and goals from Julien Dacosta and Marco Rus helped to make it three wins from three in the Southern section of the division and take City’s 23s back to the top of the league.
The Under-23s had to be patient with all four goals coming in the second half, but Tisdale was pleased with the dominant performance from start to finish.
“Obviously, we had quite a few senior players involved against Millwall, which made it difficult for the opposition, who were a young side and I thought they did very well, and they have some excellent players who caused us a few problems.
“However, I thought intensity in the first half was very good we had a good control of the game and we just had to be patient and wait for the chances to score, and I didn’t think it would come as quick as it did in the second half, straight from kick-off, but it was well deserved.
“The goal seconds after the restart just calms everyone down and it was only what we deserved because in the first half we created a lot of really good chances, and their keeper has made some really good saves during the game.
“We were just looking for that bit of quality in the game to open them up and we managed to find that in the first 40 seconds and that’s really pleasing.”
That quality came and when it did it was started by Ryan Howley, who was making his first appearance since his time away with the Wales Under-19s.
Howley showed bravery on the ball and started the attack which was ultimately finished off by Julien Dacosta.
“The goal was really pleasing because Ryan Howley steps in with the ball and a lot of times teams will kick-off and pass the ball backwards or smash the ball forward and kick it out of play, but Ryan has stepped into the space and created the attack.
“It’s a brilliant ream goal because it’s a great run and the ball across the box by Josh Reid and Julien is there to tap in, but also it was a good run from Fabio to create the space for him.”
And speaking of Fabio Tavares, he continued his fine form in front of goal, bagging himself a brace for the second time in the space of a week.
Across friendlies and PDL games this season, the young striker has nine goals to his name, something Tisdale is looking to see more of as he looks to put his name out there.
“Fabio is a good finisher, he’s quick and his movement is good, he has a lot of physical development that we need to do with him, but he’s working hard every day.
“The best way to get yourself noticed is by scoring goals. He got two last week in the friendlies and he got another two again against Millwall and he just needs to keep racking them up.”
The game was then capped off by a moment of magic from midfielder Marco Rus, who scored a superb solo effort to wrap up the points in the 4-1 win.
“It was a brilliant goal by Marco, he gave us a lot of energy when he came on and that’s what we asked him to do. I thought Jonny Ngandu ran himself into the ground for 60 minutes and for us to have the ability to bring on a player like Marco Rus who gives you the same amount of quality again and fresh legs makes a massive difference, and his goal is a brilliant one.
“I think Fabio would have had something to say if he didn’t finish it off but it’s a brilliant solo goal and the variety of goals, we have scored was very pleasing.”
The Under-23s return to action next week when they travel down south to face Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday 21st September.