The Sky Blues Under-18s winning run came to an end after a 5-0 defeat against high-flyers Barnsley.
After winning 15 of their previous 16 matches, the impressive run came to an end and Professional Development Phase Coach, Chay Thompson, reflected on the match.
“We’re disappointed with the performance and the result." Thompson said.
"The performance wasn’t what we expected and it was the first time that’s happened this season and it might’ve been a game too much for the younger players, but there’s lots of learning to take.
“We didn’t start the game very well at all, we didn’t play the conditions well enough and what went wrong was probably everything on the day, so there’s lots of learning to take and it’s a good week for us to see if we can bounce back because it’s all about how you respond, so it’s really important we get back to basics and go again.
“We were against the wind first half and didn’t manage it well, we gave them too much possession of the ball, we turned it over sloppily and we made mistakes and they punished us on those mistakes and when you’re 3-0 down at half time it’s a big mountain to climb.
“We had chances in the second half, we did improve slightly, but we weren’t clinical enough, but overall it’s how we bounce back from these performances and results because a lot of things went wrong on the day, so we need to get back to the training ground now.”
Fielding a side with several players playing up an age group, Thompson suggested the challenge was a step too far for the young Sky Blues and commented on what the side needed to do next time out.
“A lot of Under-16s were playing up and it was probably a game too much for them and we did struggle and found it tough, they were very aggressive and got the ball from back to front very quickly and it was something different we’ve not had to deal with this season.
"We didn’t deal with it very well, so there’s lots of learning to take from it, but overall they’ve been outstanding, we can’t be too high when we win, but we can’t be too down when we’re beat and that’s the most important thing.
“We’ve got to be braver and take responsibility, there was a couple of times in the game where we passed on responsibility, not communicating and doing the basics well enough and in these games it does happen at under-18s football, we’ve seen it in the past, it happens all over the country really.
“We spoke to the players this morning and went through the goals and it was five really poor goals, we’ll have to take the learning from it and the most important thing is how you react from these performances, so we’re looking for a response.”
The Sky Blues Under-18s take on Peterborough United in their next match and having won the previous clash, Thompson looked ahead to the rematch against Posh.
“We’ve got Peterborough away, which will be another tough fixture, they’re a good footballing side, it’ll be a different test, they like to get on the ball and dominate it.
“We beat them 3-2, they play a diamond formation, they like to rotate the football, we’ll go into the game hoping to go back to basics right, which is win you’re battles and be brave to get on the ball and take responsibility and that’s what we’ll look to do.”