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INTERVIEW: Mark Robins on Blackburn win and Jamie Allen's goal

The Sky Blues returned to winning ways against Rovers...

1 November 2022

Sky Blues boss Mark Robins was delighted to see his side return to winning ways against Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night.

Jamie Allen's first-half goal was the difference between the two sides with the stand-in captain, who borrowed the armband from the ill Kyle McFadzean, scoring his third of the season.

City dominated the play and the chances throughout the 90 minutes and ended the game as deserved winners.

Speaking after the game, Robins said:

On the game and the result...

“I thought in the first half we were as good as we’ve been for a long time and I thought we were really good value for at least a 1-0 lead.

“Some performances were absolutely out of this world and I’ve never known anything like it with the energy that we did, the desire, commitment, and desire from players should never be doubted, but I think it was a fantastic performance.

“Saturday was a really difficult day because we should’ve had three points in that game, I don’t care what anyone says. On a day when everyone turns fit, we’re talking about six points [from the past two games].

“We lose one against a side people look at and say we should win, having said that I’m not diminishing anything that Blackpool do, I think they’re a really good side, but then in terms of the position of Blackburn it was one of those where you’re not fancied or expected to win and you go and win 1-0 and keep a clean sheet.

“The tactical changes they made were clever and it gave them a little more of the ball and our energy was starting to diminish and that’s what can happen but we stood firm and could’ve had another goal or two.

“There was some really good football tonight and I’m delighted with the three points."

On Josh Eccles' performance...

“The players played a key role in each position. Josh Eccles played against one of the best players in this division and kept him quiet. He deserves plenty of praise of that."

Praise for Ben Wilson...

“After a difficult day [on Saturday], I thought Ben Wilson was a lot better and I’m sure the work Aled [Williams] has done with him has been really good.

"He’s taken it on board and put it into practice which is what we needed as it was a little bit jittery and unsettled on Saturday."

On Kyle McFadzean's absence...

“Tonight it settled down a little bit, although we lost Kyle McFadzean just before kick-off.

"He had a temperature, so he couldn’t play. He’s just text me and said that he’ll stay at home every Tuesday from now on."

On Callum O'Hare and Viktor Gyokeres...

“There were some really good performances throughout the side tonight and the lads that came off the bench were really good.

"For Callum O’Hare to get through 90 minutes on Saturday and 70 minutes today, that speaks volumes for him and the work the staff have done, and the work he’s done himself and he looked a threat.

“Viktor was bullish and he’s been laid low with illness, so it’s a relief because Saturday was one of the lowest points I’ve felt.

"It was a difficult past couple of days but the players have dug in and to put in a performance like that was outstanding."

On stand-in captain Jamie Allen...

“His all-round performances and the way he goes about the job were why he deserved the armband.

“He doesn’t say a great deal but the fact he works as hard as he does, and he was one of the poorly ones after Saturday, but to get off his sick bed and to come and score the winner is a testament to his character.

“His character is unbelievable and for him to dig in the way he’s done and to turn out a performance like that is brilliant.

“[Jamie] was fantastic and to score the winning goal, he could’ve had one or two in the past few games, and to finish it off and that to be the winner was special for him and it was a really good evening."

On the physical nature of the game...

“I thought Callum Doyle read [the red card] really well, because he’s pulled out and if he had gone in he would have a serious injury.

“You don’t like seeing anyone sent off, but there were one or two late ones today. All in all, it was a really hard-fought, competitive game and I think we edged it in the end.

"The first half performance was outstanding and, in the second half, we dug in and got through it and kept a clean sheet which is pleasing."


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