Mark Robins looked back at last week’s results and discussed the process of turning the fortunes around heading into this weekend’s trip to Deepdale.
City take on Preston North End in Championship action, off the back of defeats in their last three fixtures, despite positive performances.
The Sky Blues continue to go through a process and a rebuild, following a Summer of change, something Robins analysed.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the City boss reflected on results, looked ahead to Preston North End and also provided a latest fitness update.
Looking back at last week…
“We've had a bad week, where we've had poor results, but actually some pretty good performances or parts of performances.
“It's part of what happens in a Championship season or any season for that matter. We're not in a terrible place in terms of our performances, but we've got to turn some of those chances into goals and we've got to turn some of the performances and be a little bit better, a bit more concise, but also with an idea that we're not going to just pass the ball for the sake of it.
“But, when teams sit deep, that's what you're confronted with, you're confronted with a wall and that's what they try and do. They try and frustrate us to commit more bodies fold to expose you on the counterattack, and that's certainly what teams have tried to do against us.
“So, we've got to be better at that when that happens. But like I say, not lose any confidence, but we’ve certainly got to look for a way of winning more football matches now, that’s for sure.”
Working towards changing the run of results…
“We're in every game and I think we're in every game more than we've ever been before. So that's a positive and the results will turn there's no doubt but what you can't do is you can't throw the baby out with the bathwater, I think we need to just stay focused and together and we'll come through it.
“There's only one way of doing it. It's working on the training field and in the games and getting that belief up through the performances which will in turn, turn the results.”
The rebuild at the Club…
“People always want immediate success and likewise, and I keep saying it, losing the two best players in the league and then rebuilding.
“You bring in players from different leagues, who are really good quality players but they're never the finished article never and that takes time in itself.
“Obviously new countries, people getting used to that, moving families from different countries, finding a place to live, finding different schools or a different way of doing things and all of those things have an impact.
“Whilst it's uncomfortable looking at the looking at the league table, I try to avoid that at all costs at the moment but, it is part of the journey, the process, whatever you want to use whatever word you want to use, it can't become old and it can't be sort of seen to be ‘alright okay saying the same things all the time’ but it is that and we can't do anything about it.
“I said before we (Himself and Adi) signed contracts on the back of it knowing that this was the start of another process, and everybody understands that within the building.
“That can be difficult to accept a lot of the time because we all want that next step to happen immediately but we're working through, and that's the bit that takes the time.
“Ultimately, I have unshakable belief in what we do here and the fact that we can add to that moving forward is something we've not experienced here for a long time.
“We're in good shape in every part other than we’ve just got to pick some more results up, which will happen in time.”
Looking to find a settled back three…
“Form changes, fitness changes, people get injured, people get fatigued, form then takes a hit and confidence changes. Those are things that are happening at the moment I have to try and pick the side that I feel is best equipped to deal with the challenges that are upcoming and that's difficult at the moment.
“Clearly, I'd like to be settled. I'd like to make sure that we're in a in a settled period to give people a chance to find that form. But that's difficult at the moment because of the variables that you that you face all the time in sport and in life.
“So, I will find something, and we'll find a solution to things but again, it's something else that's going to evolve.”
Kasey Palmer’s fitness…
“He'll be after international break and probably training the weekend leading into the Millwall game, so we're pleased with that.
“He's turned the corner now thankfully, and then we can look forward to him progressing now, fairly quickly.”
Update on Liam Kelly and Fabio Tavares…
“Liam is on the grass and Fabio's on the grass, and they're obviously working towards fitness. This weekend comes too soon for Liam, but next weekend had potential.
“Fabio is working his way through, but like Callum, we don't really want to put a timescale on it, but he's looking better.
“He's joining in with some parts of the sessions now, the unopposed stuff and some passing drills and in possessions but on the outside and utilising him in that way just to get him involved.”
Ryan Lowe and Preston North End…
“He’s a bright coach, a fairly new manager who’s been promoted a few times now with Plymouth and Bury.
“He's got a strong squad. There's been some changes there and, and he's brought some good players in and they're always powerful and that hasn't changed, he's got some quality players in there that that can cause you problems and obviously strong defenders in there as well.
“They’ve got a decent Championship mix, with some good talented players in there and I think he's done a really good job.”
3,000 supporters heading to Deepdale…
“We need them and it's fantastic. I mean, they never cease to surprise me, but always surprise me it’s like an oxymoron. They're absolutely incredible.
“3000 people going up to watch a game is fantastic and they've been brilliant and continue to be so and we need everybody to stay together because the wheels can easily come off, but it's my job to make sure that they stay on the tracks and we can give them something to cheer about.”
