Conor sets out new goals after a change in role
CONOR Chaplin hopes he can bump up his Coventry City goal tally with a run of games playing in his preferred role.
The Sky Blues striker played further forward against Plymouth Argyle, resulting in the 21-year-old getting into better positions and having more chances in front of goal.
He had been deployed just behind Jordy Hiwula in previous weeks, dropping deeper to link the play.
But at the weekend manager Mark Robins deployed new loan signing from Wolves, Bright Enobakhare, in the hole behind Chaplin who led the line, while Hiwula was shifted out wide on the left in what proved to be an extremely fluid and effective attacking diamond with Luke Thomas on the right – a system that caused Argyle all manner of problems for the first hour at Home Park.
And Chaplin, who scored with a brilliant free-kick to give City the lead, explained how the change came about.
“I prefer playing on the shoulder of the last man and I think I got more shots and chances because of that,” he said.
“I don’t think I had a shot against Wimbledon the week before so I had a conversation with the gaffer last week about the fact that I have not had opportunities to have shots and be in the box much because I have been linking the play more.
“But I thought it worked well with Bright in behind. He was bright by nature as well as name. He’s really good on the ball, he’s powerful and quick.
“We were fluid and looked really good so it’s just a shame that we didn’t capitalise on that because we are creating chances and we know we’re going to score goals.
“We’re playing some good football and that’s why I am so frustrated. It must be good to watch and it’s great to play in because it’s slick, side to side, we’re switching
I prefer playing on the shoulder of the last man and I think I got more shots and chances because of that. Conor Chaplin
the play, we are getting people on the ball on the half turn and threading balls through.
“We have got Tom Bayliss driving through people, Luke and Jordy coming in off the sides and we look fluid.”
So does he think things will click sometime soon?
“Yes, but at the same time we can’t keep saying it,” he said.
“We have been saying it for a long time now and we have got to start putting it right. We know it’s in us to do but we can’t concede two goals like we did.”
Robins has suggested there can sometimes be a fear factor among his forwards to shoot, but Chaplin said: “I can only speak for myself but I don’t think I’m afraid to take shots. It’s more a case of making sure we’re on the front foot in the box.”
Chaplin couldn’t hide his frustration that his latest strike wasn’t enough to give the Sky Blues at least a point at Plymouth.
“When you score to go one up in the second half you hope that will be enough to win the game,” he said, reflecting on the 2-1 defeat against a resurgent Argyle who chalked up their third consecutive victory to lift them to fourth from bottom.
“Plymouth have got good players and the frustrating thing is they have not created clear cut chances for their goals.”
He added: “I think we were really good for an hour but it’s a 90-minute game and you can’t be good for an hour and then be slack for a spell.
“That’s not how football works and you won’t get results playing like that.”
Anticipating back-to-back home games against Blackpool and Gillingham, the striker said: “We have been good at the Ricoh so I am looking forward to getting back there.”