Robins sees side as real pass masters

MARK Robins described Coventry City’s passing as “sublime” as they brushed aside Bristol Rovers in their third round replay of the FA Cup.

Two goals from Max Biamou in each half and a superb debut strike from wing-back Josh Pask eased the Sky Blues into the fourth round and a historic tie against their St Andrew’s landlords, Birmingham City, who will be the away side at their own stadium for the day.

“We were good, really good,” said the City boss, whose first thoughts turned to his absent opposite number, Ben Garner, who missed the game due to being on compassionate leave.

“Firstly I have to say I hope everything is alright with Ben Garner. I know he has some family issues and I hope they get sorted really quickly.”

Assessing the game in which his side raced into a fourth minute lead and dominated throughout with a masterful attacking display, he said: “The game was tough. They are competitors and will get their foot in and compete but I thought we moved the ball quickly and some of our passing was sublime.

“We got our noses in front early with a well taken goal and a well-worked goal with Max getting on the end of a ball through, which was a great threaded pass, and we tried to do that after but didn’t quite get the run of the ball.

“It was a zippy surface because of the rain we have had and we came in at halftime in decent shape and wanted more of the same in the second half.

“And they did more than that; they got even better.”

Despite City’s dominance they only took a slender 1-0 lead into the break, having limited Rovers to just two attempts on goal, both of which were off target. But Pask doubled the lead five minutes into the re-start before Biamou completed his brace and added the third six minutes later.

“Pask’s goal was outstanding and Max’s second was turned in well after some good football,” said Robins. “Defensively we were OK and in the last half an hour we were able to make some changes, Josh Eccles coming on and Jodi Jones making his first appearance in a while, so that was good and it gets minutes into their legs as well as those who played.”