Vik still learning to assess all his options – Robins
MARK Robins says he will not be telling Viktor Gyokeres to stop going for goal – but he must learn when to aim for his team-mates.
The Sky Blues boss was quick to point to missed opportunities in front of goal in his post-match assessment of City’s goalless draw at Bristol City on Tuesday night.
In particular, he was a little frustrated that had Gyokeres shown a little more “calmness and finesse” he could have played in Matty Godden and Tyler Walker on a couple of occasions rather than taking a shot and being denied by the goalkeeper.
“No criticism, just maybe there’s another option and once he gets that in his game then we become multi-dimensional,” said the City boss in his post-match assessment.
It’s a subject that has been hotly debated by the fans this week, with the star striker coming in for a bit of criticism from some.
Expanding on the issue ahead of today’s CBS Arena clash with Burnley, Robins was asked if it’s a balance of not wanting to discourage the big Swede from going for goal and not being too generous with his passing?
“Correct!” said the manager, who said on Tuesday that he was going to show Gyokeres replays of the two chances that went begging.
“I didn’t need to sit him down and show him the incidents because straight away he wanted to see the clips himself and we spoke briefly about that, but there’s nothing really to see. A player on the pitch – we can see things differently from the sidelines.
“When you’re a player things happen a lot quicker; you’re in the moment with players all around you and sometimes you see things and sometimes you don’t.
“If you have certain things in your mind you want to try to do that and if you can then you do it.
“With Vik, he has been absolutely phenomenal in most games and if then you get into a position where you get your head up and see things and execute a pass and that’s the better option, then fine.
“I’ve got no problem, but that’s all it is. I am not going to be dissuading anyone and telling them not to shoot when they have a shooting opportunity, especially when you have the power and execution that he’s got.
“But also there are other players on the pitch that find the pass for him to go and finish as well. It’s just swings and roundabouts.”
He added: “If Vik does that and then develops that into his game then... he’s a top player but he’s going to be incredible.
“So we have someone who is very rounded in the position, and that’s part of the development process and not something that anyone should get hung up on.”