HOW THEY RATED Robins: We were down to bare bones with virus sweeping through squad
BEN WILSON: Forced into an early save one-on-one with Blackpool forward Madine, denying a clear goal scoring chance in the process. A nice early boost for the keeper who had an evening to forget against Rotherham. His distribution was flawed at times, which put his side under unnecessary pressure in the opening moments of the second half. His positioning for both goals could be questioned, as it was against Rotherham. 5.5 JONATHAN PANZO: Filling in for Rose in this fixture and provided decent support against Madine at the back. Picked the odd pass to progress his side forward. Defended well in one-on-one situations when tasked with the impending threat of Yates down the right wing but struggled aerially, as the goal showed. 5
CALLUM DOYLE: Forced to play on the right side of the back three due to Rose dropping to the bench, which hindered his build-up play at times. An aspect of the game which eventually cost his team as his sloppy back pass was picked off by Blackpool, who scored through Madine shortly after. 4
KYLE MCFADZEAN: A physical presence which was well-needed against the experienced Madine who was leading the attack for Blackpool. Couldn’t prevent the striker levelling the scoreline, however. Seemed to drop off in the second half, with Robins raising his fitness issues after the draw with Rotherham. 5 JAMIE ALLEN: Repeatedly dropped deep to try and kick his side into gear. Fleeting moments of Coventry’s attack would always involve him however much like the rest of the team, the production in the final third was lacking something in the opening stages. Dropped off throughout the rest of the game, with little impact made. 6
CALLUM O’HARE: Slotted back into the starting lineup like he had never left. Lively from the very start as he caused problems in behind for Michael Appleton’s side but possibly lacked that match sharpness to pick the final ball in the opening stages. His moment of magic did eventually arrive in the 40th minute as he unlocked the Blackpool defence to play Palmer in, qualities that have been desperately missed in this squad. The playmaker came close to putting his side back in front just after the hour mark, as he skipped past one challenge and fired his effort just wide. His influence dropped off however, which is to be expected given his lack of game time. 7.5
BEN SHEAF: A touch slow in aspects of his play with loose passes and challenges plaguing his game from the start. A lack of discipline which led to an early booking for the midfielder from referee Darren Bond. Looked really off the pace at times in this fixture, with the previously mentioned problems looking like a consistent theme during his performance. 4
TODD KANE: Coming in for the injured Dabo, Kane was busy on both ends of the pitch with CJ Hamilton and Carey causing problems down his flank. However, did offer an attacking outlet when combining with O’hare and Allen. Caught at times with the space he left in behind as he attempted to get forward. 6
JAKE BIDWELL: Joint top goalscorer in the Championship, Jerry Yates, was quiet for much of the first half with Bidwell rarely being forced into too much action down his side of the pitch. However, he failed to keep him out the game for the full 90, with the inform forward giving his side the lead in the second half. Replaced by Jack Burroughs as they searched for an equaliser. 5.5 GUSTAVO HAMER: Had to take on a more defensive role throughout the first half in order to track the runners Blackpool allowed to flood forward down the left-wing. His ability to pick a pass and dissect his way through resolute defences played a really key role in the opening goal too. 6.5 KASEY PALMER: Playing in a makeshift striker role this afternoon, Palmer would often drop deep to link play and did his best to hold the ball up for his teammates. Took his chance really well just before half time, as he knocked the ball past Martin Ekpiteta and slotted his effort home. Did everything asked of him in this fixture and was greeted by a well deserved round of applause from the home crowd after being replaced by Gyokeres. 8
SUBSTITUTES VIKTOR GYOKERES:
Replaced Palmer with just under 20 minutes of action to go as the hosts searched for a winner. Saw a shot well saved just seconds before Blackpool took the lead. 5.5 TYLER WALKER: Replaced Allen late on in the game as Robins searched for an equaliser. Skied his one chance in front of goal over the bar, which was a difficult one in fairness to him. 5 JACK BURROUGHS: Replaced Bidwell as Coventry searched for an equaliser. Not too much to say on the performance, as he had little influence after being introduced. 5
Not used: Simon Moore, Michael Rose, Josh Reid, Ryan Howley. BLACKPOOL: Maxwell, Connolly, Ekpiteta, Thorniley, Husband, Carey, Dougall, Patino, Yates, Madine, Hamilton, Povedaocampo, Grimshaw. Not used: Ward, Williams, Thompson, Wright, Corbeanu.
GOALS: City – Palmer (40). Blackpool – Madine (53), Yates (80). ATTENDANCE: 8,924. REFEREE: Darren Bond (Lancashire)
NEXT UP: Blackburn Rovers, tomorrow (home), 7.45pm.
MARK Robins has revealed the severity behind his Coventry City selection issues following a 2-1 loss to Blackpool this afternoon.
Kasey Palmer opened the scoring for the Sky Blues in the first half after a well worked move involving Callum O’hare and Gustavo Hamer just before the break. However, the lead was short-lived with the visitors forcing the issue after the break and eventually finding a breakthrough through Gary Madine.
Jerry Yates went on to net his ninth goal of the Championship season to secure all three points for The Tangerines in what was a disappointing afternoon for Robins and his men as they squandered an opportunity to propel themselves out of the relegation zone.
Robins was forced into four changes prior to the game with Viktor Gyokeres and Michael Rose dropping to the bench and being replaced by Palmer and Jonathan Panzo in the starting line-up. Todd Kane and Callum
O’hare were also reintroduced.
Speaking in his post match press conference, Robins opened up on his selection issues.
“I think you’ve got to put it into context first,” said Robins.
“There is a virus sweeping through the club and I’ve never known anything like it. They’ve worked their socks off and their energy was low. I’ve got very little to choose from, zero strikers available. “Viktor [Gyokeres] went on the bench with a temperature before the game, wasn’t well and felt really bad. He is strong,
There is a virus sweeping through the club and I’ve never known anything like it. I’ve got very little to choose from.
Mark Robins
really strong so he wanted to be on the bench. Thankfully he felt okay for 20 minutes and looked okay when he came on.
“Out of the starting line-up, Todd Kane hasn’t played, Kyle Mcfadzean was ill, Jonathan Panzo was ill, Jake Bidwell was ill, Ben Sheaf has a knock and wouldn’t have started if I didn’t have to play him, Jamie Allen was ill, Callum O’hare hasn’t played and Kasey Palmer was ill.
“Youngsters on the bench that haven’t played, you’ve got to put it into context. Yes it’s disappointing because it was three points that we should have got because our energy was low.
“We didn’t make the right decisions and that was the reason behind it. You can’t pick the bones out of it when we have a set of circumstances like that, I’ve never experienced anything like it before.
“They were dropping before our eyes. Josh Eccles ill, Tavares came in and was ill. They are all struggling. There is your story and we have to recover for Tuesday.”