Robins - An Absolute Joke

Last updated : 29 July 2018 By CNS Sport

Coventry City manager Mark Robins said that his side were an absolute joke in their 5-2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

City were four goals down before Reise Allassani scored and 5-1 down when Jordan Thompson headed home and speaking to the Coventry Telegraph's Andy Turner, a furious Mark Robins said: "First and foremost they have got to fight for the supporters.

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"Today, in the first half, it was an absolute joke. An absolute joke!

"For a last pre-season game where you want to put it in and be firing and trying to stake a claim for a first team shirt. Not many did themselves any justice what-so-ever.

"First half we never turned up.

"In fairness, I haven't picked a team to win the game and I can't at this moment in time because of where we are.

"But we weren't good enough first half. Second half we were a little bit better and we scored a couple of really good goals.

"We talk about minutes of football all through pre-season and it's all about getting fit because you need those minutes.

"Alternatively, it's working out whether one or two need a breather because it was a really tough season and it's taken more out of them - mentally and physically - than you think because they've only had a short break.

"So it's working that out, or, have they gone as far as they can with us?

"I have got to work that out.".

Robins was quick to agree with the view held by many supporters that the current squad needs adding to and said: "We have got to work hard to bring one or two people in.

"It's as simple as that because I think today clearly showed that there are one or two who won't be coming with us on the journey unless they get their fingers out.

"I need to do some work and bring a couple in. That isn't a knee-jerk, it's something I have been planning for a while.

"I am just waiting for the right ones."

"They have got to step up because we can't wait. The development side is OK but that finishes now.

"These are not Under-23s now, this is serious so if you can't step up, move aside and other people will step up and move them aside.

"That's what I am looking for.

"Listen, there are one or two who are way off, absolutely way off at this moment in time and that's something they are going to have to put right, and put right quick.!"