Goals question answered
After Coventry City’s opening two league games, many were left to ponder where exactly are all the goals going to come from this season?
Advance a week, it’s as though the Sky Blues have transformed into a clinical predator.
Shipley and Kastaneer both opened their accounts for the season, meaning six players have now registered their name on the scoresheet with Jordy Hiwula leading the way following his brace against Exeter City in the Carabao Cup.
The forward three of Hiwula, Godden and Jobello posed a menacing threat for a Rovers side who were happy to sit deep, soak up pressure and play on the counter.
Despite their opponents’ tactics, City found little difficulty in creating space and exploiting gaps.
Wesley Jobello’s unpredictable nature made him a handful for Rovers full-back Luke Leahy, with his speed, strength and ability to dribble past players making him difficult to contend with and once he gets up to speed, it’s only a matter of time before he’s scoring regularly.
Godden and Hiwula were both unfortunate to not put City ahead in the first-half, and with the chemistry between the three improving, there’s a warming vibe that all three attacking players can contribute significantly in the goalscoring department – especially Hiwula, who has been working tirelessly over the summer to address his inconsistent finishing.
With Kastaneer, Bakayoko, the returning Max Biamou and the exciting talent of William Bapaga, City have a range of goalscoring options available from the bench.
And after Shipley’s first-half contribution, the midfield trio have proved they can pull their weight in front of goal and with City possessing a set-piece specialist in Westbrooke, McFadzean and Rose have both looked dangerous in the opposition’s box.
Scoring goals will become all too easy for the Sky Blues if they continue to display similar performances to that of the 2-0 win over Rovers.
Robins' Pompey message
Coventry City face arguably their toughest test of the season so far as they travel down to Fratton Park to face last season’s play-fff semi-finalists Portsmouth.
Despite an indifferent start to the season for Pompey, Kenny Jackett’s side will look to be challenging for the automatic promotion spots once again this campaign and Robins acknowledges that it will provide a real indication of his team’s capabilities.
“Portsmouth are a strong outfit, a really good team and they look as imposing as they were last year as well.
“Kenny Jackett’s a really good manager, who has got a lot of experience at this level and I’m sure they will be up there again this year.
“But like I say, we want to be up there with them this year, and we’ve got to go down there and see where we are at.
“It’ll be a good test for us and a good test for them.”
Loving it
Jordan Shipley is relishing the competition for places at the heart of the midfield.
Robins has deployed the same midfield three of Shipley, Liam Kelly and Zain Westbrooke for all of City’s fixtures so far this season, with the trio developing a formidable relationship at the core of the Sky Blues engine room.
Both Shipley and Westbrooke, who possess stamina and energy in abundance, are given a free role to roam forward in attack as Kelly operates in a deeper position, anchoring the midfield.
And so far it has been a success for Robins’ side, and Shipley is enjoying playing a part of it.
“I’m enjoying it, playing in my favourite position.
“Obviously I can play on the left as well but I prefer to play at the centre of midfield and I’m enjoying it, I’m relishing the chance and I can’t wait for the next game.
“With Liam you’ve got to have that powerhouse, that brick wall and he’s the holding midfielder which allows me and Zain to create chances or have a pop at goal as well, but he’s good to have.
“We all know what Zain is capable of as well. He’s a great passer of the ball, he’s a good finisher and he also runs as well.
“He probably runs the most out of all of us in every game so I’m really happy for him as well.”
