MATT Grimes admits Coventry City must learn from their first leg defeat against Sunderland in the Championship play-offs ahead of a decisive return fixture in midweek.
Coventry head to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, May 13 needing to overturn a one-goal deficit after slipping to a late 2-1 home defeat in the first leg at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
And with City’s season on the line, Grimes insists Coventry’s job remains the same regardless of Sunderland’s approach to the game – to win at all costs.
Grimes said: “We have to win the game.
“We are right in it. It was disappointing to concede last minute, but it is what it is, we have to go there and win.
“I have no idea how they will approach the game to be honest, but our job remains the same.
‘We are two-one down at half time, so we will need to learn from what has happened and crack on like we usually do.”
Sunderland pounced on Milan van Ewijk’s weak backpass to reclaim the lead late on at the CBS Arena as Eliezer Mayenda struck two minutes from time.
However, van Ewijk had earlier set-up Jack Rudoni for Coventry’s equaliser after Wilson Isidor put the Black Cats ahead two minutes earlier.
And Grimes heaped praise on the Dutch full-back for his contribution throughout the season and insists the squad will pick up his mood before the second leg.
Grimes added: “Milan is an unbelievable player; he has been brilliant for us this season.
“He plays near enough every game and he is one of the best right-backs in the league in my opinion, but mistakes happen in football.
“We will pick him up, no problem at all.
“We have got such a good group, such a good camaraderie so we will all be together and get on and fully focus on the second leg.”
Coventry travel to Sunderland in the second leg of their play-off semi-final on Tuesday, May 13 with kick-off at 8pm at the Stadium of Light.
