FOOTBALL: CITY boss Mark Robins believes his side are still the best in the division despite slipping to their third home defeat of the season against Mansfield.
Alex MacDonald’s second half strike from distance meant the Sky Blues left the Ricoh Arena pointless, while Mansfield lifted themselves back into the playoff hunt and are now just two points short of seventh placed Wycombe.
Chances came and went for the Sky Blues as Jordan Ponticelli missed a pair of golden opportunities at both ends while Marc McNulty’s strike from range whistled over Mansfield’s crossbar.
Robins said: “We moved the ball okay but we are not building pressure enough.
“We need that extra pass. We need to be a little bit more creative and careful in the final third.
“We tossed a few of the balls away when we did not need to.
“Having said that we have creating some really good chances.
“We dealt with Danny Rose well in the air.
“They would have been happy with a draw but they are leaving with all three points and that is a massive disappointment.
“But we have to take it on the chin and be stronger for it.
“We knew what we were up against today and we tried to make the most of it.”
Robins concluded his side has to be ‘more ruthless’ following the loss.
Despite the Sky Blues failing to score for the eighth time in the league this season, Robins defended the work of his forwards.
He added: “It is easy for me to look at his (Jordan Ponticelli’s) chances afterwards.
“He is finding this space in the box which is fantastic.
“I still believe that we are the best side in the division.
“We just have to work out the best way of finishing moves off.
“It is disappointing because we should be three points better off today.”
