COMPETITION for a starting spot in between the posts at Coventry City is ‘healthy’, according to manager Mark Robins.
The Sky Blues have two strong options in goal this season in Wembley hero Lee Burge and new recruit Liam O’Brien.
Though Burge missed the start of the season through injury, O’Brien – who joined the Sky Blues in May on a two-year deal – staked his claim for a first team spot with a series of impressive stops.
Together, the pair have helped the Sky Blues concede just three league goals so far this season – only Cambridge have an equally impressive defensive record to boast.
Liam O’Brien with CCFC boss Mark Robins
Speaking this morning, Robins said: “It’s healthy competition in goal. It’s what I look for – and what I expected. It’s why we’ve done the business we’ve done.
“Lee (Burge) made a world class save last week and Liam (O’Brien) hasn’t done too much wrong and made some good stops.
“It gets highlighted when you make a make as a goalkeeper.
“We have two good goalkeepers.”
Mark Robins
Meanwhile the Sky Blues’ run of three league games without a goal has been put down to bad luck by Robins.
A 1-0 loss against Newport County followed by a two-goal defeat at Yeovil and last week’s bore draw away to Chesterfield has seen the Sky Blues pick up just one point from their last three games.
But Robins insists his side are close to being ‘good’.
“A bit of individuality and confidence in the final third will help deliver goals,” said Robins.
“I believe in the team and it’s important they know, feel, and understand that.
“The easy thing to do is worry and panic about the lack of goals. They will come. As long as we understand our approach.
“We know we’re a good team but we’ve got to remain patient. We’re forcing things and giving the ball away.
“Our defensive side is good, mistakes have cost us goals we’ve conceded so far. If we get rid of those errors we’ll be tricky to break down.
“We’ve got to take chances and understand teams play a certain way against us.
“I think we’ve been unlucky in games we’ve lost and last week.”
