FOOTBALL: MARK Robins feels his tired Coventry City side gave everything they had but ultimately came up short against promotion-chasing Sheffield United on Wednesday night.
Second half goals from former City players Leon Clarke and John Fleck consigned the Sky Blues to a 2-0 defeat at Bramall Lane.
It was always going to be a tough task for the visitors against the League One leaders, but Robins was not too downhearted by the performance just three days after lifting the Checkatrade Trophy at Wembley.
“We’ve run out of legs, and it is really difficult playing a cup final on Sunday and then tonight,” said Robins. “The emotions and the fatigue, we were well in the game until the 70th minute, but the legs dwindled.
“They gave me 100% and that is all I could have asked for. It is mental and physical, it’s emotional and all of those things. They’ve been made to work hard, this is the best team in the league.
“We’ve kept them out and frustrated them, forced them to make changes and to change their formation. They don’t do that often. It isn’t bad when you’ve got those kinds of substitutions.
“The last ten minute the lads were out on their feet, it is to be expected. The lads that played on Sunday have all suffered with fatigue and with muscle problems. It has all been recovery. I can’t ask for any more than what they’ve given me tonight.
“I signed one of the scorers. They look like they’re getting out of this league and good luck to them. We’re trying to keep that improvement going though.”
John Fleck and Leon Clarke haunt former club as Sky Blues go down to Sheffield United
