PROMOTION from League One looks all but over for the Sky Blues after they slipped to a sixth defeat in eight matches at home to relegation threatened Colchester United on Tuesday evening.
Despite the need to pick up three much-needed points to get the club’s play-off charge back on track, Tony Mowbray’s side struggled once again in front of goal with only three attempts testing Elliot Parish in the Colchester goal.
Gavin Massey scored what proved to be the only goal of the game with 18 minutes played when he converted Elliot Lee’s cross, while Jacob Murphy missed City’s best chance from the spot but he was denied by Parish shortly before the interval.
“It’s another flat performance,” said Mowbray. “It is so disappointing. In the second half we huffed and puffed, they never threatened us but we never threatened them.
“It just feels like the season’s petering out but it can’t, because you can’t play like that in these games coming up against Gillingham and Wigan.
“The penalty is one of those things where you might go on and win it if it’s scored, but that’s another penalty missed.
“If the player who next takes one doesn’t put his foot through it and smash it, they’re getting taken straight off.
“It’s a common theme of the last few months, we just aren’t scoring enough goals. And I’m as responsible as anyone for what’s going on, we’ve got to look for answers. Look for answers and keep going.”
With just seven games remaining the Sky Blues remain eight points away from sixth-placed Bradford despite having sat top of the table after 19 games.
Skipper Sam Ricketts admits Tuesday’s fifth defeat in seven home matches at the Ricoh Arena was difficult to take and admits the top six may well be out of their reach.
He added: “You never say it’s it, if you win the next seven games you’ll be in the play-offs. But with every defeat and other results going against us, the task gets harder that’s for sure.
“We are still trying to win games, playing the way which we know suits us. In the first half we got in good areas. In the latter end of the first half we were pressing and a goal looked like a matter of time in coming.
“For long spells we passed the ball well, probably dominated the game. We missed a penalty, should have had another one.
“I don’t know what it is with Coventry, it’s unbelievable how many (penalties) we have missed. It lets teams off the hook.
“Were there any more clear cut chances? Probably not. In that respect it is disappointing. Reice (Charles-Cook) didn’t have too much to do. It’s fine margins, maybe we aren’t asking enough questions.”
