FOOTBALL: TONY Mowbray has backed Marvin Sordell to lead the way in front of goal this season after the Sky Blues striker scored his first goal for the club in Saturday’s 1-1 draw away at Millwall.
A lack of goals has been a big worry for the Sky Blues so far this season, with Mowbray’s side having scored just twice in seven League One matches.
But Sordell eased those worries by putting the visitors 1-0 up at The Den on Saturday with an early goal of the season contender and Mowbray wants to see more of the same from the 25-year-old striker.
“I think Marvin Sordell can score lots of goals this year, but he needs to believe in himself more really,” said Mowbray.
“I watch him in training, he has got great speed and strength and two wonderful feet.
“On Friday I showed him a lot of his career goals to show him how talented he is. On Saturday he scored a wonder goal for us, a brilliant strike.
“Over the past two weeks he has been trying to take too many touches, but today he swung his left boot at it and it flew in.”
The Sky Blues travelled to the capital on Saturday still looking to pick up their first win of the season and Sordell put them on their way with a superb solo effort on 23 minutes.
The former Watford and Bolton striker turned his marked before unleashing a powerful 25-yard shot which sailed into the back of the net to the delight of the visiting supporters.
Aiden O’Brien was denied by a last ditch tackle by Lewis Page as Millwall searched for an immediate reply while at the other end Sordell was unlucky to see his lobbed attempt go narrowly over.
In the second half Sordell headed wide of the target early on and came close to a City second on the hour mark as his deflected shot spun wide.
It looked as the the visitors would go on and claim all three points but with 20 minutes to go the home side got back on level terms. Steve Morison crossed and O’Brien was able to get the all important touch.
Millwall keeper Jordan Archer produced a fine save to keep out Jodi Jones’ 30-yard free kick and that was the closest either side game as the match ended 1-1.
“We were disappointed with the goal we conceded, but overall we did okay,” Mowbray added. “Although the second-half we didn’t have as much control as I’d have liked.
“The home fans let their side know what they thought at half-time and it is very difficult to keep them off your back really. We had a great chance at the end there, Marvin’s effort deflected past the post which would have made it a very good day for us.
“Millwall are a handful, especially for our young team. We’ll put the point in the bag and leave a very difficult place with more than we came with.
“No team this year, other than in the League Cup, have dominated us. I think the points return has been a bit harsh on us really. But football is a harsh game and you have to score goals to win games.”
