SKY Blues boss Tony Mowbray praised the impact of midfielder Ruben Lameiras after he scored one and set up another during the impressive 4-0 victory away at Millwall.
The Lions were heavy favourites heading into Saturday’s League One clash but the visitors found themselves 3-0 up after just 24 minutes thanks to a brace from Adam Armstrong and a first goal in sky blue colours from Lameiras.
Jim O’Brien wrapped up a comfortable victory ten minutes from time and Mowbray was pleased to see his game plan work at what he describes as a difficult place to play football.
He said: “This place demands an intensity and they delivered it. The game-plan worked very, very well again but all the credit has to go to the players.
“They made it happen and made it work. Adam Armstrong has obviously added something to the side which we’ve been missing for a long time and the other players are raising their game.
“There was quality throughout the pitch today and with six goals scored, none conceded, it’s very pleasing.
“I was delighted for Ruben. He works really hard for the team and has a wand of a left foot but if he doesn’t work hard for the side, he wouldn’t get into the side.
“If we’re going to get out of this league this year, Ruben is probably going to have to chip in with double figures so delighted to see him get off the mark.
“It was a great day and I’m just delighted for the supporters as well who have travelled in their droves to a difficult place. The challenge is to sustain it now.”
Armstrong picked up where he left off last Saturday by scoring the opener with an audacious 35-yard volley which looped over Millwall goalkeeper David Forde after just six minutes.
On 19 minutes Lameiras made it 2-0 with a low finish inside the near post after being picked out by a clever through ball by James Maddison.
And five minutes later Armstrong got his second after being put clean through on goal by Lameiras and the young striker chipped the ball over Forde for his fourth goal in two games.
Millwall searched for a way back into the match in the second period but failed to find a breakthrough and O’Brien scored a fourth after finishing off a neat one-two with substitute Marcus Tudgay.
“We expected them to be direct and they have decent players, but we were up for the fight as well as the football,” O’Brien added.
“It was nice to get a goal, it was a great one-two with Tuggy and it was what we thoroughly deserved.
“We have to remain focussed, but it was a great performance, every link in the chain worked and it was a special day today, as well as last week.”