TONY Mowbray admits Saturday’s 1-0 win at Peterborough was not the prettiest display of football but the Sky Blues boss was delighted to see his side win ugly.
Substitute Blair Tuggott produced the one moment of magic to score the only goal in what was a poor game at the ABAX Stadium on a windy Saturday afternoon in Cambridgeshire.
A third successive away win was enough to push the Sky Blues three points away from the League One relegation zone.
And although Mowbray admits there will be ‘better footballing days to come’ the new boss praised the impact of his defence who stood firm against an in-form Posh side who had won five of their previous six matches.
“I’ve stood at many press conferences saying that the best team has not won but on Saturday I feel that both teams were as bad as each other,” said Mowbray.
“It wasn’t a spectacle but we are in a position where we need to win games and find a way and on Saturday we did that.
“I went back to basics with the defence and told them to keep it one touch and clear any danger straight away and wait for the chance.
“Peterborough have beaten sides like that recently and we did well to keep them at bay and then Blair (Tuggott) has popped up with a crucial goal.
“We have dug out a result. There will be better days in the future and I think it will come when there isn’t a fear factor and we aren’t constantly looking over our shoulders and are away from the drop.”
Former West Ham star Turgott came in for special praise from Mowbray who revealed he had spoken to several of the club’s young players last week as he continues to prepare for next season.
Mowbray added: “Blair took his goal well. He’s been on at me asking if he can get a chance. He missed a reserve game against Millwall on Monday through illness and I questioned his desire.
“But he’s been brilliant since then, he has worked hard in training and he has come on for us on Saturday and scored the winning goal.
“I’ve said to the players on Saturday like I always do, that they need to look past the result and at their performance. Saturday’s performance isn’t what we want.
“I’ve said to the young lads that if they want to get to their best and make a career for themselves, then football has to be an absolute passion.
“They need to put the hard work in, stay behind after training. I hope they’ve taken it on board and will apply it to their games.”
