Coventry striker Matty Godden says he was screaming at 17-year-old forward Will Bapaga to shoot during the second half of City’s pre-season defeat away at Swindon Town, despite being in a golden position to receive a pass from the teenager himself.
Bapaga was one of the Sky Blues ‘ star players at the County Ground with Mark Robins’ prodigy bursting past defenders on a number of occasions and almost finding the net at the end of one mazy solo run.
But his more experienced partner in attack, 28-year-old Godden, has his sights set on helping the youngster to improve and has been buoyed by his impressive retention and ability to learn quickly on the job.
“He was brilliant when he came on and he is still so young,” said Godden, speaking to BBC CWR after the game.
Bapaga only made four appearances for Coventry last term but after an impressive season for the under-23s he is already being tipped by supporters to be next term’s breakthrough star.
“I was trying to talk to him as much as I could and I was trying to tell him everything I could, I wanted to talk him through everything and he was really taking it on board,” Godden continued.
“He had some lovely little touches and I gave him one quite nicely and I was screaming for him to shoot even though he could have put it on a plate for me.
“He is a 17-year-old lad who is only going to get better,” he said.
The 2-1 defeat away at Swindon may, on the surface, look a disappointing defeat for the Sky Blues amid their Championship preparations but Mark Robins was keen to make clear to supporters at full time that there is still plenty of work to do before September’s big kick-off.
“It’s all about getting through the games and staying fit,” said Godden as he echoed his manager’s thoughts.
“Obviously, it’s about trying to get that match sharpness under your belt and into your legs but you’re right, nobody wants to lose and we are disappointed with that aspect, for sure.
“It wasn’t too bad, you could see it slowly coming together but we have so much more to work on.
“It will come together,” he said. “The more we play the more that attacking sharpness will come and then come September I am sure we will all be ready.”
