Robins lauds two match-winners
Coventry City boss Mark Robins hailed his MK Dons match winners – Tyler Walker and Marko Marosi.
The Sky Blues progressed through the first round of the Carabao Cup at Stadium:MK courtesy of a single poacher’s goal from summer signing from Nottingham Forest, Walker.
But the 23-year-old was only able to seal victory on his debut for his new club after goalkeeper Marosi pulled off four impressive saves, including one from the penalty spot.
“We did it really well and managed to get the best chances in the game other than the penalty,” said Robins, of the 1-0 season opening win.
“The save from that was a really good save, outstanding, and kept us in it but the chance they did have when they went through and he saved it was a match winning save. So he’s made a couple of match winning saves really.”
Asked if he sees Walker as an instinctive fox in the box, the manager said: “Absolutely, he’s rolled his man and managed to get his shot away that’s gone right in the middle of the goal.”
Read more here.
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Walker reflects on debut goal
Tyler Walker got his Coventry City career off to a flying start with a debut goal to secure his new club’s passage to the second round of the Carabao Cup.
His 81st minute strike showed all the predatory instincts that helped him smash League Two with a haul of 26 goals with Mansfield in 2018/19, and follow it up with 17 in League One for Lincoln last term.
He’s no stranger to the Championship, having had a taste as a teenager with boyhood club Nottingham Forest for whom he ended last season with seven appearances and a goal in a 2-0 City Ground victory over champions Leeds United.
As you’d expect from a proven goal scorer, he’s not short in the confidence department.
Asked if he feels he can step up and prove himself in the second tier with the Sky Blues, he said: “Yes, you have to have confidence in yourself. I believe in myself and my ability.”
Read more from Walker here.
(Image: PA)
How departed quartet fared
Four players who left Coventry City this summer saw their sides embark on their first competitive fixtures of the campaign on Saturday.
Tyler Walker bagged a debut goal for Mark Robins’ side but how did the likes of Sam McCallum, Jak Hickman, Zain Westbrooke and Liam Walsh get on with their new employers?
Sam McCallum started for Norwich City for their cup clash with Luton Town, given the nod ahead of regular starter Jamal Lewis.
But Sam found himself on the losing side at Kenilworth Road as the Hatters, now Norwich’s equals in the Championship, ran to a 3-1 lead.
James Collins bagged a hat-trick before McCallum was substituted in the final moments to be replaced by 20-year-old Melvin Sittu.
Read how the others got on here.
City discover next Carabao Cup opponents
Coventry City will face Gillingham in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
The Sky Blues’ reward for beating MK Dons is a trip to the Priestfield Stadium for the next stage of the competition.
Should they topple their League One opponents, Mark Robins’ men would then take on the winners of Wolves v Stoke City in the third round.
City secured their place in the draw thanks to Tyler Walker’s first goal for the club, which clinched a 1-0 win in their first round tie on Saturday.
And they will now travel to face the Gills, with games scheduled to take place in the week beginning September 14.
