Mark Robins realistic about Stoke prospects after defeat by leaders Coventry

Mark Robins is keen for a sense of realism to remain around the bet365 Stadium after Stoke’s disappointing 1-0 defeat by leaders Coventry.

Second-placed Stoke struggled in the opening stages with Viktor Johansson twice denying Victor Torp.

The hosts fluffed a glorious chance to take a first-half lead when Million Manhoef failed to connect with a Sorba Thomas cross with the goal at his mercy.

Ephron Mason-Clark, Bobby Thomas and Haji Wright all saw chances go begging after half-time as Coventry stayed in charge.

And the Sky Blues secured a deserved win when Mason-Clark brilliantly turned home an Ellis Simms corner with four minutes to go.

“We have to take some realism and look at where we are,” said Robins. “We were almost relegated last year.

“The feeling around the place is positive and we have to be happy with where we are, but we have to push to improve. We can’t push too fast, but we are on the right track.

“This is where we want to be. When you play in these fixtures you have to be at your best.

“We have had a really decent start, but it is still really early days. We still know we are not quite where we need to be. There are still some young players there.

“There was not much in the game, but when key moments come we have to be right at it.

“We have worked hard and got into some good positions but lacked that touch.

“I can’t remember them creating a great deal but they found a way to win the game.

“They won it with a set piece where we didn’t mark properly, if you don’t mark properly you will get punished.

“While it is really disappointing to lose a game that way, you have to be philosophical and look at where we are. We have made huge strides and we will get better.”

Coventry manager Frank Lampard felt his side got a deserved win after approaching the game in the right way.

“We worked hard yesterday on having the best possible approach to winning this game,” said Lampard.

“We showed that we had really good focus and work rate. The lads worked hard and carried out the approach perfectly.

“I thought we played really well and our off the ball work today was outstanding.

“We created chances, but not great chances. It needed that bit of extra skill and we got that with the goal. I think we deserved it for the way we approached the game.

“It was amazing quality for the goal, he has got that in him.

“I thought we were the stronger team in the first half and we were moving the ball well, but we needed a bit more.

“I asked the attackers to trust themselves. When they have the pace and ability they have to trust themselves and run at defenders.

“It is good for us at this moment. It is a tough place to come, they were up for it and the fans were noisy.

“Stoke are a quality team with plenty of threat. We defended well, when there were moments, the back four were outstanding and dealt with the threats.

“It is unfair to signal individuals out, we worked hard as a team from front to back.”