Mark Robins throws down challenge to Coventry City man after ‘pleasing’ Championship debut
Coventry City news from CoventryLive as Mark Robins gives his post-match assessment of Fabio Tavares
Mark Robins has challenged Fabio Tavares to force his way into his Coventry City team during the remaining games of the season. The Sky Blues forward, who is untried at this level, was handed his first Championship start at Stoke at the weekend after Tatsuhiro Sakamoto was sidelined with illness.
That opened the door for the 23-year-old who was unlucky not to be credited with an assist when he sent in a delightful cross to the far post where City had three bites of the cherry, with Haji Wright, Ellis Simms and Callum O’Hare all failing to convert in the 11th minute.
Tavares started out wide on the right of a forward three and played a total of 65 minutes before making way for Kasey Palmer.
“Tatsu has been ill since Wednesday morning with norovirus so he wasn’t available, which was obviously a problem because we haven’t got too many options for the right-hand side,” said the City boss, speaking after the 1-0 win against the Potters.
“But Fabio is one of them and I wanted to give him an opportunity to play and I thought he did OK. I thought he did pretty well and he can be pleased with his performance and first start in the Championship.
