Coleman looks down after another City defeat

Chris Coleman could do little but repeat his after-match mantra of recent weeks after the defeat by Sheffield United left the Sky Blues still not mathematically safe from relegation, although a freak series of results would be needed to send them down.

For all the positive talk of a month ago, City appear on the face of things to be little further on from this time last season, a dismal end to the campaign succeeding only in extinguishing optimism amongst fans.

‘I was pleased with the boys’ application and attitude but you can see why we are falling a little bit short at the moment,’ said Coleman, whose side were beaten by Richard Cresswell’s strike.

‘It’s a confidence thing. That was a bitty game and the type of one which, when we were flying a couple of weeks ago, we’d have probably got something from that.

‘But we didn’t and we probably need one more result to be safe. A blanket has been thrown over our season but we’ve got to keep battling on.’

For the Blades, assistant manager Sam Ellis felt the win was ‘well deserved’.

‘We had the better chances and we kept on chipping away. In the end we got there and we are pleased that we did.’