Mark Robins admits his Coventry City players have been 'spent' since Wembley

The Sky Blues suffered their fifth Championship defeat in their last six winless league games on a day when the fans said goodbye to several players, not least captain Liam Kelly and fan favourite Callum O'Hare, who join goalkeeper Simon Moore in bringing an end to their time at the club.

A top corner finish from Ilias Chair and far post scramble by Morgan Fox gave QPR a 2-0 lead largely against the run of first half play at the CBS Arena before the Sky Blues dominated after the break, getting a goal back from the head of substitute Jamie Allen but unable to find the back of the net further.

READ MORE: Coventry City v QPR live updates

READ MORE: Coventry City player ratings v QPR

"I think really we have a scenario where we tried our best," said the manager, reflecting on the 2-1 Legends Day defeat. "In possession we have been really good but we have been a bit open against teams at the moment and they seem to be just waiting for us to make mistakes and playing on the counter attack. And when you do that and leave yourself open against players like Ilias Chair, who has the quality to do that.

"We had the chance of hitting him on the halfway line and just on the right touchline but we allowed him inside. But it's a great finish and he used Binksy's line and it's out of Brad's eye-line so he can't see, so he was looking and then it was past him. So that was a disappointment and the second one even more so.

"But we were spent, and we have been spent for a few weeks now after the Manchester United game there's just been nothing left in the tank, and we have just come up short in the games we have had. So really, we draw a line under it and move on.

"What's happened has happened and what we do next is important. So, for me, it was always going to be difficult and that's to do with the fact that it's well documented now that we haven't quite had enough. We've not had enough luck to be honest with you because we have picked up injuries but that's to do with the fact that we haven't been able to rotate when we have needed to when people have needed to come out, and then keep the level. So that's basically it."

He added: "I thought we played some really good football and scored a great goal and, again, we just have to look at what we can do next to move it forward again because it is a disappointment. Last season we were in the play-offs and a penalty kick away from the Premier League and this season we have fallen short of the play-offs but that isn't to do with anything but the fatigue levels and lack of depth.

"The quality has been there and there has been some really good quality but you can see that quality is a little bit more sporadic and a little bit more like a stuttering car, just trying to get there but not quite making it. So we have just got to understand it and move past it."

Do you agree with the manager's verdict? Tell us what you think HERE

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.