Gary Rowett pays tribute to Mark Robins amid Coventry City Wembley observation

Gary Rowett hailed his opposite number Mark Robins as “one of the best” Championship managers after his Birmingham battlers beat Coventry City at St Andrew’s – a game in which the Blues boss believes his opponents may have had half an eye on next weekend’s trip to Wembley.

A Bobby Thomas own goal, first half strike from Ivan Sunjic and third from Jay Stansfield saw the home side secure a huge three points in their quest for survival, with the convincing win crushing the Sky Blues hopes of making the play-offs.

Magnanimous in victory, Rowett said: “Mark felt their previous game took a lot out of their players and whilst they’ve got a really talented squad, they haven’t got a massive squad. And I’m sure deep down for one or two, no-one wants to say it, they’ve got a massive game coming up (against Manchester United at Wembley).

“They’ve been fantastic but he has done a phenomenal job. I wouldn’t say he is under-rated but he has consistently been one of the best Championship managers for a long time. I’m sure they will continue to have a fantastic season.”

As for his thoughts on the game, the interim boss said: “We’ve got to replicate that for the last three games. We went with a team that is going to run and show everything and the rewards we got from that was huge. It was a big performance, three goals, could have had one or two more, limited a very good Coventry side to very little.”

He added: “They are all massive games left now. I don’t care whether we’re playing the bottom or the top. We will give everyone the same respect and you have to perform at your best to win. My belief with this team is if we do everything right, we have a chance of winning every game. It’s all abut mentality and you’ve just got to hope one or two moments go with you like today.”