CHRIS LAKEY Canaries midfielder Carl Robinson will be looking for a job in the diplomatic service when he leaves football after keeping just below the firing line in his criticism of Saturday's match official, Jonathan Moss.

CHRIS LAKEY

Canaries midfielder Carl Robinson will be looking for a job in the diplomatic service when he leaves football after keeping just below the firing line in his criticism of Saturday's match official, Jonathan Moss.

Robinson was on the deck within 10 seconds of the opening whistle when he was floored by Michael Doyle's elbow. Later it was fellow Wales international Robert Page's turn to send him to the ground.

“I think we knew Coventry would be a psychical team,” said Robinson. “They set their stall early on - there were one or two robust challenges and that is what this league is about. You have got to be able to cope with that. You hope the officials help you out there, but today was a day when I didn't think they did.”

Paul McVeigh and Jason Shackell also appeared to be on the receiving end of some loose arms in a game in which Mr Moss booked seven players before half-time - but only one for use of the elbow. That was for Page's challenge on Robinson which left the pair looking daggers at each other - and Robinson not prepared to shake his countryman's hand.

Post-match the ice was broken somewhat as the pair discussed the incident, but Robinson wasn't happy.

“It's part and parcel of football - nowadays you can't say what you really think and what you really feel about officials, so sometimes you have to bite your lip,” said Robinson. “At the end of the day it's a game of football which we lost 3-0 - we are not happy, it's a disappointing result and we have to move on.

“I know Pagey very well - we have just had a chat and we are fine.”

The physical confrontations aside, it was a day when City's midfield three failed to fire on anything like all cylinders, although Robinson believes there were plus points.

“A couple of the other lads just said that in possession we were fantastic,” he said. “We know we could have been better today at times. We were good, but no end product, we need to up the end product, the ration of shots and crosses and then the goals will come. We didn't score and we're disappointed we didn't get the result, but we have a game on Tuesday we have to put that right.

“It is three points lost really, but we have to move on quickly.

“The good thing for us is we have a game on Tuesday we need to bounce back and we are confident we will.”