Bristol Rovers manager Inigo Calderon has highlighted what he feels is the biggest culprit as the Gas stare relegation in the face after Easter Monday’s lacklustre defeat against Stevenage Town, thanks to a goal from former Mansfield Town forward, Jamie Reid.
Calderon has been working tirelessly to improve The Pirates’ efforts which has yet to have paid off as they currently sit in the relegation zone after hitting poor form at the worst stage of the season going eight games without a win.
No home comforts
As their battle for survival reaches crunchtime, the Spaniard revealed to Bristol World that there is no room for positivity as he stated: “I cannot be positive because I will be, not even clever, I would say I was stupid saying positive things today. The reality is we are in the relegation zone, but we still have a chance, and it’s not something impossible. Obviously, you watch this game today. You think it’s impossible.”
“But I know that if you wait, for example, we don’t concede the goal it will be a different thing, but we’ve been saying that a lot of times. So, as I say, not today, probably not tomorrow, but I know that from Wednesday, we’ll be, again, thinking and really thinking because I believe that we can do what we can, we can get a result on Saturday and everything can change.”
Fighting spirit
The former Brighton coach was left more than unimpressed after Saturday’s defeat, having failed to capitalise on a great result against high-flying Wrexham at The Racecourse on Good Friday when they showed the plenty of fighting spirit in a 1-0 draw with the Championship-bound Welsh club.
In what was a fortress early in Calderon’s reign with memorable wins over Bolton and Huddersfield showing they could match the top teams, The Memorial Stadium has since seen Rovers drop crucial points in such a crucial moment of this campaign, and the home fans have recognised that with them voicing their frustrations in recent matches.
Frustration grows
In an exclusive interview with Bristol World, Calderon was quick to recognise the multitude of issues within his side, but when asked to pinpoint and focus on the primary issue, the Spaniard added: “I think it’s probably the mental side, and that’s the most difficult one. Because at the end, if it’s become the game plan or the save or the or the 11, I think at this moment it’s irrelevant. It’s how we and the players can cope with the situation I cannot train to feel, the disappointment you’ve suffered or the frustration that the player felt in the after the call.
“I cannot train that. I cannot coach that. It’s difficult. Obviously, I try to help because that’s my job, but it’s difficult to stay in the situation and live with that and as I say, I’m more frustrated because I think we’ve done that a little bit before. Still, I remember games like Mansfield, Exeter, we collapsed after the goals, and that happened again today. And it’s not nothing new.”
As The Gas head into the final two games of the season, where they are to face Reading and Blackpool. Calderon will be looking to address these issues if they are to avoid the drop and spend another season in League One, but as clearly stated, it’s going to be a difficult task that will certainly need solving.
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