Goalkeeper Steve Phillips felt that yesterday's game against LB07 was just the type of test needed by the side as they wound up their Scandinavian tour with a 1-0 win.

Victory came at a cost, though, as defender Joe Jacobson was stretchered off just after half time with what is thought to be a medial ligament injury.

"I think it was a good game in that the opposition treated it as a competitive game," Steve told bristolrovers.co.uk "They were a very physical side, but we came out on top though it was very disappointing to lose Joe with a knee injury which may keep him out of the side for a while.

"Both sides created some good chances in very hot conditions. It was also very windy and whilst the playing surface was good, it was very dry and so it was difficult to get any pace on the ball. In spite of that, we were very satisfied with how we played."

The team that started yesterday's match was the same as that which began the opening game of the tour, against FC Copenhagen.

"We conceded three silly goals in that game, so I'm pleased that we've come back and put in a performance against LB07. To be honest I think that all the travelling we'd experienced the day before the Copenhagen game caught up with us and we tired as the game went on. Yesterday, though, we concentrated for the whole game and looked very solid."

The shot stopper made some very good saves in yesterday's match and appears to be in excellent form going into the new season. On his own admission, there were some games last season when he was disappointed with the way he pl;ayed.

"When you have a good season, which I did when I first came to Rovers, it's difficult to top that in  a higher division. I'm probably my own biggest critic, and there were games last season when I was disappointed with my performances.

"There weren't too many, but there were too many for my liking. Goalkeeper is a difficult position to play in, that's for sure, and if you do let a goal in it can knock your confidence and you have to battle through it.

"It was a disappointing end to last season, at Leyton Orient, so I'm going to make sure that I come back and be as confident as I was when I first came to the club, because I think we have a good season to look forward to."

As far as the week long tour is concerned, he feels that it's been very beneficial to the players.

"We've had a great week out here. I've been a professional for twelve years, ten at a very good club and two more at another very good club, and I would say that this is the best tour I've been on in my career so far.

"Trolls and Lennie are magic and the lads appreciate what they are trying to do and, in turn, I think they appreciate that we work hard and do everything that we should be doing. I'm just happy that we've come away and we've al trained, and played, really hard. It's what we came out here to do, and the hard work appears to have paid off."