Paul Trollope says a week of solid training has done his players good ahead of this weekend's meeting with Crewe Alexandra.

The first team coach welcomed the break from midweek action, and hopes some intense work on the training field will show in his side's performance tomorrow afternoon.

Rovers ended a run of four consecutive defeats with a 2-2 draw at Yeovil Town last Saturday, and Paul hopes that result is a "small step" in the right direction.

"This week was something we were looking forward to," Paul told bristolrovers.co.uk, "It's given us time to work on things tactically and physically, to try and put right some of the things we've been disappointed with.

"We're very happy to be the top scorers in the division, that area of our game was something we identified needed working on last season and we've done that.

"But we didn't envisage the defensive issues we've had, and that's the area of our game now that needs improving.

"We have worked extensively our defending throughout this week, and hopefully the players will start to transfer that on to the pitch."

A victory tomorrow will be the club's second win of the season - the only other being the 6-1 trouncing of Hereford United - and Paul says the home fans can play a big part.

"Crewe are in a similar position to us," he said, "They can score a goal, but they can also concede one, and judging by the past few weeks it has the potential to be a high scoring game.

"I've made comments about the supporters this season, and they've been terrific home and away so far. I think the supporters appreciate it when the players show pride in the shirt, that's a minimal requirement.

"We've all been disappointed with what's happened since Leeds, but hopefully Yeovil was a small step forward and we can see more progress this weekend."