Lewis Gordon was pleased with the improvements shown by Bristol Rovers in the draw with Shrewsbury Town.
The Gas and the Shrews featured in an entertaining and, at times, lively stalemate at The Memorial Stadium, with both teams hitting the post and chasing a late winner.
While Rovers were unable to find a winner, and claim three points, Gordon took the positives in a clean-sheet, one that stopped a disappointing run of conceding goals by the side.
“We’ve had a tough few games so we wanted to come into this game strong at the back,” he said. “We weren’t able to get the goal but we know, if we can keep clean-sheets, the goals will come.
“We’ve been working hard on the training ground. Not just as a defensive unit but also with how the midfielders can help in terms of pressing. We wanted to come into this game and give a good performance at the back. We’ve been leaking too many goals so this was much better, in terms of the clean-sheet.”
Featuring at left-back, Gordon has played as part of a young defensive unit throughout much of 2024.
The return of James Wilson into the back-line brought more maturity and experience in Monday’s draw, but the full-back does not feel the youthfulness of the side should be used as an excuse for mistakes or poor showings.
“It’s good to have the experience in there, with a player like James Wilson, but if you want to make a name for yourself then it doesn’t really matter who you’re playing alongside in terms of age,” he explained.
“Luca Hoole was excellent and Connor Taylor was really good too, so if you’re a young player then you need to show you can handle the physicality of League One football.
“We put on a much better performance than we have done in other games. We had a couple of good opportunities with Chris [Martin] in the first half but we know, if we keep making the chances, the goals will come.”
With six games left to play in League One, Gordon insists the side are looking to fight for every point and every win they can get in the final month of the 2023/24 campaign.
“There’s a personal pride element in terms of you wanting to put on a good performance and get wins,” he added. “No one wants to lose matches, so we’re still fighting until the end.
“We’ve got some good games coming up, some tough games. Bolton is next and we beat them at their place. We’ve done well against the bigger teams this season so we’ll see how we do. Hopefully it can be another victory.”
