Matt Taylor has challenged his Bristol Rovers team to continue their recent good form with another positive showing against Peterborough United.
The Gas welcome the Posh to The Memorial Stadium on Saturday, with the visitors still in with a chance of automatic promotion and leading the goalscoring charts in Sky Bet League One.
Manager Taylor knows the threat Darren Ferguson’s side will offer against his team, but has been pleased with Rovers’ efforts in the last two victories. The target now is to continue that run in the final home game of the season this weekend.
“Peterborough are leading goalscorers in League One, so we know it’ll be a tough game, but we’ve got to try our best to keep them out,” he said. “We’ve also got to take the game to them.
“That’s two games on the bounce where we’ve generated goalscoring opportunities and then taken them, and made the opposition goalkeeper and defence work a bit more than we have done. If we do that more then we’re in a situation where the ball is closer to their goal than our goal.
“But they’re the best attacking team in the league. They’ve got real pace and power and some serious quality. But we’re at home and we want to give our very best.
“They’ve got three games left and they’re still pushing. I want our team to keep pushing as well. We want to put in another big performance this weekend, in our last home games in front of our fans, and give them something to really shout about.”
The Gas was without Grant Ward, James Wilson and Jack Hunt in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Cambridge United, and Taylor is hopeful that the latter duo will be in contention for Saturday’s match.
“There’s a good chance of seeing James, possibly this weekend. He trained on Thursday and we’ll assess him on Friday. Jack Hunt is also available and we’re looking forward to having him back. It’s options for the team and decisions to make.
“I don’t think we’ll see Grant Ward, but that’s not to worry the fans. That’s more a precaution following his returns. The scan was as clear as it could be, which is great news, but there’s just something where he can’t shake off the injury, and there is no point putting him out there and risking him without that clarity.”
