Alfie Kilgour believes Bristol Rovers did not do enough all over the pitch to beat Colchester United after the Gas fell to a 1-0 defeat at The Memorial Stadium.
The Pirates were looking to build on the positives from their narrow loss in a seven-goal thriller against Plymouth Argyle in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday night. However, the fixture against the U's proved to be so different.
Chances were few and far between for both teams, with Rovers struggling to really test Matt Macy. The game could have gone either way, and it was decided by a moment of quality from Owura Edwards, who came off the bench to curl in a sublime winner from range.
Speaking to BRTV after the contest, Kilgour was left disappointed with his team's performance and admitted they must work hard on the training ground to get anything from their trip to Salford City next weekend.
Alfie, a disappointing defeat here today at The Mem. How do you reflect on that one?
“Exactly that. It was very disappointing. I don’t think we did enough across the board as a team today to win the game, both defending and going forward. So, back to the drawing board on Monday. Reflect, regroup, learn and go again.”
After a really good performance against a team from the league above a few days ago, does that make it even more frustrating that you couldn’t quite replicate it today?
“Yeah, it was frustrating. It was nowhere near good enough, really, today. Obviously, on Tuesday night, we didn’t keep a clean sheet and conceded quite a few goals, but going forward, we were a threat. We were simply all at it.
“Whereas today it wasn’t quite that, for one thing or another. So, we’re hurting up there. Everybody knows we were not good enough today. So, as I said, go back to the drawing board. Reflect, regroup on Monday. See the gaffer, address a few things, and we’ll have to go again.”
Is it finding that balance, which involves conceding fewer goals at the back but being able to put a few in the opposition net as well?
“Yes, it’s tough at the minute. It seems to be either one way or the other. I just said to the lads, if we can’t win it, we don’t lose it, take a point. To be fair to the lad, it was a great strike, but it was an avoidable goal.
"We’re disappointed, and we weren’t quite at it today, and that’s not good enough. That’s not us, and that’s not Bristol Rovers as a collective, as a whole. So, yeah, we maybe need to take a look at ourselves, regroup, refresh, reflect and be better. Simple as that.”
You started alongside new signing Riley today. What was that like?
“I’ve known Riley for a long time, obviously. We were two young lads at Mansfield for half a season. He’s a great lad, and he’s a great player, so we get on well and it’s great to have him here. High calibre player, obviously, he’s come from Notts County and Hibs, and he’s been around, and he’s played a lot of games.
"He was vital at Wimbledon last year. So, it’s great to have him here, and he’s a good lad. He’s a good pro, and I get on well with him, so another good lad to have in the group.”
It feels like the schedule’s been relatively non-stop. Now there’s a designated week between fixtures. What’s that going to be like under Steve?
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s been, a good word, hectic. Obviously, the Christmas period is flat out and New Year’s and straight into more games and cup games. So, I think it will be good to have a week to dust ourselves down.
“Obviously, new lads in the group. Get some minutes on the training pitch, and get together. Learn about each other, you know, and really integrate and come together as one going into next Saturday.
“So, it’s a long time coming that we can actually do some work on the training pitch and the gaffer, Paul Raynor, James Bittner and Rhys Carr can put their work in and actually have a clear week to do some work on the training pitch, which will be much needed.”
It seems like a while ago, no two games are ever the same, but Salford are up next. Remember the memories from the last time we played them. Is it about bringing that into this week and saying we can beat a team like this?
“Of course. We’ve been there and done it before. So, it’s going to be another tough test away from home and up there against another good side that is pushing. We’re going to have a good week on the training pitch.
“We’re going to have to work on some things, get together as a group and try to replicate, but also be better than last time. Obviously, we were hanging on last time, and we don’t want that. We want to strive to be better. We’ll have a good week on the training pitch and see how we get on.”
