Alfie Kilgour said his Bristol Rovers side were not good enough across the pitch in their 3-1 loss to Fleetwood Town in Sky Bet League Two.
The Pirates were two goals behind against the Cod Army on the hour after Aaron Loupalo-Bi and Rhys Bennett scored either side of half-time.
Rovers struggled to truly test Jay Lynch throughout the contest before Reiss Russell-Denny chipped a clever effort over the goalkeeper and in to get the Pirates back in the contest with six minutes to play. However, Fleetwood caught Rovers on the counter, with Josh Robertson netting the final goal to hand the visitors their fifth defeat in six league outings.
Speaking to the media after the game, Rovers captain Kilgour was disappointed with the Gas' performance and said the team have a lot to learn and reflect on.
REFLECTIONS ON THE GAME
"It was tough and, ultimately, not good enough. On the ball and without the ball, we weren’t great. We were all in there and all disappointed. We were not good enough in many areas."
FORMATION
"It takes everyone. We’ve got a few injuries and things like that, so chopping and changing is necessary to manage that. We tried a different shape, different personnel, and tried to play a little bit differently than in the first half, as I’m sure you’ve seen. As a collective, we’re trying to find the winning answers and unfortunately today it didn’t come off."
TRAINING
"That’s what’s so hard. You work hard all week as a professional and try and live your life right as well, on and off the pitch, and it really hurts when you put all that work in on a Saturday and it doesn’t come off. Formations, personnel, things like that - ultimately, it’s 11 men versus 11 men and it’s League Two, so it’s about who’s working harder, who’s bang at it, and we’ve come off second-best."
LAST SEASON’S FORM
"We were on a massive poor run last year and the gaffer came in, changed things round and galvanised the place. As players, we know that can happen. A lot of the time in football, these things are fine margins, small things, the rub of the green, and something just clicks into place.
"You get that winning mentality and you go in every week thinking, “We’re not going to lose.” We’re not quite getting that at the minute, but the lads are working hard. We’ve got a good, honest group here. A good group of boys, of professionals, who work their socks off, but we’re hurting. It’s another disappointing day on the road."
FIRST HALF
"Fine margins, such small things. They did have a few chances before and ultimately they got their goal. That kills you going in at half-time because we felt solid, we looked OK and we were playing some nice stuff, so to go in at 0-0 would be a massively different game. When you get that punch in the gut, so to speak, and go in at 1-0 down, it’s a sickener.
"Obviously, we’ve got lots to learn and reflect on. We’ll be in, working on things. I’m sure we’ll review the game, look at what we can do better, look at what we can do differently. Lots of things to work on."
RUSSELL-DENNY’S GOAL
"Reiss is a great player. He’s from a great pedigree, from a Premier League club, and he works his socks off every week. He’s a good, honest lad and, as you could see today, he’s a great player. Hopefully that helps him kick on. It’s tough when you’re a young boy like him and you come into League Two, and it’s hard, but he’s a good lad and we’re very lucky to have him."
LEE TOMLIN’S ARRIVAL
"It’s brilliant. Obviously, he only came in on Thursday, but we’re all really looking forward to working with him. I played against him a few times and he was a top, top player. It’s a fresh face, and someone new in the building, which can hopefully bring some freshness in training. It’s a new voice, so I’m really looking forward to working with him."
