Iñigo Calderón insisted his Bristol Rovers side must get it right for the travelling fans when they face Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.
The Pirates have lost eight of their previous nine fixtures in League One since beating Bolton Wanderers 3-2 in March, with midweek results elsewhere confirming their place in League Two for the 2025/26 campaign.
It has been a difficult period for Rovers, who will be searching for their first away win against Blackpool since 2018 to end the season positively.
Calderón reflected honestly on the last week and his future before previewing the trip to Blackpool.
RELEGATION CONFIRMED
“It’s difficult to put into words. I think it’s true that it was something that was coming. You could see it happening. So, that frustrating and disappointing situation was coming, I would say. The fact that we had a lot of extra lives made the pain longer, maybe.
“This week has been really tough to take because you still have to play games, but you realise you are playing for nothing because you are going down already. That’s tough. It's something we created and something we deserve because after that many games and you are down there, it is not unlucky. It’s difficult to take, but at the same time, you have to take it.
“Now we have time to reflect and to see what we should do better for the future. For the club and for each individual, I try to say to the boys that because there are a lot of young players here that have to learn from the situation. It’s a sport, and it’s part of life, and sometimes you don’t get what you want, but the important thing is that you have to learn. You have to improve as a footballer but more importantly as a person, and I think you have to do that.”
TOUGH RUN
“When I came, it was a difficult situation. I thought we stopped falling when we created that gap with nine points [from the relegation zone]. Everybody was thinking it was already done. I was still thinking that it was not done, but it’s true that I thought we stopped falling down. I was quite happy because it was not easy at that time. But it’s true that after, with the injuries, I don’t want it to be an excuse because we should have enough to stay in the league, even with that.
“For me, the team kept improving. Defensively, we reduced the chances conceded, but we couldn’t score goals, and then you start with a bad run, and in that bad run, you have to be really strong to get out of the bad run. We were not a strong team because of everything before makes you go back to that bad status. There were key games like Mansfield and Exeter that we should get something from them, but again, it’s excuses. As you can see, I try to talk just about the football because that’s my thing. That’s the thing I came for. Anything else I cannot control too much.”
FUTURE AT THE CLUB
“It’s something that I can’t control. Obviously, I understand there are a lot of rumours. We have to talk about that. The club has to make the decision that is best for the club. It’s not about me. I would say the club is more important than Iñigo Calderón.
“Obviously, I would like to stay here, especially because the business hasn’t been done for me. I feel a big part of that relegation. Big time. It’s true that it’s not up to me. I have to have a conversation with the board. It’s not an easy one for them either because they have to make a brave decision because next year is going to be massive.”
THE FANS
“I would like to stay here because I see a lot of good things in this football club. Even after such a bad run, I still feel the support from a lot of the supporters. For me, I have to give them something back. I tried to do everything possible that I could. I tried to put my life in here, but it didn’t work. I haven’t been here for too long, but I really understand and enjoy the philosophy and the mentality of the fans. That’s why I would like to stay here because it’s not just about the results.
“They are going to support the team wherever they are. If they are in League Two, they will support the team. If they are in League One, they will support the team. That’s a big, big thing. Here, the Rovers fans are so loyal, and I think they appreciate the effort and the passion. It’s the minimum, but at the same time, it’s what I can give. The commitment, the passion and the desire to do things right. I really felt that connection with the fans. That’s why there is a bit of unfinished business with the football club.”
BLACKPOOL PREVIEW
“I said to the boys that we will try to prepare in the most professional way we can, even though the atmosphere is not ideal in terms of everybody. That’s not what you want. Again, it’s what we created and the situation we put ourselves in. I want to think that maybe without the pressure, we perform a bit better. It could be the other way. It could be that we don’t feel the pressure and we enjoy playing football. That’s why people play football.”
