Kamil Conteh believes Bristol Rovers must become ruthless to change their fortunes around.
The Pirates fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Port Vale in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup at Vale Park, with Ben Waine scoring the only goal of the contest with a clinical finish beyond Luke Southwood.
The Gas had plenty of possession and regularly pushed into the Valiants' defensive third, but could not create enough meaningful opportunities to truly test their opponents. Ellis Harrison had the best chance for the Gas, a close-range shot saved by Ben Amos before the break, with Rovers losing 1-0 for the third time in four outings across all competitions.
Speaking to the media after the match, Conteh reflected on the fixture, with the action in both boxes proving decisive.
A disappointing afternoon, how do you reflect on that one today?
"I think we started the game, and it was a pretty even game. They had chances, and we created a bit. We did defend well up until the [end of the] first half, and to concede that goal in two minutes in the second half is not good enough."
In the first half, you had one really good chance. Did you feel that if a chance went in today, then it could’ve been your day?
"I would say yeah, I think my shot on the edge, I probably could have done better. Fabrizio Cavegn had a few shots as well. I just think when we are in front of goal, we just need to be a bit more ruthless than we’ve shown."
It has been the run you’ve been on, particularly in the league. Is it a feeling that something has just got to fall for you?
"I think in order for that to happen, you have to create your own luck. The goal they scored, even though it’s not good defending on our part, the fact that they’re getting into our box, it opens chances to happen like that. So, I think we just have to keep getting in those areas, get used to it, and when we are there, have no hesitation and just take it."
Speaking to the manager, he spoke about all the hard work that’s been going on at the training ground. How disappointing is it to get to matchdays and for the game to end this way?
"Yeah, it’s frustrating, it’s annoying. The fact that in the week we do all the preparation, training is to prepare for the game, so if we’re doing all the training and it comes to the game and you concede like that, it’s annoying.
"We have a big game on Tuesday, so we’ll have to look into that and look at what we’ve done wrong today, but also take the positives and try to get a result at Barnet."
The manager says all the lads are sticking together on the training ground. Have you just got to get together as a group to turn this around?
"I don’t think anyone is divided. I think what we just need to do is look to the next game. As I said, in the first half, we got chances; we need to be ruthless. I think when we do get that mindset, things will change.
"I know that confidence is low, but I think we need to be playing with an arrogance on the pitch, which is what I try to do anyway, but yeah, I think it will turn."
As you say, Barnet next up on Tuesday, so again the travelling fans will get behind you and hopefully you can start to turn things around...
"They did come in their numbers, I can’t fault them for that. So, we definitely need to give them something on Tuesday. It will be a tough game. Obviously, they were promoted last season, so I think we need to take the game to them. I think if we play like how we did in the first half today, but convert chances, and I think we’ll be good."
