Kofi Balmer knows Bristol Rovers must improve their away form after the Gas fell to a 1-0 defeat to Shrewsbury Town at the Croud Meadow in Sky Bet League Two.
The only goal came in the second half, with George Lloyd scoring from the penalty spot after Joe Quigley brought down Will Boyle inside the box. The Shrews went down to nine men in the closing stages after Jay Turner-Cooke and Isaac Fletcher were sent off, but the Gas could not make the most of their advantage, with the Shrews clinging on to the victory.
The Pirates have lost their previous four away fixtures, with four of their five Sky Bet League Two victories coming at The Memorial Stadium, where Rovers have been at their best this campaign.
Speaking to the media after the match, Balmer was disappointed his team could not get anything from the fixture and said it is down to the players to turn the Pirates' form around.
REFLECTIONS ON THE GAME
“We're probably in there thinking we don't deserve to come away with a loss. At least we deserved a point. Obviously, the away form hasn't been good, and it needs to be sorted out quickly, but everyone's in there disappointed because we all didn't think we deserved to come away with a loss.”
DEFENDING WELL
“I think, for the most part, we did defend well, obviously compared to other away games. It wasn't hard to be better, but that was a lot better, and I think we defended well up until that decision.
"At that point, we're going forward, we're pushing everyone up, they're down to nine men, and we're pushing on. But at the same time, we're throwing balls into the box, and the same thing's happening, and it's not being given.
“You can sit here and blame the ref all you want, but at the end of the day, it's down to us, and we didn't take our chances."
STRUGGLING TO SCORE ON THE ROAD
"It's frustrating because I think we do get ourselves into good positions, and it's just that final ball. We can't question people's hunger or integrity to get into the box and get into those positions because we do do that.
“It's just that the final ball is just not quite there. Sometimes we're not maybe getting the rub of the green, or just the quality is lacking, but we're getting into those positions, and that is a positive, but we need to take those chances because if we take those chances, the games are a lot different.”
HOW TO GET BACK TO THE GAS’ ORIGINAL FORM
“It is hard work, but that's what we're here to do. We're here to work hard. I think every day in training, we do work hard. No one questions anything, and we get on with it, but something's got to change for us, and it's got to happen quickly because, you know, the longer it goes on, the further down you go and the harder it gets.”
DOWN TO THE PLAYERS
"It does come down to us, and I don't think there's anyone in there that's just letting it go by. There's no one in there that doesn't feel hurt getting beat. Everyone feels it. As I said, between us, something has to click and change ASAP because, you know, we can't keep doing this.”
