Riley Harbottle believes Bristol Rovers were first class across the pitch in their 2-0 win over Colchester United in Sky Bet League Two.
The Pirates controlled the contest on the way to their ninth straight league victory at The Memorial Stadium, with Tom James driving in a right-footed volley in the first half before Ellis Harrison added a late second just before full-time.
Importantly, the Gas also kept a second straight clean sheet after a difficult start to the season defensively, something Harbottle admitted they had tough conversations about before two shutouts.
Speaking to BRTV after the match, Harbottle was delighted with the performance and thinks the Gas will be difficult to beat if they play as they did against Colchester every week.
REFLECTIONS ON THE GAME
"I'm really happy with today. It shows real character; they are a good team. In the first couple of games, we weren't at it defensively, and it showed; it was addressed. Tonight, I thought we were first-class, every single man on the pitch. The lads coming on, Ciarán came on and did an absolute shift, and I thought he was brilliant. I'm really happy.
"I know a lot of their boys, had a loan spell there before and things. They're a really good team and they'll be about there at the end of the season. But, if we play like that, I don't think there'll be a lot that can stop us."
TOM JAMES’ VOLLEY
"I feel like I've built a really good relationship with TJ.
"Speaking to players that he's played with before, they've told me how good his quality is and I think the last two games have showed technical ability, like the volley and the free kick is really impressive, so nothing shocks me with that boy."
RELATIONSHIPS ON AND OFF THE PITCH
"Yeah, Kofi is my boy. I love him to pieces. Same with Alf and Ci. I think we've got a real good unit back there and we all stick together.
"You look at the end of the game. It didn't matter who was finishing that game with me. We all knew it was going to be celebrated. Kofi is in the changing room waiting for us and I thought Ciarán was absolutely outstanding when he came on."
ELLIS’ GOAL
"It gave me a bit of rest, I think. I was a bit stressed towards the end when obviously there were a few chances missed and I was screaming at the forwards, but as soon as you see it go in, it gives you a little bit of a relaxation.
"But, you’ve still got to switch on and get the job done to keep a clean sheet."
TOUGH CONVERSATIONS
"Like I said, we had a lot of tough words - me, Kofi, all the boys back there. The gaffer tore us to shreds, to be honest, but we had to step up.
"We weren’t good enough in our first two games and we knew that. Personally, I wasn't at the level I was last year, but character-wise to come around and show two clean sheets and two good performances, I think, shows what we're about.
"I think we were just off it in the first, especially the York game. I thought against Newport, the front boys were brilliant and it was on us.
"They're going home laughing and happy and we're the ones that were disappointed. No, we've gone back to the basics and yeah, we're really pleased with that today."
THE MEM AND THE GASHEADS
"I think when you've got fans like we do, and you're turning out, Colchester will come here tonight and look at our fortress.
"They won't get much round the league that's going to be turning up like we are on a Tuesday night, especially. Imagine what it's going to be like at the weekend!"
