Steve Evans was delighted with Bristol Rovers' dominant display in their 2-0 victory over Barrow in Sky Bet League Two.
The Pirates were full of confidence after their late comeback victory over Crewe Alexandra on Saturday afternoon. After a quiet start to the contest, Tommy Leigh broke the deadlock with a fine first-time finish to get his third goal in two games.
The Bluebirds have a few shots blocked at the end of the first half, but could not build on their bright patch, with the Gas dominating after the break. Pushing for a second, Fabrizio Cavegn found it, converting from close range to send the 293 Gasheads home happy.
Speaking after the contest, Evans was delighted with the performance and praised the travelling Gasheds, with many making their second trip to Barrow after the fixture was postponed in January.
Steve, a big win away here. What are your reflections on it?
"Well, the first thing we'll remember it for is the conditions. You know, farcical at times, but perfectly playable. In fairness to the ground staff at Barrow, the pitch is in superb condition. In terms of the game, I think we’ve won comfortably.
"We missed a number of chances before we got the second goal to go two-nil, maybe three-nil. We controlled possession, we played very on purpose, and it was a credit to the players, and really what I reflect on is Barrow nil, Bristol Rovers two, Bristol Rovers supporters five.
"You know, to turn up here in their numbers and they’ve turned up tonight and got behind the team, and you heard them singing through the contest, and they’ve got the driving rain and sleet and everything into their faces. But no, a real competent performance in which we had a number of players who were very good."
You made three changes, two of which came in and scored. You must be pleased with that as well.
"You try and get your changes right, you try and do things that you think are right for the team and from our point of view, we knew we would have to come here, this is a Barrow side that’s been in good form.
"They’ve dominated a lot of games they’ve played recently, but I think we’ve dominated them tonight, and it’s a sign of the progress we’re starting to make, but let’s not get carried away. We’re still in this relegation fight for sure.
"I’m too long in the tooth to be thinking that beating Crewe with all due respect and beating Barrow doesn’t say that Bristol Rovers’ season is over, we’re still in a relegation scrap."
You mentioned making steps forward. Dominating the game at one-nil, how important was that second goal to justget that extra bit of control?
"Well, considering the chances we missed, you’re always thinking at the other end. Like the boy struck down one wide, didn’t he? He’s put one down Brad's face, and Brad deals with it comfortably, but when we’re missing chances, big golden chances, you’re thinking, ‘is the second one going to come?’
"In fairness, it’s just brilliant play with Joel Senior. Brilliant play. But I thought he was superb all night. I thought we had a number of players [that were superb]. Is there a better player in this division in central midfield as a six than Smallwood? I'm yet to see them. He controlled the middle, and he bossed it around. My final thoughts are happy birthday, chairman, happy birthday."
You mentioned Joel Senior, but both full-backs were fantastic through the ninety minutes, weren’t they?
"Sparkes is back to the form that he displayed when I first came in. People take words that I say completely out of context. I say it’s atrocious, ten bookings is no good for Jack Sparkes, not good for us. We have a number of good players.
"I thought Kofi Balmer, I thought the skipper was really good tonight. He won a lot of dominant headers, especially late in the game when you bring Danny Rose on. Rose played for me; they don’t play to his strengths. That’s for sure. When they brought Rose on, I thought he was a test for Alfie Kilgour. Alfie came through that test really well, and I’m pleased for the skipper."
You spoke about freshness before the game. Did you feel that out on the pitch, especially keeping a clean sheet?
"We looked fresh from the start, didn’t we? We dominated from the start. You know, I’ve been here and watched many games. I’ve brought my teams here, and the Barrow fans get right behind their team.
"They had nothing to get behind tonight because of the dominant performance that we displayed. I wish them well. There are a lot of people that, when I go on holiday with my family to the Lake District and pop round here, then there’s a lot of people that I’ve gotten to know over the years. I wish this football club every success outside of us. I wish them every success for the remainder of the season, but obviously not affecting us."
And finally. We talk about long trips, but these Gasheads have travelled 1,000 miles over the two trips to Barrow. How pleased were you with them?
"Well, I’ve always been surprised since I’ve come into The Mem, they’ve come out in big numbers. I couldn’t believe there were like 400 here tonight! That’s what it looks like up in that stand and spread around the ground.
"You’re thinking, there we go, and when you arrive at the stadium, and you’re met with Bristol Rovers supporters, as far away as Barrow, it’s staggering. But I think I once said that if Leeds United played at the top of the Alps, people would turn up to support them. I look at Bristol Rovers. It’s exactly the same. Maybe smaller numbers, but exactly the same, and there’s a real love and passion for this Football Club developing within the group.
"We’re just pleased now. We’ve got to play the league leaders on Saturday. How tough will that be? I mean, Rovers won there earlier in the season, but it was smash and grab, wasn’t it?
"We have to go there and just put up a performance and see what we can get. One game at a time. Bromley away. Let’sget down the road and freshen the boys up and get ready."
