Steve Evans was delighted with another dominant performance in Bristol Rovers' 2-0 victory against Colchester United in Sky Bet League Two.
The Gas were deserved winners in their triumph over Crawley Town three days ago and put together the same style of performance against the U's. It followed a similar starting pattern, with Evans naming the same side and Tom James scoring a stunning opener, thumping a volley into the bottom corner.
Rovers had all of the control but had to wait until the final moments to double their advantage, with Ellis Harrison getting onto the end of a cross from Tommy Leigh and delivering a first-time finish to seal the three points.
Speaking to BRTV, Evans was pleased with the victory, with the Gas collecting their third straight win in Sky Bet League Two.
REFLECTIONS ON THE GAME
"It was a dominant performance for sure. In my opinion, this is a game that was a step up in class and opposition from Crawley, and I think the thing about Crawley is it’s really hard to go to the Broadfield and produce that type of performance.
"I’ve been there many times both as their manager and against them. With Colchester, they came into this game with two wins and a draw, all deserved, and I think even the game they drew they should win. We knew it would be hard.
"Before the game, we recognised they’d changed system and personnel to accommodate what we’re about, and I think that gave us a lot of inclination to go and dominate the game. We dominated the game. We got a goal, and it was well deserved.
"We had complete control. We had to change things up. It was a shocking over‑the‑top challenge on Kofi Balmer, and we had to make that change, but when you’re bringing Ciaran Kelly on, you’ve got no issues because he’s very good.
"I think the Gasheads saw that tonight. He came on, and I was really pleased with all the subs. Ellis and Jack Aitchison came onto the pitch at different times and were outstanding. The second half was dominant, apart from counter-attacks. It was scary in the last few minutes when they were trying to launch balls into our box, and we had to head it and clear it, and we were probably on the attack ourselves.
"We had six or seven good chances—one‑on‑ones, two‑on‑ones, three‑on‑twos—and never took advantage of them. But the pivotal moment came, and I think it’s Ellis who sticks it away, and he’s already loved here anyway. It was fantastic play, brilliant touch and finish, and nothing more than the boys deserved against what I recognise under Danny and Nicky is a really hard team to play against."
COULD HAVE WON IT BY MORE
"Yeah, it should have been. We said it at Crawley on Saturday, Mitch. You saw it yourself. We could have scored five or six at Crawley. Here we go—they’ll Steve Evans exaggerates—we could have scored ten or twelve against Newport. Our attacking element has been really good.
"The two things that have pleased me as well are the two clean sheets. Clean sheet at Crawley against a side that attacks very well at home, and a clean sheet tonight when you’re facing the Jack Paynes and Harry Andersons.
"I tried to sign Jack a few times. Harry Anderson played for me. Sean Raggett coming up from set plays—he’s a big warrior.
"That was a real comprehensive performance, but we don’t get carried away. It’s now about saying to our supporters: you start to dream a little bit. They can dream. The dreaming doesn’t happen for us. We go to bed tonight, get up, and get ready again tomorrow to prepare for Rotherham on Saturday."
TOM JAMES
"He’s got brilliant technique. I said it when I used to dislike TJ when he played for Leyton against my Stevenage because he used to be able to shift it from one foot to the other. I’d have a beer or a glass of wine with Richie afterwards, and he used to openly say he’s a talent—technically brilliant.
"TJ’s circumstances meant we were fortunate to get him, as Ritchie gave me the nod that TJ wanted to come back nearer to home. His family were having another baby, and he wanted to be back in the southwest and settle, so we jumped on that.
"He’s been outstanding since coming into the team in the last two weeks."
FANS DELIVERING THE GOODS
"Let’s finish the week. I always believe that when you’ve got three league games in a week, if you can deal with that week at your maximum and get the maximum, it makes a hell of a difference to how you look forward."
TALENT ACROSS THE SQUAD
"Well, you’re looking at my bench today. I can’t get young Phil, who came here to play a big part, and Reiss Russel-Denny and I watched the boys as I took training with Paul and Byron and he was outstanding in training yesterday.
"And so was Aitchison who come on the pitch. He came on and justified it because he was outstanding. Then you bring big Ciaran on for Kofi, who was a man mountain—simply class.
"Then you bring Harrison on, and you finish like that—like Steve Evans did when he was 20."
CONNECTION WITH ROTHERHAM + ROTHERHAM PREVIEW
"Yeah, they are. I’ve got a saying: once a Miller, always a Miller. I’ll always be a Miller. I didn’t deliver the second time I went into the football club.
"But when you ask the Rotherham United supporters, they’ll remember when I sat in my room and shed tears about results and performances and not getting it right. In football, you move on.
"I’ll always be a guest at certain clubs you manage and fall deeply in love with. I’d say the same with Stevenage. There are certain clubs you manage and fall in love with, and at the minute.
"I’m desperate to get three points on Saturday because I’m sure over the course of time, Steve McLaren and the Millers will do very well."
