Steve Evans believes his Bristol Rovers side lacked two key credentials in their 1-0 defeat to promotion hopefuls Salford City in Sky Bet League Two.
The Pirates were looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Colchester United last weekend, but fell behind inside eight minutes when Ryan Graydon finished low past Brad Young in the Pirates' net.
The Gas struggled to get going in the final third, with tame efforts from Ellis Harrison and Isaac Hutchinson either side of half-time being their only two shots of the contest. Salford stayed strong throughout, with Evans pinpointing physicality and desire as the difference.
Speaking to BRTV after the contest, Evans reflected on the defeat and the moments that decided the contest.
Steve, a disappointing defeat here today. How do you reflect on that one?
“I think it was a poor first half from us. I think we’ve got the advantage of a wind that’s more noticeable on the pitch than off it. We didn’t play to any of those conditions. To me, we lacked that physicality and desire to win that you need to win in League Two; they had it more than we did.
“I think in the second half, when we changed that around, changed the shape, we were much better. Did we work their goalkeeper? No, we didn’t. Did we have ample opportunities with entries in at the box with throw-ins, free kicks and corners? Yes, we did, but we didn’t work their goalkeeper.
“But for me, the game hinges in the first half, and it was an absolute shocking challenge on Alfie Kilgour. It’s got no place in football. The referee has got to know; he’s got to have been facing the high street and not actually on the pitch to not see how bad that challenge was. I’m not going to blame the referee other than to say that he’s missed the most obvious red card of the season.”
Salford are a team in form, and Rovers conceded after eight minutes. It always gives you a mountain to climb, doesn’t it?
“Well, the goal was too simple. It went through two centre-backs. Balmer tries to come in and cover, but for me, our goalkeeper probably should have stayed a bit higher. I think he felt at one point he could get it because he’s a big, over touch from the boy who scored the goal, and then he just slides in and just gets a bit lucky with it.
“He just drilled it, and it lifts a bit over the keeper. I think it’s hard when you’re playing against a Salford side because they are a good side. I think they’ve had a lot go in their favour today. A red card has not been given, and a lot of free kicks were given in their favour, which, from sitting in the stands today, was hard to accept.”
Do you feel that Rovers didn’t make the most of the set-piece opportunities today as well?
“Didn’t make any use of them. The distribution wasn’t great, and you’ve got players on the pitch who can normally put the ball where you want it to be, whether it’s been De Havilland or Sparkes, but they were off it today.
“Long throw-ins in the box, which we’d see as a weapon for any team against us, but we don’t make any first contacts, and if you don’t make first contacts, it’s just simply dealt with.”
In the second half, Ellis Harrison came on at half-time. How much physicality do you think he added to the front line?
“Ellis was good as he always is. If Ellis is fit, he plays. We’re asking him to get there; he’s probably about 60-65 per cent fit, the kid. He’s got a heart the size of Big Ben, so he’s going to run about for us. I said to him at half-time, can you give us more than the 25 minutes you've been giving us, and he was willing to give it a try. He was a really good presence for us, but we need more than Ellis.”
And in a few days' time, MK Dons are up next. How important is it to turn it around as quickly as we can?
“Arguably, it is the two toughest away fixtures this season for me. You’re coming to a Salford side winning nine or ten in a row or something like that. They are in really good form with really good players.
“They spent big money on a striker, I think it was close to one million, and then you look at MK Dons, who, you know, they undoubtedly are the team that everybody has to finish around, if they want to be promoted this season.”
