Following Rovers’ disappointing 1-1 draw away at Rotherham United, which saw the Blues concede a last gasp equaliser, Rovers boss Tony Mowbray faced the clubs’ media team to discuss the events that had just taken place, where he discussed the teams’ efforts, in addition to the transfer window that opened earlier on today.
“It’s a disappointing day for us as I thought we did enough to deserve the three points. We should have been in-front at half-time as we had an amazing chance that didn’t cross the line. We had to deal with their physical threat, they’re pretty direct, they play forwards quickly and early, which we had to deal with in the last five minutes. The change we made, where we brought on an extra central defender in Elliott Ward wasn’t a signal for everyone to drop deeper, if anything, it was a signal for everyone to push on higher in order to deal with the long balls, yet we allowed them to bring the ball up the pitch and freely put it in our box which eventually resulted in their goal. Although today’s been hugely disappointing, it’s a learning curve for this team, as just because we played with an extra defender in the closing stages, it didn’t mean that everyone should start defending, it meant that we should start pressing them more.
“Although we’re frustrated, I can’t question the team’s desire and work-rate today at all as they’ve worked hard all game to get the result. It’s not easy to come here as they’ve won their last three games and are the top scorers at home in the league this season, but credit to them as they built-up the pressure and got themselves an equaliser.
“I thought that their only chance of getting a goal was through a set-play or a long ball, which we did well to see off throughout the whole game. I think Danny Graham helps us in those types of situations as well, but it’s a big ask for Danny to keep going for 90 minutes as he’s been working so hard recently. We need to see today as a positive as we were again unbeaten away from home. We just need to keep going, and keep focussing on the games as they come. We’ve got the FA Cup against Hull City next, then we’ve got a massive game against Shrewsbury, that I think we can get three points from, which will keep us in the in touching distance of the top two.
“Bradley Dack is a technically gifted footballer who should be expected to score the goal he has scored today. I’m pleased for him as he works extraordinarily hard and he should have scored on Saturday which is pleasing, but overall, I’m disappointed for the players and the supporters who travelled in their numbers that the lads weren’t able to send them home happy with a victory. I do feel a bit frustrated that for all our effort over the past two games, we’ve only got two points from six to show for it, but that’s football, everyone’s competitive so you must balance the points off with the fact that we have remained unbeaten for 14 games. The team need to take the positives from that and if we can take that momentum into the next 20-odd league games and become hard to beat, then we’re going to win a lot of games in the process.
“I think the main issue with our squad was the illness that we got hit with which spread across the camp. It’s really hard, when the games come thick and fast, to ask players who have been under the weather, to go twice in three days because it washes them out and it’s been really tough for them. It’s been a big ask for them and we’ll let them recover now, then try and pick a team against Hull, however our main priority will remain the league.”
Mowbray was asked regarding the statement he had made on Saturday regarding two bids that he had lodged for two players, and whether the moves had made any progress.
“No, there’s been no progress so far, there’s been nothing positive to say. We’re just in conversation with other clubs at the moment and it’s not a smooth transition as you would like where you simply ask for the player and they agree so, we’ll see what January brings, but I’m pleased with the attitude, desire and commitment of the team up until this moment and if we continue in that manner, we won’t be far away from achieving our goal.”
