Following Rovers’ convincing 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow on Tuesday night, Rovers boss Tony Mowbray spoke to the clubs’ media team in order to reflect on the performance that his players put in.
“I think tonight’s performance was a professional one and it’s got to the point now where they comfortably know that every game is huge. Their adrenaline levels before kick-off was good and the intensity that is required to win football matches is spot on at the moment. It was a tricky tie for us tonight against a team that play on the front foot and defend well and I think we’ve done well to get over that hurdle. We knew they were going to be quite direct early on which would require us to win the second balls, which is why I opted for (Elliott) Bennett and (Richie) Smallwood in the centre of the park. As their pressure eased off into the second-half, we brought on Corry Evans and allowed Bennett to play out wide, which led to his fantastic goal. The victory and the goals are great for the supporters who made the long trip down here under some horrendous conditions.
“The first goal tonight was crucial. It was a strange goal, which was given by the linesman on the far-side as Bradley’s (Dack) header seemingly looped over the keeper and went over the line. I think the other two goals were top goals; the first, by Bennett was dispatched superbly, whereas the second was a great assist by Danny Graham into Dack’s path. Elliott’s been due a goal this season and to be honest, if you asked me at the start of the campaign, I would have put him down for about 5 or 6 goals, especially with the power in his right-foot, and yet I’ve moved him around the pitch a bit. I know he can do that as I see his quality every day in training. We gave Elliott a new contract a while back, which he was deserving of, but also, I value the personality of the lad, the character, the drive and the desire to do well that he has. As a footballer, I see his versatility and his importance to us, but as a human being, I see his humble attitude towards the game as he’s someone who wants to work hard every day.
“Bradley plays with a touch of arrogance, which is a nice arrogance, he’s got wonderful ability and talent and that allowed him to nonchalantly lift the ball into the roof of the net for his 2nd goal. In tight football matches, Bradley can make the difference as he can unlock doors and create chances out of nothing. I’m delighted that he’s our player and I’m delighted that he’s showing his ability and helping the team move forward.”
Mowbray wrapped up his interview by touching upon Sunday’s game at home to Wigan Athletic, which is Rovers’ next game.
“Despite us amassing the difference in points that we’ve got to in the table, we’ve had points in the season where we’ve been playing catch-up to Wigan and to Shrewsbury mainly down to the international breaks which forced us to postpone games. Now Wigan are a few games behind and it’s not always easy to win your games, because you start to play every mid-week, but they’re a top team who have the ability to win matches. Sunday is a huge game, which we have to be ready for. It’s a massive game for us which could see us pile some pressure on them, whereas if they win it, they’ll only be 2 points behind us. We just have to wait and see, prepare well and try and pick the right team that gives them problems.”
