A tired and mentally drained Rovers side missed out on their first official win under John Eustace on Saturday afternoon after Swansea City did the double over Rovers for the first-time ever, as the South Wales side ran out 2-1 winners over the Lancashire team. Following the game’s conclusion, boss John Eustace took some time to speak to RoversTV, to reflect on the disappointing afternoon in South Wales.
“We’re really frustrated to lose the game. We started slowly and that was probably because we’re still feeling it after Tuesday’s cup tie. We conceded two sloppy goals on our part, but I thought we grew into the game, and we managed two or three good chances in the first-half, which we needed to be more clinical with. In the second-half, we made some changes and freshened things up and dominated the second period. It was good to score, but we kept knocking on the door and we couldn’t get that equaliser at the end.
“There were a lot of half chances and I think it was important that, when we went 2-0 down, that we didn’t give up the fight and we carried on that spirit and togetherness that got us the goal for 2-1 and which made us the more dominant team in the second-half. On another day, we could have equalised for sure, but we have to move on.
“The two goals we conceded were really unlike what I want. We lost a duel in the corner and the cross came in, but we need to be better with the first contact and second contact from that cross. The second goal, we were caught in possession, which was frustrating. The character of the boys then showed as we didn’t give up. We made some really positive changes and the 400-odd fans really got behind us in that second-half, which was really encouraging, and, on another day, we could have got an equaliser.
“The goals we conceded were very out of character for this team and they’re not the type of goals I want this team to concede. There’s more work that we have to do on the training field, for sure, but the character the boys showed to keep going in the second-half and be the better team, was there for everyone to see. We don’t give up, we keep fighting, we stick together, and we go again.
“I’m pleased with their reaction, especially after a tiring week, but it’s all about the squad. We put a lot of effort into the game last Saturday against Norwich City, we did really well on Tuesday against Newcastle United and overall, the lads did well today. Yes, we conceded two sloppy goals, but we managed to create some fantastic opportunities which we should have scored in the first-half. In the second-half, we dominated the ball and again, we’re really disappointed not to come away with an equaliser.
“Today was a bump in the road. The Championship is relentless. We’ve now got an opportunity to put things right on Tuesday at home to Millwall, but overall, the character that the group showed today was very encouraging, and it was great to see the fans backing us all the way through the game, so we’re okay.
“Every game is a big game, whether it’s home or away, or in the league or cups. We have 11 games to go and every single one of those will be key. It’s important that we just focus on the next game, prepare properly and be ready for Tuesday night.”
