Bristol Rovers: Match reaction
RETURNING striker Derek Riordan admits he is at a loss to explain Bristol Rovers' last two disappointing performances following a run of form that saw them lose just once in the previous seven games.
Rovers were condemned to back-to-back defeats following a decisive 78th-minute goal by Accrington striker Padraig Amond at the Crown Ground on Saturday, just four days on from losing 3-1 at AFC Wimbledon.
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"It wasn't a good result, obviously," said Riordan. "I thought Accrington played well in the first half especially, but to get beaten was very disappointing.
"We haven't played as well in the last two games as we had been in the six or seven games prior to that and it is hard to understand why that is.
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"The manager has been working with seven or eight injuries so he's had his hands tied to a degree, but we still need to pull together and try and get through this period until everyone is back fit again.
"We can't play a full-strength team at the moment, but that offers other players and opportunity and it is up to us to take those chances by winning games."
Riordan, meanwhile, came on as a second-half substitute following a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury just three games into his Rovers career after signing a short-term deal at the end of last month. The Scotland international has also been commuting back and forth to his Edinburgh home after his girlfriend gave birth to a second child soon after putting pen-to-paper on a three-month contract.
"I'm fine now and it is a case of just trying to break myself back in," he said. "I haven't played football in a while and what with having a new baby as well it has been a bit of pandemonium for me.
"I have been flying up and down to Scotland, but I've settled in well here because there is a good bunch of lads.
"It's not too bad as it is only a 50-minute flight back up the road and there are three flights a day. It's a bit of travelling, which hasn't been great for the hamstring, but you just have to get on with it.
"I played too many games too quickly when I first got here after a long spell away and that was what probably tweaked my hamstring.
"I've had a couple of week's recovery and I'm raring to go and play some regular football."
Riordan has yet to open his account for Rovers and he added: "I'm desperate to get that first goal. I wouldn't mind playing rubbish as long as I come off the pitch having scored a couple of goals
"I'm looking forward to the Sheffield United game on Saturday. It's a big one for us and I'm sure it will be a great atmosphere at the Memorial Stadium."
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