Mark McGhee: Bristol Rovers defeated but not disgraced against Yeovil Town
MARK McGhee was 'proud' of how his players reacted to Saturday's disappointing capitulation at the hands of Morecambe – even though Bristol Rovers crashed out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last night.
McGhee watched his side lose 3-0 to high-flying League One side Yeovil at the Memorial Stadium following a second-half brace from Ed Upson and an injury-time strike by Sam Foley.
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Rovers' Eliot Richards feels a tackle from Yeovil's Richard Hinds in last night's 3-0 defeat Picture: Neil Brookman
The Pirates remain winless this season and are yet to score a goal in three games in front of their own supporters, but McGhee, pictured, said: "To say the result was harsh is the understatement of the season.
"I think it was a ridiculous scoreline.
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"I'm hugely satisfied with the performance that the players put in.
"It was 1000 per cent better than the one we put in on Saturday. The whole tempo and determination was first-class and we will win football matches if we continue to go out on the field with that attitude.
"I'm really gutted for the players because it is such a scandalous scoreline.
"We passed the ball brilliantly and their commitment couldn't be questioned.
"Their lad scored two fantastic direct free-kicks and you just can't legislate against that. I thought there was nothing I could fault in our performance and I'm positive. If we play like that again on Saturday we'll get our first home win of the season."
The game could have panned out differently had Michael Smith not had a goal ruled out for what referee Michael Naylor deemed to be a foul on Yeovil goalkeeper Marek Stech in the 40th minute.
McGhee said: "Goals change games and obviously the one we had ruled out in the first half has not helped us at all.
"The game is at 0-0 then and if we get that it is a different game altogether.
"I think the referee was conned and should have done a bit better there. I've looked at it again on the TV and I can't see anything wrong with it at all. I was hugely disappointed with that decision."
Yeovil played the final 15 minutes with ten men after Jamie McAllister was red-carded for an off-the-ball incident with David Clarkson.
Striker Matt Harrold, meanwhile, was left out of the squad after picking up a minor hamstring complaint in training, but McGhee is hopeful of having him available again when Aldershot visit the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Comments
by SimpleStan
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 5:41PM
“I could not believe it when I read that head line Defeated But Not Disgraced Against Yeovil Town. I mean not disgraced against Villa or West Brom or another big team is all right but against Yeovil Town I was gob smacked.
My old man would be turning in his grave if he was dead.”
by dickpuller
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 5:00PM
“Paying the price for not replacing players will be mc ghees downfall how many times do they need to be taught this lesson lets face it clarkson could,nt hit a cows -ss with a banjo.Higgs what is wrong with you.does the aston need new tyres ? SPEND SOME CASH .”
by MichaelRooney
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 3:42PM
“Rovers must be the unluckiest club in the whole football league.
Lawrence, Trollope, Patterson, Penney, Campbell and Buckle all complete jokers who couldn't manage a football team to save their lives.
Then at last they get a decent manager and what happens ? The most exciting player decides he wants to leave, the best defender gets injured and the managers main transfer target won't come no matter how much money he is offered. Never mind at least he gets all the rest of the players he wants but hold on there. The Norwegian gets homesick and goes home, the German turns out to be a schoolkid and the Scottish internationals are either crocked or as fast as tortoises leaving the former Leicester youth team as the mainstay of the side.
As if it couldn't get any worse they play well for 45 minutes at mighty Wycombe and are in the lead but the game is criminally abandoned by a corrupt official and when they do return to a Mem packed with 5200 fans they discover they are stuck with the worst supporters you could ever imagine who boo and jeer so much the players are intimidated by the pressure and can't perform.
In the aftermath of this they have to face a crowd of 2800 and play in the Paint Pot Trophy against one of football's "big clubs" who generously agree to go down to 10 men but despite this Rovers are victims of a "scandalous scoreline" after two free kicks "you just can't legislate against"
Never mind because Rovers fans are a resilient bunch and they know that in football things can change very rapidly. Next season they could be the unluckiest club in the whole of the Conference.”
by DraytonGas
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 3:35PM
“Westwardy. Are you applying that 'rule' to GJ after all he failed at Northampton - his last job. If you are trying to score poits I suggest a bit of homework first.
Anyway having endured Saturday it was pleasing to see us match Yeovil and often we were better as reported on their website. However the lack of a proven goalscorer was clear as is the need for a strong tackling midfield player. Clearly missing Muzzy who will no doubt set the Chumpionship alight once he's back from injury. At least the defence looks solid enough - you cannot defend fantastic free kicks and they were two great goals.”
by westywardy
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 2:35PM
“In fairness if you get in a guy that failed in his last job it's pretty much inevitable he'll fail again.”
by Mark_Totty
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 2:00PM
“@Ashton8 & i8city.
Your boys took one hell of a beating.
3-0 yet again - still PMSL....”
by gasheadnaboo
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 1:57PM
“@Burgeyv111 The loan window does not open until Saturday, which is why we have not seen any additions since the Morecambe disaster.
Boy do we miss Woodards.....”
by WYFC28
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 12:47PM
“Rovers were the better side by far in the first half last night, they needed a striker to finsh off what were some good moves at times. Aside the free kicks (which were hit really well) Yeovil didn't look any better. MM will do well for the gas this season if he can get the players performing like that every week. Don't panic, UTG!”
by TonyIreland
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 12:01PM
“60 years ago 23,000 Rovers fans regularly turned up to see a great team costing £110 win promotion for the first time. Last night less than 3000 turn up to watch a Div One team in a Cup game. Wake up you Rovers supporters and give the team the support it needs. Otherwise its wasted money on a new stadium.
But what a joy it is to be a sports fan in this area... Rovers lose, City lose, Bristol rugby lose, Cheltenham Town lose, Gloucester lose and GCCC bottom of Div 2. You have got to have tough skin to be a fan !!
Ancient Pirate”
by Eastville1966
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 11:10AM
“100% agree with Tangledblue - was there last night and the only difference between the sides was the execution of free kicks. Rovers played much better without the target man of Matt Harrold - plenty of passing along the ground and using the wings more rather than speculative hoofing up the middle. Goals and wins will surely come and although Walker could have done better with the second free kick the scoreline was somewhat unfair.
Don't panic (yet) - early days and I still feel MM is the man for the job.”