PREVIEW: Plymouth vs Bristol Rovers
SKIPPER Matt Gill says that the Bristol Rovers players owe manager Mark McGhee and the supporters a performance at Plymouth Argyle tonight.
The Pirates are still without a win after five games of the season and are just one off the bottom of League Two following an underwhelming start to the campaign.
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They visit another side struggling for form when they travel to Home Park this evening, but Gill, pictured, warned: "There are no easy away games in this league and we are expecting another tough test.
"We are two teams in a position where we are finding things a bit tough at the moment so it is a big game for both sets of players.
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"It might be a case of having to grind out a result. We need to show some character because we owe the manager and the fans a performance. We are all desperate to make it right and there is no problems with motivation around the place.
"It is still very early days of the season yet, but, of course, we are desperate to get that first win on the board.
"It is important, however, that we stay positive. Crewe and Swindon had poor starts last season and ended up both being promoted. A lot can change between now and the end of the season."
Rovers' latest outing ended in a disappointing 4-0 reverse at Gillingham on Saturday, in which the players contrived to concede three early goals to render the game as a contest over by half-time.
"We have been the architects of our own downfall lately," said Gill. "It is always a battle away from home anyway, so you do yourselves no favours if you concede early goals.
"I think we are playing some good stuff between both boxes, but it is in both penalty areas where we are really struggling.
"We don't feel that we have been really dominated in any of the games and if we can just improve at both ends of the pitch the results will come.
"We need a platform to build from because we're not giving ourselves that at the minute. A win or even a point at Plymouth would be something that could help us turn things around over the next few weeks."
Rovers, meanwhile, suffered a further setback after striker Matt Harrold hobbled off with a knee problem at Priestfield to add to a mounting injury list that has also claimed Cian Bolger (knee), Danny Woodards (broken leg) and goalkeeper Scott Bevan (wrist).
"Injuries are a fact of life in football and you have to find ways to overcome them," Gill said. "It is important that we all pull together now and try to put things right. We're disappointed when we lose games but we have to move on quickly and concentrate on the next one.
"We're in a difficult position at the minute and handling that is harder for some of the young boys who may not have been through it before.
"We have a few experienced heads around though, and we need to help those younger lads through it."
Comments
by Fullofgas
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 6:44PM
“Don't know enough about kenneth to know if he could be a leader of men, or whether he will ever be a regular. He certainly has the stature to demand everyones attention.
I did have hopes that Virgo may be the man to replace Cambs, but that seems pretty unlikely unless he can make up a lot of lost ground.
Not so long ago when we were failing under a list of previous managers, the call kept going up to play the kids. MM has tried it and is now taking the flack for its lack of success whilst everyone else keeps quiet about it.
It can't be a coinsidence that nearly all rovers managers continue to fail. For a short spell last season MM was our most successful recently. So I say give the bloke a chance and at least see what christmas brings”
by bobzeebuilder
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 6:28PM
“Ive been watching the gas for years and to be honest its now getting boring. It just seems different players saying the same old tat. They should say less and do more. Im behind McGhee but even i think that the pre-season was simply not good enough. You didnt need the brightest spark to work out that half of them were not fit and that includes Harold. Unfit and overwight players get injured!!!! DOnt just say you owe u a performance. Perform. You are professionsals do your job.”
by DraytonGas
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 5:42PM
“I agree with Burgeyv111 to some extent. Stuart was easily the best mdfield player and always gave 100%. Gill clearly needs a strong character to keep him going as he gives up and rarely shows any heart. He's the wrong guy for captain as his imput on the younger players is non existent. MM needs to find the right captain to steer the currently rudderless ship. Trouble is none of the others are up to the job either. Still Crewe got promoted playing a team of teenagers so maybe this being forced on MM will prove to be a stroke of genius. Oh and pigs may fly!
UTG Forever”
by Burgeyv111
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 9:22AM
“Totally agree "Gilly" we do deserve better…. a better captain and centre midfielder who will actually win a tackle and dominate the midfield and be a inspiration to the rest of the team and single handily drag the gas along with them like "Campbell" last year against Yeovil while he was caretaker manager, now that was a true Bristol Rovers captain who loved our club and in my opinion should have been giving the managers job. Think maybe you should watch a few dvd's available in the club shop and see what shifts Stuart put in week in week out for the Gas always giving 110% maybe his legs were starting to go a bit towards the end but that was due to running the midfield and covering everyone else in there with him !!! UTG”