Paul Trollope is telling his Bristol Rovers players they have to give everything from the first whistle if they want to maintain their top-six challenge this season.

The manager, pictured, was critical of the way his team started the game in their 2-1 weekend defeat at Southend – their second away reverse in a row.

Although Bristol Rovers fought back from 2-0 down and went on to dominate the second period, Trollope felt it was too little, too late from his side.

"We were at 75 per cent for large spells of the first half, although we did grow into it," said Trollope.

"But you can't be at 75 per cent if you want to win football matches – the players know they have to be flat out.

"Unfortunately, the start we produced wasn't good enough, and in the end that cost us the game.

"We knew Southend would start quickly and we made a lot of bad decisions with the ball. We were over-elaborating and trying to be a little bit too clever in the opening period and didn't pass and move like we can.

"We did improve as the first-half wore on and got on top towards the end of it.

"We got one goal back but missed the chances to get the equaliser we felt we deserved."

Rovers remained fifth in the table despite the defeat, but Trollope admits there is still work needed ahead of next weekend's home game with Yeovil Town.

"We said when we were third that we still needed to improve on things and this is another game we need to take lessons from," he said.

"There were some positive things, but a lot of negative things that we can't afford to reproduce. If we do produce an opening spell like that in too many games, we will soon slip down the league – and that's not what we want.

"There are going to be days when things don't click for us, but we still need an edge to our game. We knew we would need it after having two weeks without a game, but unfortunately we went 2-0 down before we showed it.

"We've come here after a two-week break and maybe there were some physical issues about why the players didn't start well, although they had trained exceptionally well and were prepared for it.

"You do everything you can in training, but you can't replicate the intensity of a game situation."

Trollope is looking forward to returning to the Memorial Stadium for next Saturday's West Country derby after three games on opposition soil.

"We've had a lot of long journeys, a lot of away games and it will be good to be back home next weekend," he said.

"I'm pleased we'll have another free week of training leading up to it and it's one we'll look forward to.

"At the end of the season I think our away record will look after itself. I'm pretty sure we'll have the wins we need because of what we can do to teams.

"We feel we've got eight to 10 away wins in us, despite losing the last two.

"Our home form is going to be the crucial thing and that starts again next Saturday."