Trollope urges Bristol Rovers to build on momentum after crushing Swindon
Paul Trollope is urging Bristol Rovers to try to repeat the amazing late run that carried them to the play-offs and promotion three years ago.
The Pirates' impressive 4-0 win at Swindon Town in Saturday's West Country derby was their biggest win of the season and closed the gap between themselves and the play-off places to eight points.
-
Bristol Rovers manager Paul Trollope
And after watching his side chalk up their third victory in a row, and biggest league win at the County Ground, to end their five-month wait for an away success, Trollope drew comparisons between their position and the one they found themselves in back in 2007.
The Pirates were then 11 points adrift of the play-offs with 12 games to go, but staged an amazing late charge to Wembley by winning eight and drawing two of their remaining matches to book a place in the play-offs on the final day of the campaign.
"With 12 games to go, there's a similarity to three years ago when we went on an unbeaten run that eventually saw us gain promotion via the play-offs," said Trollope,.
"While no-one is getting carried away, the chances of a similar scenario happening in League One can't be discounted.
"Our win on Saturday narrows the gap and I've told the players that's the level we now expect. If we can produce that nine times out of the 12 games left, then we are going to win a lot of games of football.
"Everyone knows what we did in League Two at this stage of the season.
"In any league, if you are within striking distance and manage to get a run going and get some form and confidence, it can take you a long way.
"We aren't getting excited by any means because there is still a big gap to close, but we are certainly in a healthier position than we were two weeks ago."
Goals from Jo Kuffour, Paul Heffernan, Chris Lines and Jeff Hughes saw Rovers complete a double over the Robins, and Trollope rated the performance as one of the best of the campaign – particularly in both penalty boxes.
He said: "Our form and results have improved in recent weeks and we went to Swindon with a lot of confidence and a game-plan.
"We realised that we would have to be organised and disciplined, and we knew that there would be times in the game when we would be under pressure.
"But that is probably the best we have been in both boxes. Our keeper pulled off some good saves when he was called upon, people were throwing themselves on the line to block shots and we also had a little bit of luck at times."
Trollope believes the 5-0 hammering Rovers suffered at Leyton Orient early last month was a watershed for the team. "There was a lack of spirit in that game and credit must go to the players because we put strategies in place to get that back and we believe we've managed it," he said.
"Performances and results have improved and in the last couple of weeks we have beaten Charlton, Colchester and now Swindon – three of the top sides in the division. It means we are in good nick and very much looking forward to the last 12 games."
As well as praising his side's defensive resilience, Trollope was also delighted with the contribution from strikers Kuffour and Heffernan.
"Jo was outstanding. He had missed almost two weeks with a calf injury after the win against Charlton and I think that he tired in last Tuesday's game against Stockport," said the manager.
"But we looked after him in training and he looked sharp and caused Swindon problems. He also defended well and worked hard throughout the match and we were very pleased with him.
"Paul had a big involvement and scored a cracking goal – it was a good striker's goal with a good turn and finish. His link play was very good and his movement to get down the side was excellent.
"He's a player we've been pleased with and we are in talks to extend his loan at the moment."
10 Comments
by Robogas, Kingswood
Monday, March 08 2010, 10:57PM
“was also behind the goal and unless my hearing is packing in I did not hear anyone around me utter a word during the minute silence!!
There has always been animosity between our 2 sets of fans, since the late 70's anyway. That will never change. Swindon fans really hate us. They consider us to be a big derby game although we don't feel the same. They are like Yeovil in that sense. BCFC1982 is our big derby game. Anyway, great win and RIP Keith Alexander, I was shocked to hear of his death :-(”
by M, manchester
Monday, March 08 2010, 6:55PM
“Tom. the internet is a funny thing. you read my words and give them meaning they didn't say and didn't intend. we all do it. I didn;t say or mean ALL gasheads (i am one!). I meant ANY gasheads who did not observe the silence (even if it was just 1....). I was not apportioning blame, so therefore I do not need to mention about swindon fans as well (i'm a gashead & this is a gas story, so why should I consider swindon fans). I did clearly mention swindon and gas fans in my post anyway.
anyway, the point is actually this..... "Football is supposed to be fun, not a war". I am fed up with the attitude of some footy fans, including our own sometimes, and yes, I have been there and done that and got the T-shirt, after 20 years of following the gas (i've been attacked near a ground, my wife has been racially abused, been in the middle of WBA and Charlton at Twerton, been herded around at Trashton, etc - been there done that; I just want a peaceful and fun time). I hope that's not too much to ask.”
by Gary, Kingswood
Monday, March 08 2010, 2:50PM
“I was in sat, or rather stood, at the back of the open end on Saturday (behind the goal) and can honestly say I didn't hear a peep out of any Rovers fan, despite not knowing what was going on due to a completely inefficient tannoy system. There were some silent hand gestures direct towards the Town, where the disrespect was being show.
RIP Keith Alexander”
by Roversteve, Clevedon
Monday, March 08 2010, 2:41PM
“I have witnessed many "minutes silences"at the Memorial Stadium and apart from the odd mobile going off you could hear a pin drop every time.I definately think there is gross exaggeration in this story as was the case with racist chants from Gasheads at Leicester last season.Apparently,my friend who is a city seasonticket holder,said the same happened when city played Leicester.There must be an element of "neutrals" that go round different grounds to incite trouble.The point is that media have to learn to recognise this element from true fans of either side and report accordingly! Rest in Piece Keith,you were one of the best.”
by Tom, Downend
Monday, March 08 2010, 1:32PM
“M, Manchester, you have just got all the facts totally wrong, you slated gasheads and made no mention to the swindle fans starting it, from where i was sat i heard nothing but swindon fans. Before accusing people of having miserable existances stop getting ur knickers in a twist and learn the facts first! and your mention of getting a grip i have one on reality my friend where as you seem to take the BEP as gospel!
That aside great performance shame we are the football leagues most inconsistent team! Also (yeah i suppose is a dig at swindon but has to be done) the average age at the county ground must be 13 and i think dress code is hooded tops and addidas joggers. Still at least they managed to see the first half before walking off!
UP THE GAS”
by hannah, bristol
Monday, March 08 2010, 11:59AM
“I've never read so much trollope in all my life!! it's on here everyday.”
by M, manchester
Monday, March 08 2010, 11:38AM
“Although not an amazingly successful player or manager, and therefore never going to be well known in this media and 'success' obsessed world, EVERYONE has nothing but good to say about keith Alexander as a man and as a manager, so I was also gutted when I heard on the BEP blog that the minutes silence was interrupted by (apparently) swindon and gas fans having a go at each other (whatever the exact truth, there is NO excuse!!). Get a grip gasheads. Football is supposed to be fun, not a war. Next time try to take one minute out of your miserable existences to be quiet for a man who tried to show honour and compassion in the game. And what if it had been a minute's silence for Garry Thompson, Olly, John Ward, Gerry Francis, or anyone else we know and love?
On a different note, I admit I was rather anxious when I heard Trolls going on about a play-off charge. But once I calmed down, I thought 'yeah, why not say that'. It's better to look up and have ambition, than to say nothing, or write it off that we are probably going to finish high mid-table (8th - 12th). We've got to try and maybe this motivates the players and fans.”
by dan, downend
Monday, March 08 2010, 11:33AM
“in fairness phil it was mainly swindon fans.”
by phil, kingswood
Monday, March 08 2010, 10:32AM
“Dan, Downend,
I was not at the game on Saturday, I decided after Tuesday's game to stay at home and watch the paint dry.
If this is true what you said about the minute's silence for Keith Alexander, then I'm appalled and glad I did'nt attend.
If this is the breed of supporter
we are bringing to our games, then the Club should step in and ban them for life.”
by dan, downend
Monday, March 08 2010, 8:29AM
“Whilst i thought we were great after a rocky start, i would like to send my apologies to Keith Alexander's family and Macclesfield fottball club for the appalling minutes silence that was ruined. For those involved don't bother coming to anymore games. Ruined the day for me and lots of others.”