Bristol Rovers benefit from beefing up defence with Baldwin
Monday, November 23, 2009, 07:44
And the manager admitted the debut performance from loan signing Pat Baldwin will give him a selection poser when he picks the side for tomorrow’s daunting trip to Charlton Athletic.
The 2-1 victory over the Gills – delivered thanks to Chris Lines’ third goal in four games and a late penalty from Jeff Hughes – was the first time in nine games that Rovers have conceded less than two goals in a match.
“Conditions made things very difficult, but the general level of our defending was getting to somewhere near where we want it to be,” said Trollope.
“This showed that even if you are not at your flowing best, if you defend right then there is always a chance of victory.
“That wasn’t the case during the bad run we experienced, but we are through that now. The players have taken a lot of things on board and we have worked exceptionally hard on the training ground over the last five or six weeks to get things right.
“The spirit within the group has been maintained throughout that time but now the results are coming and with it, hopefully, the confidence to really pass the ball will also start to come back.”
Baldwin, signed on loan from Colchester on Friday, took over the right-back berth in the absence of suspended Carl Regan and Trollope felt he contributed to the win.
“Our defending, especially from set pieces, has been a problem for us but it was a lot better than it has been in recent weeks and I think Pat played his part in that,” said Trollope.
“Right-back isn’t his favoured position but his experience, communication and general play was a welcome addition.”
Regan will be available for tomorrow’s clash at The Valley and Trollope added: “Carl will be back and we have a few options in that department – and when Aaron Lescott is back in a couple of weeks, we’ll have even more.
“We want that competition and for people to know they have to extend themselves and play to a good level if they want to be in the team.
“If we can keep people fit and firing, then whoever has the shirt and produces will stay in there.”
Rovers moved up one place to seventh in League One after their weekend victory and they are just a point adrift of the play-off zone.
“The league is tight, especially above us, but we will go to Charlton with a lot of confidence and looking to win,” said Trollope.
“It’s going to be a tough test, similar to the ones we faced against Norwich, Leeds, and MK Dons, as Charlton are one of the best sides in the division.
“They have been in the Premiership in recent seasons, so we are under no illusions about the task that faces us. But, after two wins, we are looking forward to it.”
Trollope felt his team deserved to win a game of few chances against the Gills which was played in dreadful conditions.
“We forced them back and got on top of the game, although there was a spell in the second half when it didn’t look like another goal was going to come,” said the manager.
“But we had a good solidity about us after conceding so many goals in recent weeks and that was a major bonus.
“We limited them to very few chances so that was pleasing. In the end, we were awarded a penalty that won us the game and we managed to see it out well after that.
“There are still a lot of things to work on, but six points from two home games is very pleasing.”
Made to measure - Baldwin helps Bristol Rovers beat Gillingham on his debut
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