Gaffer calls for reaction in aftermath of disappointing loss.
Paul Dickov has said that he wants to get “back on track” following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Port Vale.Rovers succumbed to the Valiants on Saturday in what was their first defeat of the 2014/15 season and tonight’s encounter with Preston North End provides a chance to put things right quickly.
“I’m looking for a reaction and I’ll get one. We’ve been through the Port Vale game as a group and we know the mistakes we made but it’s important that we don’t get too down after defeats,” said Dickov.
“They’re a good group and they were as disappointed with themselves as I was with them. One with it being a home game and two with us wanting to build momentum.
“After one league game and one cup game you’re not going to gel and be fantastic all the time and it might be a good thing that it’s happened now in case people in and around the club were getting carried away with results.”
With Dickov coming up short against a former boss in Micky Adams at the weekend, the Scot will be hoping for an improvement when he faces his former Blackpool and Leeds boss Simon Grayson.
“They’re a strong team and they’re one of the favourites to go up because Simon is a good manager and he’s created a really strong squad and he’ll be up there at the end of the season,” said Dickov.
“For us to be remotely successful, the home form has to be good. We’re only two league games in and things won’t have an even keel about them for a good while yet.”
Rovers will be without striker Curtis Main who has had a cartilage operation on his knee, which will rule him out for up to six weeks, thus providing opportunities to some of Rovers’ younger players.
“We knew that if we had one or two injuries or suspensions then we would be light but that’s where the philosophy that we’re trying to bring to the club, comes in,” Dickov said.
“If we have to play the younger ones then you give them their chance. People talk about them being inexperienced but the only way they’re going to gain that experience is if you put them in and play games.”