Goalscorer Mipo Odubeko says it was frustrating that it took until the second half for Rovers to perform at Shrewsbury Town.
Rovers found themselves 3-0 down at half time on their must-win trip to the Montgomery Waters Meadow. But they roared back to claim a 3-3 draw, with Odubeko’s goal sparking the comeback.
The result left Rovers needing wins in their last two matches of the season plus a huge swing in goal difference and other results to go their way in order to survive in Sky Bet League One.
While bitterly disappointed with the outcome, Odubeko was both pleased and frustrated with the manner of the draw at Shrewsbury.
Odubeko on how the game played out:
“It’s been a difficult couple of months but if you’re going to go down, go down fighting like that.
“You could see the reaction in the second half, with the play and the goals that were scored. You can see that we could do it.
“It has been difficult and it’s sad for it to end like this.
“A lot of the games have been like that but we’ve not had the goals to show for it.
“You could see the sort of football that we were playing in the second half.
“But it shouldn’t take us until the second half of games, or words to be said at half time, for us to start playing.
“There were a few words and a few people got dug out but there was a reaction from those players in the second half.
“We deserved to get back into it.”
On his own recent form:
“Two goals in two games now and I feel confident.
“I feel confident in the box and I think that is what has been missing for me.
“I feel like I knew in myself that once I got one the goals would start coming.
“It’s just a shame that it’s come so late.
“I do wish it had come earlier but the main thing I wish is that we’d have stayed up.
“Things can’t always go the way you want it. That’s football.
On his partnership with Reo Griffiths:
“I think the fact we scored three goals as a team when we were up there together says it enough.
“We work good as a pair. I know him really well.”
On the pain of relegation for loan players:
“Nobody wants to get relegated.
“I’m part of Doncaster Rovers. Although I do go back to West Ham at the end of the season, it still hurts to get relegated.
“I have come here with a task and with ambition and I’ve not managed to do that.
“It does hurt. Saying it doesn’t is quite ludicrous.”
On his loan spell as a whole:
“It’s been a very testing one but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
‘I’ve come here to be tested in men’s football and to score goals.
“The goals will come and they have done. And I’ve got the minutes I needed.
“I’m enjoying my best football of the season at the moment. I didn’t play in the first half of the season so getting going wasn’t the easiest.
“I always take the positives from things and I’ve met a great group of lads. It’s a phenomenal group of players.
“And you can see the quality in the group. It’s some of the best players that I’ve played with.
“It’s been enjoyable and it’s just sad that it’s ended like this.”
On the recent importance of experienced players:
“You see the quality that Clayts [Adam Clayton] and Bozzy [John Bostock] bring to the team.
“You see the leadership that Clayts brings. For me personally, he’s a massive figure in the changing room. He gets us going, not only on matchdays but every single day.
“He’s played at the top level, in the Premier League, and you can see that.
“I’m thankful to play alongside him. He’s a great guy and he’s kept me going at times when I’ve been down.”