Danny Schofield felt Rovers lacked killer instinct as they fell to defeat against Walsall.
Rovers were undone by two second half goals in the Sky Bet League Two clash and the head coach pointed the finger at the attacking performance.
Schofield on how the game played out:
“Up until the goal I thought there were some real positive moments in terms of us building up the play, getting up to the final third.
“But throughout the game I thought we lacked the killer instinct, that moment to create a goal. We didn’t create clear cut chances and I think we needed to change the tempo, the speed, be more explosive and combine more.
“I thought we were on the front foot and the more aggressive team in the early stages of the second half. We were in their half for long periods.
“The first goal was probably against the run of play but I felt the momentum shifted when we conceded the goal.
“I spoke to them about that at the end of game. I said to them when you concede goals that this isn’t a game for the faint hearted, it’s time to stand up and be counted and we go again with what we do and how we try to play our game.
“I cannot question the players’ endeavour and their application with trying to play. But the way we conceded the goals was disappointing.
On supporting Ro-Shaun Williams after defensive mistakes:
“It’s not for the faint hearted. Mistakes are going to happen and it’s down to us to support players when their confidence takes a knock, to be positive from them and to learn from the mistakes that happen in football.
“It’s not just Ro-Shaun, the way we conceded the goals as a team - having the ball and looking to attack but coming unstuck when we had good balance behind the ball.”
On where the team is at currently:
“We always try to finish as high as we can and the top seven is where we want to be. I think performances have been good in spells but not consistent all the way through games.
“There are areas where we need to improve on and in this game it was the final third actions.
“I think the players are buying into what we’re asking of them and I saw that again in this game. I can’t fault their effort and application to try to do what we’re coaching on the training pitch.”
On Tommy Rowe’s return to action at left centre back:
“He did really well and I think for him to play 90 minutes will have done him the world of good.
“We’ve had to be patient with his niggling injuries but he’s come through this one okay so he’ll be fine.
“I think the way we want to build from the back, Tommy is accustomed to it. We wanted him to be more attacking from his position in the second half and be more advanced. I thought it worked in spells and we had some good moments where we got higher up the pitch.
“I tried to change a few things tactically at half time to get Tommy higher up the pitch but Walsall changed things as well to try to stop Tommy getting on the ball.
“He’s a player who is adaptable and flexible. I think his position is going to depend on how we feel for a certain game for where he features.”
On Max Woltman’s performance:
“I think he did really well in spells, especially in the first half. He’s a player that hasn’t =had many 90 minutes or many minutes recently but I saw things in training and a really positive attitude from Max in discussions with him on how he can impact the team.
“He’s been patient and I thought he deserved his opportunity.”