Joseph Olowu insists Rovers must embrace the pressure of the situation in which they find themselves in Sky Bet League One.
Rovers visit promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday in need of points in order to cut the gap to safety.
Defender Olowu acknowledges the growing pressure on the squad with the end of the season rapidly approaching but believes using that as fuel is the best course of action.
Olowu on Rovers’ current position:
“The reality of it now is that we just need to start picking up wins. It’s not a matter of just picking up results or draws here or there, it’s a matter of us getting the three points and getting ourselves out of the situation sooner rather than later.
“We’ve left ourselves some task but it is very do-able.
“Three points, and another three points back to back can make all the difference.
“That is the mentality that I think we’ve got to have, to back ourselves to try to get as many points as we can to get us out of this position.
“Hopefully our fortunes do change. It could be a scrappy 1-0 that builds our confidence but we’ll take it by all means.
“The pressure is there and we can’t shy away from it. We have to head into it, face it head on and stand up and be counted, as I’ve said many times in the past.
“You need that character about you and build the resilience because it’s only going to stand you in good stead for the rest of your career.
“We need to take the pressure off ourselves so we can play with freedom but also understand that we need to perform.”
On the mood in the camp:
“It’s bubbly. It’s just a group of boys that are great together in terms of keeping our spirits high.
“The position we’re in can take a toll mentally on some players but as a group we can recognise that one or two players might be feeling a bit down. We try to rally around them and be a good group to show the good cohesion to stay together.”
On bringing positivity to the dressing room:
“It happens naturally with me. I go around with a smile on my face.
“I’m playing football which is something I have dreamed of since I was a little kid. I have every reason to smile and be in a bubbly mood.
“The position that we’re in might not be great but you’ve always got to have a positive outlook with it and believe that it’s going to change.
“If we can have that outlook as a group, then sooner or later it will change in our advantage.”
On his season personally:
“In terms of the opportunity I was given, the initial short term deal that was extended, I’ve just taken it with both hands.
“I’ve turned up for training every day and tried to be my best self and try to have a positive influence and a positive impact on the team.”
On the challenge posed by Wycombe:
“They’re very persistent with what they do. They’re very adamant in getting the ball from back to front quickly, getting bodies around the likes of [Sam] Vokes or [Adebayo] Akinfenwa and getting runners off them.
“I think it’s going to be one of those games that is more of a physical battle, a battle of brute and strength rather than tactical or nice football side of things.”
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