Tommy Rowe piled praise on striker Jack Goodman for the fearless nature in which he embarked on his senior league debut for Rovers.
The 18-year-old was introduced off the bench at half time with Rovers 2-0 down against Crewe Alexandra. And while he could not help spark a comeback, Goodman’s performance was one of the positives from the game for Rovers.
Rowe on Jack Goodman’s performance on his league debut:
“I thought Jack coming on was incredible. He’s done really well for the youth team and to see him come on when we were two goals down and do what he did, I thought was very spirited. He’s going to have a good career if he works hard and if he plays like that. It was an outstanding contribution and it gave us something to build off. It gave us a platform.
“It goes to show that if someone like that can show that in the second half and get us going, that’s all it is at times.”
On how the game played out:
“We are bitterly disappointed. From the outset, we set out to be as brave as we could be but they were really aggressive, realising the way we wanted to play and thought they could catch us in areas. You can’t go a goal and then two down in the first half.
“To give ourselves the best chance we knew we had to be on the front foot. We weren’t good enough with the way we played, it was as simple as that. Due to their press, we didn’t work things out and we got caught.
“I think it’s about momentum - positive and negative momentum. We’re on a run of bad results but we’re really trying hard to put it right.”
On the final seven games of the season:
“I think it’s about will. You have to will it to happen sometimes. There’s got to be more that can be done in those individual duels and the things that matter most in a game. To get the momentum in your favour, you’ve got to be first to everything.”
On fan frustration:
“You’ve got to embrace the atmosphere. It’s a pressure we put on ourselves and that is no different from what the fans voicing what they want to see. It doesn’t change my outlook or the other players’. We’re still disappointed regardless.
“We can win games and still get that because the expectation of the fans is a lot higher than where we’re at right now. It’s not going to get any easier, we know that. It’s got to be the next time.”
On the next two games coming in quick succession:
“We won’t dwell. We’ll move on quickly. We understand where we’re at and what needs to happen. Understanding it and changing it is two different things. It’s going to take a lot more than just hope. We’ve got to deliver the action.
“There’s a lot of voices before the game and at half time but we’ve got to see the action now. It’s got to come tomorrow, and every day.”
On making his 600th career appearance:
“When we get the next win, I’ll reflect on it. It doesn’t mean anything to me when we get the result that we got in this one. It doesn’t feel right to enjoy a personal moment when I’m gutted with the result and the outcome. I’ll remember what it’s taken to get there and the people that have helped me get there but until we get that win, I’ll be putting it on hold.”