Danny Schofield felt Rovers fell ‘well short’ of the standards required during the telling first half of the defeat to Crewe Alexandra.
Two goals in six first half minutes saw Crewe run out winners at the Eco-Power Stadium with Rovers unable to fight back despite an improved second half performance.
On how the game played out:
“It’s very disappointing. There’s lots of emotions after a defeat but the manner of the performance, particularly in the first half, fell well short. I felt we were physically very poor in every aspect - the duels, the ability to run in beyond the opponent. Physically we just got swallowed up in the first half.
“There was lots of emotion at half time. It’s not good enough, that first half performance. The goals we’re conceding and the manner in which we do, is disappointing.
“We made changes and I felt the team got back into the game with the ascendency but not creating enough chances with the possession we had. Crewe managed the game really well at 2-0 up and it was always going to be difficult for us from that point.”
On confidence in the camp:
“Form is very poor. The last nine games has brought one win and two draws and that does affect things. It affects confidence, the emotion of people, players, supporters and everyone around the club. We need to just continue working as hard as possible to turn it around. That’s what we’ll try to do.”
On how players have stepped up following injuries:
“They need to. They’ve been given the opportunities now. The players that have been starting games since I’ve been in here are injured. It’s down to others to step up and show they can be counted for.”
On Jack Goodman’s performance off the bench:
“To bring Jack on at 2-0 down at half time and for him to come on and make an impact, I thought he did very well. I thought he was one of the positives from the performance.
“He’s been doing really well in the U18s, scoring more than 20 goals. He’s been training with the first team now for quite a while. It was deserved. He got an appearance because he’s been doing really well in the sessions.”
On Tommy Rowe’s 600th senior appearance:
“It’s some feat to get 600 career appearances. That’s testament to the effort and hard work he’s put in over his footballing career.”