Danny Schofield has urged his players to carry some positive momentum into the off-season as the finishing line of the current campaign edges closer.
Rovers head to Stevenage on Tuesday night for the penultimate away game of the season and Schofield is desperate to find winning form.
Schofield on game management:
“It’s those moments - there’s always a momentum shift when goals are scored, one way or another. We just didn’t deal with Harrogate’s added threat. We felt a lot more direct balls were coming in to our line but we didn’t get the first or second contacts or the decision-making from the centre backs to shield the ball or get the clearance earlier.
“These kind of moments decide the result. Nothing too much tactically from my point of view - it was just these key moments where we came up short.
“There’s a lot of frustration. We’ve been on a difficult run and there’s been areas in the last three games in particular where there’s been positives in the performance. In the moments, where we’ve conceded those goals, has been really poor and unacceptable. We need to address them and make sure we’re all accountable in those situations.”
On the run of form over the last 12 games:
“It’s poor form. It’s not good enough and you can’t argue against that. The results haven’t been good enough I feel from the start of March when we were just outside the play-offs. We’ve petered off from then.
“It’s something that I have addressed as coach with the players. We need to continue to improve in these next four games.”
On finishing well:
“These next four games, the last four games of the season, are very important. We’re discussing and planning for next season but today is the most important day - preparing for Stevenage, which becomes the most important game.
“Momentum from these games in both performances and results can take us into the off-season feeling a little bit better and can prepare you for day one in a more positive manner.”
On the reaction from supporters at Harrogate:
“It’s not an ideal situation. My main concern is the impact it has on the players. They’re the ones who are playing on the pitch and performing. My concern is for them because I want for them to be able to fulfil their potential, which becomes very challenging when the environment is a certain way.
“It’s my focus to try to make sure the players are ready for any situation they’re in to perform to the best of their capabilities.
“This job is challenging in any football club - whether at the top or in League Two. When a club has experienced such good highs through promotions and then lows of relegation and not seeing progression on the pitch and results, it feels as though it needs that, boom, we go now.
“The club is in a place now where that’s the plan and that’s the vision to really go, move forward and fight for promotion, and let the fans come and enjoy and support the club in the manner in which they want to and see better performances and results.
“That’s all you can continue to work towards. Whatever your resources are, that’s got to be your focus all the time. It’s challenging. It’s professional football - there’s another team that are trying to stop you performing and winning. We need to be better.
“The club now has the vision and the backing that we’ve seen in the statements. It could be a time now to really move forward.”
On the health of the squad:
“Tommy Rowe is 50-50 for Tuesday. He had a slight issue with his hip. We’re hoping that will settle down but we’ll see.
“The ones who were available for the Harrogate game - that will be the squad to select from.”
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