Football Not good enough, admits departing manager

BEN Garner apologised to Bristol Rovers fans after Saturday’s dismal 4-1 defeat to Fleetwood Town at the Mem.

The game was defined by an awful first half from the Gas, which Garner described as “unacceptable”.

Fleetwood took the lead on the half hour when Callum Camps’ free kick bamboozled Jordi van Stappershoef - starting in goal with Anssi Jaakkola on international duty.

Paddy Madden doubled the lead before half time from a poorlydefended corner, and although Josh Grant pulled one back with 30 minutes to play Fleetwood wrapped up the points late on as Camps completed a brace before Ched Evans rolled in a penalty.

The defeat saw Rovers drop to 18th place, three points clear of the League One relegation zone.

Speaking after the match but before the announcement that he had been relieved of his duties, Garner said: “The first 45 minutes were unacceptable. The sheer basics of the game: competing, rolling your sleeves up and working hard, it wasn’t good enough.

“I apologise to the supporters. There were some strong words at half time because we expect working hard to be the bare minimum.

“We were nowhere near where we should’ve been and it was

nowhere near good enough. We just weren’t competing. First balls, second balls, they were winning everything.

“We had people trying to do each other’s jobs rather than just focusing on our own and didn’t pass the ball well. There was nothing good in the first half, nowhere near where we should be.”

The result was met with justified anger and frustration from supporters, something Garner accepted saying: “I’ve got to front up and admit it’s plainly not acceptable. I understand the frustrations.”

However, within two hours Rovers confirmed Garner’s departure and said Tommy Widdrington had been placed in caretaker

charge. Garner replaced Graham Coughlan in December, but only won five league games across his 11 months in charge.

A statement from a club spokesman said: “Bristol Rovers can this evening confirm that it has parted company with manager Ben Garner.

“Tommy Widdrington will be taking charge of first-team duties on a temporary basis, while the Club commences the process of appointing a new manager.

“The club would like to thank Ben Garner for all his hard work and wish him the very best of luck for the future.

“The club will be making no further comment at this time.”

Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Fleetwood Town’s Paddy Madden scores his side’s second goal during their 4-1 Sky Bet League One victory over Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium. Rovers manager Ben Garner, who apologised to fans and described his side’s performance as nowhere near good enough, was sacked shortly after the match