Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Garner targeting a ‘complete’ display
Rovers boss looking for the best from his team offensively and defensively
BEN Garner has called for his Bristol Rovers players to learn from their mistakes and give a “complete performance” when they face Ipswich Town for the second time in a fortnight today.
Rovers lost 3-0 at Portman Road in the first round of the Carabao Cup two weeks ago, but have the chance to put things right when the Suffolk side visit the Memorial Stadium.
The Pirates responded to that defeat – one littered with defensive issues – with a much more dogged performance to secure a 1-1 draw at
Sunderland last Saturday to kick off the new League One season.
Garner hopes his players will build on that with an improved outing in possession as they play their first home League game of the campaign.
“There weren’t too many surprises in what Ipswich did,” he said. “I just think they were good on the day, but we didn’t do certain things we should have done.
“It was a case of us reflecting, looking at ourselves and putting those things right. We probably need to combine the two performances (at Ipswich and Sunderland). Our last couple of pre-season games we were very good with the ball.
“The Ipswich game, our defensive structure and organisation wasn’t where it should be. It was very, very good at Sunderland, but we weren’t as good with the ball at Sunderland.
“We want a complete performance and we want that every game. If we can get a combination of the two we will be in a good place.”
Swindon have signed the former Birmingham City defender Jonathan Grounds on a one-year contract ahead of this afternoon’s League One fixture at Blackpool.
The 32-year-old played 170 times in six seasons with the Midlands club, but did not make a first-team appearance for Blues last season and was released earlier this summer.
He started his career in the North East, at Middlesbrough, making his Premier League debut as a 19-yearold, and spent two years at Oldham before joining Birmingham.