Taylor admits injuries caught up with Rovers at Wigan
We talk about not having centre-forwards but we still need to get the ball through the thirds and in around the box and near the opposition goal
MATT Taylor said he doesn’t want Bristol Rovers’ 2-0 final-day defeat at Wigan Athletic to be a reflection of the players on the pitch amid widespread injuries within his squad.
A flat display at the DW Stadium saw the Gas finish 15th in League One with 57 points, which will ultimately be seen as a disappointment despite improvement on last term’s league finish and points tally of 54.
Jed Ward was forced into three impressive saves before the deadlock was broken by Josh Magennis to hand the Latics a 1-0 lead. However, Rovers could have taken the lead themselves as Scott Sinclair saw an effort deflected just wide, the visitors’ best chance of the contest.
However, a Jonny Smith strike from distance early into the second half took any wind out of Taylor’s side’s sails and they struggled to show any signs of getting themselves back into the game.
“I don’t think we started the game well enough with enough intent and intensity, enough sprints in us and paid the price in terms of being one down,” the Rovers manager said.
“We grew into the game as that first half went on, and then early in the second half a poor moment from ourselves and then it was 2-0.
Like I’ve said leading up to this game and the last game, I don’t want that to be just a reflection of the group of players that are out there because we’re double figures down of senior players and some of those players are important players in important positions. We’re clearly lacking in certain areas.
“Whether we’re switching off or not being quite right in terms of staying engaged in our jobs for long enough - that’s probably happened too often this season. I think we’ve conceded the second-most goals in the league which is a damning statement, but in terms of the other aspect we need to create and score more. We talk about not having centre-forwards but we still need to get the ball through the thirds and in around the box and near the opposition goal.”
Whether there was an element of just wanting the season to end in Rovers’ performance is only a question
those involved could answer honestly, but a significant amount of the players at the club will be departing over the course of the summer.
With six loanees and eight permanently contracted first-team regulars set to be out of contract this summer, a major squad overhaul is inevitable.
The retained list is expected to be published tomorrow, which will give a clearer indication of the players left for Taylor to work with
alongside the players the club look to bring in but the Rovers boss admitted it will certainly be busy.
“I think everyone knows that it’s going to be a very busy summer. I think it was always going to be regardless of whoever was in charge or what the situation was because we’ve got six loans to go back straight away.
“Obviously there’s eight players out of contract so straight away, even before anything else happens, that’s a big turnaround and in terms of obviously replacements, you need bodies in the building.
“We’re looking forward to getting towards working in relation to that. It’s so strange at this time of year because everything seems to go to sleep for the next three or four weeks, possibly the whole of May.
“But we want to get as many through the door as early as possible because we know how important pre-season is going to be in terms of bedding them in.”