‘Experience has been incredible’

Interim manager Mangan is enjoying his time in charge of Bristol Rovers

CARETAKER boss Andy Mangan has labelled his temporary tenure at Bristol Rovers as an “incredible experience” having now been in the role for a fortnight.

Joey Barton departed the club two weeks ago and, since then, Mangan has taken charge of three games – as well as handling everything else that comes with the top job, and it has been some introduction for Mangan.

His fourth game comes today as the Pirates make the mammoth trip up to Cumbria to face Carlisle at

Brunton Park, with Rovers knocking on the door of the top ten in the Sky Bet League One table.

Whether or not this will be his final game in caretaker charge is still unknown, with Mangan, 37, saying the process is “game by game” but, ahead of the Carlisle clash, the interim boss told his pre-match press conference: “Honestly, it’s been an incredible experience.

“I’d have loved a win on Tuesday. It would have been an incredible start to the interim manager cycle, but we’ve drawn 1-1.

“I’m an ultra optimist. Am I going to get too down? No. I’m going to try to come in and show the players where we can improve.

“I think the fans have understood that as well. They have been amazing by the way – 3,000 away on a Tuesday night, which is just incredible. We move onto Saturday with confidence and looking to get the win.

“It’s game by game. I just have to prepare the team as best I can to win games of football.

“The lads are in really good spirits. I think they were more disappointed on Tuesday because they felt that, especially with the penalty decision