Inigo Calderon has insisted that he feels more comfortable about his Bristol Rovers team playing another one of League One’s elite in Bolton Wanderers tomorrow night than against a more physical opponent after beating Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
After a run of just one point in four matches, Rovers returned to winning ways over the weekend with a 1-0 victory over play-off chasing Huddersfield, who subsequently sacked head coach Michael Duff after falling out of the top six.
Replacing them was Bolton who returned the favour by beating the Gas’ closest relegation rivals Burton Albion 2-1 but now the two teams are set to face off at the Mem with the Whites currently League One’s form team after an excellent start to life under former Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher.
However, Rovers have shown that they can pick up results against some of the best teams in the league of late, taking seven points from home matches against Barnsley, Stockport County and Huddersfield under Calderon.
“I said before the game that I feel more comfortable against these teams, especially in the way they play,” the Gas head coach confessed ahead of facing Bolton. “I think we struggle a little bit more with the more physical and more direct teams because it doesn’t matter that you’re in control of the game, they still can put the ball in the box and they still can hurt you.
“I think these teams that they play or they try to play, I feel more comfortable with and the fact that we beat Barnsley and Huddersfield and drew against Stockport.
“As I say, for me, it’s not three games. It’s not games that you have to mark; that’s the one you have to win. That doesn’t matter for me. Every single game is a chance to get the three [points].”
Bolton are the division’s most in-form team currently after taking 16 points from their last six matches. However, only Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City have picked up more points in their last six home games than Rovers who have beaten Barnsley, Peterborough United, Burton and Huddersfield while drawing against Stockport County and losing to Rotherham United.
Should the Gas get over the line and survive relegation come the end of the season, their results at the Mem will be a major contributing factor with form on the road a major issue all campaign.
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Saturday’s win over Huddersfield opened up the gap on 21st place Burton to six points while tomorrow evening’s meeting with Bolton is Rovers’ game in hand on the Brewers and some other relegation rivals which offers the opportunity to extend their advantage even further.
“It’s true I feel so happy when we play at home,” Calderon declared on the Gas’ home comforts since his arrival. “Even before the game, having the support from the fans even with the kids at the beginning when you’re coming to the dressing room at the beginning. I feel so good and happy coming at home.
“It hasn’t been a good season so far for them, but you know, when they enjoy [it] so much, it’s great because I always say that we are here for the fans and, as I say, if the fans can go home with a smile, we have to be proud of that.
“I think at home we’ve been much better. Probably the last game against Rotherham, we didn’t perform that good. Obviously, they are a good side. But I think overall we’ve been quite good at home and as I say, that connection is great because the players feel better.
“I mean, you feel better when you have the fans behind you. It’s like a vicious circle and if it’s a positive one, it’s great.”