Inigo Calderon has admitted that his Bristol Rovers side played more flowing football than he expected in their vital 1-0 victory away at fellow strugglers Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon.
The Gas saw a chance fall to Jamie Lindsay within the first two minutes after some neat play while their goal was particularly pleasing on the eye as Lino Sousa released Scott Sinclair into space whose cross was headed home at the back-post by an unmarked Luke Thomas.
Cambridge came close to equalising in both halves with Bristol City loanee Josh Stokes missing four good chances in the match while Rovers had a goal from Isaac Hutchinson disallowed in the second half.
Calderon’s men then had to show a ruggedness about them as they dug deep and protected their goal well alongside a bit of luck with U’s captain Michael Morrision shown a second yellow card late on for a scuffle with James Wilson who was also booked.
“I said to the boys, I think we played more than I expected,” the Gas head coach declared. “I wanted them to play and it was up to them to decide when to play, when not to play, and if they find the right moments to play, especially the first half, I think we have good spells. Listen, I’m really, really happy for the boys.
“[It was] fully deserved today,” the Spaniard added. “ I think they did exactly what we wanted them to do and they performed so, so good. I mean, they played when they thought they could play and it’s not easy on this pitch. It was not a perfect condition to play but still they understood that it was the way to have some control and I think they did [it] perfectly.
“I think it’s not easy to play here at all and they did a couple of times and after they knew when to defend properly and do the ugly stuff as well.
“So listen, I cannot ask for any more. I think it’s not easy to change and to win a game when you are in that bad run.
“To be fair, I was seeing that they were improving, day by day. Even in a short session, I could see that mostly it was better, but at the end of the day, you have to win games, and they did that perfectly, so I’m happy for them. We are in the process of building something good but we need time.”
The victory is Rovers’ first in League One in seven matches since their 1-0 win at Mansfield Town in November and also ends a run of three consecutive losses.
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In each of those defeats, the Gas also conceded three goals, making the clean sheet particularly welcome.
Although it doesn’t move Rovers up the league table after Northampton Town’s victory at Burton Albion, it does give them a bit more breathing space down the bottom end of the league table with a five-point advantage above the relegation zone.
Asked how important psychologically the win can be for his players, Calderon confessed: “Yeah massive. I think, as I say, I saw the improvement. There was a feeling, an atmosphere in the dressing room, in the training ground, it was better. But you have to win, otherwise it’s not enough.
“But I always say that that helps to get the results. I saw that today that they have that belief. I think they played with great courage and I don’t think you see a team that are fighting and are down. I see a team with confidence and that’s a credit to them.”
For the first time since the 43-year-old came into the role, Calderon will have a clear week to work with his players on the training pitch ahead of next Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie at Premier League side Ipswich Town. They then host Barnsley in their next League One outing on January 18.