Iñigo Calderón stated that the most important thing is to win games ahead of Bristol Rovers’ away trip to Wigan Athletic in Sky Bet League One.
The Gas will be searching for their third successive victory in the third tier for the first time this season, beating Cambridge United away from home thanks to Luke Thomas’ header before triumphing over Barnsley last weekend.
Gatlin O’Donkor and Isaac Hutchinson scored either side of half-time to give Rovers a comfortable lead before Josh Earl halved the deficit. However, Ruel Sotiriou came off the bench to add a third and confirm all the points for Rovers, who collected their first victory at home in the third tier since October.
Calderón reflected on the victory over the Tykes, and the progress of the team and previewed the upcoming trip to Wigan.
BARNSLEY REFLECTIONS
“I don’t think it was a good game for us,” he said. “It was a good result, but I think we have to improve a lot of things. It is always easier to build or to fix the mistakes when you’re winning, especially at the moment we were and we are. We are still in a good situation, but we need that.
“I am saying we were not good. That doesn’t mean we didn't deserve to win. That’s a different thing. I think we have to improve a lot of things, but I think the boys tried everything possible to get the result, and sometimes, when people talk about being lucky or not lucky, I don’t trust in lucky. I trust in people wanting it more than someone else, and I think we did that on Saturday, so I’m pleased for them.”
TRAINING THIS WEEK
“Today we had to do some runs that are more from pre-season,” said the head coach. “So, for me, as I say at the beginning, we are more like in pre-season in terms of a lot of things. Like tactically and physically, we are in pre-season, so that’s not the best.
“Maybe I am missing some football because we have to get fitter. In pre-season, you have more time to work on. Now, we have to prioritise things. So, that’s not ideal, but at the same time, I knew when I came here what I would have to do.
“The most important one obviously is to win games, and after we can play and defend better, it will help.”
POSITIVE RESULTS
“That’s the most important thing,” said Calderón. “For me, a good coach is the one that can convince a player. To convince a player, you can talk and talk and talk and talk, but if you don’t see the results, it is difficult. Just try to see when we do things right, we get results. That’s the best thing.
“As soon as you improve, you want to enjoy. You want to stay on that side where you usually win a game. It’s not easy, but you want to stay there and the way we want to play the same. It’s not an easy one to believe, but it’s the way they like to play football, and a lot of players will enjoy it. We will see better players. They are the same players, but they will be better.
So, it’s easier to convince them, but at the same time, you have to do it in the games for longer because I don’t think we are still at that level.”
WIGAN ATHLETIC PREVIEW
“It’s going to be trying to find a way,” he said. “Sometimes it’s playing good, sometimes it’s playing not that good but defending good. Sometimes it’s with set-pieces where we haven’t scored too many goals. It's always trying to find a way.
“We try to work in the different aspects of the game, so if one part doesn’t work, the other one has to work, and that’s the key. Try to cover all the areas and try to get as many chances to win games. When you do more things right, you have more chances. We didn’t do that many things right, so we conceded a lot of chances, for example.”
INJURY NEWS
“I will say we are the same as last week,” he said. “Promise Omochere and Kamil Conteh are out. The others are all fit, so that’s great news for me.”
TRANSFER UPDATE
“There are a few things that are maybe,” said the Spaniard. “January is so difficult. It’s really difficult because you cannot get a great deal, never. It’s a player that hasn’t been playing or is a bit of a risky one. So, it’s not an easy one. I am on the same page as the Club as they have to be someone who will make us better.
"I am happy with the squad we have. If someone can help to make us better, they will be more than welcome. If not, we stay with the same ones."
