Iñigo Calderón stressed the importance of Bristol Rovers improving their away form ahead of their trip to Crawley Town in Sky Bet League One.
The Gas are looking to bounce back from their disappointing 5-0 defeat to Lincoln City with a first victory in seven away outings in all competitions, with Rovers' previous win on the road coming against Cambridge United at the start of January.
The loss to the Imps came after impressive triumphs over Huddersfield Town and Bolton Wanderers at The Memorial Stadium, with the Pirates now six points above the relegation zone with nine games left to play. Rovers travel to a Crawley team in 22nd position and desperate to end their eight-game winless streak to bolster their hopes of survival.
Speaking to the media, Calderón discussed the form on the road and the injury news before previewing the upcoming fixture against Crawley.
TEAM NEWS
“I don’t know yet if Chris Martin will be available. It’s a possibility. Gatlin O’Donkor is getting better and better, and he can probably have a few minutes.
“There are a few players that are nearly on the edge to play some minutes. Probably a couple of them cannot start, and that’s the tricky ones because you never know, especially the ones who have been out for a while. It’s not easy to come on and affect the game. You expect them to affect the game, but the reality is if you’ve been out, even if you try, you are not fit for the pace of the game. So, we have to be conscious of that and have to pick the right moments to bring them on.
“Grant Ward and Romaine Sawyers are getting closer as well. There are a couple that maybe cannot play from the start, but there are a couple that can be on the bench and in the squad. So, that’s good news. It’s probably going to be a headache to leave players out of the squad, but it’s good to have more players coming back from injuries.”
INJURIES IN THE ATTACK
“I think we cannot force the players because of that, not because of the past history we have with injuries but just because of common sense. They have to be ready to play and affect the game because when they have been away from the field for a long time, they are not at the same level. Sometimes, you just try to find players to play in different positions as we did or change the shape. It’s up to us and up to me to find the best solution for the game.”
STRUGGLES AWAY FROM HOME
“I would say it’s something common in the division. With us, it’s been a bigger difference. Obviously, we try to change that. We try to talk about that. We don’t do anything different during the week. We train the same way. We try to prepare for the game the same way and have the meetings the same way. The way we try to pick the team is the same. We approach the games the same, but still, it’s not working and not happening. It’s something that’s still not there, and it’s up to us to find that.
“I think the last game was something different as we were really bad because I think the previous one against Shrewsbury was much better. Even though we didn’t win, I think we were much, much closer to the team I would like to see away from home. If we are closer to that version, I think we have a better chance.
He later added: “The players know that. They are clever enough to see the away form is not the same and that we have to change something. Most of the time, it’s just the mentality. It’s different when you are playing at a different ground. Even the grass is different, and the size is different. So, you are more used to that.
"That’s why you usually win more games at home than away in all the divisions in the world. But still, the main effect is more the crowd and the energy they give us. Then, it’s how we can get that energy from ourselves and how we can find that energy inside of us, not waiting for the fans to give us that.”
BATTLE AT THE BOTTOM
“I don’t it’s going to change that much. If we win, for me, we’ll still be there. If we draw, we’ll still be there, and if we lose, we’ll still be there. I’ve said that for the last two months, and I keep saying that. Even last week, when we had a gap of nine points, I was still thinking that we were in the same situation. Obviously, the more points, the better, but unfortunately, I would say we will stay there until the end. So, we have to be ready for that.”
CRAWLEY TOWN PREVIEW
“I think they were a team that were possession-based. I think the last games, they have changed a little bit, and they are becoming a little bit more direct than before. But still, if something comes into my mind about Crawley, they are a team that wants to play from the back, and they try to be good in possession.
“Probably they have been changing because, as we are in the situation, you have to try and change these things as they are not working. So, we have to expect anything in terms of shape or the way they are trying to play. When you are down there, you have to find the solution. Sometimes, you have to do something different. So, we have to be ready for any change that can happen.”
