Iñigo Calderón was delighted after Bristol Rovers drew 1-1 with Stockport County at The Memorial Stadium.
The Gas headed into the contest looking to collect their third successive home victory after 3-1 wins over Barnsley and Peterborough United but fell behind in the second half after Isaac Olaofe’s close-range finish.
It looked like the Hatters would earn their fifth straight win in the third tier to help their push towards automatic promotion. However, Sil Swinkels scored a debut header to help the Gas to a deserved point.
Calderón was pleased with the draw and spoke about Jed Ward, Swinkels and the positive form at The Memorial Stadium.
I am happy with the point...
“I am happy with the point,” he said. “It’s true that I don’t really like to draw. I prefer to go and try to win the game, but obviously, when you are losing against a good side, to score at the end is good.
“It’s really important for the team to keep believing until the end, even if you play against a good side. I think you have to fight until the end, and I’m happy for the boys.”
When you cannot win, you have to take what you can...
“I don’t really like the draws because I prefer to risk sometimes to get the three points,” said the head coach. “But it’s true that when you cannot win, you have to take what you can. Especially losing in the second half, there was nothing in the game. So, we tried to change a few things, and it was working. At the end, a set piece was the changing moment.
“You say it is important to keep the momentum. You prefer to win, but I think being difficult to beat and shows that character that you want to try and get everything possible in every single game. I think it’s important, especially at home, because our form has been home is really, really good.”
I was quite positively impressed with Jed Ward...
“I was quite positively impressed with Jed Ward because I have to be honest, I did not know too much about him,” said Calderón. “I tried to watch games, but it is not the same. I’ve been watching the sessions, but it is not the same.
“I think he was really good. I think he looks comfortable with the team, and that was important. He already was with the team, and I think that helps. He felt really, really good like he’s been here the whole year with us. So, I’m really happy for him.”
It was a great delivery and a great header from Sil Swinkels...
“After they scored there was nothing in the game” he said. “I think we were playing the way they wanted. It was like a false control for us. So, there was nothing in the game. I tried to change something.
“I don’t think the impact was that good. The last 15 minutes, we tried to put on two strikers. We even put Connor Taylor up top just to make something happen, put in some crosses and let's make some noise, but it was not working. As you know at the end, it was a set-piece, and I think it was a great delivery and a great header from Sil Swinkels.”
Swinkels has been really, really good...
“Especially being a young lad [Swinkels], I think it’s really good,” said the Spaniard. “He’s been really, really good with the group from the very first day. It’s like he’s been here with us for the whole year, and that’s a credit to him and credit to the group because they made him really, really welcome. So, I’m happy for him because I think it always helps to feel better in the new club.”
I think you could hear the noise of the fans at the end...
“I think you could hear the noise of the fans at the end,” said Calderón. “They were happy with that. There was silence, and we were trying to make things happen. You have to give credit to the opposition and say that they are a good team. They killed the tempo in the game because they wanted to. To stay in the game and to find a way to get at least a point, I think was really good for the boys.”
