Iñigo Calderón insisted Bristol Rovers' point against Wrexham is 'massive' after the Pirates drew 1-1 with the Red Dragons in Sky Bet League One.
The Gas travelled to the STōK Cae Ras looking to end their six-game losing streak in the third tier and survived some early pressure before gaining the lead through Taylor Moore’s header, with the defender netting his first goal in over five years.
The Red Dragons continued to pile the pressure on a levelled in the second half through Matty James, but Rovers remained strong to stop the hosts from scoring a second to secure an important point against the promotion hopefuls.
Calderón reflected on Rovers’ second 1-1 draw with Wrexham this campaign and suggested it was something his team could build on heading into the final three games of the campaign.
I’m quite happy with the point...
“We have been talking a lot about deserving, and for me, it’s what you get,” said the head coach. “I’m quite happy with the point. Obviously, when you are winning, you want the three and conceding that late makes you feel worse, but I think it was really important to stop the bad run that we were on.
“So, to get something from here is massive, and especially to see how the boys performed. I think you could see that the teams are alive. To come here against Wrexham with the team they have and perform the way we did and be disappointed because we have just one point is really important at this stage of the season.”
It’s something to build on...
“At the end, they [the team] were disappointed because of the goal we conceded because we have been working on that in the week and knew, more or less, their strengths,” said Calderón. “But at the same time, you know if they are going to score, they are going to score like that.
“But I think we dealt with it really well for the majority of the game. It’s not easy because you cannot forget where we are coming from. We are coming from a bad moment. So, for me, it was massive to stop that, especially because we didn’t have time. It’s something to build on, ready for Monday again.”
I’m happy with the boys today...
“It’s been like that [effort] every single day, especially in the training ground because that’s why I was feeling so disappointed when we didn’t get a result after a game because the way we train this week was perfect,” he said. “It’s not easy to lose again and again and still try to go to the training ground at their best. They have to do that, but it’s not easy. So, I am really, really positive. I’m happy with the boys today.”
I think Luke Thomas performed really well. Jack Hunt as well...
“I think Luke Thomas performed really well. Jack Hunt as well,” said the Spaniard. “I think the game plan was quite good. Probably, in the first half, we could play a little bit better, but still, we scored from a set-piece. That was massive because I don’t think they concede too many chances from set pieces.
“After the yellow card for LT, we decided to change him because, especially in this ground, the last thing you want to be is one man down. So, I think they were good, but listen, as usual, I don’t like to talk about individuals because I think all of them were good today.”
It’s tough to prepare for the next game...
“It’s tough to prepare for the next game, but I think it’s important to feel the way we are feeling today,” he said. “We’re disappointed because we only got a point, but at the same time, proud or positive in the way that you can see the team is alive, and that’s really important at this stage."
