Iñigo Calderón stated his Bristol Rovers team are improving with every game after the Gas beat Burton Albion 3-1 at The Memorial Stadium.
The Pirates collected their third 3-1 victory in four home games, scoring ten goals and earning ten points. Triumphs over Barnsley and Peterborough United were then backed up by a strong 1-1 draw with Stockport County before beating the Brewers.
Fabio Tavares cancelled out Chris Martin’s opener eight minutes before the end of normal time. However, Luke Thomas restored Rovers’ advantage before Isaac Hutchinson netted the Gas’ third with moments left to play.
Calderón reflected on the victory and praised Martin, who registered a goal and two assists to help Rovers go seven points clear of the relegation zone.
We are improving every single game...
“It’s been a long game, I would say,” he said. “Obviously, I’m happy with the points. Especially in the first half, I thought we were really good, really, really good. The first 30 minutes was probably the best we played so far.
“I’ve been saying that a couple of times, so that means we are improving every single game. We didn’t start the same way in the second half. They were probably more aggressive, and we couldn't find the solutions.
“I would say their goal was coming. You still have to give credit to the boys. They found a way in a difficult moment because when they scored, it was a difficult moment. Credit to the boys that they found a way to score the second one, and after, I think it was not easier, but we managed the game a bit better.”
We are progressing, but it’s about doing things right for longer...
“Especially at home, we look quite comfortable in difficult situations and managing the time and how to play the last minutes of the game,” said the head coach. “It’s important, and that’s them. You cannot teach them how to do them things and they are so experienced. But it’s true that before that, I think there are periods of the game that we have to manage a little bit better. I would say the last 15 minutes of the first half and the first 20 of the second. That’s normal as well.
“I’ve been saying that all the time. We are progressing, but it’s about doing things right for longer. The way we started the game, the first 25 minutes were really, really good, and it should be easier as in theory, the other team is more tired. We did the difficult part at the beginning. That’s the room to improve, but obviously really happy with the boys today.”
He is one of the best finishers in the league...
“I was talking to him [Martin] especially about being around the box,” said Calderón. “Sometimes he wants to help, and sometimes that means he’s crossing, and he is one of the best finishers in the league. That’s why you want him to be really, really close to the goal, and I think today was like that. He was involved with his goal as well.”
Every day I see improvements in the team...
“Every day I see improvements in the team,” said the Spaniard. “The only thing for me is how long we can maintain that. Especially at home it’s been really good, really, really good. I still remember my first game here against Leyton Orient, and we were not that comfortable, and it was not the same connection as I feel now.
“Now it’s a great connection. The players feel really comfortable. It’s not easy when you’re playing a game like today. It was not a final for me, but it was a really, really important game, and the way we tried to play, that’s a credit to the boys because it’s not easy. It should be easier when you have 15 more points on the table, but it’s not. The reality is we are where we are. But still, they believe that’s the way, and I’m so pleased for them.”
The away form is the thing we have to improve...
“The away form is the thing we have to improve,” he said. “Every game we play at home, even the one we lost, I think we performed really good. I’m really, really proud of the boys. I’m not that sure of the games we play away.
“Wigan, Charlton, Stevenage, all the games, I don’t think we competed the same way. We have to try and improve. Hopefully, all the implements in the last week, we can make them on Tuesday in a difficult game. But we have to do this.”
