Isaac Hutchinson believes Bristol Rovers created the better chances in their 0-0 draw with Shrewsbury Town in Sky Bet League One.
The Gas were looking to bounce back after three successive defeats in the third tier and gained a valuable midweek point on the road against the Shrews. However, the Pirates will be disappointed after creating plenty of opportunities to score in the second half, with Promise Omochere’s introduction at half-time switching the momentum in their favour.
Despite sitting at the bottom of the league, Salop have been impressive at times at Croud Meadow this season and have beaten Birmingham City and Wrexham under Gareth Ainsworth, proving it is a difficult place to come for any side.
Without a win on the road since beating Cambridge United towards the start of January, Hutchinson was satisfied with a point on Tuesday night.
“I think it’s always a tough place to come, and with the positions that we are both in the table, I think it was always going to be a scrap, and I think we probably had the better of it over the course of the game and had some really good chances,” he said. “When you look at our away record this season, we can’t turn our nose up at a point.
“I think we always get stronger throughout the games, and I think we did enough in the first half to build a foundation to then build on, which we did. In the second half, we were able to kick on and build a bit of pressure and have the better chances.”
Iñigo Calderón made a tactical adjustment for the game against Shrewsbury and decided to switch to three centre-backs. Connor Taylor returned from injury to start at the heart of the defence, with Sil Swinkels and James Wilson playing on either side.
Omochere was then added to the attacking mix in the second half to play alongside Chris Martin, with Ruel Sotiriou supporting the duo. Setting up slightly differently from the start compared to previous weeks, Hutchinson insisted the change in shape allows the team to utilise different players and make the most of their strengths.
“It’s not something we are unfamiliar with,” said the midfielder. “We’ve obviously played it for a good portion of the season. It’s not something we’re too worried about. It just means we can fit different players in, and it gives us a different threat.
“Having two strikers on the pitch helps. Chris, Promise and Ruel, when he’s up there as well, they all offer different things and strengths that we can use to our advantage, which we did. When we’ve been playing the same formation for a while now, it took them by surprise a bit, and it gives us a little edge that way. “
Rovers now have back-to-back matches at The Memorial Stadium, where they have been at their strongest this term. The Gas welcome promotion hopefuls Huddersfield Town on Saturday before welcoming Bolton Wanderers three days later.
Hutchinson wants his side to take the positives from their draw against Shrewsbury into the two games and is optimistic about the challenge ahead.
“We have to take the positives from it,” said Hutchinson. “A point on the road is always good, and it’s always better when it’s backed up with another point or three points in the next game. So, that’s what we’ll focus on.
“I think we’ve always stood up to the challenge of the so-called bigger teams, and I think we’ll look forward to that challenge again with the fans behind us, and I think it’ll be a good game.”
