Lino Sousa insisted he wants to keep his place in the Bristol Rovers team ahead of the Gas’ upcoming fixture against Rotherham United at The Memorial Stadium.
The left-back has made 18 appearances in Sky Bet League One this term and has appeared in every match in the third tier since Iñigo Calderón was appointed as Rovers’ head coach, with the Spaniard persisting with him at left-back.
The 20-year-old will be part of the Pirates team that will look to bounce back after two consecutive away defeats to Wycombe Wanderers and Northampton Town, with the Gas now three points above the relegation zone.
Sousa expressed his delight at remaining in the team since Calderón took charge and reflected on his loan move so far.
“Since he’s come in, I just haven’t looked back,” he said. “I’ve been given an opportunity that I’ve rightly taken, and I’m doing what I’m doing. Clearly, I’m doing something right, and that’s all I can keep doing.
“There’s certainly more to come. There’s been a mix of emotions. I’ve been in the team. I’ve been out of the team. I’ve been injured. I’ve been away from family. So, it’s been hard. I’ve had to face adversity, but I think with young players, there’s a tendency where, if things are not going well, they can sack things off and portray themselves in a certain way.
“But I’ve just tried to be as level-headed and as humble as I can be and just absorb it all in because it’s a part of learning. Especially being on loan and dealing with this because it’s going to come. It won’t be the first time I’ll be dropped, or I won’t be in the team. So, learning how to deal with that and having certain hard conversations, knocking on the door and trying to find out why. It only makes me being on the pitch even better now because I’ve come through all of that. Now, my next challenge is keeping my shirt.”
In Rovers’ last fixture at The Mem, Sousa played a crucial role. The defender provided a brilliant assist to Chris Martin to help the Gas break the deadlock against Burton Albion before finding the striker again in the final stages, with Martin flicking the ball to Luke Thomas to score.
Sousa was pleased to make an impact and praised Martin for the role he plays in the team.
“It was good, and it was nice,” said Sousa. “Chris is one of them when where he gets the right delivery and gets the right service, he’ll provide. I try and do that as often as I can. Not just me, but I’m sure everyone else does as well.
Back-to-back away defeats have been disappointing for the Gas, but the side will be confident knowing three of the next four matches are at The Mem. Rovers have collected ten points and ten goals in their last four fixtures at home.
Sousa admitted the Pirates must improve their form on their travels before praising the atmosphere at The Mem.
“Away from home, we haven’t been the best, but at home, I don’t know if it’s the fans or the home feel. We’re all really, really up for it,” he stated. “We’ve got to find a way to change our away form around because it is important, and we do need to pick up points.
“When I first came, we were a bit hit and miss [at The Mem]. We would win some, lose some, and the gaffer was getting a bit of stick at the time. I’ve certainly seen it be very, very loud and how the fans are. All they ask for is passion, and they just want to see players run and care for the club. That should be a given, to be honest. I think now we’ve definitely nailed that at home especially.”
Rovers have two big games in the next few days. After hosting the Millers, the Gas travel to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night. With Rovers just above the drop zone, Sousa stated the team is focused on pulling the Gas away from danger.
“We’re more than focused and more than on it,” he said. “We don’t want it for ourselves. We know that we can get out of this. We’re more than good enough to get out of the position that we are in. Just fine tweak a few things, but we can do it.”
