Matt Taylor is looking forward to Bristol Rovers’ return to Sky Bet League One action against Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Gas travel to the Blues after an 11-day break from playing in the third tier after last weekend's match against Bolton Wanderers at The Memorial Stadium was postponed.
Rovers last played against Leyton Orient on Tuesday 3 December, and will want to bounce back after losing 3-0 to the O’s.
Taylor discussed the upcoming clash against the Blues, the addition of Lee Cattermole to the coaching team and the latest injury news.
FRUSTRATING POSTPONEMENT
“We were desperate for the game to be on [against Bolton Wanderers] last Saturday,” said the manager. “When the loud, scary message came through from the Government on Friday evening, I think we all sensed it was in danger, but up until that point, the communication had been that The Memorial Stadium was in the Amber Zone of the weather warning and the game was going to be okay.
“We got the phone call early Saturday morning in relation to stadium damage but also, more importantly, stadium safety and the safety of everyone attending the game - most importantly, the supporters - so we quickly moved to a training session at The Quarters. However, we turned up here, and there was no power! So we quickly knocked that on the head, too. It was a strange 24 hours, but the players ended up with the weekend to themselves, which sometimes helps, but we certainly wanted to get the previous game, versus Leyton Orient, out of our systems.
“I’d have liked some more training time. As a manager, you always want to spend more time on the training pitches than you’re allowed, but when the weather is dictating things, then there’s not too much you can do about it. We’ve been back together this week, and we’re working towards a monster of a game in Birmingham City.”
PLAYING THE BLUES
“You never want to be the underdog,” said Taylor. “If you go into competitive games as the underdog, it suggests your opponent is outperforming you. There might be a bit of an understanding in terms of where Birmingham are at regarding their squad and their finances, and their size and history, but we don’t see it that way. We see it as our next challenge and our next opportunity.”
“It’s a fantastic opportunity. We know where they are in terms of their own expectations, but we’ve got our own beliefs and expectations, and if we perform close to our limit, then we’ve got a chance in any game of football. I’m sure we’re taking a lot of away fans with us, and it’s one where players’ families and friends will want to be there, too. It’s a great game for us, and it’s one we need to be at our best in. We will need a huge skillset and a massive heart, but I’m looking forward to it.”
BIRMINGHAM AS A TEAM
“It’s testament to Wycombe Wanderers and Wrexham that Birmingham City aren’t further ahead in League One and haven’t opened up clear daylight in the league,” he said. “I’m sure they will strengthen again in January because that’s where we are as a league this season. With their strength and backing, they will go again in January and reach another level. They are the favourites in this league for a reason. They have fantastic players all over the pitch and players that have played at a higher level too.”
WELCOME TO LEE CATTERMOLE
“It’s good to welcome Lee to the Club,” he said. “The Club have advertised for a position in the coaching department, and someone of Lee’s experience certainly fits the bill. He’s young in terms of his coaching career but has played the game at a top, top level and has always led teams. He’s been in a high position in squads and changing rooms, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he adds to the group.”
“He started on Thursday, and Thursdays are always busy days for us. He’s had to hit the ground running. Everyone has been making their introductions, and then we’ve been through a normal, busy Thursday. When the dust settles, we’ll have time to sit down with him and talk through each other's expectations. I’m looking forward to working with him. He’s got a fantastic reputation in the game, and it seems the right sort of character too.”
THE LEAGUE
“We want to be competitive in this league,” he said. “I’m delighted with what League One is this season, and the game will always tell you the truth. You don’t want any free hits in life, let alone in football, and this is a real test of all of us. Of me, of the Club, and the players and the staff. Birmingham are fantastic, but if we want to become a Championship club - which is what is being spoken about as part of a five-year plan - then these are the games you want to play in and, ultimately, play well in and pick up points.”
A CHALLENGING RUN
“We’ve had a difficult spell, but that’s part of life,” he said. “You go through good spells and bad spells, and that’s in family life as well as being a manager. It’s part and parcel of it all. If you get too high in the good moments, then you don’t stay level. If you get too low in the bad moments, then you don’t stay level.
“There is always a balancing act. We’ve always felt we’re always one or two wins away but, as I’ve said previously, we can’t always be one or two wins away. There’s a clump of teams in this league that are all close together, and we need to get into the middle of that pack before we then try to get towards the top of the pack, but we need to do that sooner rather than later.”
INJURY UPDATE
“Lino Sousa remains unavailable,” said Taylor. “Promise Omochere did his first team session on Thursday. Two days out from a game is probably not enough time but, with the nature of the injury, there may be a chance for him. We’ll see how he is Friday, and it would be a late decision. It’s the first time we’ve seen him move freely and without the discomfort he’s had for weeks. He also has a protective cast for the hand injury, too.
“Lino was with the group for the warm-ups and the first bit of passing and moving, but it was unopposed. That will get built back up in the next week or two, and then he won’t be too far away.
“Jack Hunt is a bit further away. His strength testing and scores are really good but, with Jack’s history, we have to take every day as it comes. He’ll be out on the grass next week hopefully, and he’ll start building with the physios, and that will be medically led. We’ll slowly introduce him to the team environment around the Christmas period, so we’re looking towards the back end of the month or January before he can feature.”
