Matt Taylor has called on his Bristol Rovers team to follow up their 1-0 away win over Mansfield Town with another positive result against Blackpool in Sky Bet League One.
The Gas are back in action four days after triumphing at the One Call Stadium. Luke McCormick scored the winner four minutes after half-time, getting on the end of Isaac Hutchinson's low cross to score from close range. The Pirates stayed strong against a Stags side pushing towards the playoff spots, keeping their sixth clean sheet of the campaign.
The Pirates are in good form and are unbeaten in their last four games across all competitions. Rovers beat Weston-super-Mare 3-1 in the Emirates FA Cup before drawings with Lincoln City and Crawley Town.
Taylor said he will assess his team ahead of the game against the Tangerines and previewed the upcoming clash against Steve Bruce’s men.
MOMENTUM
“It's about following up; that’s something we’ve not done this season,” said Taylor. “That’s going to be massive for us. There’s a couple of days to rest and recover. You could see at the end with some of the bodies out there.
“Some players of different capacities fitness-wise. So, we’ll assess it. We need to find energy in that team and on the pitch on Tuesday. We’ll need it from the fans. Hopefully, they can appreciate what we’ve been through today and bring a little bit extra on Tuesday night because we’ll need it. The players will need it, and I’m sure that can take us to a good place.”
“We have had to improve our away form. It’s been pretty dire, let’s be honest about it. We have been moving in the right direction, but I can’t keep saying that and not winning games of football. That’s the nature of the beast.
“It’s a big moment and a big three points. But with so many games in quick succession, it’s always going to be about if we can back it up with the next one?’
The next one for us is Blackpool, and then once that’s done, it’s the FA Cup after that. So, it’s a massive game on Tuesday and it's great to be back at The Mem, but we’ll see how much this has taken its toll on the group.”
BLACKPOOL PREVIEW
“Blackpool have serious players and are a serious team,” said the manager. “They have been in the Championship in recent years, so we know what they’re all about, but we’re at home.
“We want to force the running as much as we can, put them under pressure and take a big boost of confidence from this. Managers are managers. I’ve got so much respect for Nigel Clough and Steve. I think that shows League One this season. Not just in terms of the level of clubs and the financial strength of the league, but the managers who are involved in it. It’s absolutely incredible.
CHANGES
“We’ll see if we have to make changes,” he said. “Those players probably deserve to keep their shirts, but the physical aspect of any game is important. We can’t be flat going into the game.
“We have to find a way of finding energy straight away from kick-off, and if that’s a couple of changes then so be it.”
