Ruel Sotiriou insisted that the mood around Bristol Rovers’ squad is much better after their 3-2 win over Charlton in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday.
The Gas had lost their previous four matches but opened October with three points. Goals Scott Sinclair, Jamie Lindsay and James Wilson put Rovers into a commanding 3-0 lead before the Addicks scored two late consolations to deny Matt Taylor’s men a clean sheet.
The win for Rovers means they have collected three victories from nine games and are on ten points.
Sotiriou suggested that there is more energy in the squad, and it was about sticking together through a difficult period, adding truths were told.
“The mood around the squad is much better,” said the striker. “There’s more liveliness to us, which I felt was that bit missing with the run of results. But it’s always been a good group from the day I got here. It’s really positive right now.
“It was about sticking together but also saying some truths. There were some words said recently, which were good for the group. Now we look forward.”
Sotiriou was one of sixteen summer signings for Rovers, with the Gas adding the forward alongside Promise Omochere, Shaq Forde, Gatlin O’Donkor and Micah Anthony to an already talented attacking unit.
The Cypriot believes that the Pirates have impressive depth in their squad and that competition helps the team.
“I was talking to Clinton Mola today, and I said how we’ve got really good depth,” he said. “You want to keep the shirt and start every week, but that’s not the way football goes.
“You need the team around you, so competition is good.”
Rovers travel to Burton looking to make it back-to-back wins and their first on the road. The Brewers have had a slow start and are in the relegation zone, but Sotiriou believes they will still provide a test.
“They’ve struggled and have not won yet,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough game. We’ve watched them and they are different to the Burton teams that we have seen before.
“They like to play and have some sharp players, so we’re going to be on it and make sure we put a good performance in and try to get the result.
“I feel like we need to build momentum, especially after four losses. It would be nice to get as many wins as we can to keep boosting the morale and confidence of the team.”
