Taylor Moore stated the first-half performance was costly in Bristol Rovers' 3-0 defeat to Ipswich Town in the Emirates FA Cup.
The Gas were looking to reach the fourth round of the competition against Premier League opposition after beating Weston-super-Mare and Barnsley in the previous stages but were 3-0 down heading into the break.
Kalvin Phillips broke the deadlock with a curling strike from range before Jack Clarke and Jack Taylor scored to put the hosts in a comfortable position, with Ali Al-Hamadi missing a penalty after the break.
Moore reflected on the defeat and said the Tractor Boys made it very difficult.
“I don’t like losing, so it’s a tough one coming here today,” he said. “We’ve obviously not come just to turn up and play against a Premier League team. We came here to get a result.
“But unfortunately, the first half really cost us, going three goals down like that. It’s very hard to come back from that afterwards. But full credit to Ipswich, even from an internal point of view, playing up against that team is very, very difficult.
“They are in the Premier League for a reason. It’s incredible to see what they’ve actually gone and done and some parts of their game we struggled to deal with today.”
Rovers collected their first victory under Iñigo Calderón last weekend, with Luke Thomas netting the only goal against Cambridge United. The Gas stayed strong to keep a clean sheet against the U’s but found it more difficult versus Ipswich.
Conceding three goals for the third time in four outings, Moore confessed that his side must improve defensively but insisted that the team will only get better under Calderón.
“It’s about tightening up, but it’s also about maintaining how good we are on the ball going forward,” said the defender. “Obviously, we beat Cambridge 1-0 last week. It was a great win, a much-needed win, and it’s how we build on that going forward.
“January and February are two busy months for us. We’ve got a lot to look forward to, and we're only going to get better under the new manager and his ideas. We’re all buying into what he’s doing. Even if the scoreline says 3-0, there are certain glimpses of what we are probably getting better at on the ball.
“So, it’s not all doom and gloom, as much as I am frustrated. I am confident in this team moving forward going back into League One where our full focus turns to now.”
Ipswich have impressed in the last two years under Kieran McKenna, moving from Sky Bet League One to the Premier League after back-to-back promotions. Despite currently sitting inside the relegation zone on goal difference, the Tractor Boys have shown they are more than capable of competing with some of the best sides, beating Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Moore confessed that there is so much that he and the rest of the Rovers team can learn from their Premier League opponents.
“There is so much to learn,” said Moore. “I just had a conversation with Kieran McKenna. It was a three-minute conversation, and you get a bit of insight into what he’s thinking with his team, how he put his team out today and what he asks his players to do. It’s just such an eye-opener, and as a 27-year-old, you still want to learn, which all of us do.
“It doesn't matter how senior you are or how young you are, coming up against a team that is better than you, you’re always going to learn and take a great experience from the game. There’s a lot to learn from and so much to admire about this club. They have gone from League One to Championship then Championship to Premier League so quickly. So, a lot to learn from and a lot to be inspired by.”
Rovers will turn their attention back to league action when they host Barnsley at The Memorial Stadium next weekend. After starting the new campaign strongly at home, the Gas are without a league win in front of their own fans since beating Shrewsbury Town in October.
Moore is looking forward to returning to The Mem and emphasised the importance of the fans getting behind the team for the rest of the campaign.
“I’m really excited,” he said. “We’re going to need the fans, and they know that as well. The recent results and form at The Mem weren’t brilliant, but we’ve got enough in the squad to turn it around.
“Even today, they came out in their numbers, which was great to see. Unfortunately, no FA Cup miracle, but full focus on the league, and we need them right behind us every single way from now until the end of the season.”
