Darrell Clarke: Supporters’ angry response justified

Posted Thursday, November 22, 2018 by PA

Darrell Clarke admitted Bristol Rovers fans were justified in their angry reaction to an FA Cup first-round exit at the hands of non-League opposition after a 2-1 defeat to Barnet in their replay.

Chants of “What a load of rubbish” and “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” echoed around the Memorial Stadium after two goals in as many second-half minutes saw Barnet come from behind to book a second round home tie with Stockport.

Manager Clarke had no issue with the supporters’ response, saying: “It was justified. The mentality shown by my team after going in front was very poor and I take responsibility because they are my players.

“Our FA Cup record since I have been in charge is shocking and this is another bad night. All I can do is apologise and make sure there is a response come kick-off time at Charlton on Saturday.

“We were in control of the game when we scored, but from then on what happened was unacceptable. I have known dark days at the club before and come through them. This is another tough period.

“No one can question my passion and commitment to taking Bristol Rovers further. All I can say is that I will continue to work as hard as possible to turn things around.”

It looked like being plain sailing for Rovers when striker Tom Nichols ended a goal drought stretching back more than a year by tapping in from Kyle Bennett’s 62nd-minute cross.

But Barnet levelled on 75 minutes when Craig Robson lobbed goalkeeper Adam Smith and quickly snatched the winner as Byron Harrison slid in to convert a low cross from fellow substitute Dan Sparkes.

Barnet boss John Still, a former Rovers assistant-manager, said: “While a lot of people will look at this as a shock, I don’t see it that way.

“There are so many good players in the higher divisions of non-League football these days that knocking out a League One club is no longer any great surprise.

“We didn’t have the best of preparations for this game and it was only our organisation and Rovers’ wastefulness that kept us in it during the first half.

“But I felt we got stronger as the game progressed and played well in the second half.”

Still banished striker Immanuelson Duku to the dressing room when he reacted angrily to being substituted on 35 minutes, lashing out at the side of a dug-out as he left the field.

The Barnet boss explained: “He was stretchered off in our last match and I decided early in the game that he wasn’t getting about the pitch.

“I expect players to be disappointed when replaced, but there are ways of expressing that and the matter will be dealt with by the club’s disciplinary procedure.”