Coughlan: Rovers were awful in a terrible display

Posted Sunday, January 20, 2019 by PA

Graham Coughlan pulled no punches after his first home game since being confirmed as Bristol Rovers manager ended with them back in the Sky Bet League One relegation zone.

Following a successful period as caretaker boss, Darrell Clarke’s successor found nothing positive to take from a punchless display and used some damning language to describe the performance.

“That was terrible,” he said. “We didn’t deserve to get anything out of the game because we were awful.

“I have told the players I will take the rap this once, but not again. Professional footballers passing the ball out of play and to the opposition is not what my teams are about.

“The result was coming over the last couple of games. When you are not scoring goals one end and vulnerable at the other it is only a matter of time before you get beaten.

“Our previous two matches had been flat and this was no different except that we didn’t even get a point. Perhaps I showed too much loyalty, leaving certain players in the team.

“It was the sort of game where the worst-case scenario should be you see it out for a draw. We had a good run when I took charge, but the players have been reverting to type recently and I had made that clear to them.

“On that evidence, I need new players in a lot of departments. None of the 11 who played today could have any complaints about being replaced.”

Centre-back Sido Jombati headed Wycombe’s 57th-minute winner from a Joe Jacobson corner, rising above a flat-footed defence to net from close range.

It proved enough to settle an instantly forgettable match, which visiting boss Gareth Ainsworth admitted had little in it.

“If I’m honest there wasn’t a great deal between the teams,” he said. “The outcome came down to a quality delivery from a set-play.

“Sido Jombati had a tremendous game and deserved his goal. But it was a real stop-start match, with a lot of fouls, so I’m just pleased to be going home with the points.

“We played a certain way in the first half, which frustrated Bristol. The second half was more open and thankfully we got the goal.

“Our defenders take most if the plaudits for a first clean sheet of the season and two of them being involved in the goal.

“But there were other good performances. Dominic Gape and Curtis Thompson were brilliant and I wouldn’t swap them for any other midfield players in the division.

“This is a tough place to come. Graham Coughlan deserved to get the job after turning Rovers’ results around and I am sure they will be OK.”