Archived News from August 2004
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GANNON AND ATKINS REACTION
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Audio interview with John Gannon from Radio Nottingham (RealPlayer needed) http://www.bbc.co.uk/nottingham/realmedia/football/2005/mansfield_bristol_rovers_home_gannon.ram ----------- ATKINS PRAISE AFTER ROVERS WIN http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk Ian Atkins praised the performance of his players this afternoon after describing some of their counter-attacking football as being "above this division". The manager watched on from the dugout as Junior Agogo scored a goal in each half to ensure that Rovers' 2004/05 League Two campaign got off to the perfect start against last year's beaten play-off finalists Mansfield Town. "I think some of our counter-attacking football was first class, and above this division," Ian told bristolrovers.co.uk, "It was one of those games when it was hot, so we didn't want to chase balls in the wrong position. We let them have plenty of possession in their own half, and they weren't able to do anything with it. "I thought that whoever scored the first goal might have gone on to win the game, and thankfully it was us that scored it. I thought that what we did we did to good effect, and to win our first game of the season like that will do us nicely. "There were still one or two things that we need to work at, and be better at, but if you've got a new team and they play like that in their first game you've got to be pleased. It shows if you keep your shape and keep your discipline and you use your energy productively, you can win matches." Ian had particular praise for his striking duo, with Agogo's brace ultimately winning the game, and Jamie Forrester's versatility allowing the team to adapt to a differing formation. "Jamie Forrester was fantastic, playing out wide on the right for us," he said, "It's a roll he's been in with Kevan (Broadhurst) at Northampton before, and he did well there for us today. Junior did ever so well and he worked hard throughout the game. People say he needs confidence, but he's still got to go out there and do it for himself, and he did that today. He deserved the standing ovation he got from the Rovers fans at the end of the game. "But there were eleven heroes out there for me today, and even the subs that came on did their bit. Everything we did today came off for us, and we could even have scored more. "We are a big club, and this result will send out a signal to other teams that we have signed a lot of new players and mean business. But there won't be any easy matches for us this season no matter how many new players we play and how good they are. It's a long hard season, and we'll have another difficult test on Tuesday night against Bury." |
Latest | August 2004