Boss looks to Reds to show Luton-type resolve at the Memorial Ground
Mark Yates says his players won’t have to delve too deep into their memories to remind themselves of the type of performance which could be needed at promotion-chasing Bristol Rovers tomorrow.
Last month Reds produced a terrifically resilient display at Luton where Matt Harrold’s goal and a resolute defensive effort sealed a 1-0 win.
And the boss will demand more of the same at the Memorial Stadium against a Rovers side whose late run for automatic promotion stalled at Carlisle on Monday after they had won their previous six games.
“You could say Luton was the template for the sort of performances we’re going to have to come up with, not only tomorrow but later this month as well when we play the likes of Northampton and Oxford," said the boss.
“When we play with a good tempo and are organised and communicate well we are a hard team to play against. That is what we will need on Saturday and there’s no reason why we can’t produce that type of performance.”
Rovers dropped out of the automatic promotion places following Monday’s defeat but 10,000-plus Gasheads will make it a lively atmosphere on Saturday as they get behind a team that have got used to winning.
Darrell Clarke’s side have used the momentum from their Conference title win last season and it looks like a straight fight between them and Plymouth for the third automatic promotion berth.
“They are a side that’s used to winning and they are capable of playing in several different formations, although they always like to have two forwards on the pitch,” added Mark.
“The crowd are very passionate and really get behind their team. They are a club on a roll but it should be the sort of challenge that my players relish.”
