In the battle of last season`s Championship relegated teams, Peterborough United came out on top but what were the thoughts of the Robins camp?
The Manager Speaks
“It`s an old adage, but goals change games and, when an in-form team like Peterborough gets a lift by scoring goals at the right time, it is going to be difficult for the opposition.
“The first goal is a goalkeeping error at a time when we were almost on top of the game. Frank Fielding will be disappointed with the goal.
“I was behind the ball for the second goal and if you see a better shot all season, I`ll eat my hat. We were back in the game and the second goal has killed us and given them a fantastic lift.
“It is very difficult to come from 2-0 behind against a team as confident as Peterborough. They were extremely unlucky to come out of the Championship and their record since the turn of the year has been very good. They are further along the road than we are.”
Despite suffering a 3-0 reverse, Robins manager Sean O`Driscoll believes his side matched their visitors apart from putting the ball in the net: “I watched them last Saturday at Crewe; they got a 2-2 draw and completely dominated the game. I don`t think that was the case today.
“We felt we were on top in the first half against a very good, free-flowing Peterborough team, and I thought we disrupted the way they wanted to play.
“We needed to be better with the ball ourselves, but the goals really came against the run of play.
“Their front two were probably more effective than our front two, and that`s what it`s about – small margins.
“We started the second half really positively, but because they`ve gone a goal up they can get everybody behind the ball and it becomes difficult.
“I thought we still tried to do the right things, which is pleasing.
“Jay`s hit a couple over the bar – when he hits one against Bristol Rovers, it goes in and everyone`s singing and dancing; it doesn`t go in against Peterborough and everyone`s moaning and groaning.
“That`s football I`m afraid.”
A Bit Of Luck Needed
Robins striker and one-time Posh target Sam Baldock believes they are close to getting three points but they just need a bit of luck: “We have a good dressing room and are all together striving for the same goal to record our first league win.” Baldock told Bristol City Player.
“Every game in this division is going to be tough. You haven`t got any right to think you will win every time you play.
“We know where we have been going wrong and are desperate to put it right.
“We are waiting for the ball to drop to us for us to get that little bit of luck. At Gillingham we had numerous chances and their keeper was making all sorts of saves and some were just hitting him.
“We feel the win will come with the method we are practising and the way we are going forward.
“Obviously we take one game at a time, but sooner or later a team will be on the end of a thumping.”
Midfielder Marlon Pack is another player Posh had an eye on if they`d failed to sign Jack Payne in the summer and Pack, who had a decent game against Posh, feels the same way as Bladock: “We can look at where it went wrong, study DVDs and talk amongst ourselves to push it in the right direction, but I`m certainly looking forward to getting back out there on Tuesday.
“Something`s got to change because we can`t keep giving opposing teams a headstart. The first goal was a poor one to concede but even then it isn`t a mountain to climb; teams come from 1-0 down all the time.
“Even in the second half, we started okay, but their lad has scored a worldy. At 2-0 it was obviously a lot harder. It`s not as if they`ve played us off the park, they were just more efficient than us.”
The Robins do have a chance to redeem themselves when they play their next match tonight [Tuesday] and Pack is hoping they can clain their first three points of the season: “With no disrespect to them, Shrewsbury are one of the smaller clubs in the division. They did well to stay up last season.
“We need to start winning games, especially at home, and I`m sure it`ll be another tough one. But if we can get that first win then I`d expect us to get on a roll.
“We`re all disappointed with the start to the season we`ve had. We didn`t expect it to be this way.
“Things have to start changing now. Maybe we have to work harder? Perhaps get back to basics to try and make sure we win a football match.”
After suffering their third defeat in six League matches, the City fans are obviously getting restless but Pack says he understands the frustration of supporters : “Some of the fans were great at the end. They stayed behind and clapped us off, and that helped.
“It is not nice to hear boos, but the fans pay their money and are entitled to their opinion. That happens, some fans are like that and players don’t get too worked up about it.
“We appreciate they have gone 18 games without a League win, and it has been tougher for them than it has been for a lot of us.
“I’ve only just come here, but I’m getting increasingly frustrated now and can only imagine what it is like for the fans.
“I know they don’t want to hear it, but we believe we are a good team and things will come into place for us eventually. We are a young team, we are still learning and things need to click into place for us.
“The club is in a transition period and that is a fact rather than an excuse.
Robins Fans Comments
Below is a selection of comments on the match from Robins fans:
CidermanMonday
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: This all stems from Steve Lansdown (SL) taking his eye off the ball a few years ago. Trusting Gary Johnson and his brother to squander millions with no long-term plan, investing in the white elephant at Ashton Vale, trying to run things from his ivory tower in Guernsey and trusting his inexperienced boy to lead the recovery.
For several years now, I’ve been crying out for him to get an experienced Director of Football in to make up for his obvious failings because, let’s face it, SL has NO idea how to run a successful football club. Peterborough have that in Barry Fry as well as a strong on-site presence from their chairman and an excellent lower league scouting network that regularly sees them sell players on for huge profit. We have none of that.
Before people get their daggers out, SL has been a brilliant benefactor for BCFC over the years, and for that I respect him and am grateful, but his legacy is an ever-increasing shambles. It’s important people notice the difference between the two.”
BurwallianMonday
“Failure to win at home to Shrewsbury and the rest of the season will be a relegation dog fight. We are not thinking of promotion but remaining in League 1 and not plunging down to League 2!
This is season 4 with no rock solid defence and no creative and muscular midfield that at present is easily eased out.
Other sides have rumbled us and know how to break through our lines.
We all know what has had to be done but are you really serious that we could not find any such people around the world to do what we need even with our financial straightjacket.
The Club has not won many League games at home and tell us why supporters should be treated as some sort of cannon fodder to pay and watch a team that cannot win at home? We might as well go to away games. The 12th man is there to support but it has to be reciprocated with performances on the pitch.
Too many easy excuses are trotted out.
There is something rotten at the core of the club that we struggle so badly season after season and it’s not just this season. Great club – in your dreams!
A win against Shrewsbury and some hope for the rest of the season – lose and we’re doomed! Look at last season. Posh have not gone our way but then they had a better Board of Directors and Manager.”
UP THE POSH
Photos courtesy of www.theposhpics.com
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