Bristol Rovers conceded three second half goals to lose 3-0 at home to promotion-chasing Derby County on Saturday afternoon
Matt Taylor has confessed that Derby County taught his Bristol Rovers side a lesson in their 3-0 loss to the Rams at the Mem on Saturday afternoon, with Paul Warne’s side potentially the finest club the Gas have faced this season.
Ironically, the visitors were more dominant in the first half, with Rovers showing very little going forward, but neither side managed a shot on target, leaving the game goalless at halftime. However, the Rams sharpened their horns in the second period, scoring a quick double through Dwight Gayle and Tom Barkhuizen, before substitute Martyn Waghorn sealed the victory late on.
However, Taylor’s team improved substantially in the final third and appeared significantly more dangerous, although they may have conceded three goals in the second half as a result.
When asked if Derby had been the finest opponent he’d seen since taking over at BS7, the Gas manager admitted: “You have to appreciate the clubs above them or even with them in terms of points, but absolutely in those specific characteristics. I believe they staffed the game today. They offered us a valuable lesson on how to handle the game and influence specific scenarios. That is why they have the same strength as Derby County at this level.
“It was clearly visible to everyone, and it was a dramatic contrast to where we were. Before the game, I mentioned the inexperience of our backline. They held up quite well in the first half, and you’re definitely wanting for some of our bigger and better performers to come to the fore in the second half, which we didn’t quite do.”
Rovers’ opening backline had an average age of 21.4 years after four changes, with Luca Hoole making his first start in almost a month and Connor Taylor making his full comeback following a month out with injury.
Although experienced players Sam Finley, Chris Martin, and Scott Sinclair started the game, it was a young backline that had to face one of the top teams in the division, with Derby moving up to second place with the win.
Taylor did, however, concede that he was displeased with certain portions of the game, saying, “Disappointing in many ways. In the first half, we were unable to cover the area between the team’s two shapes, and they came out on top. However, we did a good job defending our defensive third, box, and goal in the first half. Despite the pressure and possession, Jed has not been overworked.
“We altered shape at halftime and were a better operating team in the second half, but three occasions, two of which we had possession of the ball, in relation to the goals, and one set-piece really took their toll, and the quality of the opposition players really showed.
“First half, we couldn’t get up the pitch,” the 42-year-old added. “They expanded it and then grew on the outside, so we couldn’t stop the balls from entering the box. Certainly, their shape and set-up were superior than ours in the first half.
“I wasn’t relieved, but I was delighted to get in at 0-0 at half-time to allow us to change, and then it became more of a match-up game, with your guys coming out on top in more individual moments than we did.
“The set-piece is annoying because we had a few of contacts on the long throw, and then in the corner, we got there first and can get there second, so it’s a bit of a scramble. We need to improve in that area, but it’s part of their game, and the next step will be when we have the ball.
“I know the third quarter was when we were really chasing the game, but it was also a representation of who we were today. As much as the space certainly harmed us out of possession in the first half, our ball use wasn’t enough at any point throughout the 90 minutes, especially when we were trailing 2-0.
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