Rovers took the lead through a superb Will Hoskins strike as early as the 2nd minute against the League One leaders, but as Albion boss Gus Poyet said afterwards:
"We knew we had 85 minutes to do something about it and my players aren't going to panic in a situation like that." And they didn't.
Poyet has assembled a very good side - arguably the best by far in this division - and so Rovers were really in a no lose situation and I agree with their manager who said:
"Funnily enough, I think this was one of the best performances since I've been here."
I can also understand Will Hoskins frustration at the moment. The likable hit man added a second - his 17th of the campaign - in the 86th minute and when I had a chat with him afterwards he told me:
"I'm getting a little fed up of people patting me on the back and congratulating me on scoring when we've lost. I want to score goals as that's my job, but I'd much rather we started winning."
I think that you will, Will.
Penney has brought in six players who look up to the job. It will take a little time for them to gel, but they are already showing signs of doing so and as Penney said afterwards:
"The quicker we can keep clean sheets the better because we look like scoring goals. But whatever system we play, whatever formation we play and whoever plays at the back, we have got to defend better and stop conceding basic goals, otherwise we will never win football matches. With the players we have got in now, we have some quality on the ball.
The work ethic and commitment was first class and, funnily enough, I think that's probably the best performance over 90 minutes we've put in since I've been here apart from the Swindon game. But Brighton are the best team we've faced. They always looked likely to score, although I was disappointed with the goals we conceded. But they have some real presence and quality in their side."
Rovers had to deal with an inspired and very hard working striker in Ashley Barnes and the former Plymouth man pegged them back with his 12th of the season in the 38th minute.
In the second half the Seagulls asserted themselves a little more and Rovers luck ran out.
Six minutes after the break Barnes passed the ball across the face of goal and Elliott Bennett buried his shot from the penalty spot.
In the 73rd minute midfielder Gary Dicker left the Rovers defence flat footed with a ball over the top . Barnes raced on to it and even though keeper Luke Daniels made a great save low to this right, the ball bounced of unfortunate teenage Leicester loanee Cian Bolger and into the back of the net.
Glenn Murray sealed the win in the 79th minute when he nodded in a cross from substitute Craig Noone for his 12th of the season.
Fortunately Rovers won't have to face Brighton again this season as Poyet is still urging his players to improve. He said:
"We scored four goals, but conceded two. I prefer scoring one or two and conceding none. To do well in football you need to be strong at the back and we have to go back to basics defensively. We don't concede many and when two go in in one game, we don't like it."
My clipping from this morning's paper
Song artist: Katatonia
ReplyDelete