Monday, December 16, 2024

Bristol Rovers boss Taylor admits job fears after poor run

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Matt Taylor’s Bristol Rovers have lost their last three without scoring a goal [Getty Images]

Bristol Rovers manager Matt Taylor admitted he is fearful about his future after his team suffered a third consecutive defeat.

Rovers were beaten 2-0 at promotion-chasing Birmingham City, and have won just six of their 19 games this season to sit two points above the relegation zone.

Asked by BBC Radio Bristol if he was concerned about his job after losing at St Andrews, Taylor said: “Yes – but I can’t control that. Whoever is in charge of this football team the same patterns will occur.”

Taylor, 42, was appointed just over a year ago on a three-and-a-half year deal and oversaw 10 wins as the club finished 15th in League One last season.

He hinted that the players he currently has at his disposal are not equipped to play in a different way.

“People will say ‘Just kick it and chase it’ but we haven’t got the physicality to do that,” he said. “So in terms of the plan at the start – slightly younger profile, slightly different in terms of using the ball and manipulating the ball – we have to believe they can still improve.

“Confidence is now a big factor and you can’t hide away from it, so you need the ones who will stand up and be counted.

“It’s my team and results haven’t been good enough. There are players coming back but something has to change in our direction.”

He said he could not fault his players’ effort as they went down to a team which is second in League One.

Taylor added: “I saw fight, I saw endeavour, I saw them defending the goal for their lives and I saw them run.

“But it’s hard to keep running when you’ve not got the ball, and we’ve played a big part in that. There are just too many not having that aspect of control.”

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