Trollope - Job Is Nowhere Near Done
Bristol Rovers head coach Paul Trollope insists his players "do not think the job is anywhere near done" as they head into the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Area final second leg.
19 Mar 2007
Rovers, whose League Two clash against Stockport at the weekend was postponed due to a waterlogged Memorial Stadium pitch, held rivals Bristol City to a goalless draw at Ashton Gate last Tuesday.
Trollope's side have failed to win any of their previous four games in all competitions but he believes the crowd can play their part in helping the club reach the final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
He said: "We are pleased to come back to the Memorial Stadium all-square and we know that this is a very big game. We are ready and fully prepared for it and it we are looking forward to the game.
"We do not think in any way that we have done the hard part because we know it will be tough and that despite what they will say, City will still be the favourites."
"We are not complacent and we do not think the job is anywhere near done. We will give them a lot of respect and we will work hard and defend well."
"Hopefully with the crowd behind us we can go on and win the game."
Defensive duo Byron Anthony (knee operation) and Ryan Green (ankle) remain the only injury absentees.
On-loan Cardiff defender Joe Jacobson is cup-tied having played in the competition for League Two rivals Accrington earlier this season. Fellow loanee Sam Oji is eligible and is in contention to make his first appearance since his arrival from Birmingham.
City manager Gary Johnson has urged his side to capture the "massive prize awaiting the winners".
He said: "It is not just about beating Rovers, it is about a fantastic day out at the Millennium Stadium that would mean the world to our club."
"Beating Rovers on the way would be fantastic too but getting to the final is what it is all about and we will be trying our very best to do that."
"I've been to a play-off final with Cambridge and that was very exciting but this is the house that I have built as manager and it would give me enormous pride to lead them out in Cardiff."
"As the first leg showed, league status goes out of the window in cup ties and especially in derby matches. So in order that we get to Cardiff we must have a good percentage of our players affecting the game because that did not happen for us in the first leg."
"We must make sure that come the final whistle we have no regrets and that we have gone out there and played the football we are capable of."
Robins striker Phil Jevons is hoping his brace at Brighton on Saturday, having come on as a substitute, will be rewarded with a place in the starting line-up having been on the bench for the previous three games.
