Bristol Rovers manager makes honest Birmingham City ‘better’ claim after 2-1 defeat

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Inigo Calderon’s Bristol Rovers remain in a perilous position after their 2-1 home loss to Birmingham City at the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday night.

Keshi Anderson shone in a difficult game, but Jay Stansfield’s late penalty ensured Chris Davies and co. left with all the points on a frustrating night for the Gas in their battle to survive relegation to League Two.

Stansfield may have settled the points but many had called for him to be dropped for Alfie May ahead of the clash, with the Sky Studio praising Stansfield prior to kick-off.

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Inigo Calderon outlines disappointment after Birmingham defeat

Birmingham fans felt like they had got away with one in a performance of champions; but the same feeling was also present for Calderon, who felt as though his team were hard done by.

Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, he said: “I think we did a lot of things good. For 85 minutes of the game, I would say we were better than them.

“In terms of the game plan, I think it was quite good. In the first five, we didn’t start well. Too much respect. We talked before the game and I think it’s too much respect.

“Obviously, they score. You’re on the back foot at the time. Then, obviously, the penalty comes from a lack of concentration. That was the only two times that I was not that happy with the team. The rest? I was more than happy.

“But when you’re down there, you have to be [on it] for 95. Football is not nice when you are down there.

“Obviously, happy with 85 but where we are, we need the 95. I feel sorry for the boys, they deserve more.

“But it’s not about what you deserve, it’s about what you get. We have to go again and again.”

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The key stats in Bristol Rovers 1-2 Birmingham City

Of course, the scoreline is all that matter ultimately, but Bristol Rovers can take pride in their display against the champions-elect. They hit the woodwork twice and out-shot their opposition in a low-margin game.

The stats from the game tell their own story, especially given the performance of Gatlin O’Donkor as the focal point of their attack. He was magnificent on the night and bullied Blues’ defence.

It doesn’t matter for this side, with Birmingham breaking recent League One records consistently at the moment, with some stats destroyed in the process as they get ever closer to promotion at the first attempt.