Bristol Rovers Interim Coach Horseman Notes Player Positivity After Managerial Change

David Horseman, currently serving as interim coach for Bristol Rovers, will oversee the team’s match against Wrexham on Saturday. He stated that the players have shown a “good response” during training, navigating a “difficult” week following the departure of their manager, in preparation for this weekend’s fixture against Wrexham. The League One club, currently facing difficulties, dismissed manager Matt Taylor on Monday. His tenure lasted just over a year. This season, the team has secured victories in only six of their 19 league matches, and their 2-0 loss to Birmingham City last Saturday marked their third consecutive defeat. Interim boss David Horseman commented to BBC Radio Bristol, “It’s always tough when managers change, unfortunately it’s part of the game. I think probably what the lads can do, it can either go one of two ways. They lose their energy or refocus, getting ready to impress the next person. Luckily enough the last few days they’ve probably gone the more positive way.” He added, “Also a game against Wrexham is one to look forward to. Since the weekend it’s obviously been a tough time but the lads have responded really well and we’ve had a good week’s training so far.” “The Gas” currently occupy the 20th position in the league standings, maintaining a two-point lead over the relegation zone. They are scheduled to compete against Wrexham, a team placed third in the league and undefeated in their previous five games. With a total of 17 goals, the team shares the distinction of having the second-lowest scoring record in the league. Horseman’s training sessions this week have primarily concentrated on addressing and improving this offensive output. He also noted that his actions were constrained by the expectation of a new manager’s imminent appointment. Horseman further stated, “We’re not creating any chances – not only the volume and quality. We are going to cross the ball a lot, that’s the aim, that’s what’s been told, shots from outside the box. At the moment we need to create the volume and then try and refine to find a way of creating really good XG based chances. And the boys have really embraced it.” He continued, “Once they cross the white line they’ve got to make good decisions, they’ve got to be technically better than we’ve been in recent weeks and if we put that right there’s good players in our dressing room.” Horseman, who serves as a first-team coach for the club, joined Taylor’s coaching staff at the Mem this summer. He expressed being “really grateful” to the former manager and indicated his desire to stay on following the selection of a new appointment. He emphasized that the players will require the fans’ support “more” this weekend than at any other point in the season, particularly as they face “heavyweights” Wrexham in the 12:30 GMT kick-off on Saturday. He remarked, “We’ve got to give the fans something back. I’m a Bristolian and I keep saying, there’s got to be tactics and there’s got to be a style of play but there’s got to be a bit of fight and passion and energy.” He concluded, “Too many times we haven’t brought that.”