Darrell Clarke “disappointed” as Bristol Rovers lose opener

The latest Bristol sport headlines, from Daniel Wales.

Transcript

00:00Bristol Rovers lost their opening game of the League 2 season by one goal to nil at home to Harrogate Town,

00:06leaving head coach Daryl Clark disappointed with the result.

00:11Disappointed to be honest with you. I thought the first 30 minutes were on top, we got the momentum, the crowd were with us all the way.

00:19Gosh, going that early 30 minute period where we were having a lot of territory, a lot of opportunities, we had the post,

00:24we had one or two near misses, we don't finish those opportunities.

00:28And then I thought there was a real lull the last 15 minutes, the first half and a real lull at the start of the second half,

00:33which is frustrating and disappointing to be honest with you because I mentioned it just before we went out half-time

00:37that we needed to step it up and get back to that first 30 minutes.

00:40But that didn't come to fruition. I think when the changes came on that freshened us up a little bit more.

00:45But to give that disappointing goal away, we're always chasing the game then, so frustrating.

00:50You mentioned those first 30 minutes, does it show at this level if you don't take your chances you get punished?

00:55You always got to take your chances, but I'm learning a hell of a lot in a five-week period with these boys

01:01and they quickly know where I stand and they need to quickly pick up the messages that I'm actually giving them

01:07because there's certain things that I've seen out there that I weren't happy about.

01:14And Bristol City head coach Gerhard Struber has said that his side have rounded off pre-season with Belief

01:20following their 4-0 victory against Spanish side Real Valladolid.

01:26Yeah, I think I'm very, very happy how we did it in this way.

01:32How we did it today, I think it gives everyone a big belief, a good confidence for the championship kick-off.

01:41We are very excited next week. Sheffield, I think, is a different level.

01:48But, of course, we can see in our process how we did it today.

01:52This gives us, I would say, the next push in our way how we want to go.

01:58We spoke before the game about the three signings that started today.

02:02All three had an impact. Two scored.

02:04And Radek, of course, saving the penalty. Couldn't have gone better for them.

02:07Yes, I think I'm happy. I'm happy for the whole team, how they did it today,

02:11how they come in synchronized pressing moments.