'Obsessed' - Bristol Rovers boss Inigo Calderon reveals which area he is focusing to tackle Pirates' weakness

Bristol Rovers manager Inigo Calderon says that his determination to solve the Pirates’ defensive woes has turned into an “obsession” and he is hoping his preoccupation pays off in their midweek clash with high-flying Bolton Wanders.

Calderon has been working overtime in a bid to sort out Rovers shortcomings in defence and last weekend’s 1-0 victory over a Huddersfield Town side featuring former Gas favourite Anthony Evans suggested his efforts are paying off.

It was the second clean sheet in a row following the goalless stalemate at Shrewsbury Town but he knows that it will required another major effort to keep out an in-form Bolton side which includes former Rovers hero Aaron Collins on Tuesday night at the Memorial Stadium.

Calderon revealed to Bristol World that the emphasis on defensive work had been a key focus in training, reflecting his drive to cut out chances in and round the Rovers penalty box as he tries to mastermind the club’s battle against relegation from League One.

Too many chances

“Defensively, we are conceding too many chances,” Calderon told Bristol World. “Even in the last game, it was a clear example that I think we played better, I think we were more in control, but still, we conceded too many chances, and it's becoming a theme against us. So I’ve become obsessed. We were watching yesterday, every single cross, every single shot that we’ve been conceding. And we had a good chat with the boys, and I think they took it in a good way. And as I say, keeping a clean sheet, is great for our back four which deserves praise for the way they have stepped up and for the hard work they have put in on the training ground.

Calderon was certainly left more than impressed on the sidelines during his side's convincing victory over play-off-chasing Huddersfield. The Gas have developed a strong habit of picking up crucial points at home in their fight to stave off relegation, having lost just once in their last six matches at The Memorial Stadium.

The team's success was once again sparked by an early goal from the in-form Ruel Sotiriou, who netted his fourth goal in the last six home games, continuing his fine run of form in front of goal. While the Cypriot international has been the standout performer in recent weeks, the tactical switch to a back three by manager Calderon has also generated plenty of discussion.

Tactical shift

In an exclusive interview with Bristol World, the former Brighton coach was quick to explain the tactical shift he implemented which strengthened the defence, a move that played a key role in securing back-to-back clean sheets following their victory over the Terriers whose manager Michael Duff was fired in the aftermath of his miserable visit to the West Country.

“The formation is something I’m not strict with for me,” Calderon told Bristol World. “It’s more the personnel we have because we had Promise [Omochere] and Chris [Martin] back at a good level. I think that you have to find a way to put both your strikers on,. At the same time, I think the wingers were not at the best level, so that’s why we changed. So, for me, it’s usually trying to find a way to put the players there in the best moment. And if it’s a three, it’s a three, I don’t mind. It’s quite flexible.”

Calderon, who has banned his players from tomato ketchup, mayonaisse, chips and pizza while on club duty, went on to explain that other factors, beyond tactical changes, played a significant role in his team's impressive performance against Huddersfield.

“For me, things are more important than that. It's about the passion to try to do the things right, and that’s more important,” said Calderon who succeeded the sacked Matt Taylor in December.

Injury setback

This remarkable turnaround in defensive form in recent matches has undoubtedly lifted the hopes of Gasheads, who are now much more optimistic about securing another season in League One with displays like they saw on Saturday and previously in a 1-1 draw on home turf with Stockport County last month.

Their next challenge comes tonight, as they welcome Bolton Wanderers to the Mem, with attacking options limited by injury. A significant blow, however, is the injuries to Promise Omochere and Chris Martin, both of whom are ruled out for this match, with veteran striker Chris Martin hoping to return soon after suffering a knee injury in training, while "it doesn't look good" for Omochere who suffered a devastating hamstring injury during the Pirates' enticing clash with Huddersfield.

While Bolton may come into the match as the favourites, Rovers' impressive home form and defensive improvements, coupled with these returns, mean that they will not be an easy side to break down. The clash against the promotion-chasing Trotters promises to be a tough test, but with the momentum starting to build, and key points up for grabs. Rovers will be looking to extend their strong run and pile the pressure on their high-flying visitors and put clear water between themselves and the League One drop zone.