TROLLOPE: THAT FELT LIKE A DEFEAT
Bristol Evening Post

Paul Trollope said Bristol Rovers' point at Crewe felt more like a defeat after his side squandered their lead in last night's 1-1 draw at Gresty Road.

Handed the advantage through a Julien Baudet own goal just before the interval, the visitors were soon pegged back as they conceded early in the second period through Tom Pope.

Despite having the better of the opening period, Rovers rode their luck over the closing stages as two fine saves from Steve Phillips and the woodwork saved them from a late defeat.

"We controlled most of the opening period and at half-time felt we could go on to win after a good performance," said Trollope. "But we became a bit sloppy in the second half and let them get a shot in for their equaliser.

"After that it was end-to-end and we were up there as much as they were. But if I'm honest, Crewe probably looked more like scoring. We'll take the point and move on."

Rovers moved up to 17th place in League One and still have games in hand on the sides around them in the table.

>"In the end a point for each side was probably a fair result, but it felt a bit like a defeat to us because of the position we were in at half-time," admitted Trollope.

"The players are down because this was a game we came to try and win but unfortunately we couldn't do it.

"We were a bit weak in the box at the start of the second half and a poor clearance led to them getting a shot in. Steve Phillips did well to save it but couldn't do anything about their lad following in.

"Rickie Lambert was outstanding in some of our forward play and we got up their end quite a lot, but couldn't quite produce the finish - either from open play or set-pieces - that our play deserved.

"In the end we went a bit gung-ho and had a bit of luck when they hit the post. But with the games we have coming up though, it could turn out to be a useful point, and it keeps our unbeaten run going.

"We are showing a good mentality, although we feel there was a win available for us here but we didn't quite take it."

Rovers now prepare for the visit of relegation strugglers Port Vale to the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

POSITIVE NEWS FOR DYER
Sky Sports

Kieron Dyer is still hoping to play again for West Ham this season as he continues his recovery from a double leg fracture.

The midfielder completed a £6million move from Newcastle back in August but managed just three games for the Hammers before picking up the horrific injury in a Carling Cup tie at Bristol Rovers.

Now, after undergoing surgery to help heal the break, he is well on the road to recovery and has his sights set on forcing his way into Alan Curbishley's plans before the end of the current campaign.

"I have progressed a lot," he told West Ham's official website.

"I am running very comfortably. I am at three-quarter pace and I am ready to push on again. It is ahead of schedule and going really well.

"My leg got pinned and so I had a very simple operation where they removed the screws because they cause you a bit of discomfort. I had that last week, five days rest and I can crack on again.

"I feel fine, obviously when you run you are getting the shin used to the constant pounding. I had a bit of discomfort in the early stages but now I am fine and feeling extremely comfortable. I am ready to push in to sprinting soon.

"If you set timescales, I think the physios have a nervous breakdown, but I definitely believe that I will figure before the end of the season."

Dyer feels that the Hammers have not been receiving the recognition their performances have deserved as they chase a place in Europe.

"It makes me laugh how everyone says Portsmouth, Villa and everyone are having such great seasons," he said.

"But we are only five or six points behind them and we haven't fielded our strongest team at any stage of this season.

"That is testament to this club, to the manager and all the players involved that we are still in there with a great chance.

"Hopefully being out of the cup competitions can be a blessing in disguise because we can concentrate on the league and give it a good push."