Black's thoughts after the home win over Rovers
Town beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at the Greenhous Meadow on Saturday to claim their first back-to-back league wins of the season.The win came courtesy of goals from Louis Dodds and Ian Black. Black spoke to the press after the game:
“It’s great to be back in the side, to get a clean sheet, get a win, and get a goal as well.
Black’s goal came via a penalty after Junior Brown’s cross was handled by a Rovers defender. It was Black’s third goal of the season, but he had missed his previous penalty attempt versus Peterborough.
When asked if he was nervous about stepping up to take it he responded:
“I was never in doubt; it was always going in the back of the net. I’ve always said to the boys in the past that if we get another [penalty], I’m more than happy to take it.
“I’m very confident in my ability and I’ll never shy away from anything. I asked Louis Dodds if he wanted to take it because he’s been scoring recently, but the big man didn’t fancy it so I thought I’d take it myself and I thought it was a good finish.”
Dodds opened the scoring for Town in the 15th minute but they had to ward off pressure from Rovers before Black eventually sealed the win in the 72nd minute.
“You always need that second goal to give you a little cushion, but we held our own. We knew they were going to come out, we hear the whole screaming match at half time in their dressing room.
“But we focussed on our jobs and the gaffer again had us organised. There was a good shape about us and I think we deserved it as well.”
For Dodds it was his third goal in as many games and his sixth of the season. Black praised his teammate after the win:
“He’s a great asset to the team. His work rate stands out for me, he never stops, he deserves his goals and he’s doing really well at the moment.”
Town now have seven clean sheets in the 11 games since Paul Hurst took over and Black also paid tribute to the defensive unit:
“It’s all about discipline and organisation. It’s stuff we’re big on at home, every team playing at home should be a hard place to go and we’ve finally made it a hard place to come.
“A clean sheet for the back four and the keeper is massive, and I’m delighted for them.
The win means Town moved off the bottom of League One and into 21st, and they are level on points with Chesterfield who sit in 20th.
“We’ll only look forward and up above us- we’ll never look behind us. There’s confidence growing in the squad and we’re looking forward to the next game.”
Town’s next fixture comes on Boxing Day at the Macron Stadium when they travel to take on Bolton. Black is looking forward to what is one of the biggest league games of the year and he is hoping to retain his place in the starting line up.
“I like big games; hopefully I’ve done enough to stay in the team and I’m sure the rest of the boys are looking forward to it as well.
“I know I’ve got a lot to give to the team and if I get a run of games I’m sure I’ll get to the pace of it.”