Graham Coughlan considers future despite Bristol Rovers victory

Posted Sunday, December 15, 2019 by PA

Bristol Rovers manager Graham Coughlan admitted he is considering his future despite guiding his side to a 2-1 win at Ipswich.

Tyler Smith and Tom Nichols had the Pirates two goals up after 23 minutes before James Norwood pulled one back for Ipswich.

The visitors then held on for victory after being reduced to 10 men with 12 minutes remaining.

Ollie Clarke got his second yellow card for coming back on the field without the referee’s permission.

Coughlan said: “It was three points and a tremendous performance, I’m proud of each and every one of them.

“It’s a big day for us. I’ve got top, top players and great characters putting their bodies on the line. It was sheer honesty and sheer hard work that will get you places.

“It was important that we had a good shape and good organisation but the sending off killed us a bit. I don’t think it was a necessary sending off.

“But I’ve got a decision to make in my own life, my own career, where I’m going.

“I don’t know where I can take this football club and how far I can go with the club.

“I would like to get away and have some time with my wife and kids.”

Ipswich manager Paul Lambert said there was no need to panic following his side’s third defeat of the season, telling fans to “enjoy the ride” as the season takes shape and that they are still in a strong position to get promoted.

Lambert said: “You can’t give a team a two goal start and then start to play the game.

“We had a good strong end to the first half and got a great goal ourselves. The second half was basically all ours and we tried everything to score but it never happened.

“We had most of the game and should have been at the very worst 2-2 at half time and we tried everything in the second half.

“But there’s a long, long way to go and there’s so many twists and turns along the way.

“Don’t get into mode that there was a few years ago enjoy the journey, enjoy the ride it will be up and down but it will be exciting. We might not win every game but don’t get caught in that apathy.”