John Buckley column: Onus on Main to silence doubters

But the big difference is, a few months ago, there’s no way we would have come back to get something out of that game.

We dragged something out of nothing against well-placed opposition with a bit of a late rally. And it tells you a lot that we should have won it in the end.

The way we finished the game and with the late chances we had, we really could have taken all three points.

I did not think Gillingham were outstanding. They’ve got good pace on the break and they set up well for the game. And when they did break, they looked dangerous.

But I have to say I noticed a difference when Liam Mandeville came on. I thought he held the ball up well and his energy is what the team needed.

Curtis Main is obviously struggling to hold down a place in the side. It was disappointing that Nathan Tyson wasn’t fit to play because he’s a real threat and has done well.

You don’t want to hear the fans cheering when a player is substituted off, because I’ve been in that position when I played.

It doesn’t help if you’re struggling and not having the best of times on the pitch and you feel the crowd are frustrated with you.

But at the same time, Main has to take a chance and do something to turn that around and get everyone on side, and he hasn’t been able to do that yet.

Now the focus is on getting the team’s performance level back up to like what it was against Stoke, when the team looked superb.

We need to go out there and start the game better so we don’t have to produce late comebacks like on Saturday. We need to have control of the game and then we have shown we’ve got what it takes to beat anybody.

Fleetwood away isn’t an easy game but it’s certainly a game Rovers can go and win. Our away record of late hasn’t been bad at all. I think we’ll edge it.

Bucky’s charity bet: Fleetwood 1 Rovers 2