JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink said the game was lost in the first minute for the Brewers as Conor Shaughnessy received a red card and Bristol Rovers scored from the resulting free kick.
The visitors went on to score three more goals in the first half to put the game to bed and although Albion were better in the second period, the game was long gone.
The Brewers manager said: “When you have a red card in that manner and then they score, it’s going to be a difficult afternoon but, nevertheless, I have played against ten men before and still kept myself in the game and that was the disappointment about it. Our heads went down, we caved in in the first half like last week and that was disappointing.
“I don’t think it was a red card, I have just seen it again and I think Conor catches the ball first. But still, we need to do better. We have enough about us that we shouldn’t let our heads go down. You are playing with 10 men, and you have 85 minutes to go. Stay in the game, keep it at 1-0 and then in the last 10 minutes you have a chance but don’t give three goals away. We just need to defend better – it’s not good enough.
“it’s not rocket science and it’s disappointing to see.
“In the second half we weren’t going to win the match anymore, but it was important to give Jonny (Smith) his 60 minutes, give Calum (Butcher) a half so he is getting fitter.
“We were then treating the match as looking at the longer term picture. As hard as it is we have to keep planning. Joe (Powell) had a groin problem and only trained yesterday so it was good that he got 30 minutes on the pitch and we have to find some plusses.”
Hasselbaink knows the fans are frustrated at the the moment, but he says Albion’s fortunes will change.
“I have a difficult job. We have to be patient as we still have to do business and players will have to go before I can bring people in. But I’m not sorry for myself. It’s a tough moment but we keep going and there are 44 games to go. It’s a tough league but I’m confident.”