INTERVIEW: Mark Robins on Stoke City win, Victor Torp update and Ellis Simms performance

Reflecting on the game…

“I’m delighted. When the fixture list came out, you look at this week and think it’s going to be a tough one and then they move the Millwall game closer to the Plymouth fixture and it’s going to be even harder.

“The fact we have picked up seven points this week is brilliant.

“It wasn’t a great game for either side, the conditions made it more difficult it became a bit scrappy in the second half, but we could have got our noses in front early on.

“We had three chances to stick it in the back of the net, they threw their bodies in the way and kept it out, how it happened I’ll never know, but we should have been more ruthless, which gives you momentum.

“They’re nervy, but we didn’t play great, and it was on the back of the travel and the games this week and it catches up with you.”

Making six changes and Torp injury…

“We need to try and give people breathers when we can do, which isn’t ideal.

“You look and try and pick a side knowing what comes next is really tough and you can’t get through, but you have to try win a game make changes, everyone has to be involved and that’s there only way we will keep everyone fit.

“Victor Torp picked up an injury at half-time so we had to replace him and these are the things when the games come in the frequency that they do.

“Nobody thinks of the players, they have to have some rest, it’s almost cruel.”

Ellis scoring the only goal of the game…

“In the second half it became a slog and we had to dig in, thankfully we did.

“There were some really good performances, I think that’s the best Ellis has played for us, he picks his spot really well for the goal.

“It’s great we’ve gone with a clean sheet, and he’s scored the winner in the game and that will do him the world of good.

“Three points here is always difficult, not much quality today apart from the goal, haji won it back brilliantly and Callum slid it through, and Ellis had a lot of time to look at it and slotted it into the back of the net.”

Ben Wilson coming back into the side…

“I wanted to make a change. I haven’t got a number one and a number two, I have two goalkeeper’s who are really good,

“Sometimes they need to come out and clear their brains and that’s what I fel today and thankfully it worked out.

“Ben is the clean sheet king from last season, and he needed to come out when he did but that’s not to say Brad will come back in soon.

“I want them to fight, and I want them to be in a position where they know they will get opportunities, but I want the best one.”

Tavares making his first league start…

“I thought he did what was asked of him and I think he will get better and will grow in confidence.

“I don’t think it was a bad performance I thought he was okay, we want him to threaten in behind more but with Tatsu being ill it opened it up for Fabio to play.”