Bristol Rovers: Darrell Clarke 'up for the fight' of turning poor form around

Darrell Clarke's Bristol Rovers have conceded 33 goals this season - more than any other club in League One

Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke insists he is "up for the fight" as he tries to turn their poor form around.

Rovers were beaten 3-1 by AFC Wimbledon on Saturday and have lost eight of their last nine matches.

"It's been a really challenging five or six weeks for me but I know this club like the back of my hand - we've all got to do a lot better," Clarke said.

"I take full responsibility, as I always do, and I'm going to help my players now."

Clarke's side are 16th in League One, three points above the relegation zone, after losing 11 of their 18 league matches.

And this month's defeats by League Two clubs Notts County and Swindon Town saw them knocked out of the FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy.

The 39-year-old told BBC Radio Bristol: "We're in a situation where I'm looking at one or two players and they're drained of confidence - they shouldn't be, because I believe I give them the confidence to go out and express themselves - but that is how it is.

"That's what happens after a string of negative results and negative performances.

"I'm going to help my players as much as I can, to put that belief and confidence in and simplify the game as much as I can, because we're nowhere near the standards we've set ourselves over the three-and-a-half years I've been in charge."

Rovers face sixth-placed Blackburn, who are unbeaten in their last five league games, on Saturday and Clarke says he needs to see a response from his players.

"[There are] certainly no excuses from me. I take full responsibility to turn it around and I'm up for the fight," he added.

"We'll come out fighting, we've got to. We can't feel sorry for ourselves. We can't go blaming each other. We've got to bring it all together."