There’s a strong sense of anticipation amongst Gasheads ahead of this afternoon’s trip to Burton Albion. Too many times before have poor runs of form been ended by a much-needed victory only for Bristol Rovers to return to bad old habits quickly. Matt Taylor’s side have to build on Tuesday night’s win over Charlton Athletic with another result today.
Although we’re almost a quarter of the way through the season already, it still feels as though there’s more to learn about this group. There’s certainly more to come but now the biggest question they’ve faced so far is whether they form a bit of consistency.
After it felt as though Rovers were on the brink of crisis, for some they may have even entered it, they have the opportunity to go into an international period on the back of some decent form. Tuesday’s win and performance against Charlton was much-needed to reinstall some confidence back into the players who battled excellently and came out on top in duels more often than not.
Another good result against Burton and then at Swindon Town in the EFL Trophy next Tuesday would see the Gas going into the 10-day break with some momentum and in a good place given that the Blackpool match has been called off.
The Brewers are still winless in League One which makes it a particularly eye-catching opportunity for Rovers but at the same time Mark Robinson’s side will be thinking the exact same thing in regards to getting their first victory of the campaign. Going into it, there’s definitely suggestion that it could be an entertaining clash.
Regarding team news, there’s little reason to make notable changes but Taylor may be keen to bring in one or two who were rested for the Charlton win. On the whole though, you would expect the starting line up to look largely similar. Here’s how we think Rovers might set up at the Pirelli Stadium this afternoon…
Goalkeeper and defence
After three clean sheets in the first four games it would be nice to see Bristol Rovers restore some stability to the backline and get another shutout sooner rather than later. So much emphasis was put on being solid first and then build from that but 13 goals conceded in the last five games is worryingly leaky. Admittedly, the Gas should have kept a clean sheet on Tuesday night; those two late goals were frustrating.
Josh Griffiths of course keeps his place in between the sticks while there is debate for a change amongst the centre-backs. Taylor Moore is now back from suspension and it will be interesting to see whether Matt Taylor opts to bring the 27-year-old straight back in.
The summer recruit has largely been impressive but obviously was well under par in his last appearance when Rovers shipped four at home to Wigan while he himself got sent off for a moment he won’t want to see back. If he was to come back in, you would expect it would be for Connor Taylor who looked closer to his usual self on Tuesday night but still hasn’t been as dominating as he can be.
Whether the Gas play with a back-three or four is irrelevant as if it is the latter then Mola would simply shift out into left-back. However, the three certainly worked on Tuesday night but it does seem as though Moore will slot straight back in as opposed to having to work for an opportunity to return.
Midfield
Should wing-backs go in the defence column? It’s up for debate but whether Jack Hunt should play or not certainly isn’t. The right-sided defender was outstanding on his first start of the season, galloping up and down his flank and getting stuck in at both ends. Additionally, by the sounds of things he offered another much-needed experienced head ahead of and during a game where there was notable pressure.
On the left-hand side, there is healthy competition now between Bryant Bilongo and Lino Sousa with the latter rested on Tuesday night after his first introduction to senior football this season as a Rovers player. The Aston Villa loanee has been impressive in most of his performances for the Gas while Bilongo was solid against Charlton. It feels like a decision that could be decided by the flip of a coin but based on the fact that he currently has the shirt, we’re going to guess that Bilongo will keep his place.
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In between the wing-backs Jamie Lindsay in absolute certainty after he properly introduced himself to Gasheads on Tuesday with a cracking goal and an outstanding midfield performance. Another figure that goes into the senior group that Rovers evidently need. He certainly stepped up earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Kamil Conteh looked better but Grant Ward is knocking on the door having also been rested against the Addicks. The 29-year-old has played notably better in blue-and-white quarters before than he has done this campaign but he’s still undoubtedly one of the best players in this squad. If he can play, Taylor should be playing him.
Forwards
However way you want to suggest that they were organised, the attacking trio of Ruel Sotiriou, Scott Sinclair and Promise Omochere worked very well the other night. Sotiriou pressed exceptionally well and was a menace for Charlton’s defence to deal with, Sinclair rolled back the years with a vintage strike in an exciting performance while Omochere’s hold up and link up play was outstanding as the striker registered two assists.
It’s very difficult to argue that the trio should be broken up after Tuesday night, although not having Luke Thomas in a starting line up once again, with the winger not even getting on the pitch against Charlton, feels like a missed opportunity.
Although the 25-year-old is capable of much more, when he’s on it Thomas can be the most dangerous forward in this squad. However, it just feels as though as long as Rovers play with a back-three set up, the system isn’t going to be able to incorporate the winger’s talents to their fullest.
Bringing on Gatlin O’Donkor and Shaq Forde now seems like an automatic substitution with the latter evidently still some way away from getting up to full match fitness. O’Donkor is closer to pushing into the starting line up having been rewarded for his excellent cameo against Peterborough with a start against Wycombe. However, based on the way Omochere responded to being dropped, the Oxford United loanee may have to wait a while for another league start.
Bristol Rovers XI (3-4-2-1): Josh Griffiths; Taylor Moore, James Wilson, Clinton Mola; Jack Hunt, Jamie Lindsay, Grant Ward, Bryant Bilongo; Ruel Sotiriou, Scott Sinclair; Promise Omochere