This was always going to be a season of transition. This was always going to be a season where patience was needed. This was always going to be a season where there would be difficult moments. However, this was also a season where Bristol Rovers should’ve had enough confidence that their status as a League One club wasn’t in any sort of jeopardy. 19 games in, the Gas sit in a precarious position, 20th and just two points clear of the relegation zone.
Even if Rovers had gone into their trip to promotion favourites Birmingham City in good form, few Gasheads would’ve boasted notable confidence considering the resources at the promotion favourites’ disposal and that does have to be remembered. But, in many ways, everything that happened over the course of 90 minutes from a Gas perspective was incredibly predictable and that’s probably one of the most damning statements that can be made.
The message in the changing room just before heading out to battle would’ve no doubt been to try and keep it tight for as long as possible. That was thrown out the window after just six minutes when Lee Buchanan fired home an impressive finish on the volley following a badly defended corner, something that Rovers still can’t shake out of their system.
You feared at that point that Birmingham’s strong start would cause further damage to a potentially detrimental level but, in fairness, the Gas managed to calm the storm and keep the ball for spells. The issue, as has been the story for well over a month now, was the severe lack of any moments of attacking quality whatsoever.
Blues then came strong again and won a dubious penalty for a ‘handball’ from Connor Taylor, converted by Jay Stansfield, to take a 2-0 lead into half time.
Although the hosts had chances to extend their lead while Rovers had next to none to halve the deficit, the visitors still defended pretty resolutely with 2-0 the final scoreline.
Naturally, the vast majority of the discussion will relate to Matt Taylor and whether or not the Gas manager will be in charge come Wrexham next weekend. Although he was pretty calm when conducting his post-match media duties, some of the manager’s comments simply add to the notion that he is under severe pressure and won’t be at the club for much longer.
With all that considered, here are some of the stand out talking points following Rovers’ 2-0 defeat at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park…
Championship standard opposition
Let’s make one thing clear first, a 2-0 defeat away at Birmingham City isn’t a detrimental result. Stockport County, who have proven to be a much better side than Rovers for the time being, were beaten by the same scoreline at St. Andrew’s last week.
Not for the first time this season, the Gas had some grit and integrity at the back but it was the seismic lack of any attacking threat that continues to be a increasingly worrying predicament.
No side have passed the ball around Rovers with that much quality this season and every time Blues romped forward, it looked like they would score.
Assessing the players that made up the hosts’ starting 11, as well as the players who came on off the bench, the Gas came up against a Championship calibre team that, bar a major shock, will sit comfortably at the summit of League One come May.
Shots remain a rarity
You know it’s bad when fans are celebrating shots on goal.
Although Rovers managed to register a shot on target this time, admittedly one of no danger, it was still another toothless display with the struggles to create chances holding this team back from any progress.
Had some quality seen the Gas get a goal back with time to go, it would have made things very interesting and they could well have found themselves knocking on the door of an equaliser. They did well to keep the scoreline down, but it didn’t really matter considering how unlikely they looked to cause Birmingham any danger.
The goal tally is now a major concern. Two in their last seven games and four in their last nine league outings is baffling. Since Rovers scored six goals in the back-to-back victories over Charlton Athletic and Burton Albion, they have scored four in nine. Just let that sink in.
That proves that the issue is more down to confidence than it is quality because this group have been able to perform in matches. They still haven’t produced a full 90 minute display but they’ve shown that they can compete.
League position a new low
With 21st place Crawley Town coming up against this Birmingham team next weekend, Bristol Rovers should just about survive being in the relegation zone on Christmas Day while a win against Wrexham could see them climb a good few places. However, 20th place after a couple of games or 19 is simply not good enough for this group and club considering the investment over the summer.
Sure, this a team for the future. There’s limited doubt that a number of these players will prove to be smart buys down the line. The problem is that Rovers are currently in a situation where they desperately need a team for now.
Two points clear of the relegation zone almost halfway into the season is extremely worrying. No one wants to use the ‘R-word’ but reality has to be faced and that’s why the club are now at a point where it feels as though change is inevitable.
There’s still over half a campaign to go and supporters have to remember that and more than enough time for this to still be a good campaign. But they also have every right to be worried about the rest of the season because, right now, they’ve not been offered any inkling of evidence that improvement is around the corner during the past handful of matches.
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Matt Taylor seemingly on the brink as even the most optimistic turn
It’s never nice speculating about someone losing their job, especially when it’s as a good a human being as Matt Taylor who has also had a tough time off the pitch lately with his family emergency. But considering performances, results, fans’ discontent and now Rovers’ precarious position in the league table, it’s a challenge to see a scenario where he doesn’t lose his job soon.
The feeling now is very much that Birmingham could have been his final match in charge but you can’t rule out the Gas boss getting Wrexham and possibly beyond that. However, it’s been written before this season that it feels inevitable and seems a case of ‘when’ as opposed to ‘if’ and that’s a scenario that causes extreme issues if it goes on for too long.
When it seemed as though a poor result against Charlton Athletic after a run of four consecutive defeats would have triggered a relieving of duties back in October, that set the tone. Taylor overcame that predicament but a couple of weeks later and there was major discontent once again after a drab display in defeat at Huddersfield Town. Very rarely do managers enjoy longevity in their roles once chants calling for their departure emerge and rumours that they’re on the brink of the sack arise.
That was all two months ago. The Charlton and Burton wins were another example of a moment where it looked as though a corner was about to be turned but it just proved to be false dawn. Since then, although Rovers have gotten themselves into the third round of the FA Cup, they’ve managed to win a game over 90 minutes just twice and we’re back to where we were. Only now, the Gas are looking even more toothless in attack and are in an even more alarming position in the league table.
Taylor spoke post-match like a man who knows he’s on the brink. Comments such as suggesting that another manager would have the same issues with this group of players screams being under pressure.
You have to feel for him because it appears as though there have been scenarios where he’s been treated unfairly or has drawn the short straw with the “club appointment” of Lee Catermole to the coaching staff seemingly the latest instance. Realistically though, it feels as though he’s now beyond a point of return and we’re just waiting for confirmation which is a really, truly disappointing sentence to write. Time will tell.