Bristol Rovers have a good thing going on home turf at the moment and will be looking to keep that going when they host Burton Albion in another significant game down at the bottom end of the table.
The Gas are trying to distance themselves from relegation threat as quickly as possible but, despite a run of 10 points in eight games under Inigo Calderon, an improvement in form for a number of sides near them in the table as well as kept them well in the mix of danger.
Burton are certainly one of those sides, going on a run of three consecutive victories having won just twice in the league all season prior to that streak. They have since picked up draws against Barnsley and Blackpool and haven’t lost since January 4.
Like it was against Peterborough United a fortnight ago, which saw Rovers run out 3-1 victors, this afternoon is another huge opportunity to extend the gap between the Gas and the bottom four which currently stands at five points.
Tuesday night saw Rovers pick up a good point via a 1-1 draw against a Stockport County side who could well be the best team to visit the Mem this season.
Calderon’s men have a bit of momentum behind them with this afternoon their third consecutive home game and, considering how contrasting performances in BS7 have been with those away from home, it’s an opportunity they really need to take full advantage of.
It’s been four days since the Stockport draw. Here’s how we think the Gas could line up…
Goalkeeper and defence
The query regarding who would come in as Josh Griffiths’ replacement in goal was answered on Tuesday night with Jed Ward coming in and impressing upon his return to action for Bristol Rovers.
The academy product made a couple of decent saves, commanded his area well and was quick to react to eliminate any potential danger.
As good as Griffiths was for the Gas, there should be full confidence in Ward and Tuesday night’s display will have certainly reminded Gasheads of what one of their very own is capable of in between the sticks.
Ahead of him, although a defender came off the bench to score the decisive equaliser in debutant Sil Swinkels, there is little argument to suggest that the starting backline needs to be tweaked.
Jack Hunt was always going to find it difficult to top his returning performance against Peterborough but still let next to nothing go down his side while Lino Sousa is seemingly improving after every game at left-back. The Aston Villa loanee clearly has made that spot his own under Inigo Calderon with the 20-year-old clearly fancied ahead of Clinton Mola.
In between the full-backs, Connor Taylor and James Wilson’s partnership clearly remains Rovers’ strongest and the pair have evidently benefitted from frequently playing alongside each other. Swinkels’ chance to start a game will come soon enough but neither Taylor nor Wilson deserve to lose their places.
Midfield
As good performances continue, there’s reduced reason for Inigo Calderon to mix up his side. The Spaniard has confessed that he does like to change things around and hand out opportunities but Matt Butcher has been a revelation in his two games since arriving in BS7 while Grant Ward has been one of the most consistent peformers under the new head coach.
Jamie Lindsay will be waiting in the wings while Romaine Sawyers is expected to miss out for the next couple of weeks with a quad issue while Kamil Conteh could be back available next month all being well.
Further ahead, none of the attacking midfield trio that started against Stockport had the best of performances but still should have enough credit in the bank to keep hold of their places.
Ruel Sotiriou is undoubtedly enjoying his best spell in a Rovers shirt and, with slightly improved consistency, will be a major threat. The same applies for Isaac Hutchinson who struggled on Tuesday night.
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Out on the right and Luke Thomas is certainly capable of more than what he’s produced in the last couple of starts but the winger is one of few individuals in the squad who can pluck out a bit of quality from thin air. Therefore, he is worth keeping in the side.
Scott Sinclair is always a decent option and could be given the nod to come back into the fold while it sounds as though Shaq Forde is available once again, although starts under Calderon have been hard to come by.
What will be interesting to see is if Jevani Brown makes it into a matchday squad between now and the end of the season. The 30-year-old seemed set to never play in blue-and-white quarters again in the summer but a premature return from his loan spell at Notts County and no move away found, the versatile attacking midfielder could eventually be in line for a shock return.
Calderon, when asked, refused to rule out the possibility of Brown getting a chance eventually. Admittedly though, right now doesn’t seem to be that moment.
Striker
Leading the line and, realistically, it’s a choice between two. Chris Martin started on Tuesday night and had a performance typical of this season. Assist the defensive effort but receive very little in way of a sniff of a goal.
Comments can be made about the striker’s work rate and running but, realistically, the front man has had significantly reduced quality in service to work with compared to last season when he scored 16 goals. That has to improve quickly because there’s still a good finisher there who’s qualities aren’t being utilised.
Elsewhere, Michael Reindorf came on for his debut on Tuesday night and made an impression, winning the free-kick that led to Rovers’ late equaliser. There’s certainly substance to the argument that the 19-year-old suits the Gas’ style of play better while there are certainly similarities that can be drawn between him and the injured Gatlin O’Donkor.
Realistically, it feels too early to see the Cardiff City loanee start a game but, with a game on Tuesday night at Wycombe Wanderers to contend with, that first start could be around the corner.
Bristol Rovers XI (4-2-3-1): Jed Ward; Jack Hunt, James Wilson, Connor Taylor, Lino Sousa; Matt Butcher, Grant Ward; Luke Thomas, Isaac Hutchinson, Ruel Sotiriou; Chris Martin