After a two-week break, Bristol Rovers are finally back in League One action after cup commitments against Exeter City and Weston-super-Mare.
The Gas were knocked out of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, although that was essentially confirmed even before their 3-2 loss to Exeter, before progressing to the FA Cup second round with a 3-1 win over Weston-super-Mare which required extra-time.
Certain timings of late have been frustrating, particularly the wait for another league game after Rovers produced their best performance of the season away at Reading last time out. They did lose 1-0 that day but fought valiantly with 10 men and had a number of golden opportunities to, at the very least, equalise with Royals goalkeeper Joel Pereira in inspired form that day.
Now, we’re looking for that level of performance against one of the division’s higher-ranked sides with the result to come with it and there’s certainly an opportunity to achieve just that this afternoon when fifth-placed Lincoln City come to the Mem.
Last time out against the Imps, Rovers caught Michael Skubala’s side at their very best while they themselves were in limbo as the Gas lost 5-0 at the LNER Stadium back in March. It seemed as though Lincoln would romp into the play-offs but they narrowly missed out with this campaign seemingly one in which they’re looking to take that next step up.
Under Skubala, the Imps have become one of League One’s strongest sides outside of the division’s juggernauts that have previously boasted Premier League status and this afternoon’s clash is expected to be a tough affair.
However, Rovers’ home form has been decent but it’s no secret that they are now looking to take a step up with three of the four teams that they’ve beaten in BS7 so far this term currently ranked below them in the league table.
There is certainly an opportunity there for Matt Taylor’s side to record a good win at home though with Lincoln’s last league away trip being a poor 3-0 defeat at strugglers Crawley Town.
It’s certainly an intriguing prospect at this stage and you would expect that there could be a few changes from the side that started against Weston in the FA Cup last weekend. Here’s how we think Taylor might set his team up this afternoon…
Goalkeeper and defence
Josh Griffiths in goal is, of course, a no-brainer and the West Brom loanee certainly played his part in ensuring that Rovers weren’t at the wrong end of a major cup-set last weekend with one particularly clutch save in the final minutes of added time of normal time to keep the scoreline level.
Ahead of the young goalkeeper there’s certainly room for debate. James Wilson missed the FA Cup tie with a knee issue but it sounds as though the centre-back could be back in contention this weekend. If fit, the defender is very likely to start having been one of the Gas’ best players so far this term.
That does give Taylor a bit of a selection headache though with Connor Taylor enjoying an upturn in form lately while Taylor Moore has been a fantastic addition to the squad. Meanwhile, Jack Hunt has also proven to be extremely useful since slotting back in at right-back, particularly when getting forward and putting crosses into the box.
However, the Rovers manager has recently played Moore at right-back with Wilson and Taylor the centre-backs before then bringing Hunt on off the bench to make an impact. Whether that’s something we agree with is another point but if the trio of central defenders are all fit, you can certainly see that happening again.
Then out on the left, Clinton Mola is another obvious pick. It has to be said, I did like the 23-year-old as a left-sided centre-back in a three but he’s also been solid in his natural position of left-back. He was outstanding at both ends against his former side Reading and it would be good to see him roam well beyond the halfway line a bit more. Bryant Bilongo and Lino Sousa are good depth options but, in this formation, Mola is a level above.
Midfield
In the middle there’s also some debate as to who sits between the defence and front four. Kamil Conteh has been a mainstay whenever available this season and has contributed some outstanding displays with a bit more consistency seemingly the next step in the 21-year-old’s development. However, there are two other strong options in Grant Ward and Jamie Lindsay too, both of whom scored against Weston last weekend.
Lindsay has certainly got a taste for a goal at the Mem with three in his last four appearances at home while we’re all aware of how dynamic Ward can be with his availability this term a massive improvement from last season.
If we’re guessing, which it feels we are really, Conteh is likely to keep his spot with Lindsay also expected to get the nod and keep his place having started in the FA Cup last weekend. That gives the Gas a great option in Ward to bring on and affect it when needed.
Ahead of them in more advanced midfield, Isaac Hutchinson is probably the first name for a spot in the trio which tells you how much his performances have improved lately. He was the best player on the pitch against Exeter last week and was also many fans’ man of the match against Weston with the volume of chances he created or saw fall to him.
Those matches have seen the 24-year-old play out on the left but, of course, Scott Sinclair is available and can always be a threat whereas Ruel Sotiriou has seen a dip in his performances. We could certainly see Sinclair deployed back out on the wing with Hutchinson sat in the middle, the hole if you like.
Meanwhile, on the right Shaq Forde’s return from suspension feels like an opportunity that has to be taken advantage of. Against both Shrewsbury and Reading, before his naive sending off, the right-sided forward was an absolute joy to watch and Rovers’ most dangerous-looking attacker. They seemed to miss a bit of his quality against Weston and they’ll certainly need it against Lincoln.
It also seems as though the 20-year-old is currently ahead of Luke Thomas in the pecking order who is struggling for starts at this moment in time.
Bristol Rovers Live on Whatsapp
Join Bristol Rovers Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Rovers stories sent straight to your phone
Bristol Rovers Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Striker
Amid doubts regarding Promise Omochere’s fitness, it feels inevitable that Chris Martin will get the nod and start his first league game since August when he broke his fibula against Stockport County.
The 36-year-old didn’t get much service against Exeter and Weston but did build up his minutes and should be good to go for at least 60 minutes this afternoon. We’re all well aware of how potent he can be in-and-around the penalty area, it will be about feeding balls into him.
In regards to Omochere, there could still be a place on the bench for the Irishman but Taylor’s message ahead of the match was that a late call would be made given that the 24-year-old could still feel pain and discomfort in his ankle joint where he picked up the injury against Reading a fortnight ago.
If he can’t make the bench, with Gatlin O’Donkor still out with a hamstring injury, the Gas will be light for attacking options to bring off the bench who can play up top.
Bristol Rovers XI (4-2-3-1): Josh Griffiths; Taylor Moore, James Wilson, Connor Taylor, Clinton Mola; Kamil Conteh, Jamie Lindsay; Shaq Forde, Isaac Hutchinson, Scott Sinclair; Chris Martin