From now until Bristol Rovers’ fate is confirmed, every game will be previewed as “big” as the Gas look to navigate their way towards League One survival.
Back-to-back away defeats at Wycombe Wanderers and Northampton Town coincided with a couple of relegation rivals picking up wins, with the Northampton loss particularly damaging, made it a poor week for Rovers. As a result, their advantage over the relegation zone was slashed to just three points.
If Inigo Calderon’s men are to avoid the drop, away form will have to improve. Thankfully though, their next test comes at the Mem where results have been considerably better with out-of-form Rotherham United the visitors this afternoon.
Although Rotherham manager Steve Evans refused to suggest that his team might be sleepwalking into a relegation battle despite being just three points above Rovers ahead of today’s game, the fact that the Gas can go level on points with their visitors with a victory makes it a particularly significant match.
The Millers have lost six of their last eight across all competitions and have just two away wins in the league to their name this campaign. Meanwhile, the Gas have taken 10 points from the last available 12 in BS7.
Calderon provided some extremely positive injury news when confirming that Promise Omochere is closing in on a return to action and could make today’s squad while Ruel Sotiriou and Grant Ward are expected to return in some capacity. Whether any of the trio start is yet to be seen but, with absences elsewhere, there is certainly a chance that an unchanged team from the Northampton loss is named.
With all that considered, here is how we think Rovers could set up this afternoon…
Goalkeeper and defence
Jed Ward didn’t cover himself in glory for Northampton’s winner last weekend but one bad moment shouldn’t lead to a change in personnel in between the sticks. However, the 21-year-old will be well aware that he has competition in Myles Roberts breathing down his neck if one error is to become a series.
We all know how impressive the goalkeeper can be and it is easy to forget just how young he actually is.
Ahead of Ward, James Wilson and Connor Taylor’s partnership in defence is still seemingly formidable although it would be interesting to see how Sil Swinkels fares when starting a game in the near future. Perhaps that could be a decision that is made with a game on Tuesday at Shrewsbury Town to come.
Wilson is arguably the current leading candidate to be named Bristol Rovers’ player of the season following Josh Griffiths’ return to West Brom while Taylor has enjoyed a string of impressive displays at home lately.
Out wide, Jack Hunt has established himself as the first-choice right-back since his return from the dark a month ago. The 34-year-old was given a rest for the Wycombe game last week, suggesting that he will play this afternoon and then miss the trip to Shrewsbury as Rovers manage the defender’s body as best they can.
Meanwhile, Lino Sousa is enjoying a regular run of starts with Clinton Mola finding it difficult to get himself back into the side. There’s certainly more to come from Sousa but the Aston Villa loanee has improved under Inigo Calderon as a result of the frequent game time.
Midfield
Despite his first defeat playing in blue-and-white quarters, Matt Butcher in the middle of the park is a no-brainer but who partners him is up for debate.
Last weekend it was Isaac Hutchinson who provided the assist for Scott Sinclair’s goal. There’s little doubt that the more attack-minded midfielder will start but whether he’s deployed as deep is yet to be seen.
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With Romaine Sawyers still injured and Grant Ward’s exact status unclear, the only realistic alternative option would be Jamie Lindsay who has struggled for form and regular game time under Inigo Calderon. The Scotsman was extremely well thought-of during a five year spell at this afternoon’s visitors, making it a shame that it hasn’t quite worked out for the 29-year-old in BS7 yet. Based on previous selection, the assumption is that Calderon will stick with Hutchinson but, if fit enough, you would expect Ward to slot back in.
Further up the pitch, you would expect Sinclair to get another start following his goal on Saturday while Luke Thomas is, realistically, the only natural option out on the right flank with Shaq Forde still suspended following his red card against Wycombe.
Based on the Rovers head coach’s pre-match press conference comments, it sounds as though Ruel Sotiriou’s withdrawal against Northampton was precautionary and the 24-year-old is actually fine and fit enough to start once again. That seems to be the likely outcome. The only realistic replacement would be bringing in youngster Kofi Shaw who Calderon said will “get his minutes” eventually.
Striker
Michael Reindorf will no doubt get his chance soon but Chris Martin remains the preferred option to lead the line for most based on his experience and quality in the penalty area. The 36-year-old isn’t the perfect fit in Inigo Calderon’s system but, provided with the right service, the veteran forward is still potent in and around the penalty area.
Unless Calderon was keeping his cards extremely close to his chest, you would imagine that if Promise Omochere is fit enough to be involved, it will be via a place on the bench as opposed to being immediately thrown into the starting line up. It may well be a case of the Irishman needing another week to get up to scratch but the Gas boss’ comments earlier in the week were extremely encouraging.
Meanwhile, Gatlin O’Donkor is expected to be sidelined for another couple of weeks at least, meaning that Martin is the obvious pick to lead the line once again.
Bristol Rovers XI: Jed Ward; Jack Hunt, James Wilson, Connor Taylor, Lino Sousa; Matt Butcher, Isaac Hutchinson; Luke Thomas, Ruel Sotiriou, Scott Sinclair; Chris Martin