‘It’s good news that DC is happy here and he’s retained the bulk of the squad’

So, the sun has set on another season in BS7. As much as you’d all love to read an in-depth analysis of a 0-0 draw in Southend, let’s close the book on 2017/18 with a look at what lies ahead, what needs to change, and what’s working well at the Rovers.

Firstly, it’s undoubtedly good news that the manager is happy here, and that he’s retained the bulk of the squad. Sure, some of those who are under contract might be subject to offers while we forget about Horfield and turn our focus to Russia, but the lion’s share of those we see in blue and white come August will know the club and each other. There’s a risk to shipping loads out and bringing loads in, and DC is acutely aware of that.

Jonny Burn, Byron Moore, and Ryan Broom are, along with Lee Brown, the names on the released list. Burn’s Rovers career of six games for a reported £100k fee will go down as a black mark on the club’s recent track record on transfers; Moore always gave his best and is a decent player but for some reason it just didn’t ‘click’ for him here.

DC is doing the right thing by Broom. It’d be easy to give him a year, let him wait for the odd Checkatrade Trophy game or League Cup tie and then farm him out to the fourth or fifth tier again but a guy of Ryan’s age needs to be part of a team, not flitting in and out of teams. His age is the most important age to get first team experience in, if he’s going to continue to play the pro game. And he’s certainly got the talent to have a career in League football.

In terms of gaps to fill, it comes down to what formation the boss wants to play with – or, as this season has shown, what seven or eight formations he’d like to play with.

Between the sticks we’re okay with two senior keepers. But Brown’s departure leaves a hole at left-back: while young Michael Kelly can fill in, he’s possibly a bit green to play 46 games a year, and of course, Tony Craig can go to the left, but we need him in the middle, really.

The Craig-Lockyer axis at centre-back should continue, with Broadbent and Menayese ready to play here and there to gain experience in what will only be their second seasons in professional football. Right-back is somewhere we’re well stocked – with three of them in the ranks we can afford to let James Clarke cover centre-back too at times.

While Kyle Bennett has been an absolute revelation since his January move from Portsmouth, he stands alone as the only wide midfielder that can do a job at our level in the squad. Of course, fellow mid-season arrival Bernard Mensah will have benefitted from his time with us so far, and may step up, but might he may be deployed as a striker? Who knows. Whatever happens, the wide positions definitely need investment this summer.

On paper we look OK in the middle of the park as Lines, Sinclair, Ollie Clarke and the incredible Sercombe are all staying. It’s (A) good to have more than four central midfielders, especially if you sometimes play three in the middle, and (B) none of them have filled the void left by Lee Mansell, being that shielding, defence-minded presence, breaking up attacks at will.

Up front is an interesting one. Clearly Ellis Harrison is capable of either maintaining or improving upon his great season, but will he do it leading the line or supporting someone else?

Tom Nichols was clearly bought to replace ‘you know who’ and spearhead the attack, and while his season this year should be erased from memory, don’t write him off yet – a good break and pre-season with that king of marksmen, Marcus Stewart, could mean we see a different player to the one who looked low on confidence this term.

Then there’s Rory Gaffney. I love the guy, and he provides a different option, but he can’t play 40-odd games in the third tier next season if he’s not going to get 15 goals or so. It’s hardly rocket science to realise that we need another forward in the building.

As for non-team matters, while we should all salute the efforts to modernise things off the pitch (and let’s be fair, pre-2016 Rovers were like the Village Green Preservation Society) it comes down to one word: facilities.

The number two thing on a player’s wanted list, behind money, is somewhere good to train. Then you’ve got the Mem; I love the old place, she’s served us well, but if we’re ever going to take the next step, we have to renovate or leave.

I’m not going to join the massed internet hordes throwing smoke at the owners for this – we’ve had the problem since 1946 not 2016 – but the future stability, prosperity and indeed security of the club depends on this being done right. A business plan that depends on one person donating or lending money to the club is not a business plan.

We don’t want to rush – this needs to be done properly – but on the flip side we can’t wait too long. No pressure, Wael.

As for League One next year – Sunderland stands out as a super away trip in a stadium fit to host Barcelona let alone Bristol Rovers. Barnsley is always a tough place to go, and old sparring partners Wycombe, Akinfenwa and all, are coming to join us.

No point in making predictions yet but if we can strengthen in key areas, not make the same mistakes as this year, oh and have a good pitch to play on, all results are possible. Enjoy the summer.