‘We have responded to a bad start with some much-improved displays’

It’s been a rocky start to the season for Rovers, with the Gas finding themselves at the wrong end of the league table after four games. However, it’s not all doom and gloom, with injuries, opposition strength and sheer bad luck all playing a part in the on-paper bad results.

Many Gasheads would probably agree that the opening two games were largely disappointing displays. Losing away to a strong Peterborough side was not entirely unexpected, but a weak display at home against newly-promoted Accrington Stanley had many fans wondering what exactly was going on with a Rovers side that looked so much stronger on paper than last season. Simple passes and decision-making seemed to go of out the window, and the newly-laid pitch seemed to benefit Accrington’s slick attacking football more than it did our sloppy and disorganised style. We were often forced into playing long balls up to new man Stefan Payne as the opposition pressed us for large periods, and ultimately we lost the game because we were the worse side.

However, what a difference a week makes. A much-improved display away to Wycombe Wanderers saw the Pirates pick up their first three points of the season, thanks to set-piece goals from James Clarke and Tony Craig. It wasn’t just training ground routines that won us the game, as a number of impressive moves stemming from Sam Matthews and Tom Nichols kept Wycombe firmly on the back foot throughout the game. The scoreline did indeed flatter the hosts, who only mustered a single shot on goal in the entire ninety minutes – it wouldn’t have been unfair for Rovers to have put four or five past the newly-promoted side.

Wycombe was a result to build on, and Darrell Clarke stuck to his guns and kept the fluid 4-4-2 shape that he deployed at Adams Park when Portsmouth came to visit the Mem midweek. Pompey came into the game with three wins from three, and Kenny Jackett’s men were hungry to make it four and cement their place in the top two.

Rovers put in a battling performance, particularly in the second half, but found themselves on the wrong side of some bad luck. Portsmouth’s opening goal was a quality strike from a half-chance, and that set the tone for what turned out to be a game where Rovers lacked quality in both boxes, whereas Pompey took what few chances came their way.

The Gas were able to get back into the game thanks to a Chris Lines penalty, but he soon went from hero to zero after being shown a straight red card for a careless two-footed lunge on Brett Pitman. With ten men, it became difficult to deal with Portsmouth’s relentless attacks, and the late goal was a real sucker punch in a game where Rovers comfortably deserved the three points.

There is certainly lots to think about. Whilst it seems Rovers have shaken off two bad performances and are finding their feet, there are also questions about the summer’s recruitment. Lee Brown’s early departure in May left Darrell Clarke with plenty of time to bring in a new left-back, and yet we have had to make do with utility players in that position until new signing Tareiq Holmes-Dennis has fully rehabilitated from his long-term injury. In my opinion, the manager should have brought in a natural left-back, even if on loan for cover. Additionally, there have been big question marks over the lack of height in defence. Tom Broadbent still seems to be third choice, due to his inexperience at this level, and as a result we are playing a centre-back pairing who are easily bullied by the bigger strikers in this league.

Whether we have not strengthened these areas due to budget or because Clarke sees his money better spent in other positions is yet to be seen. It does seem to be a cause for concern at the moment, particularly given the nature of the goals we have conceded in our opening fixtures.

Moving forwards, I think Rovers fans can be optimistic. We have responded to a bad start with some much-improved displays, and despite losing to Portsmouth, I believe that if we play that way every week, we will stay comfortably in the top-half. The performances of Nichols and Matthews have been a joy to see, with the former seemingly beginning to realise his potential as our number ten – all he needs now is a goal. With players like Holmes-Dennis returning from injury, and the loan market heating up, this side can only improve on this mixed start.

Max Anderson is one of the presenters of Bristol Rovers podcast GasCast. Find the latest episode, an interview with Bristol Rovers’ commercial director Tom Gorringe, at www.gas-cast.co.uk/blog/podcast/32-an-interview-with-tom-gorringe