Bristol Rovers Season Preview: loyalty to the old guard

With the 2018-19 League One season coming up, The Football Lab spoke to Bristol Rovers fan Reece Chambers (@_reecechambers).

You’ve begun life in the third tier with two steady midtable finishes. Given the stadium issues and that you were in non-league as recently as 2014-15, do you welcome stabilisation?

Of course, stabilisation is a great thing for the club considering where we were a couple of years ago. The club, though, should be looking to use the momentum from such a good turnaround next season.

For the last two seasons, you’ve lost your key man mid-season: Billy Bodin to Preston last term and Matty Taylor to Bristol City the year before. Did those departures hold you back, or did other players improve?

It’s always difficult to say when you consider that those players could have dipped in form or suffered injuries. There’s certainly no doubting that both of the two were huge losses for the club. However, Clarke has been very good at recruiting since joining Rovers and I would always back him to find a suitable replacement.

Five of your six most-used players last season were part of the National League promotion winning side. Does that suggest that Darrell Clarke likes working with players he knows he can trust?

The togetherness in the squad is something that makes the club so special. Along with a few impressive signings, Clarke has based his philosophy on hard work and determination. There’s certainly no doubting that our squad isn’t the highest quality and therefore the trust that Clarke demands of his players is what makes him such a high profile manager.

One of those promotion winners, Lee Brown, has left for Portsmouth this summer. Will it be important to replace him with a natural left-back?

Replacing Browner will be a tricky task considering the memories he has had with the club. Having said that, finding a new left back is certainly a key priority this summer. If Clarke can find a player who gives half of the commitment as Browner did, we’d certainly have a good signing.

Goalkeepers Sam Slocombe and Adam Smith started 23 games apiece last year. Who impressed you the most?

Of the two, there is very little between them. I would say, though, that Slocombe filled me with more confidence.

Joe Partington looks like a solid, hardworking right-back. Has he done well to keep Daniel Leadbitter out of the team?

Yes, he has been a very good signing. Leadbitter’s injury woes continued last year and Partington has taken his chance well.

In the 2-1 win over Plymouth last season, you looked like you could have done with a more dominant centre-back; although Tom Broadbent didn’t play in that one. Are you hoping Clarke will add to the defence?

An addition or two would be welcome, but I feel that Broadbent can grow into a top class centre-back in League One.

Liam Sercombe was a central midfielder at Oxford but, at least in that Plymouth game, he appeared to occupy a wider role for you. Do you like him bombing up and down the left, or do you see new signing Alex Rodman taking on that position?

There’s no doubting that Sercombe is one of the most gifted players at the Mem. With that in mind, he could be wasted on the left and I feel he would be better used in a central position. The addition of Rodman looks to be a good signing and I hope he can fill that Billy Bodin-shaped void.

Ollie Clarke always strikes me as a player who does the simple things well, whereas Chris Lines seems to like to create from deep. Do you feel the duo compliment one another? Will Ed Upson have to wait his turn?

Last summer I published an article on the importance of Ollie Clarke to Rovers, but he seemed to have an up and down season. If he can use his full potential, both he and Lines could develop a great partnership. It’s probably more a case of consistency at the same time for both of them.

Wide man Kyle Bennett has been something of an enigma in the EFL; but he appeared to show more of what he can do at the Mem. Has Darrell Clarke got the best out of him?

Clarke is a great man manager and I feel that Bennett can be a great player under his supervision. His spontaneity and flair certainly excites fans at the Mem and hopefully he can continue that next season.

Ellis Harrison seemed to have a good season last year, chipping in with 12 goals, while Gavin Reilly arrives with good reviews from St Mirren. Are you excited by your attacking options?

Since Taylor’s infamous departure, fans at the Mem have been slightly worried about where the goals will come from. Hopefully Harrison can continue his good progress from last season. He has all the attributes to be a fantastic player whilst we’ll have to wait and see on Reilly.

Gasheads aside, what are your thoughts ahead of the League One season as a whole? Any potential dark horses for you?

League One is always an open league and I fully expect the relegated sides to be near top spot come the end of the season. Considering their end to last season, I can see Plymouth pushing for promotion this season.

Where will you finish?

9th.

Thanks to Reece for his answers. The Football Lab’s verdict on Rovers can be found on We Love Betting from late July.