Opposition View: How Bristol Rovers are shaping up ahead of Doncaster Rovers trip

Doncaster Rovers are looking to get off the mark on home soil this weekend and will need to see off one of League One’s potential dark horses to do so.
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It has been a tricky start to the campaign for Bristol Rovers, but how are they shaping up for the campaign ahead.

We spoke to Bristol Live’s Gas reporter Sam Frost for the lowdown.

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Q: It seems to have been a busy summer at the club and a lot of people have tipped Bristol Rovers to be a potential dark horse in League One this season. What are the expectations?

Ben GarnerBen Garner
Ben Garner

SF: Gasheads are certainly expecting an improvement on last season's 14th-place finish, and a spot in the top half seems a realistic expectation.

The key word you have used there is 'potential'. The recruitment has been largely exciting – though they seem short of a proven goalscorer – but the squad hasn't fully gelled yet.

If they start to blend pretty quickly, it could be an interesting season ahead but equally things could snowball in the opposite direction.

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There are a lot of young, yet obviously talented, players in the squad, and there is a big onus on experienced pros like Max Ehmer and Mark Little to lead them through the growing pains.

Q: Do they have the potential to push for the top six this season?

SF: Yes, they do, but they need to pick up some early momentum. Anyone would have found Sunderland and Ipswich a tough start, particularly with a much-changed squad, but Rovers' performances on the ball have been concerning.

Ben Garner has put that down to players not showing the 'freedom' they had in pre-season, where the brand of football was much more impressive. I expect the handbrake to be released this weekend and a much more composed effort in possession.

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If that style of play can start delivering success, a promising season awaits, but they will need one of their unproven strikers to find some form or the club will need to delve into the transfer market for the tenth time this summer to bolster their attacking options.

Q: What system and style of play does Ben Garner favour?

SF: The Gas boss has used a 3-4-2-1 system so far, and there have been some teething problems. He wants his players to boss possession, keep the ball on the deck and play at a high intensity, but in the big moments on Saturday nerves crept in and they lacked composure on the ball.

They descended into off-script long-ball tactics, which played into Ipswich's hands and they grew in control before grinding out the win late on.

Q: Who are the players to watch out for?

SF: Goalkeeper Anssi Jaakola is among the best in League One, and he was sensational against Sunderland on the opening day.

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Further forward, Zain Westbrooke is a cultured midfielder who was part of Coventry City's title-winning team. He has moved to Rovers in hope of flourishing as the main man, and there have been flashes of excellence but he is yet to put together a complete performance.

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