Post by TugPhase on Jul 28, 2021 12:05:36 GMT
I've seen the first season preview, which I thought would be worth sharing for anyone that finds it interesting. A lot more coming out this week including League 2 1-24 predictions from various lower league experts so they can be added in here as they are released.
Bristol Rovers 2021/22 Season Preview
Bristol Rovers Season Preview 2021/22: Does Barton have bouncebackability?
Right, let’s start by drawing a line under the 2020/21 season. 38 points from 46 games, three different managers and the indignity of finishing bottom is enough to bring even the most hardened fan to tears.
The only blessing is that supporters weren’t allowed in to watch it, small mercies indeed. Ben Garner always felt like the wrong appointment for the Gas and Paul Tisdale’s 19 match stint was just surreal.
Joey Barton arrived talking up their chances of survival but it became apparent pretty quickly that things were only going in one direction.
So League Two it is then for Rovers, a division they will be hoping is not their home for too long. Despite the Mem being a ramshackle ground, the Gas should be at least a division higher. They are well supported and the owners can’t be accused of not backing their managers.
Barton’s summer transfer business only serves to prove it. The former Fleetwood boss is facing a big task and one that will really test his managerial metal. Bouncing back from relegation is not easy, only Bolton managed it last season and it looked for a long time like they’d fall well short.
Despite Barton finishing the 2020/21 campaign with Bristol Rovers, this should really be a new era for the club but the off-field behaviour of their manager has once again soured the mood at the Mem. The owners have asked for patience and unity but Barton is not a man who easily endears himself to those qualities and for that reason, the Gas remain in a kind of weird limbo. Not the ideal start to a season especially following relegation, let’s hope this doesn’t drag on or it could derail any hope the club have heading into the new campaign.
The Squad
Goals were a big issue for Rovers last season, or lack of them to be precise. The Gas only hit 40, the fewest in League One and it’s not entirely clear how they will rectify that in 2021/22.
Aaron Collins arrives from Forest Green but he can’t be described as an out-and-out goalscorer despite being a very good signing and Harvey Saunders is still unproven. Brandon Hanlan hit seven goals during the relegation campaign and you could reasonably expect him to add to that total this season, but more goals will be needed for promotion.
Barton has added experience in Mark Hughes and Paul Coutts while Nick Anderton was captain at Carlisle in 2020/21. Sam Finley is a classy midfielder who should be a really good player in League Two as should the already present Josh Grant. Harry Anderson also comes across as a bit of a statement signing after the determined winger was released by Lincoln, a side he won two promotions and an EFL Trophy with.
The Gas have also signed Trevor Clarke from Rotherham and Sion Spence from Crystal Palace on loan bringing the total additions this offseason to an even dozen.
In net, fit again Anssi Jaakkola could be one of the best stoppers in the division. He missed a large chunk of last season with an Achilles injury and was badly missed but the addition of James Belshaw from Harrogate gives the club two good options in net.
Newcomer to watch: Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas feels like a top, top signing for Bristol Roers. The winger impressed during his time with Coventry City in League One before going on to make 58 appearances in the Championship with Barnsley. Last season saw him make a loan move to Ipswich Town which didn’t work out well, but a season in Bristol could be exactly what the 22-year-old needs to recapture his best form.
Verdict
Many will be touting Bristol Rovers as dead certs for an automatic promotion push and with a couple of proven strikers they may well achieve it but getting into the top seven is a far more realistic aim for Barton’s side. Things can take time to click, as we saw with Ian Evatt’s Bolton last season, but once they do Bristol Rovers have enough in the squad to be a challenger, however, it remains to be seen whether things off the field interfere.
words James Richards, D3D4 Football
d3d4football.com/bristol-rovers-2021-22-season-preview/
Bristol Rovers 2021/22 Season Preview
Bristol Rovers Season Preview 2021/22: Does Barton have bouncebackability?
Right, let’s start by drawing a line under the 2020/21 season. 38 points from 46 games, three different managers and the indignity of finishing bottom is enough to bring even the most hardened fan to tears.
The only blessing is that supporters weren’t allowed in to watch it, small mercies indeed. Ben Garner always felt like the wrong appointment for the Gas and Paul Tisdale’s 19 match stint was just surreal.
Joey Barton arrived talking up their chances of survival but it became apparent pretty quickly that things were only going in one direction.
So League Two it is then for Rovers, a division they will be hoping is not their home for too long. Despite the Mem being a ramshackle ground, the Gas should be at least a division higher. They are well supported and the owners can’t be accused of not backing their managers.
Barton’s summer transfer business only serves to prove it. The former Fleetwood boss is facing a big task and one that will really test his managerial metal. Bouncing back from relegation is not easy, only Bolton managed it last season and it looked for a long time like they’d fall well short.
Despite Barton finishing the 2020/21 campaign with Bristol Rovers, this should really be a new era for the club but the off-field behaviour of their manager has once again soured the mood at the Mem. The owners have asked for patience and unity but Barton is not a man who easily endears himself to those qualities and for that reason, the Gas remain in a kind of weird limbo. Not the ideal start to a season especially following relegation, let’s hope this doesn’t drag on or it could derail any hope the club have heading into the new campaign.
The Squad
Goals were a big issue for Rovers last season, or lack of them to be precise. The Gas only hit 40, the fewest in League One and it’s not entirely clear how they will rectify that in 2021/22.
Aaron Collins arrives from Forest Green but he can’t be described as an out-and-out goalscorer despite being a very good signing and Harvey Saunders is still unproven. Brandon Hanlan hit seven goals during the relegation campaign and you could reasonably expect him to add to that total this season, but more goals will be needed for promotion.
Barton has added experience in Mark Hughes and Paul Coutts while Nick Anderton was captain at Carlisle in 2020/21. Sam Finley is a classy midfielder who should be a really good player in League Two as should the already present Josh Grant. Harry Anderson also comes across as a bit of a statement signing after the determined winger was released by Lincoln, a side he won two promotions and an EFL Trophy with.
The Gas have also signed Trevor Clarke from Rotherham and Sion Spence from Crystal Palace on loan bringing the total additions this offseason to an even dozen.
In net, fit again Anssi Jaakkola could be one of the best stoppers in the division. He missed a large chunk of last season with an Achilles injury and was badly missed but the addition of James Belshaw from Harrogate gives the club two good options in net.
Newcomer to watch: Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas feels like a top, top signing for Bristol Roers. The winger impressed during his time with Coventry City in League One before going on to make 58 appearances in the Championship with Barnsley. Last season saw him make a loan move to Ipswich Town which didn’t work out well, but a season in Bristol could be exactly what the 22-year-old needs to recapture his best form.
Verdict
Many will be touting Bristol Rovers as dead certs for an automatic promotion push and with a couple of proven strikers they may well achieve it but getting into the top seven is a far more realistic aim for Barton’s side. Things can take time to click, as we saw with Ian Evatt’s Bolton last season, but once they do Bristol Rovers have enough in the squad to be a challenger, however, it remains to be seen whether things off the field interfere.
words James Richards, D3D4 Football
d3d4football.com/bristol-rovers-2021-22-season-preview/
