Rovers striking the right notes under new manager Tisdale
Talking points from Bristol Rovers’ win agaiinst Plymouth at the Memorial Stadium, by
BEFORE Paul Tisdale took charge, Bristol Rovers were comparable to a Coldplay tribute act: tepid, inoffensive and unremarkable. But it has taken the new manager just three weeks to get the Gas playing to a different tune. His version of Rovers are akin to heavy metal rockers.
Sure, there are missed notes here and there, but the spectacle is more thrilling and vastly more effective with the Gas playing at a much higher tempo under Tisdale’s tutelage.
The manager’s injection of energy has driven Rovers to three wins in the space of the week, lifting the Pirates out of the relegation zone and into 15th place in League One after the 3-0 win over Plymouth on Saturday.
If only fans were there to watch, but Tisdale will hope the show has only just begun.
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ROVERS
THE Rovers Tisdale inherited from Garner lacked any semblance of unpredictability. They were too rigid, error-strewn and impotent in attack. If forced to stream the game from home made it hard for fans to connect with their team, Rovers’ uninspiring play only made them feel further away from the terraces in BS7. But, in addition to delivering results, Tisdale has made watching the Gas fun again, and what is most impressive is he has overseen wins with different methods.
A week ago, at AFC Wimbledon, four goals were scored as a result of slick, uninhibited attacking play. Tuesday’s EFL Trophy win at Leyton Orient was the product of opportunism and grit, and the performance over Argyle was the product of superb set-plays, brave defending and threatening counter-attacks. But all three methods have been underpinned by graft and intensity off the ball, and purpose on it.
Saturday’s performance would have had the Mem rocking had fans been present as the Pirates quickly established their place at centre stage. Zain Westbrooke and Luke McCormick - who would both go on to score goals - stood over a corner and the latter, on his weaker left foot, delivered a perfect cross for Alfie Kilgour to power into the roof of the net with his head on seven minutes.
The lead was doubled 20 minutes later as Westbrooke whipped the ball into the mix and McCormick reacted fastest to steer a volley into the bottom corner of the net.
There were scares at the other end, but it was all part of the thrill as Rovers delivered victory and entertainment.
And they finished on a high note with Sam Nicholson’s cross finding Westbrooke in the middle five minutes from time for his first League One goal since swapping the sky blue of Coventry City for the blue and white quarters.
JORDI’S REDEMPTION
BEING an understudy goalkeeper, particularly when the number one is of international class, is no easy task, and Jordi van Stappershoef knows that all too well.
The Dutchman has rightly been scrutinised for some suspect performances, particularly in Ben Garner’s final game a month ago against Fleetwood Town.
But, with Anssi Jaakkola absent through injury, van Stappershoef responded in style against Argyle with the best performance of his Rovers career to date.
He made seven saves, including excellent stops to deny Ryan Hardie
and Will Aimson as the 24-year-old preserved Rovers’ clean sheet - earning an ovation from his teammates at full-time.
MCCORMICK MATURING CHELSEA loanee McCormick has had a football schooling that would be the envy of most players with the Blues, but when the 21-year-old arrived at the Mem it was apparent he was a raw talent who had a steep learning curve awaiting him in League One.
But learn he has, and the differences in his game are obvious after just 11 starts. The energy and arrogance in possession have never been lacking, but his decisionmaking has drastically improved - dragging his all-round game to a new level.
Promising performances in recent weeks were rewarded on Saturday with a goal and an assist. His strike was a superbly-steered volley into the bottom corner as he reacted fastest to pounce on a loose ball from a corner.
And his assist displayed why he has been part of a top Premier League academy for much of his life, delivering an inch-perfect corner on his supposedly weaker foot.
What was most impressive about his performance on Saturday was the fact he was not slated to be in the team until about 90 minutes to kick off. Erhun Oztumer was set to start at the head of the midfield diamond but felt unwell ahead and was withdrawn from the squad.
He did not let his manager down, and he has all the qualities to make him a favourite for coaches and
supporters alike: work-rate, imagination and confidence beyond his years.
CONFIDENCE BOOST FOR ALFIE KILGOUR
THE centre-half would be among the first to admit his season has not gone to plan. The 22-year-old has had spells in and out of the team as he encounters the first dip in form of his career. But there have been signs of improvement in recent weeks, and the thumping header which gave the Gas the lead at the Mem will do his confidence the world of good.
Tisdale has made no secret he is a big fan, and his newly-adopted back four with captain Max Ehmer at right-back gives Kilgour a chance to nail down a regular place in the starting XI.
And with experience either side of him in the form of Ehmer and Jack Baldwin, Kilgour has every chance to rediscovering the consistency he produced last season.
BIG WIN DELIGHTS BOARD CROWDS are still banned at the Mem due to Tier Three restrictions, but Saturday was the loudest the smattering of club officials have been in the East Stand all season.
Club president Wael Al-Qadi was in attendance and, alongside boardroom colleagues Martyn Starnes, Tom Gorringe and Tommy Widdrington, celebrated all three goals loudly as the Gas gained just their second home league win of the campaign.
At full-time, they had a pitchside debrief with Tisdale and spirits were high.