Mem factor evident as Rovers make it back-to-back wins
Talking points from Bristol Rovers’ win against Northampton at the Memorial Stadium, by
THE lack of a recognised striker and a makeshift appearance to the team meant nothing to Bristol Rovers as they delivered their most impressive performance of the season: a 2-1 win over in-form Northampton Town at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Gas boss Joey Barton had been buoyed by incremental improvements in recent weeks, specifically an upturn in Rovers’ form on the road, but their display against a side that had won five in succession will proliferate a different level of confidence. The league table shows a wide gap remains between Rovers and where they want to be, but this team is getting there in its development.
Rovers have quality, spirit and, most importantly, chemistry bubbling away that was absent in the difficult opening of the season.
Doubtless, there will be bumps in the road and infuriating afternoons to come - this is Bristol Rovers we’re talking about, after all but Gasheads are starting to see something on the pitch that they can believe in.
BACK-TO-BACK WINS
FOR the first time in 11 months, Gasheads are waking up on a Sunday morning savouring back-toback wins.
Last season was painful, and this season started poorly, but Barton’s claim that a corner has been turned is being vindicated by impressive performances and wins against Harrogate and Northampton.
Gasheads had been waiting for Rovers to show up against a topseven side and now they have beaten two on the bounce.
With tough fixtures on the slate, this month was always going to be impactful for Rovers and - Wednesday’s
EFL Trophy beating at Exeter aside - they could not have realistically hoped for a better start.
There can be no denying the team spirit Barton has fostered. Just look at the scenes at full-time after Connor Taylor hooked Fraser Horsfall’s header off the line with the last action of the game.
Once Tuesday’s FA Cup replay with Oxford is out of the way, the Gas face a fancied Tranmere Rovers side, big-spending Salford City and table-topping Forest Green Rovers in successive games. That’s a tough run, but the Gas are riding a new-found wave of confidence.
JOSH GRANT IS VERY GOOD AT FOOTBALL
ROVERS were excellent across the park on Saturday, but one man was the subject of high praise from Gasheads, the manager and the press bench.
Josh Grant has not always been supporters’ favourite player, but he has been changing the minds of his doubters in recent months, and his return from injury in the past fortnight has seen him hit new levels in the blue and white quarters.
He has been loved by every manager he has worked with, with Barton raving about the former Chelsea prospect’s football IQ and his ability to learn and retain information quickly.
So it should be no surprise he has fitted in seamlessly at left wingback. He has not played there since his Chelsea days three or four years back, but - despite being rightfooted - he looks completely at home in that role.
Grant was denied the opening goal by the inside of the post, one of the many times he threatened the Cobblers in behind the right-back. But the 23-year-old got his deserved goal in the second half
before limping off - thankfully, only with cramp - to a huge ovation from 6,000 delighted Gasheads.
Grant’s influence on the left since returning from a foot injury is not only bringing joy down his side, it is making life a whole lot easier for a man on the opposite side of the park.
Barton has looked to Harry Anderson for width in the final third, but Rovers’ left-back issues this season - with Trevor Clarke and Junior Brown on the injury list - Rovers, particularly at home, have been lopsided in their forays forward.
That has implications at both ends of the pitch. It can affect the team shape and it can make the opponent’s job of defending more straightforward.
But on Saturday, Rovers enjoyed more width, with fewer attacks originating from the centre of the pitch and less dependence on Anderson.
THE MEM FACTOR
FOR the first time this season, a visiting team got a taste of the Mem factor.
The mood around the place had been awkward on Saturdays, with events off the pitch and uninspiring performances on it combining to create a nervous atmosphere.
Although Gasheads could not be blamed, it was affecting the players.
But Saturday was different. Rovers made a fast start and sustained their performance levels throughout the 90 minutes, even with 10 men. It spoke volumes that the Gas were met with healthy applause on the way down the tunnel at halftime despite being a goal down. Because the terraces knew Rovers were alive in the game and three points were still achievable.
The place erupted when Grant equalised with a thumping header, and the noise levels in the stands clearly impacted matters on the pitch.
Northampton had the secondbest defensive record in League Two at kick-off. They had been unflappable this season, with Jon Guthrie and Fraser Horsfall forming a formidable partnership at the back. But they were rattled as Rovers took charge amid the noise. Guthrie lost his composure and Sam Nicholson pounced to steal possession and Evans pounced on the loose ball to put Rovers ahead.
A successful season for Rovers has to be underpinned by a symbiotic relationship between the team and the fans, and if the players keep holding up their end of the bargain the Mem will quickly become the fortress it is capable of being.
NO STRIKER, NO PROBLEM
WITHOUT the finishing instinct of Brett Pitman and Leon Clarke, it was natural to worry about Rovers’ ability to score, but their makeshift attacking set-ups have worked just fine over the past three games (excluding the EFL Trophy game when they were rested).
Nicholson and Luke Thomas combined well at Harrogate to unsettle their defence en route to victory, and since then, with Evans replacing Thomas, Rovers have bagged four goals in two games.