Bennett believes he can turn it around at Rovers
KYLE Bennett admits he is “disappointed” with his time at Bristol Rovers so far, but he has not given up hope of forcing his way back into the team.
The 29-year-old has now entered the final year of his contract at the Memorial Stadium after long spells out of favour.
The midfielder, Rovers’ best-paid player, has struggled for consistency, but has also been victim of some managerial changes which have not suited his playing style.
Rovers have failed several times to move Bennett on to a new club in the past 12 months – with Swindon often linked – but the former Portsmouth playmaker, who moved to the club in 2018, still believes he has something to offer boss Ben Garner.
The former England youth international has opened up on his relationship with former Rovers boss Graham Coughlan, who made it clear Bennett was not his kind of player.
“Obviously Darrell Clarke, who signed me, ended up getting sacked and Graham Coughlan took over,” Bennett told the Inside The Changing Room podcast. “We were not a match made in heaven, and he just decided I wasn’t for him. He said I could go out on loan.
“I ended up coming back and Graham was still in charge of the team. He told me last summer I could leave but nothing was sorted out. To be honest, I was adamant I was going to play and start, and I ended up starting the first game of the season. I believed in myself, but it just fizzled out a little bit.”
Bennett has played 62 games for the club, scoring four goals, the last of which came in a Carabao Cup tie against Crawley 23 months ago.
He accepts he has not been good enough in blue and white quarters, and understands the criticism he has received from supporters.
“My first six months at Rovers I was playing some really good football,” Bennett continued.
“After that I haven’t hit the heights I would like to hit. I don’t feel like I’ve contributed.
“I’ve been disappointed with myself and I’m sure the fans would say the same thing about me.
“It’s been a bit of a difficult period for the last couple of years, but I still believe in my ability and I still have got another year there and I believe I can turn it around.”