New name in Rovers’ quest for manager

FORMER Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson has emerged a possible candidate to succeed Paul Tisdale as Bristol Rovers boss, it is understood, but Joey Barton is a primary target for the Gas.

Robinson led Motherwell to third in the Scottish Premiership last season, the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup final and the Europa League on a shoestring budget.

The 46-year-old is one of several managers who have applied for the role and left the board impressed with their credentials.

The former Northern Ireland international has League One experience as a player with Luton Town and proven experience working with young players in Scotland, improving them and selling them on for sizeable fees.

However, Barton – who has been bookmakers’ favourite since the end of last week – at this stage appears the most likely appointment at the Mem, albeit with a consensus yet to be reached.

Talks took place with the 38-year-old’s representatives over the weekend and Barton is said to be excited about the project in north Bristol and the potential of the club.

From a purely footballing perspective, his appointment would make a lot of sense as he enjoyed two strong campaigns with Fleetwood Town, guiding them into the play-offs in 2019/20, before departing in January this year due to a disagreement over transfer funds.

He is a hands-on coach who wants to work with players and develop them directly, more in line with Ben Garner than Paul Tisdale, and is open to modern ways of analysis and scouting.

There is also the consideration that while securing their League One status for next season is paramount, with Bristol Rovers 20th on 24 points after a run of 10 matches without victory, should he achieve survival, he would