BRISTOL ROVERS

LAST SEASON

LEAGUE TWO 3rd FA CUP Third Round

LEAGUE CUP First Round TOP SCORER Aaron Collins ( 18)

FAN FILE

Last season was a car crash for five months, before it morphed into one of the most incredible seasons in recent memory. We flirted with the relegation zone until midway, then turned things around to seal automatic promotion in the 85th minute on the final day. On goals scored. With a 7- 0 win. This season will be different because we have momentum now. Everybody is singing off the same hymn sheet and there’s definite optimism. It can take you a really long way if the right decisions are made behind the scenes.

The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that we’re now firmly behind Joey Barton [ above] – at least from a footballing perspective – after all that he achieved last term. Many wanted him sacked in the autumn but he proved them wrong. The thing my club really gets right is the accessibility of key personnel to fans. Communication has gradually improved under the new owner ( and latterly, our new CEO).

Fans think our owner is pretty good. Wael al- Qadi kept us afloat during the pandemic and backed Barton in last summer’s transfer market. The big test is whether he’ll deliver a new stadium.

I won’t be happy unless we finish the campaign saying we gave it a good go. This is an opportunity for us to tackle League One head on. I’m least looking forward to playing

Peterborough. It’s a trek from Bristol and we never seem to beat them.

Our key player will be Antony Evans [ below]. After registering double digits for both goals and assists last term, the midfielder’s three- year deal was vital.

Our most underrated player is Trevor Clarke. Injuries and silly suspensions limited the ex- Rotherham man to just a handful of appearances last season, so we’re yet to see the best of him.

Fans think our ground is inadequate, dilapidated, an eyesore... any more? The active player I’d love to have

back is Billy Bodin of Oxford, who is very highly thought of around these parts. He’s the sort of silky attacker to make something from nothing. The pantomime villain will be Scott Brown, Fleetwood’s new manager. He and Barton don’t see eye- to- eye. We’ll finish 12th.

FFT VERDICT 16TH

The Gas must adjust to the third tier without a loanee so crucial in getting them there: attacking midfielder Elliot Anderson. With Evans as well as James Connolly staying on, though, and James Gibbons poached from Port Vale, survival looks likely for Barton.