Kilgour stars as Rovers deliver a cup display full of promise
BRISTOL ROVERS VS SHEFFIELD UNITED, FA CUP THIRD ROUND Talking points from Rovers’ FA Cup defeat to Sheffield United at the Memorial Stadium, by
ANEW regime at Bristol Rovers has brought new opportunities, and few are profiting from the appointment of Paul Tisdale like Alfie Kilgour.
The 23-year-old was the star of Rovers’ brave effort in defeat to Premier League Sheffield United in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
The centre-back, who was catching the eye of Premier League and Championship clubs before lockdown, suffered a stuttering start to the season which saw him flittering in and out of the team before a place on the bench became more regularly occupied.
It was apparent the struggles were rooted in his mind more than his feet. His decision-making, which had been so solid the previous campaign, descended into a spiral of hesitancy and rashness.
But the departure of Ben Garner and Tisdale’s arrival has seen rapid decluttering. Complicated messages and over-complicated play in their own third have been left behind for much more straightforward instructions.
The result is players are playing off their instincts. Zain Westbrooke is nutmegging defenders left, right and centre. Sam Nicholson - albeit absent for Saturday’s game with injury - has the freedom to run or shoot from just about anywhere.
Those are just two examples of improvement under the new boss, but no player has improved more in the past six weeks than Kilgour.
Not so long ago, the boyhood Gashead was the jewel in the crown: a future club captain or golden ticket for a sizeable transfer fee after inking a richly-deserved improved three-year deal in the summer.
After the first slump of his career, Kilgour heading back towards that trajectory, and for that deserves plenty of credit.
Tisdale
KILGOUR BACK TO HIS BEST
BOYHOOD Gashead Kilgour had been making steady strides back to form in recent weeks, with a goal and a clean sheet against Plymouth Argyle on December 12 and an impressive defensive shift against Blackpool eight days ago evidence he was getting back on track.
Against the Blades, he was back to his best. His decision-making was sound and he again showed his ability to threaten in the opposition box.
After a tough examination in the opening 20 minutes, Kilgour’s perfect header from Westbrooke’s equally perfect cross dragged the Gas level from nowhere, and the defender’s performance only improved from there.
The moment that typified his rediscovered defensive composure was a second-half counter from the Blades when David McGoldrick looked to burst in behind. The 22-year-old did not panic against the veteran striker, and timed his goal-saving tackle to perfection.
Kilgour had previously been a victim of his own versatility, playing in pretty much every position across the defence under Garner.
But Tisdale has defined his role. He is the right-sided centre-half, with experience either side of him in Jack Baldwin and Max Ehmer.
The manager has also simplified the message for the entire squad. Many of the intricacies of the previous regime have been replaced by a simple demand of playing with purpose.
The clearness of minds has certainly improved the performance of several players, particularly Kilgour, and that is a huge positive for the club in many ways.
Primarily, he is an important player and it is important he plays well. Secondly, the club is committed to developing players from within and it is vital the likes of Kilgour continue to flourish for the club to achieve its aims of financial sustainability by improving players in the building.
ROVERS DO THEMSELVES PROUD
WITH the Blades’ form in mind, many punters would have tipped Rovers to upset the odds, but any Premier League side should beat a League One side if they turn up.
The Gas certainly ran Chris Wilder’s struggling side close, showing superb character to come from behind twice to level the score before Jayden Bogle delivered the fatal blow just after the hour.
Rovers were committed across the park, starting in goal with debutant Joe Day. He was unfortunate to concede an own goal off his back after Lys Mousset’s looping header hit the crossbar, but that did not mar his first day in a Pirates shirt. He made several decent saves, but most importantly he exuded calm as a veteran, trusty presence between the posts.
In front of him, the back four stuck to their task manfully against a side which has seen few personnel changes since a ninth-placed finish in the Premier League just a few months back.
Luke Leahy, in particular, is relishing his role in the team as a regular starter and as a vocal leader through tough moments.
The midfield and attack offered
plenty of graft, but ultimately they lacked the craft outside a pair of superb crosses from Westbrooke which created both goals.
They had a platform to cause the upset, but Sheffield United eked out a deserved win on the balance of play as their superior class told in key moments.
But there are plenty of positives for Tisdale to build on with a season-defining period of relentless fixtures awaiting him. SET-PIECE TRANSFORMATION DEAD-BALL situations had been a drain on Rovers’ season, with the Gas shipping goals at one end and posing little threat at the other.
But Tisdale has transformed their fortunes from set-plays. They look solid defending crosses into their box, and they are becoming a menace from their own corners and free-kicks.
Rewind to the win at AFC Wimbledon in early December, and Gasheads were rightly delighted with the 4-2 victory, but Tisdale was exasperated by a comically defended free-kick which saw a header converted on the penalty spot with no defender within five yards of the scorer.
Then he knew set-plays, at both ends, had to become a primary focus, and plenty of work has been done at The Quarters.
Saturday was the second game in Tisdale’s tenure that the Gas have scored twice from dead-balls, and it is the hallmark of a good team that they defend their box well from corners while chipping in with goals from their own.