Ayunga and Barrett don’t look to be part of Joey’s Rovers revolution
JONAH Ayunga and Josh Barrett’s time at Bristol Rovers appears to be coming to an end, with the pair understood not to be part of Joey Barton’s plans for the season ahead.
Barton has committed significant capital and resources in the transfer market to bolstering Rovers’ options on the wings and in attacking midfield, plunging Barrett down the pecking order.
With a proven goalscorer atop Barton’s wishlist for the remainder of the transfer window, the Bristol Post understands Ayunga’s playing opportunities will be limited and he will be allowed to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Rovers have already acquired forwards Aaron Collins and Harvey Saunders, and after Rovers’ scoring troubles last season Barton is desperate to add a proven scorer to lead the line.
Cuts at Rovers are inevitable in the weeks ahead. Barton’s squad is effectively three players over the 20-man limit which will be enforced on September 1.
With more signings desired there could realistically be six exits from the Memorial Stadium before the transfer window shuts, and Ayunga and Barrett are prime candidates
to leave. “We’re working on the ins and outs and there will be movement, more out than in over the next two-week period, where we allow the lads we’ve brought in to stabilise and settle,” Barton said after the draw with Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
“As they get fit, we’ll be able to drop out the lads who are not able to come on the journey with us. I think the next period will be interesting, more on the outs than the ins.”
Ayunga joined the Gas from Havant & Waterlooville last summer. He was acquired to play as Jonson Clarke-Harris’ understudy and have a learning season, but he was thrust into action after the star striker’s sale to Peterborough United. Rovers were left with only Ayunga, Brandon
Hanlan and James Daly up top, and the 24-year-old, understandably, struggled in very difficult circumstances. He scored three goals in 33 appearances in all competitions last season, with his only two league goals coming in the same game against Portsmouth.
Rovers scored just 40 times in 46 League One games, hence the manager’s urgency to upgrade his attacking options.
Barrett, meanwhile, has endured a miserable spell with the Gas after a move from Reading in January 2020.
He was pushed to the fringes by Ben Garner after publicly criticising the players’ fitness two months after his arrival, and any efforts to get back on track since were wrecked by a run of injuries.
The former Republic of Ireland Under21 international had posted a picture on social media ahead of pre-season indicating he was in good shape, only to suffer the latest in a series of hamstring injuries and he is yet to feature in any of Rovers’ friendlies. The 23-year-old has made just 19 appearances in his time at Rovers and appears in desperate need for a fresh start.
His ability with the ball at his feet is undisputed by all who have crossed his path in the game, but he never enjoyed a long run of games.