Sky Sports pundit and EFL expert Don Goodman expects Bristol Rovers to be a front-runner for promotion from League Two next season under Darrell Clarke.
The club responded to their relegation from League One with the re-appointment of the 47-year-old over the summer, following Inigo Calderon’s departure.
Clarke has previously managed the likes of Barnsley, Cheltenham Town and Port Vale, and most notably enjoyed a memorable four-year stay with Rovers between 2014 and 2018, helping the club to consecutive promotions from the National League to English football’s third-tier.
The Bristol outfit will be hoping to bounce back and immediately fight for promotion back to League One after suffering the drop under Calderon in the previous campaign.
Don Goodman makes Bristol Rovers promotion claim
Goodman expects Bristol Rovers to be in the mix for promotion under Clarke next season, alongside Notts County and Swindon Town.
He believes that the club will be keen to push for promotion straight away, highlighting the arrival of ex-Chelsea midfielder Josh McEachran as an example of their ambitions.
Alongside the McEachran signing, Goodman has also argued that Clarke’s experience and knowledge of what it takes to succeed with the Pirates could help a hopeful promotion charge next season.
“I think the answer is yes (If Bristol Rovers can be promotion contenders),” Goodman exclusively told Football League World.
“I would expect Bristol Rovers as one of the big fishes in League Two next season, probably along with the likes of Notts County, Swindon to be mounting a challenge.
“They’ve got an experienced manager in Darrell Clarke, knows the football club very well.
“And everybody at the club will be ambitious to get back to League One as quickly as possible and think they’ve made some good signings.
“Josh McEachran stands out as being the highlight signing so far of the summer, but I’m sure their business doesn’t end there.”
Darrell Clarke’s first Bristol Rovers stint
| Darrell Clarke’s Bristol Rovers record – first stint (all competitions as per Transfermarkt) | ||||
| Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | W% |
| 246 | 104 | 56 | 86 | 42.30 |
Clarke’s start to life as manager at Bristol Rovers in 2014 wasn’t smooth, with the club ultimately suffering relegation from League Two.
However, back-to-back promotion in 2015 and 2016 led to him bringing the team to League One, establishing them as a third tier side.
He departed in December 2018, having overseen 246 games in that time, including 104 victories.
Darrell Clarke appointment is positive for Bristol Rovers
It was a disastrous season for Bristol Rovers to slide into relegation to League Two, but their response so far has been positive.
A signing like McEachran has potential to do well in League Two and bringing Clarke back could go quite well. It’s no wonder why supporters lapped up the return of Clarke, which has the potential to reunite a club which has become fractured in recent times.
His previous stint at the club saw him guide them to promotion from League Two, so supporters would be happy if he could replicate that this time around.
Bristol Rovers will certainly be expected to be in the mix for a top three spot over the next 12 months, so Clarke has to deliver.
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