Bristol Rovers are running out of time to reshape their squad as Steve Evans admits the difficulty of finding experienced, match-fit players late in the January window.
With the Gas hovering just above the League Two relegation zone, the final week of the transfer window is shaping up as a decisive period for a side sliding rapidly in the table.
Bristol Rovers sit 22nd after a 1-0 defeat at Salford City, their 14th loss in the last 16 league matches, a run that has left them just a point above the bottom two. Speaking after that game, head coach Steve Evans acknowledged both the scale of the challenge and the difficulty of improving the squad at this stage of the season.
After being asked about whether Rovers would look to bring in more experienced players before the deadline, Evans said,
“Yeah, we hope so. You know, we’re trying. It’s not been designed that we say we’re going to get them younger. We’re trying. And it’s difficult to get good players that will really improve us. I know it sounds a bit strange, but it is.”
Rovers have already signed five players this month, Ryan De Havilland, Kofi Balmer, Kane Thompson-Sommers, Riley Harbottle and Yusuf Akhamrich, while eight have departed, including all five loanees brought in under Darrell Clarke. All five January arrivals so far are aged 25 or under, despite earlier suggestions that experience would be prioritised.
Evans stressed that fitness is a major factor when assessing potential targets, particularly at a time when the squad needs players who can contribute immediately.
“Ideally as well, we want players that come in who’s had game time. Ryan De Havilland, I thought, was probably one of our better players today. I thought he was outstanding in little spells. But he’s chasing his fitness because he’s not played a lot of games.”
Whether Rovers can complete any deals in the final days of the window remains to be seen, but Evans has indicated more movement is expected before the deadline as the club fights to secure its EFL status.
Alongside the transfer discussion, Evans also gave a blunt assessment of the Salford defeat, admitting his side were second best for long periods.
“Yeah, disappointing. It wasn’t a good first half from our point of view. We never won our challenges, we never won our duels, we never played percentages, and we never delivered good set plays into the box.”
Despite a second-half shape change, Evans felt Rovers still lacked the presence required to trouble a promotion-chasing side.
“We changed the system with a bit more of a presence, but did we have enough first contacts when we got into the final third and their penalty area? For me, no. We should be coming here and getting something, and we have to be much better than we were today.”
Critical time for the Gas
With trips to Milton Keynes Dons and a home clash against Newport County approaching, Evans knows words alone will not be enough. Recruitment and results now have to move together if Bristol Rovers are to halt their slide and pull clear of the relegation fight.
They’ve been here before, free-falling into the National League, and they know once you’re in there, it’s a big challenge to get out of. Evans hasn’t managed in the National League since the early part of the century during his controversial spell with Boston United, and he’ll need all his experience to ensure they don’t get dragged deep into the fight for another stint.
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