The levels of emotions among Bristol Rovers fans throughout 2022/23 would never be able to match the polarising experiences of the previous term but despite their season petering out to a lower mid-table finish it still felt like a campaign full of contrasts.
There was early dread followed by express optimism that the Gas genuinely could force themselves into the promotion conversation before reality and a comparative lack of resources struck and all the adrenaline ebbed away for a reckoning but also a degree of acceptance at where their place in the hierarchy was.
The season meant different things at different times of the yea, but ended with the Gas able to consider themselves, once again, a proper League One team and with reason to feel confident for 2023/24.
The will of those inside the Mem often manifests itself in the atmosphere generated, especially in times of struggle as well as exhilaration, but to get a temperature check on how Gasheads will view this time back in the third tier and the challenges ahead, we spoke to eight Rovers fans who have followed Joey Barton's side extensively this season...
How would you rate this season out of 10?
Graham Ford, 44, Chippenham: “7. My view of success at the start of the season was to stay up and announce a new stadium. We clearly stayed up without any real worry (despite performances over the last few months). We need a new stadium to play in the Championship as I feel we can’t compete without a larger income stream. We have sort of announced a new stadium, hence the 7/10.”
Colin Gould, 62, Yate: “7 - having achieved the main objective of avoiding relegation. It could have been an eight but the form over the second half of the season was worrying.”
Joe Moon, 24, Keynsham: “I feel like 7/10 would be a fair score overall. The fluid football and abundance of goals have been a big positive, and staying up following promotion is a definite success, but there have been plenty of iffy moments too. Our winless run over Christmas and into January put a dampener on any mid-season excitement, and the last couple of months have felt a bit redundant with nothing to play for. The foundations of an exciting young team are definitely there though, and I trust Barton to recruit well over the summer.”
David Thatcher, 55, Filton: “5. We started slowly, however mid-season we managed to find greater consistency and then into the start of the new year. But what transpired at the end really was a big disappointment.”
Larsson McSherry, 18, Kingswood: “I’d give it a 6/10. As pessimistic as it sounds, we didn’t go down, however the post-Christmas collapse was a tough watch, considering what we had shown prior.”
Ben Tucker, 31, Sheffield: “6/10. I believe after the success of the previous year and the disaster of the year before, stabilising in League One was a priority, and we more than achieved that this season.”
Kalon Newbury, 26, Filton: “7/10 - the aim at the start of the season was to stay up and we achieved that comfortably, however, the second half to the season was bitterly disappointing in comparison to the first half, and our home form was pretty poor.”
Jon Foulkes, 39, Brislington: “5 - I've gone with a neutral score as it’s great we did enough to stay in League One, but feel we’ve underperformed with a talented squad. There were glimpses in parts of the season, but the inconsistency cost us a strong finishing position.”
What has pleased you the most about the season?
Graham Ford: “The ability to compete against the so-called big clubs in this division. We showed at Sheffield Wednesday in October what we are capable of, which we do best when both teams are on the front foot. Many supporters of other teams have commented on how we don’t sit back away from home and go to entertain, what can you not dislike about that?
“ The form of Aaron Collins has been good. I was a critic in December last year but he seems to have grown since then and hopefully we can get a decent fee for him this summer, and then reinvest in the likes of Lewis Gibson and some other experienced top 10 league one players.”
Colin Gould: “Our away form, picking up many important points on the road.”
Joe Moon: “Playing an attractive style of football and competing well against some of the ‘big boys’ in the league would have to be the most pleasing aspects for me. Going toe-to-toe with teams like Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Derby County showed me just how far this group can go if consistency is added into the mix.
"Our young wing-backs have also given me plenty of hope for the future, with Lewis Gordon and Luca Hoole looking like vital players for next season, with plenty of scope to improve.”
David Thatcher: “I was very pleased with the fitness of the team and the fact they’ve been able to keep going for the full 90-plus minutes.”
Larsson McSherry: “How we held our own against the ‘big boys’ of the division. Nine points against the top six sides is nothing to be ashamed of as a newly promoted side. But times such as Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday away, where I felt we should’ve had maximum points, meant that total could easily have been higher.”
Ben Tucker: “The quality of football the team produced, particularly against the 'big teams' - we dominated some of those games but just couldn't take our chances.”
Kalon Newbury: “I’ve been impressed with how we’ve matched the top six in the majority of the matches against them. With the exception of Plymouth, Barnsley and Ipswich away, we’ve deserved something out of all the other nine games.”
Jon Foulkes: “Seeing how we played, on the whole, against the ‘big teams’. We really seemed to show what we are about during those games and played some of our best football. Sheffield Wednesday away and Plymouth at home (in the league) are two that really stand out. I thought we were the better team in those games by some margin and were unlucky not to get six points.”
And what aspect or aspects have you found the most frustrating or annoying?
Graham Ford: “Teams who come to defend and time-waste! I recall a focus from the EFL at the start of the season, to clamp down on time-wasting, contact in the box at corners and ensuring the ball is in play for longer, this has clearly not happened.
"Shrewsbury at home was a total waste of time attending. They clearly took it in turns to go down injured throughout the game and wasted time at every goal kick, which is not what I want to spend my Saturday afternoons watching.
"The referees have not helped this year, they seem to have a total lack of control of the antics of these teams which needs to be addresses, the sooner we see a keeper sent off for two yellow cards for time-wasting the better, this will serve as a warning to all teams and stop this happening, week-in, week-out."
Colin Gould: “The high press that served us so well in the previous season went missing. There seemed to be a total lack of urgency about the team. Playing sideways and backwards as we do just provides the opponents the opportunity to set up defensively and with a lack of creativity in the team, we struggled to break them down.”
Joe Moon: “Our home form generally, and tendency to concede early goals as a result of sloppy defending. Performances at the Mem in general have been below-par, and conceding first has become a bit of a common occurrence. The frustration stems from how frequently this has been the case during Joey Barton’s time at the club – with the Bolton home game feeling like Groundhog Day. As much as I agree with the front-foot approach we’ve been leaning towards, it often leaves our inexperienced central defenders vulnerable on the break.”
David Thatcher: “Frustratingly, the adoption of possession-based football with a number of players who struggle with this tactic, i.e. can't receive the ball when back to goal and get the next pass completed. Also, the side as a whole are very poor at consistently winning second balls.”
Larsson McSherry: “Our home form. After being so strong at the Mem last season, we completely crumbled at home this time round; a draw and three losses to the bottom four just isn’t good enough.”
Ben Tucker: "Not being able to turn these performances against the big teams into results.”
Kalon Newbury: “Dropping points at home to teams towards the bottom of the table. One out of 12 points at home against the bottom four makes for really poor reading, and that has to improve next season if we want to be in the top half of the table.”
Jon Foulkes: “The inconsistency in performance. One week we were fantastic, and then the next, we were like a team that hadn't played together before. The situation with James Belshaw and Ellery Balcombe seemed to really disrupt us, especially at the back, which led to an unnecessary situation between the fans and the latter player.”
If you were in Joey Barton’s position, what would you have done differently?
Graham Ford: “Not made so many changes in January. We ripped apart the back five and lost a number of points which would probably have allowed for a top-10 finish. But, at the end of the day, he met my on the pitch objective of staying up, so happy with his performance as boss this season.”
Colin Gould: “Stop tinkering with the team. Even on the back of wins, he often chose to change the team and/or formation. And then we wonder why there is no pattern to our play?”
Joe Moon: “Invested in defensive players with League One experience over the summer, and been less tactically stubborn at certain points. The league’s leading clubs all have experienced campaigners at the back (James Wilson at Plymouth, Michael Ihiekwe at Sheffield Wednesday, Cameron Burgess at Ipswich) and I would have liked to see a similarly experienced central defender come through the door.
"The tactical stubbornness stems from our constant reliance on playing out from the back, failing to mix things up depending on our opponents. This contributed to some heavy losses – 5-1 to Morecambe and 6-3 against Lincoln to name a couple.”
David Thatcher: “If I was Joey I would play to the team’s strengths which is height and power and get the ball through the lines quicker.”
Larsson McSherry: “Keep certain things in-house? Calling out key players in front of the press in January massively derailed our season.”
Ben Tucker: “Signed an experienced centre-back and maybe another proven goalscorer at this level.”
Kalon Newbury: “Recruited some experienced players rather than relying on loanees, especially in defensive positions. And perhaps not have given the opposition team talk in the pre-match presser quite so often as it has backfired numerous times this season.”
Jon Foulkes: “The amount of games where we started poorly and then Joey would change the tactics and formation and suddenly we started to play fantastically was frustrating. If it was the one off game, then that’s understandable, but it was quite often and I would wonder why Joey would start games like this. I’m sure he knows why and has his reasons, but I would ensure the homework is done on the opposition and set up accordingly and in a way that ensures we don’t have to change everything at half-time.”
What was your personal highlight of the campaign?
Graham Ford: “I think Oxford away - 2-0 up at half-time, some great football being played, watching the home fans turn on their manager and leaving in their droves long before the final whistle, made even more funny as they all walked back to the open end car park with some great banter from the away contingent.”
Colin Gould: “It seems a long time ago, but the 2-2 draw against Plymouth Argyle. The second-half performance to comeback from 2-0 down was just outstanding and quite how we didn’t take the game I’m not sure. If only we could have reached that standard in other games.”
Joe Moon: “February’s 3-0 away win at Oxford was memorable for both the atmosphere and team performance. Fans were in fine voice, we got one over on a local(ish) rival, and Luca Hoole managed to net late in the game and celebrate with our travelling supporters.
"Josh Coburn’s goal against Sheffield Wednesday was another big highlight, while Scott Sinclair’s return and signing announcement was equally as fantastic from my perspective.”
David Thatcher: “John Marquis' double at Charlton after spending five hours plus on a coach, my personal hell, to get there and going 1-0 down early, his play changed the game in the second half.”
Larsson McSherry: “Coburn’s goal away at Sheffield Wednesday. A brilliant away day live on Sky Sports where we showed the rest of the league what we are capable of. Shame we didn’t keep it up for the rest of the season.”
Ben Tucker: “The vocal support and equaliser at Sheffield Wednesday. (I live in Sheffield, so this made work easier the next day).”
Kalon Newbury: “Away days at Cheltenham, Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford were all very enjoyable and deserve a mention, but Ryan Loft’s goal at Exeter in the 92nd minute led to some great celebrations.”
Jon Foulkes: “It was the whole way our club have come together for our wonderful number 16, Nick Anderton. Every single person associated with the club, from staff to fans, have really tried their best to ensure Nick knows that we are all thinking of him and his family. Now he has retired, I think it would be a nice gesture of the club to retire the number 16. It helps remind us all that there are more, sometimes, important things than football as well as the importance of having a sense of community.”
Who was your player of the season?
Graham Ford: "Has to be Aaron Collins doesn't it?!"
Colin Gould: “Luca Hoole. Was a consistent performer, even on return from spells out of the team. Collins obviously deserves a mention, but for all the high standards he set in the first half of the season, his second half was disappointing.”
Joe Moon: “It would be silly to ignore the League One Player of the season, so Collins would have to be my pick – though I’ll reserve a special mention for Hoole. 16 goals and 11 assists is a phenomenal return for a player with limited experience in League One, even more impressive considering Collins isn’t our assigned penalty taker.
"Luca would be a close second – impressing me with his work rate down the flank, and ability to beat vastly more experienced players 1v1. I see him becoming one of our most valuable assets in the future.”
David Thatcher: “John Marquis is my player of the season, he gives everything for the shirt, never sulks when on the bench and is more than a capable No9 especially holding the ball up and drawing the foul or bringing players in.”
Larsson McSherry: “Aaron Collins, do I need to say more?”
Ben Tucker: “Lewis Gibson was an obvious absence when injured, and he made a very nervous defence look more assured. Oozes class.”
Kalon Newbury: “Has to go to Collins. 27 goal contributions in his first season at this level, and the only player to get into double digits for both goals and assists. Without his goal contributions, we’d have finished in 23rd with 38 points - that’s not to say someone else wouldn’t have got the goals/assists in his place, but we wouldn’t have been as comfortable.”
Jon Foulkes: “Collins - for obvious reasons. Aaron’s form was a huge part of why we stayed in league 1. The amount of goals and assists he provided ensured the whole team had a successful period within the season. His whole personality and genuine love of the game really shines through. Although his form dropped in the second half of the season, he would always be driving forward and working his socks off for the team.”
Which player has surprised you the most?
Graham Ford: “Luca Hoole in the final quarter of the season. I am not his greatest fan, but since he has learnt to go forward as a full-back and not always pass backwards he has suddenly added a new threat to our attacking play, which reminds me of when we had Michael Smith playing at right-back.”
Colin Gould: “Antony Evans. The loss of form compared to last season was quite striking. Tackling, shooting, distribution, dead-ball kicks, every aspect of his game suffered. It seemed that the harder he tried, the worse it got.”
Joe Moon: “I had my reservations about Collins going into the season, and doubted his ability to perform consistently against League One teams – but he surpassed even my most optimistic predictions. The partnership between him and Josh Coburn earlier in the season definitely brought out the best in him, and it has been great to see Collins evolve his game, become a playmaker as well as a clinical finisher.
"On the flip side, a player who surprised me for the wrong reasons was Luke McCormick. Really impressing me during our relegation season, I was expecting McCormick to pick up where he left off, though I’m still confident he can come good with a full pre-season behind him.”
David Thatcher: "Jordan Rossiter. He constantly made the team tick and was hugely influential in winning second balls and and harassing the opposition. His injury was a major factor in Rovers going backwards especially in midfield."
Larsson McSherry: “Hoole’s improvement from the beginning of the season has been outstanding.”
Ben Tucker: “Collins made League One look easy! His confidence and quality carrying the ball forward scared a lot of experienced and quality defenders.”
Kalon Newbury: “Gibson - it was clear to see how much the defence struggled in his absence, and we looked more settled once he returned to the starting XI. Also, Lamare Bogarde - considering he hadn’t made a senior appearance before his arrival, he settled to League One football relatively well and didn’t look out of place. Really composed on the ball and good at retaining possession for the team.”
Jon Foulkes: “John Marquis - I really rate John. I think his work rate for the team is fantastic and he crops up with important goals when needed. I felt he should’ve been given longer runs in the team to show what he is really capable of. I didn’t expect the work rate and this is what surprised me the most along with his footballing ability. He’s a real asset in my opinion.”
What do you think are the biggest issues for the recruitment team to fix this summer?
Graham Ford: “A 20-goal-a-season centre forward, plus a solid centre-half. If we get Jordan Rossiter fit and sign Grant Ward we have more than enough in the centre of midfield.
“We need to ensure these are permanent signings with a record of success in League One at least, a few young loan or perm signings in and around these two and I will be happy.
“I hear lots of noise around loan signings, but this is part and parcel of the game nowadays, we would never have signed James Connolly if he wasn’t on loan last season and I firmly believe we will get Gibson back on a permanent deal, which is influenced by his loan spell this season.”
Colin Gould: “The start-again situation brought on by losing so many players. Using so many loan players as we do creates big gaps at the end of a season. The defence needs shoring up, and we need some creativity in the team. Should we lose Collins then obviously he will need replacing.”
Joe Moon: “Central defence needs to be prioritised above all else for me. We look incredibly shaky without Gibson in the team, and there are no assurances that he’ll be keen on a permanent return. Connolly could benefit from an imposing partner beside him, so I would like to see us bring in an aerially dominant centre back as a matter of urgency.
"The lack of natural wingers at the club gives me a cause for concern too, so I would like to see us bring in an exciting wide-man or two to support Marquis, Collins and a new No9.”
David Thatcher: “Bring in players who can play a possession-based approach confidently with the skill to deliver this tactic.”
Larsson McSherry: “Providing strength in depth as well replacing loanees from the squad this season. I’d say we need at least five through the door.”
Ben Tucker: “Signing experience to go alongside our talented youngsters without disrupting our pay structure (we’ve had too many overpaid players in the past).”
Kalon Newbury: “Defence. Jarell Quansah and Gibson both returning to their parent clubs leaves us short in the centre-back role. I feel we lacked a lot of experience across the backline last season, so bringing in a couple of players with some know-how at this level and tactical nous about them would be at the top of my priority list.
"Paul Coutts and Glenn Whelan hanging up the boots, Bogarde returning to his parent club, and Grant and Rossiter’s injury problems leaves the central midfield role looking pretty bare too.”
Jon Foulkes: “I think we need to ensure we get some more permanent players in. We absolutely have to rely on loan players, of course, but feel we have to rebuild at the end of every season at the moment. I think an experienced centre-back to help the young talented defenders we have is very important. I also think another attacking player that can compliment Collins or fill in when needed.”
What are your views on the general governance and running of the club?
Graham Ford: “Excellent. Yes, we have some issues but I genuinely feel these will be removed/improved by having a new ground.
Tom Gorringe is a young CEO with a history of good things at a higher level. Wael Al-Qadi is just amazing, he is so focused on delivering success for this club, whilst engaging with the fanbase. It is a pleasure to see.”
Colin Gould: “On day-to-day stuff then I am quite positive about it and the club is clearly working hard to modernise. I just wish they would make a greater effort to embrace the club’s history. There appears a lack of interest in the Former Players Association and some supporter groups have been sidelined.”
Joe Moon: “This season I’ve been really impressed with the transparency and openness when it comes to fan communication. Perhaps I’ve got my rose-tinted glasses on, but we seem to be making massive strides behind the scenes as well, the types of which we haven't seen nearly enough of over the past decade. The expanded club shop, pre-match fan zone and hospitality have really made a difference to the overall matchday experience. I believe in those currently running the club to take us forward, and I’m hopeful of what we have in the pipeline.”
David Thatcher: “In my opinion they’re doing a very good job and are more transparent and try to keep fans informed at all times when applicable.”
Larsson McSherry: “I’m fairly content with the running of the club under Gorringe and co., certainly in light of the recent stadium news. However, we’ve seen it all before and there are a handful of things off the pitch that need looking at if we are to improve as a club.”
Ben Tucker: “The club is in fantastic hands! The introduction of the fan zone and work on the South Stand and potential new stadium are very positive.”
Kalon Newbury: “The current board are clearly making improvements around the place to improve the overall matchday experience. The news about the new stadium at the Fruit Market site is (mostly) well received, and I’m sure away fans will be happy with the new South Stand that the club will be building over the summer. The addition of the fanzone has been brilliant, and improvements to the bar areas and club shop has made a big difference to the overall matchday experience.”
Jon Foulkes: "I’m a big fan of the current setup. I’m sure people will call me a ‘happy clapper’, but we feel like a more professional set up now. Wael obviously cares deeply for Rovers and Tom Gorringe seems like a young, ambitious person who wants to push Rovers to the next level. They can’t always make popular decisions, but at least they communicate the why behind things now. I feel more in the loop than I ever have as a Rovers fan. The fanzone has also been fantastic."
What’s the one (realistic) change you would make to further improve the matchday experience at the Mem?
Graham Ford: “A roof on the away terrace, It is so hard to generate any noise in an open terrace (we all know about FGR) and away fans give up trying. I appreciate this helps away sides but football is about the atmosphere and banter between fans during the game just isn't there. We now welcome big followings and could really have some electric atmospheres at the Mem if there was a roof on the away end.”
Colin Gould: “Cater better for children - food, drink and entertainment - at affordable prices. They are the future of the club.”
Joe Moon: “The half-time break and pre-match slot could definitely be used for some more interesting entertainment, and the interviews or half time chats would certainly be enhanced if we could hear them over in the East Terrace.
"Recent improvements relating to the fan zone and catering options have been really impressive, and the club’s online presence seems to be stepping up a notch, so I’m hopeful there are plans to make the on-the-day experience in the ground more exciting too.”
David Thatcher: “More turnstile entrances are much needed with queues starting from 2:30pm onwards even when the ground is not sold out.”
Larsson McSherry: “Maybe a bit of a niche one but I would ban the shout of “FORWARD!” from fans whenever one of our centre halves has the ball. It does my head in."
Ben Tucker: “More and improved facilities, while the queue for food is always a problem.”
Kalon Newbury: “Open more turnstiles on busy games to help with the queueing outside the ground. Especially the Thatchers' End, I can’t remember the last time I saw all the turnstiles open. Possibly a covered area in the fan zone for those more rainy days so people can still enjoy the music without getting wet. Maybe introduce activities for the younger supporters to take part in before the game (penalties, crossbar challenge etc). I appreciate the club are limited for space though.”
Jon Foulkes: “More, consistent quality of the food offered within the stadium as the fan zone food is brilliant. However, quite often the pasties/pies etc in the stadium are burnt or sold out. I used to enjoy the fan involvement at half time, with prizes up for grabs. Wouldn’t mind seeing something like that again at half-time for a bit of entertainment.”
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