Aaron Collins doesn’t believe Bristol Rovers would have secured their miraculous comeback victory at Rochdale without the driving force of the travelling Gasheads as the club prepares for what could be a monumental occasion at the Mem this Saturday.
Rovers recovered from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at Spotland and keep their automatic promotion hopes alive with Collins scoring the first hat-trick of his career to complete the stunning revival.
The Gas host rock bottom and already-relegated Scunthorpe United on Saturday with a heavy victory likely needed, and results elsewhere to fall their way, to claim the final automatic promotion spot in League Two, albeit with the play-offs having already been secured.
Manager Joey Barton noted after the game over the weekend that there has been a clear shift in the internal belief of the team and club over the last 12 months as even when they twice faced a two-goal deficit at Rochdale, Rovers still played like a team in the ascendancy and able to claw back the disadvantage - as was ultimately proven.
However, it is not just the skill and attitude on the field that is dragging Rovers towards the upper echelons of the table, with the supporters playing a huge part in all this.
Of course, you could argue, there is considerable cause and effect at play - without a team to believe in, the confidence in the stands wouldn’t be as high. Likewise, you could argue the fans’ commitment and dedication helped drag Rovers out of their autumn slump.
And with those Gasheads behind them this weekend or, if it’s required, through the play-off campaign, Collins says anything is possible.
“We’re 3-1 down and you can still hear them, singing ‘Goodnight Irene’ - it sends shivers down your spine”, said Collins, having made a beeline for his best mate and dad who were among the travelling fans. “You cannot ask for much more, they’re our 12th man - we wouldn’t have won without them.
“With the fans we’ve got, anything is possible. I can’t wait to see the atmosphere (next weekend), I can’t wait to see the week leading up to it because the boys are going to well up for it. If we win this game, and results go our way… automatic promotion, at the Mem… I don’t think you can beat it.”
Collins left the north west with a matchball all signed by his teammates as he took his personal tally for the season to 16, insisting that Elliot Anderson’s injury time header had touched him last to seal his treble.
It had become a lingering talking point that for all the Gas’ good form throughout spring, their top scorer was experiencing a second major goal drought of the season.
Before his three strikes at Spotland, Collins had gone eight games without a goal. Although nowhere near as severe but this time with his reputation and expectation now elevated, it was slightly akin to how he started his career at the club as the Welshman had been unable to hit the target for 18 matches.
As Rovers’ now-established No9 that brings a certain level of pressure and responsibility but Collins insists this second barren spell hasn’t weighed on his mind because the team continued to perform and get results.
It was also notable that all his goals on Saturday were close-range, one touch finishes befitting of a genuine central striker, something he has increasingly evolved into over the course of the season following the trust Barton has placed in him.
“It’s just about being in the right place,” Collins added. “With the first one, Evo has fired it across and I’ve tapped it in. The second one, I’ve got across my man and poked it into the back stick and the third, I’m basically on the line tapping it in; all one-touch finishes, proper striker goals and I need to bring more of them to my game.
“They’re No9 goals and I’ve been doing that No9 job. I was always happy - we were winning. If the team’s winning, I’m winning. I’ve been out there doing my job.
“People look at it, ‘that No9 Aaron Collins should be scoring goals’, but as long as the team is scoring, I know I can work my socks off and do my shift for the team and help get the three points.
“The team are winning, that’s the main part. I’m doing my part and I feel like I’m playing well. We’re challenging for automatics but we have a great chance now to nick that final spot on the last day.”
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