Joey Barton has revealed Rovers unsuccessfully tried to re-sign Stoke City defender Connor Taylor on a permanent transfer as he graded the Gas' business across the January window as a disappointing 5/10.
Rovers recruited five new players - goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe, defenders Jarell Quansah and Calum Macdonald, midfielder Grant Ward plus the versatile Lamare Bogarde - but Barton reflected on their business as one of opportunities that got away from them.
Loan targets Bashir Humphreys (Chelsea to Paderborn) and another unnamed talent from a Category 1 Premier League academy went elsewhere, while their fresh attempts to bring Taylor back failed. Bristol Live also understands the Gas were confident of a late deadline day move for an experienced centre-back in League One, only for his club to then offer him a new contract amid the interest.