Elliot Anderson believes that Bristol Rovers will “dominate most teams” if they deploy a fluid passing style of football as they did in their rampant 4-0 win against Stevenage on Saturday.
The Gas were a level above former Rovers manager Paul Tisdale’s Stevenage throughout the afternoon with goals from Sam Finley, Elliot Anderson, Harry Anderson and Aaron Collins securing, in devastating fashion, for only Rovers’ fourth win on the road this season.
All over the pitch, and throughout the entire 90 minutes, the Gas were superior than their opponents, enjoying a host of opportunities and had it not been for several expert saves from Stevenage’s Christy Pym, the score-line would have been far more reflective of their dominance.
With Paul Coutts screening the backline, Sam Finley and Elliot Anderson were the catalysts behind their control, their sharp movements and undeniable quality on the ball caused Stevenage significant problems all game, with the latter believing that when the Gas play on the floor as they did at the Lamex Stadium, they can dominate any team.
“We came out early with a plan and we carried it through” said Elliot Anderson, who arrived in north Bristol on loan on January deadline day from Newcastle United. “We passed them off the park, scored four goals and kept a clean sheet.
“We’ve got a good little midfield going on in there. Me, Couttsy and Sam with our rotations, we’ll dominate most teams when we come and play them.
“When we get the ball down and play we’ve got a really good team and other teams can’t handle it. But when we kick it long, it matches what they do and other teams are good at that so when we get the ball down and play, we’ll pass teams off the park.”
The teenager netted his first senior goal at the weekend getting on the end of Sam Nicholson’s incisive flick in the penalty area before rifling a low effort across Pym and into the far corner.
He also provided namesake Harry Anderson with his second goal in as many games, of which he has been the provider of both, with a delightful cross which was turned home by the former Lincoln man.
Yet despite it being only his fifth appearance in a Rovers shirt, such has been the quality of his performances, which included an eye-catching display and assist against Sutton, it comes as a surprise it was his first goal in blue and white quarters. And the on-loan midfielder reflected that disappointment in his comments after the game, but hopes there will be many more to come.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Anderson added, when asked about his first goal. “I’ve been a bit frustrated in the past few games where I haven’t been able to get a goal, but a bit of relief now and hopefully I can get some more.
“I try to get and create as many chances as I can, we just need to be putting them away.
“When I played (for Newcastle) there was no fans so it wasn’t quite the same, but today (Saturday) a lot of fans came even though we were away and the atmosphere was so good."
With 17 new players joining the Gas in the summer, it was inevitably going to take time for the squad to gel together and develop relationships both on and off the pitch.
During the difficult periods of the season, several of those new arrivals reiterated how close-knit and strong the group was and with just one defeat in their last ten, those claims are now starting to translate to the wider audience.
And the new boy further backed up those claims, admitting he has settled into the group seamlessly following his arrival on January 31 and that the squad all have eyes for the top.
“The lads are mint,” he said. “I came in and I was amazed by how nice they were and how well I fit in.
“Seeing him (Joey Barton) as the manager, I quite liked that. So, I was hoping I would come here and get game time and get into the team.
“You’ve got to back yourself to come and get into any team and the quality in training is really good. So, it’s tough to get into the team, but I’ve just got to keep going.
“We’re in a very good position and the lads in there are all set on pushing for the top, and I think we’re capable of doing that.”
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