The new season is just one day away for Bristol Rovers and emotions are running high among the fanbase. Excitement is the overriding feeling, thanks to the Hollywood ending of last year that booked their place in League One.
Joey Barton and his players have amassed a wave of momentum that they hope to ride into the new season, and while the broad consensus among Gasheads is an optimistic one, with the Gas consolidating their place in the third tier, there are some concerns and questions fans would like to see addressed.
We asked eight supporters for their hopes and expectations for the campaign ahead, which kicks off on Saturday with the visit of Forest Green Rovers to the Mem. Here is what they had to say...
What is your verdict on the club's recruitment so far and what would your priorities be for the rest of the transfer window?
Dale Jacobs (@AlmondsburyGas): "Decent to date, but we do still need a centre-back, another centre forward and two attacking wide men."
Richard Powell (@FiltonGas): "Some good business has been done but to make us really competitive this season we need to get the rest of our transfers done as soon as possible so the whole squad is settled in before the end of the window."
Matt Simpson (@_mattsimpsonn): "Recruitment has been solid so far. Picking up good players from rivals, such as Rossiter, Marquis and Gibbons, seems the most sensible strategy when trying to set ourselves in League One. Still, I think we need another centre-back or two, despite Hoole looking promising there in pre-season, and I still think we could do with another winger in place of Nicholson and Thomas."
Simon Gray (@SimonGray95): "I think we've recruited well if not spectacularly. We are crying out for a couple of wingers and a centre-back is needed if we are not looking to get into any trouble in the third tier."
Matt Hobbs (@Gas1812): "James Gibbons looks to be a quality signing, and versatile too as he could cover anywhere in the back line. Rossiter will no doubt cover the Coutts/Whelan spot from last season when required. Marquis knows the league well and I’m excited to see how he links up with Collins. I think everyone hoped that Taylor and Thomas would have been done and dusted by now. I think we will get them In soon. Anderson is far too good for League one so we really need to sign a forward-thinking midfielder or two."
Charlie Hayne (@OneRoversVlogs): "Very happy at the moment with the recruitment but we still need to strengthen the starting 11 and the bench. My priorities are a permanent winger, a loan winger, an attacking midfielder, two centre-backs (one permanent and one loan) and another centre midfielder."
Matt Burd (@M_GD_01): "It’s been OK. But currently, I'm a little worried about not having replaced Taylor, Nicholson, Anderson or Thomas. For me, CB is key as think we need a couple in there as soon as possible. We can probably get by with not recruiting the other positions until the end of the window. Having said all of that we still have four weeks of the transfer window to go."
Luis Teagle (@LuisTeagle2): "I think we need about four more signings by the end of the window to be where we really need to be in my opinion."
Which of the four new signings will make the biggest impact and why?
Dale Jacobs: "Gibbons has looked really decent in pre-season, overlapping on the right, feeding the front men, linking with Evans and he seems to carry a goal threat too."
Richard Powell: "I think Marquis will make a big difference in being able to hold the ball up. Also, I think he brings a more physical approach to our attack."
Matt Simpson: "James Connolly. He has proven himself in this team already and he is a young player with big potential that is filling a very obvious spot in the team."
Simon Gray: "If he can stay fit, Jordan Rossiter. A midfield trio of Rossiter, Finley and Evans is a top half of League One standard midfield and I believe the terrier-like pairing of Finley and Rossiter will allow Evans and the frontmen more freedom to make an impact at the top end of the pitch."
Matt Hobbs: "James Gibbons for me. I’ve been impressed with him during pre-season, particularly with his link-up play going forward. Trevor Clarke will be like a new signing too so that’s the full-back/wing-back berths sorted."
Charlie Hayne: "Connolly I think will carry on from last season, Marquis could do really well with his previous goalscoring record in League One, but I think Gibbons could make the biggest impact. He’s looked very good in pre-season and I think he’ll only get better as the season goes on."
Matt Burd: "Really think that Marquis could do well for us. Nothing against Loft but we have been missing that big imposing player up front that could release the likes of Collins to play in his preferred position, much like Gaffney did with, dare I say it, Taylor."
Luis Teagle: "Gibbons, clearly very rated by Vale fans and I can see he is a very attacking player as well as defensive which is good, we needed it. It will also push Luca Hoole to try harder to get into the squad if we sign another centre-half this window so our depth in that position will be good."
Which player will make the biggest leap forward from last season and why?
Dale Jacobs: "Trevor Clarke. He looked good towards the end of last season. Hoping for more games this year and for him to be injury free. Love how he tackles, got a good strike on him and has a good engine."
Richard Powell: "Not sure on this one and wouldn’t like to comment until I see who else joey brings in before the window shuts."
Matt Simpson: "Trevor Clarke. He was held back by injuries a bit last season but has played for Rotherham at this level before and should he stay fit, I expect he will be our first-choice left-back for the season."
Simon Gray: "In my opinion, Trevor Clarke. We saw glimpses of his game last season and I think a continued run in the first team will help his confidence and showcase his ability that he is a League One standard left-back."
Matt Hobbs: "Has to be Trevor Clarke. He showed bits of what he can do towards the end of last season and I expect him to nail down a starting position in the left wing-back spot."
Charlie Hayne: "I think the more obvious players likes Evans and Collins will do really well, but I think Harry Anderson will make the biggest leap forward. We saw when Joey changed formation he was a quality player back in his natural position and I think with a full season on the wing he provides a quality outlet and gets more goals."
Matt Burd: "Harvey Saunders. He looks to have bulked up a bit and has definitely seemed to hit the ground running in pre-season, having hit four goals as well. The goal against Stoke was excellent and he showed his pace."
Luis Teagle: "Saunders. Very sharp in pre-season. I know it’s only pre-season but we didn’t see this much of him last season and I think he’ll break into the squad and be a regular."
How do you rate the challenge of League One and how well will Rovers transition to the new level?
Dale Jacobs: " It will be a tough challenge, but one I think we are up for with a few more signings. Will be great if can get Connor Taylor back, that would help tremendously. It will be more technical, but many of our players are League One ready, including Finley, Coutts, Marquis, Taylor, Evans, and Anderson. I am looking for a top-half finish and to continue progress."
Richard Powell: "It will be a difficult season. No doubt there are some big teams in this league with big budgets. If we finish around halfway I’d be more than happy, but if we play like we have since Christmas you never know."
Matt Simpson: "Coming from league two, where we were arguably the second-biggest club in the division behind Bradford, it’s very different to be in a league where there are some much bigger budgets at the top of the league. I don’t see us struggling with relegation, nor do I realistically see us pushing for play-offs. A couple of seasons of stability and patience at this level again, and then we can start looking at moving up the table."
Simon Gray: "The league is much more challenging at the top end than the league Rovers were relegated from two years ago but I would argue that Rovers find themselves in the mid-table bracket in most departments and should transition fairly easily if they end the summer window well."
Matt Hobbs: "It’s tough to call it. We have the team spirit and momentum carried over from last season, but the money being thrown around by the big boys of the league should on paper be too much for us to be up in the top places. Barton knows the league well and did well with Fleetwood so I think it should be an OK transition."
Charlie Hayne: "It’s obviously going to be tougher when you see the players the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Derby, Ipswich etc are bringing in, and even the squads around mid-table and the quality of players they're bringing in, but I think with the style of football Joey likes to play we’ll cope more than OK with it personally."
Matt Burd: "I think it’s going to be tough, there are some very good teams who are signing some very good players a la Ipswich signing a LB for seven figures! However, I don’t think Rovers should be overawed as we have some great talent in the team. I think it may well be a season of shock wins coupled with games that we shouldn’t lose but do. But fairly confident we will transition well but not really trouble either end of the table."
Luis Teagle: "We will transition very well. Barton plays very good possessive-based football which can break down teams of higher level as seen against Stoke."
The second half of last season was brilliant, obviously, but do you think there are any lessons Rovers need to learn from the past 12 months to boost their chances in League One?
Dale Jacobs: " I think discipline is important. Far too many stupid bookings and sending-offs last season and I hope to see a marked improvement in this respect."
Richard Powell: "Finish teams off when we are on top. It’s great entertainment coming from behind, but not great on the heart."
Matt Simpson: "Seeing games out. There were a couple of times last season, such as Salford and Scunthorpe away, where we conceded late goals despite dominating games. The quality of league one means we can’t afford to do that again, and if we do we will no doubt be punished."
Simon Gray: "Discipline. Far too many times last season we went down to 10 men and sometimes even 9 and were punished for it on more than one occasion. This season, the league is stronger and if Rovers don't handle themselves better in that department then we might play are way into trouble."
Matt Hobbs: "We look best when pressing from the front and I think Marquis will only add to this. Early on last season, I felt we sat back too much hoping that the flair players would do the business. We need to be on the front foot as much as possible."
Charlie Hayne: "Of course, the most important thing is that we need to have a much better start than last season. Look at the quality in League One this season, you can’t afford to have a bad start or you’ll be left behind and struggle."
Matt Burd: "I think patience will be key from everyone, supporters and players. Early last season I wasn’t sure what formation or tactics we were playing. Looking back, that should have been expected with the number of new players we had in during the summer. The upturn in the form at Christmas was incredible but we may not get back to that level straight away this season. If things don’t go our way early doors, this is where belief will come into play. I reckon we have oodles of both when probably none of us did early last season."
Finally, what are your head and heart predictions for Rovers this season in terms of where they’ll finish?
Dale Jacobs: " I really think Rovers will be ok. I'm looking for top half. Head prediction, especially if good signings are made, is the play-offs are probably out of reach, but who knows? Heart prediction, if they can get close to the play-offs it would be great. I just want football with a great work ethic, great team spirit, continued relationship with the fans and fight to the end. A positive approach is the key."
Richard Powell: "Heart says play-offs, head says top of the bottom half. Anywhere above the bottom eight would be a good in the first season back."
Matt Simpson: "In neither my head nor heart do I see us anywhere but mid-table. I think between 12th and 16th would represent a good season back in League One; any lower would be disappointing and any higher would be outstanding. Realistically, I would say 13th."
Simon Gray: "Head says 15th with a period of looking over our shoulders, heart says 10th with a period of pushing the top six. I know Barton likes to see it in 10-12 game intervals but I think the first 10-12 games this season are much more important than they were last season. After all, we don't want to be in a relegation dog fight with the run in we have."
Matt Hobbs: "Heart says under the radar, pushing for play-offs. Head says mid-table."
Charlie Hayne: "My head prediction is 14th and my heart prediction is pushing into the top 10."
Matt Burd: "I reckon we will have a consolidation season where top half would be an excellent season. 12th."
Luis Teagle: "7th"
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