Bristol Live’s predicted Bristol Rovers team to face Notts County as Darrell Clarke’s side look to avoid an eighth consecutive League Two defeat
(Image: Will Cooper/Shutterstock)
It’s that time of the week again. Bristol Rovers are looking to end a seven-match losing streak in League Two and find a formula that can help them climb the table.
Darrell Clarke switched to a 3-5-2 against Cheltenham Town, with a three-man midfield and a front two of Fabrizio Cavegn and Ellis Harrison. While Rovers dominated large periods against Steve Cotterill’s side, who had two key midfielders out, the Gas were undone by a 70th-minute strike by Jonathan Tomkinson. This was the Robins’ only shot on target, while Rovers had 17 shots in total, with Harrison and Joel Cotterill striking the post.
Clarke’s side are now only two points above the relegation zone, and with a tricky set of league fixtures against Notts County, Barnet, Swindon Town, and Crewe Alexandra to come, they will have their work cut out to avoid slipping into the drop zone before Christmas.
With that said, here is how we think Rovers will set up against the Magpies…
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Goalkeeper and defence
In truth, Luke Southwood didn’t have an awful lot to do in his return to the starting lineup against Cheltenham after going on international duty with Northern Ireland. Despite some unconvincing distribution at times, he was solid and he will start again in goal for the Gas.
At right wing-back, Macauley Southam-Hales will lineup for Rovers. He put in one of his most impressive performances in recent weeks against the Robins, looking dangerous with his crosses, especially in the first-half. His delivery just before the break was inches over Cavegn, who was unmarked in the box and could have easily resulted in the opener.
Meanwhile, Clarke seems set on playing a back three, and with Kacper Lopata and Alfie Kilgour still out injured, we think he’ll start Stephan Negru, Tom Lockyer, and Clinton Mola.
(Image: Will Cooper/Shutterstock)
These three dealt with Cheltenham’s threat pretty comfortably all afternoon, with Lockyer noting post-match, “I look at Stef and Clint next to me after the game, and I said, ‘How did you feel?’ and none of us felt threatened all through the game again, but somehow we’ve come away with nothing.”
Given Clarke’s persistence on a back three, we think he’ll stick with this trio to deal with the threat of Alassana Jatta, who is a handful.
Interestingly, Clarke said the following in his Friday press conference, “We’ve got one or two coming back Saturday, which will be a nice boost as well.” Who these players are remains unknown, but Rovers fans will be hoping that at least one of them is Alfie Kilgour or Kacper Lopata, who featured prominently at centre-back earlier in the season.
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Midfield
For the first time this season, Clarke started with a midfield three of Kamil Conteh, Alfie Chang and Cotterill against Cheltenham.
This midfield trio was largely effective, helping Rovers pin the Robins in and control any counter attacks. Cotterill, especially, provided a creative spark and was agonisingly close to scoring his first league goal for the club when a one-two with Harrison deflected onto the post.
Despite having a solid game as the deepest midfielder, Conteh lost Tomkinson at the back post from the corner, which resulted in the only goal of the game. Still, the 22-year-old has looked far more comfortable in recent weeks and should be in line to start again for this one.
The only question mark is Chang, who came with what seemed to be an injury in the 76th minute against Cheltenham. When asked about whether this was a precaution in Friday’s press conference, he said: “Yeah, just precaution. I’m all good.” As a result, we expect Clarke to stick with this midfield trio against Notts County.
Alfie Chang of Bristol Rovers attacks during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Bristol Rovers and Gillingham at Memorial Stadium Photo: Kara Thomas/PPAUK(Image: Kara Thomas/PPAUK)
Attack and striker
There are certainly plenty of attacking options, especially in wide areas, such as Luke Thomas, Freddie Issaka and Shaq Forde, who Clarke said will be back in the squad after last week’s omission.
Despite this, the 47-year-old seems keen on sticking with a back five, and given the control Rovers had for long spells against the Robins, he will likely stick with the same shape.
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As a result, Cavegn will partner Harrison again, with the Swiss striker looking much brighter and involved in games alongside a physical outlet next to him. He has not scored a league goal since the defeat against Walsall in October, but I have a feeling this barren run will come to an end on Saturday.
Bristol Rovers predicted XI (3-5-2): Luke Southwood, Stephan Negru, Tom Lockyer, Clinton Mola, Macauley Southam-Hales, Jack Sparkes, Kamil Conteh, Joel Cotterill, Alfie Chang, Fabrizio Cavegn, Ellis Harrison.
READ MORE: Notts County head coach outlines ‘blueprint’ to beat the Magpies ahead of Bristol Rovers clash
OPINION
