Bristol Rovers’ manager Joey Barton has confirmed the club is currently in talks with those whose contract expires this summer, with quotes from Bristol World.
The Gas is set to have a number of players out of contract, with five loan players also returning to the club. Following the teams’ award night, Barton spoke with a few of the expiring players, however still has rounds to do.
Following Up Survival In League One
Rovers avoided a fight for survival this season, but by still finishing in the bottom half of the table, how many players will be brought back?
Harry Anderson is one of the bigger names whose contract is due up, with the invitation for pre-season being offered to him. Numerous other players in Josh Grant and Grand Ward have been offered new deals, but for some of the other players, their future is less clear.
Players Joining the Coaching Staff?
As a former player himself, Barton is adding to his staff behind him with some of his own players. Paul Coutts is another player who is set to be out of contract, with the 34-year-old expected to join Rovers as a first-team coach. He would be following in the same path as Glenn Whelan, who has spent the last year as a player/coach for the Gas.
Finnish goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola also spent last season officially as a player, however failing to make a league appearance helped out with coaching. The approach to keep experienced players around as coaches could prove to be helpful, however a lack of experience in that role may hold them back.
What’s Been Said:
Speaking after the team’s award night to BBC Radio Bristol, Barton explained the situation going on with the out-of-contract players and how he plans to go ahead with it.
“I’ve still got a few conversations to have with lads. I’ll take a few for a round of golf if I have a moment and have a chat with them.
“On a whole the lads who are under contract know where they are, they’ll be back in pre-season, ready to scrap it out and hopefully we’ll have four or five in with them.”
Writer’s View
Barton didn’t reveal the names of who may be back or on their way out, however, with the retailed list required by the end of the month, the wait to know shouldn’t be long.
The main story of Rover’s transfer window will be interest in Player of the Year Aaron Collins, but with some other important players set to be free agents, I’m sure there will be some Barton will want to keep.
