Bristol Rovers manager Matt Taylor is looking to begin a winning run with the club after they pulled off one of the biggest shocks in the EFL on Boxing Day, beating league leaders Portsmouth.
The Gas would win in dramatic fashion through a 94th minute Luke Thomas strike which marked a memorable day at the Memorial Ground. Going into the last ten minutes, Portsmouth looked the likelier of the two sides to find the winner after Paddy Lane’s goal in the 76th minute cancelled out an earlier free-kick from Anthony Evans.
But it would be Rovers who would come away with all three points through Luke Thomas’ late strike, a goal which not only puts Portsmouth’s position at the top in Jeopardy, but also one that would send the Gas into the top ten.
It is now all about continuing that winning run, something that Bristol Rovers have somewhat struggled with doing this season and they are yet to win back-to-back games under Matt Taylor since he joined on the 1st of December. You have to go back to September to find the last time that they had back-to-back wins, after beating Shrewsbury and then Wigan under former manager Joey Barton.
They do however have a good opportunity to keep the ball rolling, as they face an out-of-form Charlton side on Friday night. Rovers would in fact leapfrog the Addicks on Boxing Day after they lost on the road to Leyton Orient. With no wins in their last four, they are certainly there for the taking at the minute and Taylor will be wanting to take full advantage.
The manager has however stated that they are far from a push-over and his side will have to be at their best to gain all three points despite the result against Portsmouth.
Speaking to Bristol Live ahead of their game with Charlton, Taylor said:
“They don’t get bigger than Portsmouth at home and then Charlton at home. This is some good level teams in League One and we’re delighted that we’re a part of it and hopefully on the back of this result, on the back of how we’ve been performing, the fans will be here in an extra few numbers and come with a bit of anticipation of what we might achieve.”
“Hopefully we’ll play them at a good time on Friday night. I honestly don’t know.
“They have aspirations to be higher. But they are a big club at this level and I do expect that with the manager they’ve got they’ll come strong.”
When asked about the preparation for the game after a packed Christmas fixture schedule, Taylor added:
“You sense it how the energy levels ebb and flow as a game goes on so we have to be sensible in the next couple of days.Not wrap them in cotton wool but feed them, rest them and then push them forward for what will be another monumental effort and another big game.”
With the potential to go 9th with a win, we may see Bristol Rovers begin to make a bid for a place in the play-offs. There is still a long way to go and they currently sit 12 points off of 6th with two games in hand. Putting a winning run together could greatly increase those chances of making a push towards the top-six.
Writer’s View
Consistency is something that Bristol Rovers have very much struggled with this season and gaining three points at home to Charlton would signify a change under Taylor. With just one defeat in their last five, the former-Rotherham manager has done a good job at steadying the ship, but now is the time for the club to really push on.
With the transfer window just around the corner, Taylor will be allowed to bring in the players he wants and we may see an improved side in the second half of the season. Although the play-offs might be an unrealistic ambition, a place in the top ten would still be a success based off of their time under Barton.
Senior Editor
