Bristol Rovers manager Steve Evans has revealed a deadline day signing fell through, with the club now focusing on extending their perfect home record against Rotherham United. The Gas are top of League Two after three straight wins, a strong start following a 14th-place finish last season where they amassed 62 points from 46 games.
Why did Bristol Rovers miss their deadline day target?
Steve Evans told Bristol Live that the club was "close" to securing a 13th summer addition. The deal for a player described as a "maverick" collapsed because the selling club failed to secure a replacement from the Premier League in time. "We were signing a player from another club who were trying desperately to sign a boy from the Premier League, and unfortunately, they couldn't get them away," Evans explained. He added there was "no spilt milk" as he is happy with the squad, which now shows 56 goals scored and 65 conceded this campaign.
The manager also confirmed the loan departure of Promise Omochere to Southend United. He said the move was important for the player to get minutes, with several others ahead of him in the pecking order. Evans noted that Ryan Howley and Ollie Dewsbury could also leave on temporary deals soon.
What is at stake against Rotherham United?
Bristol Rovers host Rotherham United this Saturday aiming for a tenth consecutive home league victory. According to the club's official preview, a win would match a joint-club record last set in 2016. The Pirates have recovered from an opening-day loss to York City with wins over Newport County, Crawley Town, and Colchester United. You can view the full schedule on our fixtures page.
Rotherham, now managed by Alex Bruce, have had a mixed start with five points from four games. They were relegated from League One last term and have undergone a significant squad overhaul, with 11 senior players departing. New signings include forwards Paul Mullin and Tom Bradshaw, who scored a late penalty in their last outing.
How does the current form compare to last season?
The team's strong early-season form presents a stark contrast to the 2025 campaign. Bristol Rovers finished 14th with 19 wins, 5 draws, and 22 losses, ending the season 25 points behind champions Bromley. Their recent run of form, however, has propelled them to the summit of the early table. The club's current squad details are available on our squad page.
This weekend's match is the first League Two meeting between the sides since the 2012/13 season. Rovers have won just one of their last five encounters with the Millers, with their last home victory coming in September 2019. Tickets remain available under a streamlined pricing structure, with the club encouraging advance purchase. The Memorial Stadium turnstiles will open at 1:30pm for the 3pm kick-off on Saturday, September 5.
