Bristol Rovers are on the cusp of making significant signings, with assistant manager Paul Raynor suggesting that deals could be announced in the next few days. The Gas are looking to strengthen their midfield, with Raynor stating that they are 'very positive' about a couple of potential signings.

What happened?

Bristol Rovers completed a late turnaround at Forest Green Rovers last night, with Tommy Leigh coming off the bench to score a brace. The first hour was the worst performance from the Gas during pre-season so far, and in truth, they should have been more than two goals down.

Why it matters for Bristol Rovers

The performance from the fringe players was well below par, with Raynor stating that 'people have taken themselves out of the plans in those first 60 minutes today.' Jack Aitchison and Bobby Kamwa had some nice moments, but the defence and midfield were well below par. Josh McEachran and Taylor Moore were transfer-listed in May, and the latter was given a torrid time at left-back, with Etaluku driving at him constantly in the first-half.

What comes next?

Bristol Rovers are actively looking to strengthen their midfield, with Raynor stating that they are 'looking to bring in a couple of players in the next few days.' A minimum of three signings seems optimal, with a central midfielder, a right-winger, and a backup goalkeeper all required. The Gas are currently 25 points behind leaders Bromley in the title race, and a strong pre-season is crucial if they are to push for promotion.

As of today, Bristol Rovers are 14th in League Two, with 62 points from 46 games. They have scored 56 goals and conceded 65, with a -9 goal difference. Their recent form has been 3W-2D-0L, with their last result being a 1-1 draw against Notts County on May 2nd.

Key takeaways

  • Bristol Rovers are closing in on new signings, with assistant manager Paul Raynor hinting at potential deals in the next few days.
  • The Gas are looking to strengthen their midfield, with Raynor stating that they are 'very positive' about a couple of potential signings.
  • A minimum of three signings seems optimal, with a central midfielder, a right-winger, and a backup goalkeeper all required.

Tommy Leigh's best position

Tommy Leigh's best position is a key talking point, with Raynor stating that he is 'a player who can play in different positions.' Leigh scored twice to deny Forest Green Rovers the victory, including the equaliser from 20 yards in the first minute of added time.

Assistant manager Paul Raynor's comments

Raynor was critical of the team that started the game last night, stating that 'people have taken themselves out of the plans in those first 60 minutes today.' He also stated that 'you give people opportunities, people come into the office, and they say, 'I want to play, I think I should play.' Well, they haven’t performed tonight, so they can’t be knocking on the door in the next couple of weeks if they’re not in the side."

Recent form

Bristol Rovers' recent form has been 3W-2D-0L, with their last result being a 1-1 draw against Notts County on May 2nd. They are currently 14th in League Two, with 62 points from 46 games.

League standing

As of the final 2025 table, Bristol Rovers are 14th in League Two, with 62 points from 46 games. They have scored 56 goals and conceded 65, with a -9 goal difference. They are 25 points behind leaders Bromley in the title race.