Mid-Season Review: Bristol Rovers need to break free from relegation battle

Mid-Season Review: Bristol Rovers need to break free from relegation battle

Posted on: 25 Jan 2021

It's vital that Rovers maintain their League One status amid the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Relegation always means heartbreak for any football supporter, whether you've dropped out of the top tier or out of the Football League altogether.

 

While going down always has a profound effect on everyone involved with a particular club, the 2020/21 season has taken on even greater significance amid the backdrop of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

 

EFL bosses are reportedly expecting the entire campaign to be played behind closed doors, and the absence of fans and the loss of ticket revenue is set to have a devastating impact throughout the footballing pyramid.

 

Bristol Rovers, who at the time of writing hover just above the League One relegation zone, simply cannot afford to slip up.

Bristol Rovers 2020/21.

While the bottom half of League One is no strange territory for The Gas - successive finishes of 13th, 15th and 14th in the past three seasons paint a pretty bland picture - the club find themselves in a perilous position in the early stages of 2021.

 

After marking the beginning of the new year with an important win against fellow strugglers Blackpool, Rovers are currently on a four-game losing streak in all competitions. 

 

With so much on the line this season, and currently just seven points separating 15th place and 23rd, a relegation battle is a very real worry.

 

 

So what can Rovers do to turn things around? Compared to teams around them their defensive record isn't a major issue, however the forward line need to start creating more opportunities and pose a far greater threat in front of goal.

 

The Gas have failed to find the net in three of their previous four games, and Paul Tisdale will need to address a poor attacking output if they're to recapture some form and break away from the bottom of the table.

 

Following a tough trip to promotion-chasing Peterborough tomorrow (Tuesday 26 January), Rovers face must-win games against Rochdale, Swindon, Wigan and Shrewsbury in the coming weeks. 

 

 

Results against the teams around them represent vital opportunities to pick up points, and experienced boss Tisdale should be well aware of the consequences should his side fail to do so.

 

With so much riding on the outcome of a season unlike any other, for clubs of all shapes and sizes, it's never been more important for Bristol Rovers to maintain their League One status in 2021.

 

It may not be glamorous, but fans would surely take another lacklustre mid-table/bottom-half finish if it means a bit of breathing space in these trying times.

Read more:

 

Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.