Bristol Rovers: new boy Duffy could make all the difference

Bristol Rovers have made a satisfactory start to their League One campaign, taking five points from their first four games, and manager John Trollope was particularly pleased with his side's display in the 2-2 draw at Leeds last week.

However, that performance was followed up by a below-par effort in the 3-0 Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat at the hands of Bournemouth in midweek and Trollope insists his team need to show a greater level of consistency.

"Looking at the huge physical and mental effort we put in at Leeds on Saturday, maybe we saw a repercussion of that. For me, though, players should be able to play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday to the same level, and we've not got to that level," he said.

"Against Bournemouth we were lacking in all areas, there are not many times I have said that. All aspects were not up to our usual levels. In terms of selection, there will be one or two players looking over their shoulders. It was a disappointing night, but we will have to learn from it quickly as we have a tough trip to Peterborough on Saturday."

Rovers, who finished in 16th place last season, were one of the lowest scorers in the division last term and Trollope will be hoping the signings of strikers Darryl Duffy and Jo Kuffour will give his side more of a cutting edge.

Certainly, former Rovers boss Ian Holloway believes the Pirates will have to find the net more regularly if they are to make an impact in League One.

"For me, Rovers are lacking one thing – a finishing touch. Hopefully Darryl Duffy can help rectify their goalscoring problems. Though he'll have to settle in quickly, he's got the potential to do it and maybe he'll be the difference between them drawing and winning games," said the ex-Leicester manager.

"If you draw every game you end up on 46 points, and you go down. And take it from someone who knows because I went down with Leicester last season after they got 52 points – the only time that's ever happened."

INS

Darryl Duffy – Swansea £100,000
Jeff Hughes – Crystal Palace – free

James Palmer – Weston-Super-Mare – free
Jo Kuffour – Bournemouth – undisclosed fee

OUTS

Chris Carruthers – released
Lewis Haldane – Oxford (loan)

Richard Walker – Shrewsbury (loan)
Sammy Igoe – released

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BRISTOL ROVERS FC

Bristol Rovers, nicknamed the Pirates and affectionately known by their fans as the Gas, were formed in the Eastville area of Bristol in 1883.
The club was originally known as the Black Arabs with the name changing from Eastville Rovers to Bristol Rovers in 1898. They settled at the Eastville Stadium in 1897 and became founder members of Division Three South in 1920.

It was not until 1953 that Rovers managed promotion to the Second Division, remaining there for nine years thanks largely to the goalscoring talents of Geoff Bradford and Alfie Biggs, who also won an England cap and he ended his career with 242 goals for Rovers, a club record.
The club reached the sixth round of the FA Cup in both 1951 and 1958, although perhaps their proudest moment in the competition came when they demolished Manchester United's 'Busby Babes' 4-0 in the third round in 1956.

The club have suffered many trials and tribulations over the last 20 years, notably having to ground share with Bath City for tenyears before taking up residence at the citys rugby stadium the Memorial Ground. Rovers are currently playing their football at Cheltenhams Whaddon Road while the Memorial Ground is being redeveloped.
Throughout this time, however, the club continued to produce a wealth of talent with Nigel Martyn, Ian Holloway, Gary Mabbutt, Jason Roberts, Barry Hayles, Bobby Zamora and Nathan Ellington all making names for themselves at Rovers.

DID YOU KNOW: The nickname 'Gasheads' was originally given to Rovers fans by rival Bristol City supporters in reference to the old gas works adjacent to their Eastville stadium.