The four Bristol Rovers stars in danger of being banned as disciplinary tally soars
Two Bristol Rovers stars are walking a disciplinary tightrope while a few others are also at risk of picking up a suspension later down the line
Bristol Rovers stars Josh McEachran and Macauley Southam-Hales are now just one yellow card away from being handed a League Two ban.
Former Chelsea wonderkid McEachran joined Bristol Rovers from Championship side Oxford United over the summer and has featured regularly in Darrell Clarke’s side since arriving. He’s started all 13 games, netting one goal in a 2-1 victory over Barrow, but is currently walking a disciplinary tightrope after picking up four bookings across games with Fleetwood Town, Oldham Athletic, Newport County and Colchester United.
The same applies to Macauley Southam-Hales, another summer signing, with the former Stockport County right-back picking up yellow cards in matches against Oldham, Newport, Barrow and MK Dons.
Accumulating five yellow cards before matchday 19 results in a one-match suspension, meaning Southam-Hales and McEachran must now control their discipline on the pitch which has been an increasing problem for Bristol Rovers throughout the campaign so far.
Who else is at risk of being suspended for Bristol Rovers?
Joel Senior, who was sent off in a 3-1 defeat to Chesterfield in August, is the only player to have missed any action due to suspension. His sending off saw him miss the following match against Cambridge United as his team returned to winning ways.
Other than that no Bristol Rovers player as of yet has missed a match due to disciplinary reasons. However, Ellis Harrison, Jack Sparkes, Kacper Lopata and Luke Thomas have all picked up three yellow cards this season, meaning they're already on course to pick up a one-match suspension if they continue to accumulate bookings.
After matchday 19, the threshold for bookings is increased to 10. However, any player that reaches that amount before matchday 32 receives a costly two-match suspension. This number is increased to a three-match ban if players reach 15 cautions before the end of the campaign.
Bristol Rovers currently have the fourth worst disciplinary record in the division. They have picked up more yellow cards than any other team (33) but have so far only had one player sent off. Only Gillingham, Barnet and Shrewsbury Town have a worse record at this stage.
Bristol Rovers face key test against Crawley Town
After consecutive hammerings at home against Tranmere Rovers and MK Dons, Bristol Rovers desperately need to produce something better on the road when they travel to face Crawley Town at the weekend.
The Red Devils are currently in 23rd position after 13 matches and should represent winnable opposition after a ghastly start which has seen them only win two matches so far. The Pirates are 16th and six points adrift of the play-offs heading into the final matchday of October. They are also seven points away from the automatic promotion places.
They need a stark improvement if they are to get anywhere near their pre-season predicted finish of automatic promotion but will know from historic seasons just how quickly the landscape can change in this division.