Bristol Rovers player ratings v Wycombe: ‘Struggled, off the pace’

Bristol Rovers suffered a frustrating 2-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers at the Memorial Stadium, with it not being five games without a win in front of their home supporters.

Brandon Hanlan gave his side the lead, then Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Chem Champbell wrapped up the points with just over half an hour to go.

The Gas started brightly and Josh Coburn had the first big chance of the game when he was played through by Aaron Collins, the Middlesbrough loanee’s shot was saved well by Max Stryjjek and Scott Sinclair’s rebound was cleared off the line by a defender.

The away side responded, and opened the scoring just after the 15 minute mark. Lamare Bogarde was disposessed on the edge of his own box and former Rovers man Brandon Hanlan found himself bearing down on goal, the striker fired low to Belshaw’s near post, giving his side the lead.

A clearance turned through-ball from Lewis Gibson almost gave Joey Barton’s side their equaliser before the break, the ball was taken down brilliantly by Coburn, but his effort was just past the post.

Wycombe had their second just after the hour mark after Garath McLeary had far too much space to find Chem Champbell alone in the box, the winger’s header was across Belshaw and from close range leaving the shot-stopper no chance.

To the disbelief of everyone inside the Memorial Stadium, Rovers failed to halve the defecit with just over 20 to go. The ball was put onto the head of Coburn by Evans, with the header bouncing off the post and then John Marquis’ rebound effort was saved spectacularly by Stryjek.

The Gas huffed and puffed in the latter stages of the contest, however were unable to beat a solid Wycombe defence, ending their three match unbeaten run, and moving down to 14th in the League One table.

James Belshaw - 6

There was little Belshaw could do for either goals, with Hanlan shooting hard and low to his near post, then Campbell finding the far corner after being left unmarked in the box.

Jarell Quansah - 6

The Liverpool loanee was caught out multiple times by the pace of Brandon Hanlan, and was short of the standard he has set of himself from his recent performances.

James Connolly - 5 (Antony Evans 45’)

Making his first start in three in the absence of Luca Hoole, Connolly struggled in the first half and was substituted at the break.

Lewis Gibson - 6

Looked to have lost his man for the away side’s second, with Cambpell being allowed all the space in the world to head past Belshaw in what was the only blip of a solid performance.

Lewis Gordon - 6

Needed to close McLeary down for Wycombe’s second, with the winger left with the keys to the Memorial Stadium to pick out Campbell in the middle.

Scott Sinclair - 6 (Ryan Loft 45’)

Sinclair looked a bright spark down the right flank, however was substituted at the break in a tactical switch-up.

Lamare Bogarde - 6

Bogarde lost the ball in the build up to Wycombe’s opener after trying to play on the edge of his own box and looked off the pace in the first half. Was switched to right-back for the second period in a change of shape however failed to build on his recent performances as of late.

Grant Ward - 8

Ward looks to be more of a shrewd pickup from Barton’s recruitment staff after every game. The midfielder looked most likely to create a goal for his side, as well as winning the ball back regularly - the best player in a blue and white shirt this evening.

Aaron Collins - 6

Earlier in the day, news broke that Collins wouldn't be in the Wales squad, and that will have been disappointing news to take. He made an attempt to close down McLeary but it ended up with Campbell heading home. A rare off-the-pace performance from the talisman.

Josh Coburn - 7 (82’)

Carved his side’s best chance of the first half when he plucked the ball out of the air and fired narrowly wide, gave his side a platform to build on throughout with the litte service he received.

John Marquis - 6

Was denied by Stryjek in the second half in what was the only real chance the striker had, and failed to build on his two goals last time out.

Ryan Loft - 6

The striker’s workrate can never be questioned, chasing every lost ball and putting the Wycombe defense under pressure throughout, however more often that not his pass was poor and his first touch was off.

Antony Evans - 7

Continuously put good deliveries into the box after his half-time substitution, and was the bright spark his side lacked in the first half.

Glenn Whelan - N/A