Bristol Rovers predicted XI vs Crawley Town: Newcastle United loanee dropped as rest needed

Bristol Rovers are on their midweek travels tonight as they travel to Crawley Town in the end of season League Two run-in.

The Gas are looking for a response after losing 1-0 to Newport County on the weekend, a result which was a slight setback in their pursuit of a promotion spot.

A win tonight won’t get them into the top seven but whilst this is their final game in hand whilst others are playing catch up, they must ensure that the defeat in South Wales was just a slight hiccup if they want to achieve their goal.

Here is how we think they will line up his side at The People’s Pension Stadium this evening with the aim of getting maximum points.

Goalkeeper

The performance of James Belshaw was one of the positives from the defeat to Newport. He kept the score down with a fantastic save against the league’s top scorer Dominic Telford, as well as other saves.

His position isn’t under threat and no injuries have been reported so don’t expect any changes between the sticks.

Defence

Joey Barton said Connor Taylor injured his ankle and was taken off at half-time as a precaution. Taylor’s has a vast amount importance to this defence but given there was no one around him when he was injured, the extent of his injury has not been revealed, so there is an uncertainty on his status.

With no experienced options at centre-back, Nick Anderton could be drafted into the role. Partnering Anderton would of course be James Connolly, who has enjoyed his run in the side after joining from Cardiff City in January.

In the full-back roles would be Luca Hoole, who remains unchallenged in the right-back spot, especially with the injury of Josh Grant.

With Anderton potentially playing centre-back, Harry Anderson could drop into the left-back role as he has done in previous games.

Midfield

It wasn’t a great day for Rovers’ midfield on Saturday and if changes are to be made, it will be in this area as there are plenty of options to shake up things.

Sam Finley, who Joey Barton claimed is one of the best footballing midfielders in the division, should return to the starting 11 after overcoming an illness.

Partnering him in the centre should be the returning Paul Coutts, with the pair building up a solid partnership as they’ve covered the defence this season.

A controversial selection choice could be dropping Elliot Anderson to the bench. The Newcastle United youngster is talented but for the past two games, he hasn’t been able to affect the game.

A drop to the bench could at least freshen him up a bit and preserve his energy for when Crawley players have tired legs.

That means Antony Evans would start as the central attacking midfielder, though his place in the side isn’t so certain as he was hauled off after the hour mark. Evans was playing in a deeper role against Newport but you have to play your talisman in his best position and that is where he should play.

With Harry Anderson played on the left-hand side of the defence, it should give a change to someone like Luke Thomas, who can affect a game. The Gas need a strong start and Thomas is a player who can terrorise a defender.

On the other flank would be Sam Nicholson, who had a chance to score but his chipped effort landed on the roof of the goal. There have been some claims that perhaps he should be dropped but Nicholson tends to do well away from home.

Forward

Aaron Collins was an isolated figure against Newport in the first-half and despite the introduction of Ryan Loft at the break, the pair could not test Nick Townsend.

It hasn’t worked out so far for Loft who has had issues with injury whilst he’s not been given many starting opportunities for the Gas. Collins though is the man with the goals and has more in his locker whilst being more versatile, which is why he deserves the nod to start.

Bristol Rovers (4-2-3-1): James Belshaw, Luca Hoole, Nick Anderton, James Connolly, Harry Anderson; Sam Finley, Paul Coutts; Luke Thomas, Antony Evans, Sam Nicholson; Aaron Collins.