Getting better with age: Bristol Rovers star Luke Thomas salutes Gas 'class act' Chris Martin

Bristol Rovers star Luke Thomas has singled out veteran striker Chris Martin for praise after their stunning role reversal.

Thomas sang the 36-year-old Martin’s praises after the pair combined to put Rovers on course for victory in their League One basement battle with Burton Albion at the weekend.

The former Barnsley man played a pivotal role in the West Country side’s vital victory, netting Rovers’ second goal in a thrilling, action-packed match where both teams found the back of the net.

Thomas scored an all-important goal on Saturday to give The Gas a late lead, retrieving all three points against Gary Bowyer’s in-form Burton outfit who suffered their first defeat on the road in 2025 while Rovers opened up a seven-point cushion over the relegation zone.

Despite the 25-year-old stepping up when Rovers needed him most, it was ex-Bristol City talisman Chris Martin who stole the spotlight, playing a role in all three goals, scoring once and providing two assists.

It was a contest that saw Martin put the Gas in front with a trademark first-half header but then he turned provider after the Brewers had equalised to put the hosts back in command.

And Thomas was the first beneficiary as he scored from Martin’s pinpoint cross right in front of the Thatcher’s End before the former Bristol City forward teed up Isaac Hutchinson to double the lead in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

Luke-ing up

Speaking ahead of tonight’s trip to high-flying Wycombe Thomas paid tribute to Martin when he spoke to the media exclusively telling Bristol World how incredible it was to play alongside the 36-year-old former Scotland international.

“I thought Chris (Martin] was outstanding and I reckon his touch must be a 100% completion rate which is amazing,” Thomas said.

“Obviously I saw it before, when I was a young lad at Derby County and he was brilliant then and he’s clearly getting better with age if his performance against Burton is anything to go by and long may that continue.

“He showed why he’s played at such a top level and his appetite for the game is infectious so we’re lucky to have someone like him on our side because he’s such a class act on and off the field and he’s got to give us confidence we will move up the table.

“Chris really goes lead by example in the way he conducts himself on and off the field and it’s great to have him in our side because he’s got great skill and experience but his work ethic is second to none.”

Martin has risen to the challenge for Rovers boss Inigo Calderon and ease the club’s relegation worries after injuries sidelined Rovers strikers Promise Omochere and Gatlin O’Donkor.

Cald of Duty

But Thomas’s praise didn’t stop with Martin, as he told reporters about the positive impact Calderon, who took over from Matt Taylor in December after a miserable run of form, has had since taking charge in the dugout.

“The gaffer’s brought a new life to me, I'm playing my actual position seeing loads of the ball,” Thomas continued.

“As soon as the new gaffer came in, he has took to me straight away, I feel like I’ve got a really good connection with him and I've still got to perform and keep my place in the team because I’ve got a really strong competitor in terms of Shaq Forde.”

When asked about Calderon’s strategic mindset in bringing out the best in both him and the team, the Gas winger responded in glowing terms.

“I think that he’s [Calderon] got confidence back in players, obviously belief, he’s been brilliant to work with,” Thomas went on. We make plenty of mistakes but we move on from it. We’re more of a team now, the togetherness has been massive.”

Since overcoming a major injury setback, the 25-year-old has flourished under the Spaniard’s guidance, showcasing his energy, sharp skills, and, in the most recent match, a clinical edge to his game.

The winger is now consistently posing a threat to opposing defences, and Gasheads will be hoping he can maintain his fantastic form, starting with the trip down the M4 to face title-chasing Wycombe in a highly anticipated match between two sides in strong form.

However, Calderon’s side has struggled to pick up points on the road, with just one win in their last eight league games away from home.

Add that to on-loan midfielder Matt Butcher, who has had a huge impact since arriving at The Mem last month, being unable to play against his parent club, and travelling supporters will be biting their nails ahead of this encounter.

But not all hope is lost, thanks to the standout performances of Martin and Thomas, and the defensive solidity of the back four, as showcased over the weekend. And Thomas believes the best is yet to come under Calderon which bodes well for the trip to Wycombe and for the player’s own prospects.

“It’s my sort of formation in the way he wants to play football,” he added. “Possession, that’s what I’m good at, so I really enjoy it. He’s only been here just over a month or so. So, it’s going to take time, but even in the early days, you can see how good we are. Hopefully, we carry on, and in a few months, we should be really good at it.

“The gaffer has come in, and he’s given us massive belief. Whether we go a goal down or a goal up, the game is 90 minutes, and we’re showing that at the moment with the late goals we’re getting.”

Rovers’ three-game streak at The Memorial Stadium is over, but the team will take confidence from collecting seven points from nine available in that time.

Beating Peterborough United and Burton, who are both towards the bottom of the table, has helped the Gas push clear of the relegation zone and even a point at Wycombe will boost their confidence ahead of the end-of-season run-in.