Bristol Rovers ‘the perfect place’ for Antony Evans as fans hailed for their ‘love’

Talismanic midfielder Antony Evans has described Bristol Rovers as ‘the perfect place’ for him after committing his future to the club. He is signed to the club until the summer of 2025.

After much speculation in the summer, the 24-year-old signed a three-year deal after a long-drawn process. Evans had attracted interest from clubs in League One but he committed to Joey Barton’s project at the Memorial Stadium.

His move to the Gas last summer was the first time in his career a club that he could settle at after stints in Everton’s academy, as well as in Germany with Paderborn and League One loans.

Evans played a total of 39 matches last season - the most he has played in a season - with 22 goal contributions across 35 matches in League Two. The midfielder had the option to leave but admitted leaving would be a risk, whilst he has forged a strong relationship with the supporters.

“It’s massive,” he said. Coming off the back of last season and getting so many games and playing the best I have in my career. It is the perfect place for me at the moment. Long may it continue, me playing well, winning games and hopefully we can shoot up the table.

“To leave anywhere else would be a major risk and to go and start again. Knowing the relationship I had here with the fans, the lads, and the gaffer and the project ahead it was really interesting. I was glad to commit.

“The fans here are special. I think feeling wanted and loved is important as a player. It’s the first time I’ve had that in my career with Bristol Rovers, it was a big factor in me committing and staying.”

Playing the majority of the season last as an attacking midfielder, it hasn’t been quite what Evans expected this time out. This was highlighted in his role at right-wing-back in the Gas’ draw at Exeter City and having to play as a more central midfielder in certain systems.

He said: “With the lads missing we’ve had to tinker with the formation and me playing wing-back isn’t where I want to play but I’ve had to do a job for the team and other lads have had to do similar type of stuff. When the lads are all fully back fit you’ll see the best of all of us.

“I’ve had to play different types of positions and I haven’t been able to get as forward as much as I would like but I’ve got to bide my time and get as high up the pitch as I can and the goals and assists will come.

“You have to play different positions. You are better in others than you are for say defence for me. I’m not obviously a defender but I can do a job there. You want to be playing higher up the pitch in midfield and it’s the same with everyone. If you don’t play the position you can’t really expect the best from them.”

Joey Barton looked to install a 3-4-3 in the early parts of this season, with Evans either partnering Sam Finley or Paul Coutts in the central midfielder, or playing out on the right hand side.

However in recent weeks Barton’s side have reverted to a 4-3-1-2, with Evans being the more attacking of a midfield three usually consisting of Finley or Jordan Rossiter.

Evans was most successful last season as an attacking midfielder, but with Aaron Collins’ impressive form and his switch into that ‘10’ role, the former Everton man has found himself in the centre of midfield, and in recent weeks on the bench.

He added: “Last year we were 4-3-3 and we trained religiously every day. Even if the lads were missing the lads on the bench could come straight in. Whereas this season it’s been chop-and-change a little bit because the gaffer has tried different things to pick up points but over time it will settle. The gaffer is looking for his best eleven. The lads get picked with the jersey, they have to go out and perform to keep the jersey.

“At the minute it’s trying to find a way to pick up points, I think eventually once we settle and get everyone back. I think we will play a bit more style of football at what we have at the minute. At the minute it’s just getting picked and once you’re playing doing a job for the team and trying to flourish in the moments you can.”

Despite being one of the first names on the team sheet in his first year at the club, the return of midfielders from injury and the addition of Luke McCormick has increased Barton’s squad depth. Evans’ place in the starting eleven isn’t as secure now. He was most notably starting the game from the sidelines in Tuesday’s victory over MK Dons.

“I think it’s healthier for the gaffer,” he said. He’s got more options. You could say it’s healthier for the squad and it brings competition among the lads. At the end of the day, everyone wants to play in there so sometimes there is a little animosity if you’re not playing.  I think the gaffer picks the team on what is best to win a football match.

“For me, it’s not nice to hear when you’ve played well on the weekend and picked up three points. I mean you’ve got to step outside the bubble and wonder why he’s doing it. It’s not a personal attack and it’s what he thinks is best for the team. You’ve got to push your pride, come off the bench and score the winning penalty.”