Joey Barton delivers Antony Evans update as Bristol Rovers face competition to keep star

There’s a feeling of optimism that Bristol Rovers will keep hold of their talisman despite competition
Antony Evans is a player that Bristol Rovers do not want to loose hold of. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)Antony Evans is a player that Bristol Rovers do not want to loose hold of. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
Antony Evans is a player that Bristol Rovers do not want to loose hold of. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Joey Barton says that Bristol Rovers are optimistic in keeping their talisman Antony Evans at the club, despite the player receiving offers from elsewhere.

The 23-year-old signed a one year deal when he joined on a free transfer from Paderborn last summer, as both he and the club checked each other out to see if it would be a fit.

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Evans ended up being a vital first-team player for the Gas, helping them to promotion to League One after a stellar performance on the final day of the season, scoring twice and getting the promotion winning assist.

The former Everton youngster recorded 12 assists and 10 goals in 35 matches, becoming a focal point in their success and is a player that they cannot afford to lose given the role he holds with the side.

Social media has been awash with supporters demanding an update from the club on a new contract for Evans and now Barton has been able to give clarity on the situation.

Appearing on BBC Radio Bristol, he said: “We’re speaking to Antony at the minute. As you can imagine from his perspective, he’s just taking stock on the season and he’s seeing where he’s at.

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“He’ll have plenty of suitors but we think we have shown him the platform and he can be a major player for us in League One next season. We intend to do as well as we can next year and to have a really good start in that market we would have to retain some of the talent we’ve had this season.

“There’s moving parts on that. We’re in discussions with Antony certainly within the next week or ten days some closure one way or other. We remain optimistic that Evo wants to spearhead a successful season for us.”

A time scale of just under a fortnight has been placed on Evans, as well as his attack partner Sam Nicholson and other players who have been offered the chance to stay in the West Country.

With a positive relationship with the owner Wael al-Qadi and already a big demand in season tickets, the transfer budget for next season is one that the manager finds himself content with at an initial glance.

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Plans are already afoot for next season and the ambition is to not only consolidate their place in the third tier but also stand a chance of promotion.

That though will be down to how many players they retain from the 2021/22 season as continuity will play a key factor if they are to carry the wave of success that Rovers possess right now.

Barton said: “You have to decompress from the season. At that point agents usually get in their ears and say I’ve got this club and that club on etc especially when you are out of contract. We’re in a market place that is very competitive.

“For us it’s about players wanting to be here. We have the capabilities to play the players well at the level we’re going to be at next season because we’ve got such a fantastic owner and a fan base that has bought season tickets already. It allows us to be aggressive in the market place. We don’t intend to just take part next season.

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“For us, we’ve got a good side and if we can keep a lot of that together it will help us with the continuity. If not we’ve got good contacts in good areas and we’ll build a good competitive football team next season.”

Barton’s comments come on the same day that the club released their retained list with 13 players set to move on from the Memorial Stadium.

It included former Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan, who despite less than a fortnight ago, was asked to stay on by Barton. As well as Leon Clarke, signed under his watch and defender Cian Harries.

Whelan played 31 times and filled in for captain Paul Coutts on the final day after the Scotsman was forced to begin a four game suspension.

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The door however has not been closed on the Republic of Ireland midfielder however with there being a possibility that he and others could return to the club in the summer.

“Paul Coutts and Sam Finley were incredible leaders within our group,” stated the 39-year-old. “As was Whelo (Glenn Whelan) and a couple of the other boys who were on the released list.

“It’s always sad as those guys aren’t done with us. Some of them may end up coming back or decide to play on.

“For us, it could turn over a new leaf. We had to put the list out there because lads contracts are ending. I saw messages for Anssi (Anssi Jaakkola) and Rodders (Alex Rodman) who are under contract but we will have to have discussions with.”

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“It’s really positive and it’s positive news for the club in can we keep some of the players, for example Sam Nicholson, who we are in discussions with. These lads are good players and have had other clubs enquire about them.

“With them and their agents will sit down in the next period and hopefully start to firm up who is going to be on the journey with us next year and who is going on to new things.

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