Long-awaited debut to be given as changes promised - Bristol Rovers predicted XI vs Barrow

Bristol Rovers are in League Two action against Barrow on Tuesday evening as they look to continue their play-off push.

Continuing to play on the two-game-a-week basis after a raft of early season postponements, the Gas are tackling these matches head on and have so far returned a run that has given fans some optimism.

A sold-out crowd at the Memorial Stadium watched a 1-1 draw on Saturday with automatic promotion chasing Exeter City, but with that game now behind them, attention now turns to Barrow, who sit 20th in the table.

Mark Cooper’s side have won just once in their last eight games and are a different type of opposition but still one to be wary of.

In his pre-match press conference, manager Joey Barton said there would be a couple of changes on Tuesday, but we’d have to wait and see.

Given the team has been performing well and has put plenty of points on the board then there isn’t really a need to rip up the team and instead it should be a slight rejig.

Below is what we think the Rovers team might look like come an hour before kick-off against Barrow.

Goalkeeper

There was no clean sheet for James Belshaw on Saturday, but the goalkeeper still covered himself in glory with a few good saves against Exeter. He continued to rush off his line and deal with the pressure of the front men and you can tell the defence feels assured with him in between the sticks.

Defence

Luca Hoole achieved a childhood dream by scoring his first professional goal on Saturday. The right-back has continued to increase his stock and is becoming one of the best young players in the league.

Despite his goal, his status was questionable as he didn’t reveal to his manager he was carrying a bout of illness, as he wanted to hold down his place in the team. You couldn’t tell that he wasn’t 100% but on a closer look, he may be one of the players afforded a rest.

As usual, you should expect the centre-back partnership of Connor Taylor and James Connolly. Stoke City’s Mile Jedinak watched over Taylor on the weekend but it was Connolly who had the better game of the two defenders.

Credit to Harry Anderson, for the past two games he had coped well at filling in at left-back, so should continue there until Nick Anderton is fully fit and recovered.

Midfield

Given Sam Finley was substituted on Saturday at half-time, it may be best suited to give Jon Nolan his debut.

It may come as a risk to start him rather than introduce him slowly as a substitute but Nolan has stepped up his recovery from injury and perhaps now is the opportunity to throw him into a match day setting.

Nolan would play alongside Paul Coutts, who has done well in that anchoring role in the centre of the park.

The midfield attacking front three didn’t have the best of times on Saturday but you have to take into consideration the quality of the opposition. On paper, the trio of Antony Evans, Elliot Anderson and Sam Nicholson are probably the best attacking three to go for but they will all be hard pushed by the likes of Luke Thomas, who has pace in abundance.

Forward

Ryan Loft came on at the break but failed to make an impact with no notable chance against Exeter, though their defence did contend well with most of the Gas attack.

Loft for the time being is best suited to come off the bench and try and change a game before being given a start.

Aaron Collins didn’t have much luck against Exeter either but he may have better luck against a team lower down the table who don’t pose as much quality.

Bristol Rovers XI to face Barrow: (4-2-3-1): James Belshaw, Luca Hoole, James Connolly, Connor Taylor, Harry Anderson; Jon Nolan, Paul Coutts, Elliot Anderson, Antony Evans, Sam Nicholson, Aaron Collins.