'Something we're looking at' - Matt Taylor addresses Bristol Rovers weakness after Peterborough United loss

Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor hinted that the Gas must sign players with more pace and power this summer, as his side lost 2-0 at home to Peterborough United in League One Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Joel Randall and substitute Ricky-Jade Jones ensured Darren Ferguson’s team went back to Cambridgeshire with all three points.

Post-match, the Rovers boss was asked whether physicality had a big part to play and whether that was a priority for the Gas going into the off-season. “Yes, there is various priorities, but that's certainly something we are looking at,” said the 42-year-old. “Because we want a balanced squad. There are so many scenarios, but it is so strange now going into the last couple of games with no recognised centre-forward and at that aspect, the balance of the squad. I think it will help us in terms of what we're trying to recruit, but then we are trying to do that and we are trying to get towards something, we need them in the building and we need them in the building at the start of pre-season, so we can work with them.”

The Rovers players can certainly keep their heads held high as the Gas were a tough test for the high-flying Posh, who only wrapped up proceedings deep into stoppage time. On the game Taylor said: “Disappointed with the result and the fear in first-half as much anything. We didn't get close enough to man and ball, often enough and gave them too much time and respect certainly in their deeper layers. They were able to go through our team off the back of it and a poor goal to concede. Second-half I thought we forced more moments, we were actually better with our target play as well and better with our use of the ball, it just didn't materialise in the 18-yard box,” he added.

Chris Martin was a huge miss for the Gas this afternoon. The former QPR player received a four-game ban by the FA for headbutting an opponent in Rovers’ 1-0 win at Cambridge United on Tuesday evening. Taylor was asked whether his absence had a big part to play in Rovers’ loss. “Possibly, it would have probably been a different game with an out-and-out centre-forward on the pitch, but that's where we are at the moment, there is nothing we can do about that situation.

“So credit to Jevani (Brown) and then (Macca) Luke McCormick to put themselves in that role and try and play it as best as they could. But, in terms of probably the physicality, that was one thing which stood out for me today, they were able to not just wriggle out, but drive out of certain moments where we were involved in and then all of a sudden they burst out of it. I think we've said all along there's a real need for a slightly different and added profile to this group. We have got some fantastic ballplayers, but speed, pace and power is another huge asset at this level and I think they both had ball players and that today, which is why they are such a good team.”

Rovers sit 15th in the League One table, with one game to go until the end of the season. The Gas take a trip to Wigan next week for their final match of the 2023/24 season, where Taylor will hope to get a result and finish the season on a positive note