'The Gas need to get on top early on' - Big match predictions as Bristol Rovers take on Blackpool
Our writers forecast the trip to Bloomfield Road as the League One season kicks off
James PiercySports Editor
John Evely
Alex Rodman in action against Yate Town (Image: Ryan Hiscott/JMP)
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Bristol Rovers are back in action and with an away day that is always the highlight of the calendar.
Graham Coughlan takes his side to Bloomfield Road to take on a new-look Blackpool team under a club legend in Simon Grayson and with a new zest about the place following the successful takeover of Simon Sadler.
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What do you expect the team to be?
Graham Coughlan put out what looks like his strongest available side to face Plymouth Argyle in the final pre-season game of the summer, which they 1-0.
Coughlan hinted that star striker Jonson Clarke-Harris could be fit enough to play a part in Saturday's game but considering he has missed all of the pre-season games and only returned to training on the grass in the last week following a minor operation in the off season, it seems unlikely he will play a part at Bloomfield Road.
Here is the side which started at Plymouth, I expect it to be exactly the same. The one man who has a decent change of breaking into the starting side is Abu Ogogo who is something of a Coughlan favourite.
Who will be Rovers' key man?
Alex Rodman has been Rovers' standout man in pre-season and he gives the side an extra cutting edge to their attack.
His crossing has been on the money so far this summer and the Gas need to commit players forward in numbers when they are on the attack to get on the end of them.
Liam Sercombe also looked lively against Plymouth as he continued to get himself into shooting positions. A couple of early goals for the attacking midfielder could set him on the course to a strong season.
Liam Sercombe of Bristol Rovers (Image: Rogan/JMP)
Is there anything about the opposition that concerns you?
Every side is an unknown force before the first ball is kicked, but the Tangerines are more than most sides in League One having been freed from the Oystons and with the fans back on side.
They have been less than impressive in pre-season, losing 2-0 to Blackburn Rovers in their final warm-up game. The club have made eight new signings, although not all are fit for the opening game at Bloomfield Road with James Husband potentially struggling for fitness.
How do you expect the game to go and what's your predicted scoreline?
Bristol Rovers have a horrendous record on the opening day of the season in the last decade with the worst opening-day record out of every club in the EFL over the last 10 seasons.
In their last 10 opening league games, Rovers have suffered eight losses, recording just one win and one draw apiece.
That said records like that mean very little and Rovers won 3-0 on the road and 4-0 at home so the Pirates should go into the game with plenty of confidence.
Without Clarke-Harris, who scored a hat-trick against the Tangerines in March, goals are going to be tough to come by and the defence is not looking as strong as last season yet with Tom Lockyer, James Clarke and Jack Bonham moving on and Tareiq Holmes-Dennis injured. But I still fancy the Gas to get the win with goals coming from midfield.
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Graham Coughlan was rather coy about whether he would risk Jonson Clarke-Harris at Bloomfield Road.
The striker is back in training but missed all of pre-season, so it would be a bit of a gamble to start him from the off; it's a 46-game season so you would rather have him for the remaining 45 games rather than chuck him in for the first match only for him to be injured. Possibly one for the bench.
In that respect, I think we may see a similar team to the one that took to the field against Birmingham, with an attacking three of Alex Rodman, Kyle Bennett and a striker - I would pick Tom Nichols but it could well be one of the loanees.
I imagine Anssi Jaakkola will start in goal, then a back four of Little, Davies, Craig and Leahy. In midfield, Sercombe, Upson and Clarke.
Kyle Bennett. Not necessarily the key man in regards to their main player, but if he starts on the left, he could provide the spark that Rovers lacked at times last season.
Coughlan has made no secret of the fact he wants his side to play with pace, and Bennett fits that description perfectly, the only issue is whether he can do it consistently in a game.
Kyle Bennett of Bristol Rovers in action against Swansea City (Image: Rogan/JMP)
The shackles are off. It will be a packed ground with fans keen to celebrate a new era for the Tangerines, with a new owner and a returning hero in Simon Grayson as manager. The players will be keen to show both the new manager and the fans what they can do, so will be eager to impress.
Alongside this, a new manager with a large amount of new players means they're an unknown quantity. The sort of game where Rovers need to focus on themselves.
How do you expect the game to go?
If Rovers are to do well, they need to get on top of their hosts early on, to silence the crowd and get momentum.
That's easier said than done, and I can see Blackpool taking the lead, with Rovers' new look defence and goalkeeper still bedding in.
However, the Gas showed last season that they have fighting spirit in spades and I think they will get back into it before taking the lead in the second half and being pegged back late on.
It being the first game of the season and two new look sides, I can see there being a few goals from set pieces.
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As anticipated really, with a tight 4-5-1 that can hopefully become a 4-3-3 when in possession. the major question is obviously around Jonson Clarke-Harris' fitness but if Rovers' star striker cannot start, or it isn't deemed wise to play him from the beginning, is Tom Nichols a realistic option to play on his own?
If Alex Rodman and Kyle Bennett are shoo-ins, and you'd expect they are, Rovers will surely want a frontman who can offer more of a physical presence and in that case then Victor Adeboyejo might make more sense.
It's a big ask to start him, especially away from home, but it seems more a fit to what Rodman and Bennett will provide than Nichols whose work rate is excellent but does he possess the requisite hold-up play or ability to profit from any crosses the wingers may provide?
Will repeat myself from the season preview but this is a rebuilt Rovers backline and, as boring as it sounds, defence must come first today.
Tony Craig could be the last man standing from last season and must form a quick understanding alongside Tom Davies and in front of the Rovers No1, which on paper is Jordi van Stappershoef but is more likely to be Anssi Jaakkola.
It's more of a desire for the collective to function but Craig and Davies' relationship and communication has to be strong from the first whistle given how important the defence is to Graham Coughlan's overall strategy.
Bristol Rovers duo Tom Davies and Ed Upson (Image: Ryan Hiscott/JMP)
Not necessarily in terms of personel, as they look - Jay Spearing aside - a big, strong team who will compete physically and, as mentioned, set-pieces could be key for both sides.
But more the vibe around the club and while this is a big day out for Rovers fans travelling north, for the home support they'll be excited and full of anticipation. Yes, that can work in Rovers favour to an extent but they'll need to make an impact early on.
It all depends on what starting XI Coughlan goes for and, if widely expected, it is just one man through the middle not bearing the No9 shirt of Clarke-Harris then the likelihood is the Gas will be organised, committed and rely on breaking in transition.
As mentioned, there will be some pressure on the hosts to take the game to Rovers which then requires the Gas to a) keep it quiet and b) use the ball quickly and efficiently when they get the chance, which should be a reasonable amount as you can't expect too much immediate cohesion from the hosts.
If Clarke-Harris was a definite starter and fully match-fit, I wouldn't bet against an away win due to the circumstances and where Rovers strengths lie but without him a draw may be the most sensible pick.
How do you think Rovers will fare at Blackpool?
Win by 2+ goals
Win by one goal
Goalless draw
Lose by one goal
Lose by two goals