It's okay, Gasheads, you can open your eyes now

Few Rovers fans could hide the grin that spread from ear to ear once they had read the latest update from the club's official Twitter feed on Tuesday evening.

"BREAKING NEWS: Paul Buckle has been relieved of his duties," there may be some hope for the club yet.

For the majority of Gasheads, it had been a long time coming. The clubs slump from the safety of League 1 towards the foot of the basement division over the past season and a half has made for horrific viewing, but what made it all the more cringeworthy was the sideshow that had developed around Buckle.

Upon his appointment, there was a new life breathed into a club that had gasping for air like a drowning rat. The pre-season campaign was comprised of exhilarating attacking football, not seen at Rovers for many years, I even wrote a number of articles praising his approach and the tactics he employed. How wrong it proved to be.

All the furore that surrounded those results seems a long, long time ago, as things went wrong within a few of weeks of the league season kicking off.

It wasn't just the fact that the team was being beaten, it was the manner of the defeats. Rovers have conceded three or more goals on seven occasions in League 2 thus far, including home games against Cheltenham and Port Vale.

Team selection is an area where every armchair fan believes they can outdo their manager, that is so often true at any club, but with Buckle, the mistakes seemed fairly obvious to the thousands of unqualified Mourinho's within the Memorial Stadium. Chris Zebroski is the case in point for this; the man is a striker, yet he was continually played out on the wing.

He has the pace to be a wideman; it's his skill, or lack of, that lets him down when played on the flanks. His one and only method of beating his man comes straight out of the David Pipe handbook: push it ten yards down the line and use your outright speed to get there before the fullback. Unfortunately, his crossing ability is also reminiscent to that of the Welshman, while I won't go so far as to compare his temperament and distinct lack of hair.

That's not to spread a dislike for Zebroski, his physicality and pace offer a threat to centre backs and he can be a key player for the season to come, though only if he starts up front. Similarly notable incidents include playing Scott McGleish out wide, Gary Sawyer in the centre of defence for a sustained period and, in his last game and a half, Eliot Richards in the centre of midfield.

It's as though Buckle was using Scrabble tiles to play Connect 4. 'Quiz' may score you 22 points on a Scrabble board, but it will earn you nothing on the league table.

It was the game against the Valiants that proved the turning point for many supporters, the players and staff left the field to a chorus of boos after a listless performance that culminated in a 3-0 defeat. What occurred afterwards, however, made up the majority's minds.

Rumours abounded amongst internet forums that, once back in the dressing room, Buckle had slammed Bristolians as '****s'. This was leaked out from within the club and, while never confirmed until a Bristol Evening Post article the day after the 41 year old's sacking, set fans against the manager for good, as well as getting the board of directors' backs up.

There is a line of argument that what is said in the heat of the moment within the sanctity of the changing rooms should be taken with a pinch of salt, but to come out with such a comment when you are already under an inordinate amount of pressure was moronic to say the least.

It was not the first time Buckle's attitude had come up against him; throughout his post-match interviews he appeared overtly arrogant. Very rarely did he admit to his own mistakes, often creating a raft of excuses as to why his side had failed, and generally coming across as smug to the point he believed the sun shone from within one of his own orifices. No-one is quite sure which, but it certainly helped to keep his tan topped up.

This egotistical persona created ruptures within the dressing room; Jo Kuffour left on loan to Gillingham after being left out of the squad for a Carling Cup game, a decision Buckle claimed to make after the striker told him his head wasn't in the right place. The ex-Bournemouth striker's parting shot countered this version of events, though that was only given minor coverage compared to the high profile fall out with fans favourite Stuart Campbell.

The pair played out a war of words through the local media, eventually, chairman Nick Higgs was forced to come in and settle the matter like the proverbial weary parent driving the car. Campbell never made another appearance in a quartered shirt before being released, meaning that Gasheads never got the chance to say goodbye to their former captain, manager and club stalwart for seven-and-a-half years, the anti-Buckle sentiment growing inextricably.

He remained at the club over the festive season, however, despite a 4-1 mauling at Gillingham, where he had claimed his charges had been on top for periods of the game, not that any of the travelling fans had seen domination of any form.

At 2-0 up come the half time whistle on Boxing day against Plymouth, one of the few sides left beneath Rovers, it looked as though Santa had brought Buckle some salvation for Christmas, only for the manager to throw it away the very next day. Argyle mounted an epic fightback, snatching an injury time winner to leave the gaffers position almost untenable, though the final step was taken soon enough.

The 5-2 humbling at the Mem by an average Crewe side made up the board's mind, even though he was left in charge for the Bank Holiday loss at Barnet. It was against the Alex that the manager appeared to finally lose his marbles, using all three substitutions at half time, including the goalkeeper and centre back Byron Anthony, with the Pirates 4-1 down.

But it's all over now, there finally seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. When that light steps out onto the Memorial Stadium turf remains to be seen, but Toni Watola, the club's financial director, announced to Points West that it would be 'seven to ten days'.

Gary Johnson's name has been banded about, after he refused to deny that he would apply for the job when asked on live TV, around an hour after the sacking was confirmed, though the smirk on his face gave away his vulture-like intentions to jump straight onto Buckle's still warm corpse.

The former Bristol City boss would be a brave choice for the board, given the 56 year old's history with Rovers. After his last two managerial appointments, any attempt by Higgs to make a move so gallant, will most likely rear calls for him to ride his white horse into the sunset if it all goes belly up.

Whoever takes the spot in the dugout deserves a medal for grasping the seemingly poisoned chalice, there is a huge task ahead of them, not just in terms of sustaining Football League status, but also in repairing the fractious state the club finds itself in.

Buckle Relieved Of Rovers Role

Bristol Rovers have confirmed that manager Paul Buckle has been relieved of his duties at the Memorial Stadium.

After suffering relegation from League 1 last season, fans and the media alike had high expectations that Rovers could get automatic promotion back to the third tier at the first attempt.

After an excellent pre-season that saw the first-team squad lose only to Championship side Reading, the future was looking bright, but 24 games into the season, the club find themselves 19th in League 2, just five points away from the relegation zone.

The club's chairman, Nick Higgs, released a statement with the announcement on the official Rovers website, saying:

"We are all very disappointed that this appointment has not worked out.

"Although we are aware that we need to find stability at the club, we felt we could not go any further with the current situation as the threat of relegation was becoming too real.

"We started the season with a great deal of hope for a successful campaign, but this has not been the case so far, despite promising early form.

"Our aim this season was to strive for promotion, and that has obviously not happened, so we felt we needed to make a change.

"As many of you are aware, I am currently out of the country, but I am in constant contact with the club and will strive to make an appointment as soon as possible."

Rovers opened the season live on Sky Sports, beating newly promoted AFC Wimbledon 3-2, but the situation has since gone downhill.

Following a 2-1 defeat to Buckle's former club Torquay after the first home game, the team were booed from the pitch, and this continued for the majority of games until his departure.

The 21 new signings made since his appointment failed to gel as the Pirates inconsistent form turned into a debacle - there were heavy defeats away to Crawley and Oxford, as well as home losses to Cheltenham and Port Vale.

The last League game Rovers won came at the end of October against Dagenham, they have taken just two points from a possible 24 in the eight games that have followed.

Consecutive 1-1 draws against promotion hopefuls Southend and Swindon leant false hope to supporters, but four defeats since, have seen the club slump further.

By this time the fans were already growing tired of the lacklustre football on display and predictable excuses from the manager, who refused to accept any blame for the situation his side find themselves in, but the string of results over the holiday period was the final straw for the disgruntled support.

Rovers threw away a 2-0 lead against 23rd placed Plymouth to lose 3-2 at the Memorial Stadium on Boxing Day and the 5-2 thrashing dished out by Crewe at the same venue on New Year's Eve left the manager's job hanging by a thread.

A third defeat in a week, away at Barnet, proved one step too far for the board, who sacked the 41 year old on Tuesday.

It wasn't only the on-pitch performances that drew grief from supporters, a high profile fall-out with former captain Stuart Campbell resulted in the fans favourite being released after seven and a half years at the club. That was the pinnacle of a number of clashes between manager and players, which also saw Jo Kuffour leave on loan for Gillingham, where he proceeded to score seven goals in 13 appearances.

Assistant manager Shaun North will take charge of the FA Cup third round tie against Premier League Aston Villa on Saturday, which will be shown live on ESPN.

Plymouth Down Rovers In Christmas Cracker

After 45 minutes of Bristol Rovers' Boxing Day clash with Plymouth Argyle, boss Paul Buckle was at the head of the table for Christmas dinner. By the time it was over, he was the proverbial turkey.

The air of positivity that had swept over the Memorial Stadium following a half of football that saw the home side deservedly lead 2-0 was refreshing for the beleaguered manager, whose side had not won in five league games. The two goals Argyle had scored after 79 minutes meant the green army finally had the Christmas cheer that has been such a long time coming, the stoppage-time winner wrapping up the relegation battler's perfect present.

The seasonal good will was not extended to the under-fire Rovers boss, who was jeered off the pitch by the frustrated locals growing increasingly weary of their supposed promotion push being thrown to the dogs in post-dinner scraps.

The bad feeling towards Buckle has been reinforced by his egotistical nature; club legend Stuart Campbell agreed to a contract termination last week, after the pair played out a war of words through the local press - striker Jo Kuffour has also been shown the door during the opening months of 41 year old's turbulent reign.

The result resurfaced uncomfortable memories for the Rovers faithful. In the opening week of 2011 the Pilgrims visited Bristol, finding themselves 2-0 down after just 11 minutes, but three second half goals sent the Greens home with the points. Only one of the Argyle players from that game took to the pitch on Monday, yet the end result was just the same.

With the first half an even affair, Rovers made the first great opening of the game, Andy Dorman's header forcing Jake Cole into an athletic save, pushing the ball onto the woodwork to keep the game level.

He had little chance to keep out the opener, however, the Pirates' top scorer Matt Harrold converting the penalty he won after a trip from Onismor Bhasera.

Harrold's second, his tenth of the season, completed a two minute double-salvo, Joe Anyinsah's tinsel-toes evading Bhasera's challenge before his cross found the well-travelled striker. Rovers were making it a blue and white Christmas.

As home supporters wandered off for a half-time pasty, they were looking upwards - towards seventeenth place, no less. Argyle, meanwhile, were left at the foot of the table; a quirk of the day's results leaving them in that position, thanks to Dagenham's 3-0 win over Barnet.

The full effects of the previous days Christmas lunches appeared to take it's toll on the Rovers' players as the second half commenced, Plymouth clawing a goal back through Warren Feeney. The Northern Irishman forced the ball past Scott Bevan after Nick Chadwick had knocked down Ashley Hemmings corner in the 52nd minute.

Andy Dorman's volley was thwarted by Cole at one end, before Chris Zebroski was forced to clear off the line at the other. Though before long, the Pilgrims got the equaliser their efforts, or Rovers' lack of, deserved.

Plymouth's momentum was pegging back the home team into their final third, the pressure only relenting when Chadwick shrugged off Eliot Richards and struck a fierce drive past Bevan to level the scores.

The Greens were carving Rovers apart and, with the home side wilting with fatigue, any joy was destined to head to Devon.

Bevan's sharp reactions kept a Chadwick header from flying under the crossbar but, soon enough, the former Torquay stopper's mark out of ten went down the chimney. A poor clearance found the grateful feet of Hemmings, whose pace allowed him to go one-on-one with the lanky goalkeeper, his cool finish defying the Wolves loanee's lack of senior experience.

The rapturous scenes in the away end continued right up until the final whistle; the Plymouth entourage driving home for Christmas with all three points. The Rovers faithful hoping the only trip Paul Buckle was taking went straight to the North Pole.

Campbell's On His Way Out, But Buckle's Going Nowhere

The season of good will has proved less so for Stuart Campbell - and it looks as though it will go the same direction for Paul Buckle.

Campbell's unceremonial departure from the Memorial Stadium has been on the cards for weeks, the saga finally coming to an end on Tuesday with the announcement that the midfielder had agreed mutual terms to cancel his contract.

Shocked supporters have raged at Buckle's decision to let the ever-popular Campbell leave, his status at the club far outwaying the fans view of the underperforming manager.

But however much Buckle remains unpopular, it seems that he is here for the long haul.

After five managers in the space of six months the club needed stability and, for better or for worse, that is what Nick Higgs is going to provide with his backing of the under fire boss, even if it means letting a living legend pass through the exit door.

Campbell's seven and a half years at the club have been filled with pride; a leader on the pitch who helped the club to two major finals in 2007 and an FA Cup quarter-final a year later. A complete professional who never gave less than 100% and stepped into the breach in a last ditch attempt to prevent relegation last year.

For the past two seasons there have been question marks over his ability to maintain a regular starting place, a view that was shared by Buckle, though not so by Campbell himself.

His wishes to extend his playing career at the club were rebuffed by the former Torquay boss, who claimed to have received an ultimatum from the players agent, details made public after the pair took part in a slanging match via the Bristol Evening Post.

Since taking the helm at the Memorial Stadium the 41 year old manager has had a track record of falling out with his playing staff. Jo Kuffour was shipped out on loan to Gillingham, his story of the events that preceded his departure differing from the details given by Buckle, Craig Stanley also had a reported falling out with the boss, whose popularity with the local media is also in a trough.

Whatever Campbell's reasons were for taking the matter into the public domain, taking on an ego the size of his new gaffers was never going to end with a win in his column. The majority of fans may have backed Campbell throughout the saga, but Higgs was never going allow the midfielder to upstage the manager.

In any walk of life, having a dissenter amongst the ranks will cause nothing but trouble; Campbell made clear that he was going to be a thorn in the managers side. With the chairman having bankrolled an overhaul of the squad in the summer, the release of Campbell was inevitable.

To this point, there have been 19 signings made either permanently or on loan, and the chairman has hinted that further ins and outs will occur over the January period, so, complete disaster aside, it looks as though Buckle will have at least another six weeks in the Rovers dugout.

Gasheads will look at the situation as the dark side winning over the good, but there is no immediate change on the horizon.

Paul Buckle may not have such a merry Christmas, but he will hope for a happy New Year.

Rampant Rovers Outclass Totton

Paul Buckle has had a satisfactory week, a fairly unusual occurrence in the tumultuous opening to his career as Bristol Rovers manager, but a positive period nonetheless.

Languishing in 18th place in League 2, the early promotion tips have been underachieving greatly, the support quickly growing weary of the performances put in under Buckle's stewardship.

There have been home defeats to Cheltenham, Port Vale and Barnet, and thrashings on the road at Crawley and Oxford, the voices on the terraces calling for their managers head, meaning the 1-1 draw on the road to league leaders Southend last Saturday came as a relief to many supporters.

And so came the chance to make amends on Sunday, Rovers lining up against Southern Premier League AFC Totton, three full divisions lower than the West Country club, a place with the big guns in the FA Cup third round up for grabs.

The Pirates turned up on the south coast and looted Totton for all they were worth with a display of exquisite finishing, easing some of the mounting pressure on Buckle's shoulders, and setting up a home tie against Premier League Aston Villa at the Memorial Stadium in January.

Though the far less illustrious Stags controlled much of the opening five minutes, a storm of Rovers attacks killed off the tie within a quarter of an hour.

Joe Anyinsah was the first to ripple the net, driving past Grant Porter after skipping away from two defenders to score his fifth goal of the season.

There was little time for the home side to regain their composure, Mustapha Carayol marauding forward from the centre circle to the edge of the Totton area, dispatching the ball onto the underside of the crossbar and over the line for a stunning second.

While the first two strikes had been absolute pearlers the third was arguably the best of the lot. Right back Danny Woodards pushed forward, his ball inside kindly bouncing up for the 28 year old to emphatically volley into the bottom corner with his weaker foot, his first for the club.

The non-league side could easily have been shell-shocked - no doubt both sets of supporters were - but they continued to push for a way back into the game, almost pulling one back when former Rovers youth Jonathan Davies' deflected strike was cleared off the line by Andrew Dorman.

Carayol's game was tarnished after squaring up against Totton's assistant manager, who appeared to stick out a leg the way of the winger as his momentum took him off the pitch. The Gambian received a yellow card for his troubles, before being replaced by Eliot Richards in the 41st minute.

Visiting custodian Scott Bevan pulled off a barely-believable double save in the opening minutes of the second half, preventing Nathaniel Sherborne and Mark Osman from getting on the scoresheet, Gary Sawyer then having to keep out Davies instinctive flick on the line.

Soon enough the fourth tier side made their prowess count once again, Byron Anthony rising to head Richards corner home in front of the travelling fans.

Totton did eventually score a consolation, Sherborne flicking Tom Baddeley's cross past Bevan, but little over a minute later the four goal advantage was restored, Richards swivelling to thrash the ball past Porter for the fifth.

His fellow substitute Ben Swallow, making his first appearance of the season for Rovers, lasted barely six minutes on the Testwood Stadium turf, the young Welshman handed a straight red card for a lunge on Totton captain Carl Pettefer.

After three minutes of stoppage time were signalled there was still time for the Pirates to bag another, Matt Harrold laying the ball across for Richards who showed neat footwork and technique, placing his final shot for a seventh goal of an entertaining afternoons football.

Fifth Home Defeat Leaves Rovers Reeling

Bristol Rovers slumped to their first ever defeat to Barnet, going down 2-0 to the Londoner's at the Memorial Stadium and heaping pressure on manager Paul Buckle in the process.

Izale McLeod poked in the opener after 19 minutes before Mark Byrne finished the job, curling an effort around Scott Bevan with the final kick of the match.

The squad left the field to a chorus of 'we want Buckle out' from the home support, who are growing ever more tired of their sides inability to break down opposing sides, the manager taking the brunt of the criticism.

Two changes were made from the starting line-up that disposed of Corby in last weekends FA Cup tie; Matt Gill starting in central midfield while Joe Anyinsah replaced Scott McGleish, Chris Zebroski taking the veterans place up front, partnering Matt Harrold.

It was Zebroski who had the first chance on goal, prodding a right footed effort at Dean Brill's near post, though the goalkeeper was able to comfortably hold the ball in his arms.

McLeod's explosive pace was causing problems to the Rovers backline, the Gas lucky to escape without a red card after ten minutes. McLeod looked as though he was in behind after a ball over the top, only to be sent tumbling by last man Gary Sawyer 35 yards from goal, the referee's final decision lenient with the former Plymouth defender.

Matt Harrold headed against an upright from a Gill corner, but with the game an end-to-end affair it was the visitors who struck first with their own set-peice. Mark Byrne sent a corner towards the near post, Mark Hughes flicking the ball on before McLeod had the simple task of nodding over the line from two yards out.

Neither side was able to take a stranglehold on the game, both defences scrambling crosses out of their penalty areas. The only chances came from long range shots, Gill only yards away with one such dig on the turn, though he could only send the ball into the Rovers fans in the Blackthorn End.

Mark Marshall was a constant threat down the Barnet left, and early in the second half he found a yard of space to shoot, his final effort, however, was scuffed wide.

The home team were beginning to gain the ascendancy, yet still found themselves unable to break through. Full backs Danny Woodards and Lee Brown tried their luck from range, neither able to hit the target, while Mustapha Carayol snatched at a long distance strike which eventually bobbled comfortably to Brill.

With twenty minutes to go McGleish replaced Harrold, unfortunately the experienced forward was not to last long, falling heavily and eventually being replaced by Eliot Richards after a lengthy stoppage, leaving the field on a stretcher.

It was Richards who came closest of all to netting Rovers equaliser, hitting a stinging 30 yard half-volley that looked to be dipping goalwards. The back-peddling Brill, however, managed to tip the ball onto the crossbar, denying he youngster what would have been a stunning leveller.

Despite constant late pressure during the seven allocated minutes of stoppage time the gods looked against the Pirates. Sure enough, Byrne ended any hopes of a revival, beating Bevan from the edge of the box, leaving Buckle with the weight of the world on his shoulders as Rovers go into next Saturday's clash with league leaders Southend.

Stuart's Sorry, Saddening Saga

'Legend' is a word that is banded about far too often in modern day sports, with an alarming disregard for definition. It is a status that should be earned through years of graft, labour and the highest level of consistency; not just on the pitch, track or court, but with professionalism away from the arena of choice.

In the past decade no Bristol Rovers player has risen through the ranks - from fans favourite, to hero and the final step up to 'legendary status' - like Stuart Campbell, a former captain and manager who has been held in the highest regard by all those connected to the club. One slip, however, has taken the shine off a glittering relationship with fans, who had held him up as a champion of all that is good about Bristol Rovers.

It's been a week since our 3-0 defeat to Port Vale and the start of this ever-unfolding saga, in the public eye at least.

I've spent the last four seasons watching Campbell put his heart and soul into Bristol Rovers, both on and off the pitch, and to look over the current situation brings a tinge of sadness. 'Cams' has been a great servant over the past seven seasons, his exemplary record, through the good and the bad, speaks for itself. When I look with my heart, I don't want to see him leave, but with my head, perhaps it is time to move on.

Stood outside the clubhouse bar at the Mem last Tuesday night I checked my Twitter feed, the best source for finding the team news straight away. BBC Bristol told us that Campbell was missing through illness, though in truth I wasn't disappointed to see him missing out.

The linchpin of our midfield for so many seasons, Stuart has been a great servant, but last year you could see he was beginning to age, in footballing terms at least. JP Kalala came into the side under Dave Penney and did Campbell's job to a better degree than we had seen all year. This season, nevertheless, I still wanted to see Stuart as part of the squad, though not as a regular starter.

From what we have seen so far the midfield has struggled as a whole, Campbell has been putting his usual 100% into his game, but for me he has been chasing shadows too often, once his run in the team began.

Watching 'Cams' leadership and drive, his welcoming nature off the pitch, you instantly get the idea that he is perfect for coaching. He is fully qualified in that respect and made it common knowledge that he believed it was where his future lay, yet he still wants to continue playing. I respect that, but then again you get the impression that he hasn't accepted that his days as a regular starter in the Football have almost passed.

Being honest, most of us on the terraces can see it, but more importantly Paul Buckle sees it. The deal that Nick Higgs has claimed Campbell and his advisor have requested is, quite frankly, ludicrous. An extra year? Perhaps, if he shows what he can do this season. But to throw in the possibility of a further year beyond, and on increased wages to boot, does not make any sense for Bristol Rovers.

If Campbell has, as we are told, rejected the player/coach role, his possible career chances have been threatened by himself. We are lead to believe that getting a job in coaching professional football is an arduous task, Campbell looks as though he has shut a door that was wide open to him.

The comments that have come out in the press are totally out of character for a man who has acted with such dignity throughout his career. The sequence of events, the ultimatum from his advisor, only succeeded in riling Paul Buckle, a man whose ego knows no bounds. While player power has significantly increased over the past two decades, Buckle doesn't come across as a man to play the stubborn game with.

Nick Higgs and the board have invested significantly in both the new manager and his squad, leaving them with no option but to stick to their guns and back the manager on this one. The last line of Higgs' statement on the official Rovers site - 'I am personally disappointed that my previously good relationship with Stuart has disintegrated to a level where these issues have been played out in the press.' - is ominous for Campbell's future at the Memorial Stadium.

What is clear to me is that Stuart Campbell lives and breathes football, and that may have been his undoing. The desire to continue playing, into and past his mid-thirties, while admirable, is not realistic, not while he is at Bristol Rovers at least. I want to see Campbell as a coach at Rovers, he knows the club inside out and his passion for the game, coupled with his reams of experience, give him the tools required to coach at our club.

A little bit of inward reflection, a few harsh words to his advisor and a couple of heartfelt apologies are required for Stuart to get a second chance with us; if anyone deserves one it's him, he hasn't required it in over seven years of faithful service.

The fans showed on Saturday what he means to them and this club, and I'm sure he feels the same way about us.

Whether you stay or go, Stuart, I wish you the best of luck. But please, don't let it end like this.

'We've Got To Pull Together' - Buckle

Following Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Port Vale at the Memorial Stadium Paul Buckle and his Bristol Rovers side left the field to a chorus of boos and jeers.

The Pirates boss didn’t attend his post-match press conference that evening, but spoke to press on Thursday, exasperating at the trying start to the season.


‘It’s so frustrating, we feel we’ve been picked off, we go a goal behind and it’s difficult for the players to turn it around. We try to be positive but it’s difficult, the only ones who can get us out of it are ourselves, it’s back onto the front foot, we try and put it right on Saturday.

‘I had a long conversation with Nick [Higgs, chairman]. If you look at the history of the players I’ve brought to the club they’ve been successful, we’re trying desperately to do it here but we feel a lot has gone against us, that’s not an excuse, that’s a fact.

‘This week we’ve lost Stuart Campbell and Danny Woodards and we’ve not been able to replace [Wayne] Brown or Virgo due to finances. It’s a difficult time for the club but we’ve got to get through it, like I said, nobody’s died, we’ve got to get our heads up and get on with it.’

When asked what his side needed to do to change their luck he pin-pointed one key factor.

‘We have to try and get the first goal, we did that away after our success at home but we slipped up. It’s not like we’re being battered in games, we look at the stats and we have 18 attempts on goal and more corners. It’s not lack of effort; the players are giving me everything in training and in the games. We have got to try and get on the front foot, raise the ground and get a good atmosphere in the stadium.

‘It’s been chop and change, it was again on Tuesday, Woodards went off ill, and this week, again, the squad is depleted. We haven’t got the finances to bring anyone in but we have to get on with it, it’s not a major problem.

‘The confidence is still there, if you lose a game or two you take a strong look at yourself. Fifteen games into the season the players aren’t bad players, I’m not a bad manager after fifteen games. It’s a good football club; we’ve got to pull together from top to bottom.’

One key omission from Tuesday’s squad was Stuart Campbell, missing out through illness Buckle, however, confirmed rumours that his name had been circulated amongst other clubs.

‘I discussed Stuart Campbell’s future on Monday but we’ve not been able to agree. He fell ill on Tuesday morning which threw everything, if he was starting or on the bench it would have been a plus. In the end we had to play Rendell in the middle of the pitch because we are short on midfielders.

‘He’s part of the squad and like any player or member of staff that’s being paid by the football club we expect them to give their all. It was a horrible coincidence we lost him on Tuesday because we could have done with the leadership. We can’t agree a contract, Stuart has an advisor he uses and we got an email that said if we can’t agree a deal we would have to look elsewhere.’

Mustapha Carayol has found first team chances hard to come by in recent weeks, though upon his arrival from the bench against the Valiants he showed Buckle what he had been missing. His manager praised the performance and gave the winger a boost ahead of Saturday’s game against Dagenham.

‘That’s why I brought him to the club; Zebroski, Mustapha, Anyinsah, [have] lots of pace, that’s what we set up to do. Mustapha came on early in the game and showed what he can do, he was outstanding; he has to do that every time he gets the ball, pick the ball up and run at people. Now he’s got every chance of starting Saturday.’

Buckle stopped short of criticising his recent tactics, instead insisting that it was the basics his side needed to work on.

‘We scored five goals against Rotherham and created untold chances, we created again away at Burton; it’s the fundamentals we’ve got to do better. If you tell me that Port Vale and Burton peppered our goal you would be lying, that’s what makes it frustrating.

‘But that’s why were in the job, the highs and the lows, at the moment we’re suffering some lows, but the league table is not running away, we’ve got to remain positive and pull in the right direction.’

Paul Buckle Untroubled By Slow Start

Despite an inconsistent start to life at Bristol Rovers Paul Buckle is confident that he and his squad can get the results, it just won't happen overnight.

Spirits amongst supporters dropped after a dismal display on Saturday saw the Gas come away with nothing but a 4-1 defeat to title favourites Crawley to show for their troubles, a result that left Buckle disappointed, not only in the performance of his players, but in his own showing.

"Everyone wanted to get off to a cracking start and be top of the league, but it is a long, long season." Commented the former Torquay boss.

"If we were sitting in the play-offs now, you wouldn't catch me jumping around saying we were the finished article and I am certainly not going to stand here now a few games in and be worried.

"We have a long way to go until we get the rebuild right. Saturday was not nice for us, the players know that, and we put a few things right yesterday, and tomorrow night will be another opportunity to get on the front foot and try and win the game.

"On Saturday we played a good side who have been together for a while, and they are the bookies favourites for a reason. The one thing that disappointed us is that we know we can play a lot better. We didn't perform Saturday; me, the staff and the players."

Buckle continued by bemoaning the injuries that have prevented him from sending out a settled side on a regular basis, a factor that lead to Rovers conceding three goals from set pieces at the Broadfield Stadium.

"I have signed some excellent people, we have all come together very quickly, that is not an excuse, but we need a bit of time to understand each other.

"We have had a lot of injuries, we still have good players to come in, it is always an opportunity for other players to come in and do well, but ultimately the sooner we can get an 11 on the pitch on a regular basis, then the understanding will come.

"I am not saying we didn't try on Saturday, we did, we had a go, we were just very loose on set plays. We have been watertight up to then, two clean sheets in the last two league games.

"We got tested to the max at Macclesfield, but on Saturday we came unstuck. Teams don't have to do an awful lot on games these days to get something if you are not switched on in the 18 yard box.

"They had six shots on our goal and scored four goals. We know that we have got to be better in the 18 yard box, and that is something I will instill at the club."

Sunday saw the Rovers squad called in for extra training by their gaffer, though he insists it was not so much a disciplinary action as a chance to evaluate what has passed so far this season.

"It wasn't a punishment, I think that if you have to punish people, you need to get rid of them. It was a case that we needed to have a chat as a group, the players need to know where I am coming from, and what we expect.

"Basically it was to have a look at what we have achieved so far, there was lots of good, and a few bits that weren't so good.

"We are trying to build something at the club, we are trying to get wins, but we are also trying to build a mentality which was not here before we got here."

It was then revealed that two players picked up knocks on Saturday that could prevent them from lining up against Wycombe in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy on Tuesday night. There was, however, good news about full back Gary Sawyer who has spent the opening weeks on the sidelines recovering from a hernia operation.

"We are hoping Gary Sawyer will be back today. Joe Anyinsah is a no, and Adam Virgo is struggling with his calf. Chris Zebroski got a whack on Saturday.

"At the moment it seems to be one step forward and two back in terms of getting players back on the training field. But that is life, that happens.

"The place is very healthy, I am delighted with a lot of things. We had a harsh result in the week, the players gave so much and we lost by the odd goal."

Questions then moved to the loan window which opens up again in midweek, Buckle claiming to be caught in two minds as to whether any new faces needed to join his squad.

"It is catch 22. I am speaking to 'Kitey' [physiotherapist Phil Kite] all the time in regards to how long the players are going to be. Right now if you offered me two players, of course I would like two players to come into the squad.

"But, in a week's time I have got players coming back, you have a dilemma there. I would have brought players to the club to play, and it is going to be a period of time for them to settle in and find their feet, so I don't really want to overload.

"We have taken a hit with injuries at the moment, it is not a good time to go to Crawley, but we will take it on the chin. We were not good enough on Saturday, and we will be working very hard to put it right."

Before moving on to his next training session Buckle saved the last word for the fans, over 900 of whom made the journey to Sussex, only to witness defeat.

"The biggest plus again for me was the supporters. I know so many clubs where they would have booed us off, but they didn't do it. They weren't happy, I could see that, we are not happy. But if we stick together we will come out on top."

Buckle Eyes Macclesfield Win

Paul Buckle will go into Saturday’s game against Macclesfield assured in the belief that his side can come away with the victory that will make it nine points out of twelve in the League 2 table.

The Rovers boss has been impressed by what he has seen so far but knows that his side still need to tighten up at the back.

“I am really happy with what I have seen so far,” Said Buckle. “I have had some time to reflect and six points is a good return.”

“We have shown our intent with the goals we have scored, and now we have to keep a clean sheet that must be our next aim for us all, to try and steer clear of silly goals. If we can stay solid as a unit I feel we have goals in us at any time.

“The good signs are there defensively, it is going to take a bit of time, but the players are learning by the minute.”

Buckle knows, too, that teams will do their research and come out with a game plan that will trouble his side.

“We expect to see more aerial bombardment. Teams will do their homework, and if they can exploit some weaknesses in us they are going to do that.

“If we can show that we are resilient whether the ball is played in the air, along the ground or wide, that we are competent at defending, teams are going to find it difficult.

“The aim now is to try and make us nice and solid whatever the opposition throw at us.”

When asked about the opposition his Rovers side will face on Saturday Buckle refused to underestimate the opposition, buoyed by a 4-0 midweek win away at Hereford

“It is going to be a tough game on Saturday, Macclesfield have just gone and scored four goals away, but it is one we are looking forward to.

“On Tuesday they scored four goals, didn't concede, and it was away from home. They have got some good players, and I was impressed with them last season.

“They are a good side, and they will upset a few this season, and we have to be ready.”

Though not known for setting his teams out to play rough the former Torquay boss knows his side will be up for the competition whatever is thrown at them.

“It shouldn't worry us what surroundings we play in because when we train every day we picture being in competition and when we go onto the pitch we picture the training ground.

“We won’t be put off by a smaller club or poor surroundings. We have got our own goals and standards, and our standards are very high at the moment and we want to keep them there.

“Let’s try and go and do the nasty side as well as the nice stuff.

“I think you saw us the other night really dig in and do the horrible side of the game, if we do that we always feel we have a chance to go and express ourselves at the other end.”

Despite looking decidedly dodgy at the back last weekend against Torquay Buckle is pleased with how his team have gelled and adapted to his tactics.

“There is an understanding developing, and everyone involved with Bristol Rovers is looking for us to push forward and start seeing signs of relationships on the field; both attacking and defending.

“As a team I encourage us to go forward as a team, and go back the other way as a team.

“It is going to take a bit of time for the understanding to come, but with the midfield being nice and strong and solid, that is a sound basis for the rest of the team to go and attack.

“But the back four is big for us at the moment, we defended high balls well the other night, and we are going to have to do that again on Saturday.”

Macclesfield manager Gary Simpson noted how important Tuesday’s win was for his side but also took the time to give his opinion on Rovers chances this season.

“It will make it a bit better now as we're up and running and we've got points on the board.

“I think Bristol Rovers are one of two or three favourites to win this division, with their resources and the players that they've signed.

“When you can go and sign the players that are proven and good in this division, the recipe's there to be half decent.”

Rovers will be without Gary Sawyer, Stuart Campbell and Ollie Clarke while Joe Anyinsah is likely to miss out.

Vinny Mukendi and Colin Daniel are side-lined for Macclesfield with Paul Morgan and Waide Fairhurst also doubtful to start.

Buckle Keen To Move On From Weekend Loss

Bristol Rovers welcome Northampton Town to the Memorial Stadium tonight as they look to get their League 2 campaign back on track following the 2-1 weekend defeat to Torquay.

Rovers boss Paul Buckle was keen to put the loss against the club he left in the summer behind him without making excuses, saying:

"We have to dust ourselves down and try and get three points Tuesday night. There is still a lot of things to work on, this is going to take a good few games for us to get to know each other.

"We have got so many players who are relocating and moving, that is not an excuse, but it is going to take a bit of time. If tonight we win I won’t then be saying we are the finished article, it is going to take a bit of time.

"We are not getting above ourselves, we don't think we can breeze into games and win them, we understand where we are as a club, the players do, and we are still working on stuff, but we hope it can start with winning ways at home tonight.”

The improved second half performance and Byron Anthony goal meant that there were still positives to be taken from Saturday for the former Exeter coach who is full of confidence heading into the Northampton tussle.

"I am still very confident that if we play to our very best for the duration of the game, I really fancy us in this league.

"We have seen lots of good things, I have been very pleased with what the players have taken on board, especially the attempts on goal on Saturday. There are lots of plusses, but there are a few negatives that we need to iron out, and we will.”

Rovers started slowly against Torquay, conceding two goals within the first quarter of an hour, and looked defensively shaky throughout but Buckle has the belief that his squad can do enough at both ends of the field to take regular victories.

"It is the whole team that has to function when we don't have the ball. You have to score goals to win games, but over the years the defensive side has been vital to me, so I have to get that into the side now. It is something I know I can do

"Defending the box is a big thing at this level, as we saw at Wimbledon and on Saturday.

"The players were very disappointed Saturday after the game, because they know they can perform better. We are all in it together, we will take defeat on the chin and I am sure if we can keep creating those chances, we will win more than we lose."

Saturday saw some poor on-pitch performances but the new Rovers gaffer says that those will not force him into sudden changes.

"I am not knee jerk, I don't believe in that, I think consistency is the way forward. If we can keep consistency, win, lose or draw, throughout 50 games a season, we won’t be too far away from it.

"We work on things, sometimes that means change of formation or personnel, but I am not knee jerk."

One of the first men to step up off the Northampton coach will be Gary Johnson, formerly manager at both Yeovil Town and Bristol City, and who was so often a figure of ridicule amongst the ranks of Gasheads on the terraces. Buckle, however, had nothing but praise for the job the 55 year old is doing in the East Midlands.

"He is an experienced manager, and they are coming to us on the back of a good away win, so they are going to be dangerous. What we have to do is look at them and their strengths, and then look at us.

"They have invested heavily in the summer, and the club have backed Gary. He is newish to the job, they had a tough time last year and he has bought lots of new faces in, they are one of the favourites, and it is going to be tough."

Johnson himself was also complimentary of Rovers when speaking to ntfc.co.uk pre-match, telling the Cobblers website:

"Bristol Rovers is a good club. They are a big club and their crowd let you know when you are an opposing manager, and they will let me know for sure.

“There are some good people there, they have a new manager and a new team and I expect them to be up the top of the table come the end of the season.”

Rovers Victory Is Sweet For Gulls Fans

Two months ago Paul Buckle made the 104 mile move from Torquay to become manager of Bristol Rovers and on Saturday his old charges followed him up the M5 to leave the 40 year old with a day to forget on his first home game in charge.

Having won on the opening day Rovers were high on confidence, they had been named as one of the favourites for League 2 promotion, but that optimism came crashing back to earth with a 2-1 defeat to their West Country rivals, twice shooting themselves in the foot during the opening quarter of an hour. Taiwo Atieno opened the scoring before strike partner Rene Howe, a man who finished last term at the Memorial Stadium, slotted home from the spot, Byron Anthony’s second half header proving a mere consolation.

The result will have come as a surprise to many onlookers, not least Buckle himself.

"We didn't see that coming,” Said the Rovers boss, who was not drawn into fielding questions on the significance for the Torquay fans. “You cannot legislate for individual errors.”

"It hasn't gone for us today, we have got a lot to work on, but we only lost by the odd goal and in the end the players have shown great spirit to nearly come back and get a point.

"We had a go flow to our game in the second half, and put Torquay under severe pressure.

"I think if we can get that first goal teams are going to find it very difficult. The first goal in any game is vital and we feel we gave Torquay a big head start today.”

That head start was grasped in the eleventh minute when too many of the Rovers defence pressed Danny Stevens, allowing the midfielder with the simple task of playing in Kenyan international Atieno who had the time to take a touch prior to slipping the ball past former Gull Scott Bevan.

Little over four minutes later and the lead went from one to two, the Torquay frontline pushing up high on Rovers full back Michael Smith, pressuring the Northern Irishman into a dreadfully weak backpass that allowed Atieno to nip in and touch the ball first, only for the summer signing to have his shins taken from underneath by the sliding Bevan.

Up stepped former Pirate Rene Howe to take the penalty and, as casually as you like, the forward placed the ball into the bottom corner, that despite catcalls from the Rovers fans behind the goal, lambasting Howe about his weight.

A penalty shout at the other end against the arm of Brian Saah was waved away by referee Moss as Rovers pushed for a way back into the game, Adam Virgo nearly providing such an opportunity, his fiercely driven free kick being beaten away by Torquay ‘keeper Bobby Olejnik.

The intensity on the field was growing, Craig Stanley and Mustapha Carayol, both previously players for Torquay under Buckle, receiving yellow cards while Buckle himself also took an ear bashing from the officials.

After the break the visitors spurned a clear cut chance to go three in front as a Kevin Nicholson free kick from the right found Ian Morris in acres of space at the back post, his stooping header producing a stunning one handed diving save from Bevan that had everyone in blue and white breathing a sigh of relief.

Soon after Rovers gave themselves a lifeline as Byron Anthony, the only member of the starting eleven present at the Memorial Stadium last season, found the back of the net. A Stanley throw in looped over defensive heads to find Matt Harrold in the box, he fed Joe Anyinsah whose shot was only parried up into the path of Anthony who nodded over the line from close range.

After Lee Brown had cleared off the line from Atieno Rovers continued to search for an equaliser, substitutes Jo Kuffour and Chris Zebroski firing wide, the former also stinging Olejnik’s hands, but it was all in vein as Torquay went home with the points.

It all meant that Gulls gaffer Martin Ling was able to come away with his first win as United manager and post-match he also noted the importance of the result for the visiting fans.

"It was not a Martin Ling and Paul Buckle situation. Paul is here at Rovers and we needed to go out and play well to beat them, but we only get three points for today.

"It was obviously pleasing for our fans because they felt Paul left them in circumstances that were difficult, but Paul chose to go.

"For the fans, it was a massive game, for the players, I just built it up as a normal league game but it was difficult to come away from the Paul Buckle scenario."

Buckle's Rovers Face Torquay Challenge

Bristol Rovers kick off their home league campaign against Torquay United, a fixture that will have an edge to it, the Pirates having taken manager Paul Buckle from Plainmoor in the summer.

How Are They Doing?

Rovers began their title challenge with a tense 3-2 win over AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow last Saturday. The Sky TV cameras were present as the nation, many hoping for a fairy tale start for AFC Wimbledon, saw Rovers take the initiative and force themselves into a two goal lead, Scott McGleish and Matt Harrold capitalising on two Dons mistakes. Two Wimbledon goals drew the game level as the Gas looked to be on the rocks but a late rally resulted in a penalty for Rovers, Adam Virgo dispatching from the spot to give his side the win. Buckle's men were due to play again in midweek but their Carling Cup tie against Watford was postponed on police advice following the nationwide riots.

Coming off of a pre-season that saw superlative wins over Bristol City and Exeter Torquay have had a slow start to their competitive games. Last weekend saw the Gulls, now managed by Martin Ling, having to come back from a two goal deficit against Burton Albion, former Rovers forward Rene Howe pulling the first goal back after faking the goalkeeper, captain Lee Mansell slotting home the equaliser with eight minutes to spare. On Tuesday Torquay fell to defeat in the Carling Cup, Championship Southampton putting paid to any hopes of a cup run with a 4-1 win at St Mary's, the Gulls unable to build on Mansell's early leveller.

Who Are The Match Winners?

Experienced striker Scott McGleish proved that age is no factor to success as he scored one and set up the second in Rovers victory over Wimbledon. Looking thoroughly timeless the former Leyton Orient favourite put in 100% effort to put his side in the drivers seat, defending from the front and sticking his head in areas a man of 5'9" shouldn't reach. Rovers are the tenth club of McGleish's career, though he has been at various clubs on more than one occasion. Over time McGleish has become one of the best known strikers in the lower leagues, scoring goals wherever he has been, including eighteen for Orient last term.

Much of Torquay's success will rely on young midfielder Eunan O'Kane. The Northern Irishman, a Paul Buckle signing, was a key figure in Torquay's run to the play off final in May including a goal in the semi-final first leg with Shrewsbury. A former Everton trainee O'Kane was released by the Premier League club, mainly due to his diminutive frame. A move back to his home in Northern Ireland with Coleraine followed before the Torquay management took note of his talent, signing him on in January 2010, and since then the creative midfielder has made over fifty appearances in Gulls colours.

Have We Met Before?

The two clubs have met regularly during their history, spending much of their time sharing divisions and facing off in cup ties. Torquay had to wait until their eighth meeting with Rovers before claiming their first win, that was in 1930, after the inaugural match up finished in a 1-1 FA Cup draw, Rovers winning the December 1926 replay at Eastville. Friendlies aside Saturday will be the first time in five seasons that the teams will have taken to the same pitch, Rovers winning the last two times, but the one of the most memorable recent games came the season before down on the south coast.

Leon Constantine gave Torquay an early lead which was doubled in the second half by Matt Hewlett before Junrior Agogo took control, pulling one back with sixteen minutes left on the clock and equalising in the 87th minute after a superb run and finish. He still wasn't done, though, as he set up substitute Richard Walker for an injury time winner that completed a stunning comeback.

Who's Up For It?

One man who won't be available for Rovers is central midfielder Chris Lines who has completed a £50,000 move to Sheffield Wednesday.

Stuart Campbell is out with a hamstring injury while Gary Sawyer is still recovering from a hernia operation. Young midfielder Ollie Clarke is also out having had a surgery of his own.

For Torquay Daniel Leadbitter could be in line to make a first appearance after recovering from a hamstring strain. Striker Billy Kee could win back his place in the starting line up having missed the midweek Carling Cup tie with Southampton due to international duty for Northern Ireland under-21's, scoring a hat trick against the Faroe Island's youth set up.

They Said What?

Rovers boss Paul Buckle has dismissed any thoughts that the opposition will make the game special for him, focusing instead on the fact that it is his first home game in charge.

"It is important to try and pick up three points and stay at the right end of the table. It is not a special game for me, it is all about the three points. I am Bristol Rovers manager now, I am proud to be here, and I am setting a team up to go and win on Saturday.

"It is the away fans' prerogative what they want to shout or sing, but I will just be concentrating on Bristol Rovers and trying to make sure we play in a style we like and that you have seen already from us.
"It will be a special game as it is my first home game, but last Saturday was special as well. I was very proud to win the game and lead the team out at the start and see the supporters."
 
Marting Ling was complimentary when speaking about Rovers chances this season but noted that he has identified a game plan to take on the Gas having seen them beat AFC Wimbledon.
 
"I watched their game and thought they played decent, although Wimbledon could have defended better against them.
 
"I think they will be up and around the top places this year and if we match Bristol Rovers we won't be doing too bad ourselves.
"There were positives from them but also some negatives that we can work on. The game was taped by my video analyst and it was a nice tool to have. I've studied that and put together a game-plan, so we can go there and play to our potential."

It's Quite Simple For Rovers

Bright, breezy football, the changes that have occurred at Bristol Rovers over the summer months have been incredible. It may be hard to put your finger on what exactly has changed, there has been so many, but let's have a look at some of them.

There are obviously some of the major differences in tactics, some complicated, but what is really notable is that Paul Buckle has got the simple things right, as seen in the 2-0 pre-season victory over Championship side Burnley.

Defensively the side are much improved with the line the back four are holding far higher than seen in previous years while the whole team press further up the pitch. Whereas last season a ball cleared out of the Rovers defence would not draw the side out of their defensive formation, often resulting in the opposition coming straight back on the attack, Buckle has instilled an attacking mindset, instructing his players to follow the ball out of the back and put immediate pressure on the adversary potentially resulting in errors and winning possession back.

The high pressure tactics aren't just restricted to defending in Rovers own half, early on in the game against Burnley we saw right back Michael Smith overlapping winger Jo Anyinsah and challenging in the opposition defensive third. Such forthright defending would have been unthinkable under Paul Trollope or Dave Penney and is a breath of fresh air for fans who had become well acquainted with their team backing off to the edge of their own area as soon as the ball was lost.

Aside from that fans also saw the full backs closing down their opposition wingers, aiming to prevent crosses into the box with great success. Never for a second were Burnley given the time to settle themselves into a passing rhythm, aside from the first minute the threat to the Gas was non-existent up until the last twenty minutes when the passing intensity was turned up a notch and Ross Wallace struck the crossbar with a spectacular long range effort. Rovers were comfortable right the way through the match and dominated in their own right, as poor as Burnley were the Pirates were excellent.

There were also insights into other attacking ploys that Buckle may use. The second half, for instance, saw Mustapha Carayol, the cheeky, jinking winger, and youth team graduate Ben Swallow take to the pitch in the wide positions. What was most notable about this was that Carayol, a right footer, and Swallow, a left footer, played on the flanks that opposed their stronger feet, often leading to the pair cutting inside or running along the byline when coming forward, showing a direct running approach that puts defenders on the back foot as they look to stop the dashing wide men.

That's not to say that you don't want to see high crosses put into the penalty area, when you've got players with the height and power of Matt Harrold and Chris Zebroski it is an excellent outlet, but there is the variation there whichever way Rovers want to play.

Even when defending corners Buckle's charges also showed an attacking approach by often leaving two or three players up by the halfway line, even when two goals to the good, resulting in Burnley having to leave more of their own players back to keep tabs on them.

One other notable point about Burnley was how dirty a side they were, numerous bad challenges resulted in Rovers players being thrown to the floor, perhaps though, this isn't a bad thing. The way Rovers have been playing thus far under Buckle, keeping the ball on the floor and free-flowing in their movement, is all very well in pre-season but when it comes to the real thing there are teams, especially in League 2, who will do their best to stop this game plan in anyway possible.

Carayol, Swallow and Joe Anyinsah amongst others will no doubt be a target for such treatment, the first was taken out at various points by the Clarets, but, having spent the best part of three seasons in lower league football, he will be used to this. It's not what any fan likes to see but it happens, some managers set their teams up for outright physicality, and this is one style that Rovers will have to deal with at some point during the long, arduous season and the way they hold themselves, both physically and mentally, will determine their success.

The goals on the night came from beanpole forward Harrold in the first half and substitute Eliot Richards in the second, both putting in excellent displays. Harrold gave what was expected of him, showing great strength and aerial ability to hold up and push the ball on, what was also good to see was a will to chase down the odd overhit pass as well as a couple of his own flick-ons. The goal was taken well, it came from a driven Matt Gill corner, and shows that Rovers have the capabilities to score from any situation.

Richards ran his socks off too and scored his goal very coolly, it was his second of the pre-season. Add that to his first league goal, scored against Colchester in the final game of last season, and it seems that the young Welshman is beginning to develop the talent and promise that he showed during his youth career. The experience of Scott McGleish will of course be a great help to the nineteen year old who will be battling for a place in not just the squad but the starting eleven as the season progresses.

All in all it was another excellent performance from the Gas, putting an experienced second tier club to the sword, and shows further promise for the season to come and much of it is down to perfecting the simplicities of the game.

The Other Side Of Paul Buckle

After the classy display against Mangotsfield on Wednesday Bristol Rovers fans were eager to see how their players would perform against a stiffer set of competitors and with the visit to Bath City on Friday night they were given that very chance.

It wasn't the dominance that was seen in the pre-seasons opening fixture, against a side who had finished 10th in their first year back in the conference last term it was never going to be, but on a pitch more conducive to playing neat, technical passing football fans were sent away with their hopes once again raised after goals in each half from Joe Anyinsah and Wayne Brown gave the Gas a comfortable 2-0 victory over their Conference Premier opposition.

Summer signings Anyinsah, Scott Bevan and Mustapha Carayol got their chances to make an impression on fans as they made their first appearances in Rovers shirts, each of them performing admirably. Admittedly Bevan wasn't fully fit, Lee Brown was handed the goalkick duties while much of the 6'6" goalkeeper's distribution was done from his hands. He did, however, find the composure to make a fine double save as Rovers were slow out of the traps in the first half, getting down twice in quick succession, but the more game time Bevan gets to marshal the selection of defenders in front of him the better, the first half especially saw a back four that many see as the first choice unit for the coming season.

Anyinsah was arguably the player who made the best impact of anyone on the pitch, the ex-Bristol City man getting on the score sheet after rounding his defender before neatly slipping the ball in off the far post with the outside of his right boot. He continued to run and run, as per Paul Buckle's instructions in a system that seems far away from the rigid, defensive formations that were seen under Messrs Trollope, Penney and Campbell, not that it didn't leave Gasheads just as bemused.

When tongues were wagging and rumours were flying about Paul Buckle's purported interest in the Rovers job fans and potential suitors were watching eagerly as his side lined up to face Shrewsbury in their play-off semi-final first leg and they saw a quirky pre-match line up handed in. The announced team included four strikers, namely Chris Zebroski, Gavin Tomlin, Billy Kee and Jake Robinson, as Torquay's attacking force put the Shrews to the sword and tonight in Bath it seemed that the birth of a similarly attacking system was taking place.

In the first half at Twerton Park the unit of four came in the shape of Anyinsah, Zebroski, Scott McGleish and Ben Swallow and each of them performed a variety of roles across the front line in a seemingly free-form formation. Anyinsah began the game partnering McGleish up top with Zebroski on the right, a position from which he got the opening goal, but as the half drew on Anyinsah began to drift out to the left, thus allowing Ben Swallow to play just off Scott McGleish in the centre. That wasn't the end of it though.

The quadruplet continued to chop and change amongst themselves, an act that must have been confusing for the Bath defence, but it wasn't just about their positioning, it was the runs they were making as well. When the ball was coming across the halfway line there were generally two runners looking to put themselves in behind the home back four while one remained short centrally and the other gave a deeper option in a wider position, attempting to pull about the Red Shirts about. It wasn't perfect, this was only the second match of the pre-season so legs were still rusty and the team are yet to gel meaning this system is still in its infancy, but it nonetheless makes for interesting viewing and if everything goes to plan then Rovers will no doubt be one of the teams to watch in League 2.

In the second half the two central midfielders were Stuart Campbell and youth team player Darren Jeffries. With the aging Campbell having been deployed as a battling defensive midfielder in seasons of late and Jeffries inexperienced much of the feeding of the front four slowed down, though their deployment also became rather more static. Mustapha Carayol came onto the left wing at half time and with fifteen minutes to go trialist Andrew Yiadom stepped into the fray on the right, both proving to give great pace as they continually looked to take their full backs on the outside as opposed to cutting inside, a great option to have in the squad should the need for direct attack persist.

Another of the nights top performers was Wayne Brown who played on the right before moving into the centre after the addition of Yiadom, a position from which he was able to pull strings, once again looking dangerous and giving Paul Buckle a conundrum to deal with as he also has a number of other options in both the centre of midfield and out wide. Indeed, one of the keys to Rovers success could lie with the use of the diminutive midfielder who impressed at the back end of last season as well as the start of this.

This game gave fans a look into the other side of Paul Buckle, he has talked the talk with the signings he has made and the interviews he has given but against a team that proved a stern test for Rovers he gave an indication that he may too be able to walk the walk.

Rovers Are Bursting At The Seams

It’s been a long time coming, this thing called positivity, since Rovers FA Cup quarter final run way back in 2008 it has been sincerely lacking from anywhere and everywhere. The quality of the football had dropped off quite significantly, big money was being spent on relatively small time performers and a club that should have been developing into potential play-off contenders in League 1, the pirates of the Football League, were sinking without a trace. And then it hit the seabed.

By the time relegation arrived it came without any form of surprise, by the time Dave Penney’s disastrous reign had ended the drop had seemingly become an inevitability, Stuart Campbell provided a modicum of hope but it was all too late, the damage had already been done. The post relegation blues weren’t to last long, however, as rumours abounded as to the identity of the new man to take charge of the Gas and, little over a month later, the announcement came, Paul Buckle was the new gaffer, and what a turnaround has occurred.

Paul Trollope’s method of identifying new players was a long, laborious and generally fruitless process, incongruous sums of money were being spent on the likes of Dominic Blizzard, Darryl Duffy and Mark Wright while three year contracts were handed out like free candy. This put players in a comfort zone, their futures were secure no matter how badly they performed on the pitch, but Buckle has come in and changed the mentality of the entire club. The contracts are shorter and the wages are more sensible. We’re yet to see the quality of the signings he has made, though he has had first-hand experience of managing the vast majority of them.

The squad now seems to be more balanced, if not slightly short on numbers, though that will no doubt change in due course. For the first time in years Gasheads will be able to watch a flying winger with seasons of Football League experience behind him and a proper targetman, the first since Rickie Lambert. Forget your Jon Akinde’s, Matt Harrold is a proven threat. The goalkeeper? A monster that was part of Buckle’s Torquay side that marched into the play off final. We have two new central midfielders, both with some verve and fight, as shown when they quite literally went head to head in the 2007 Conference play-off final.

We have also seen the arrival of Adam Virgo, a brute of a central defender that has commanded a fee of £1.5million from Celtic, there has to be something about him, in fact we saw that twice last season as he took charge of the Yeovil back line while also scoring at the Mem and hitting the frame of Conrad Logan’s goal at Huish Park. We can also welcome a new left back to the club who, though inexperienced in the professional game, has had successful spells at Conference Premier clubs, a gap in quality that is gradually decreasing.

With any ins invariably some outs have to occur too and there were some big names finding themselves thrown to the wayside. The biggest of the players to have left Rovers is no doubt last season’s top scorer Will Hoskins, it had been coming. There was no chance that a player of Hoskins clear calibre would be held onto by a club who have found themselves just relegated to the fourth level of English football and his fee, a six figure sum that is likely to be in excess of £500,000, will go some way to aiding Buckle’s revolution. Danny Coles also found himself sold, going to Exeter City while another man who was no doubt a high earner, namely Jeff Hughes, found himself released. This shows further signs that the rot has stopped and that agents will no longer be taking the Gas to the cleaners.

But that’s not the only good news to be making its way out of the corridors of the Memorial Stadium as months of seeming inactivity on the stadium front were blown away by the revealing of the UWE Stadium, a partnership with Bristol’s second university that will provide teaching and other facilities to the educational institution while also giving Rovers a brand new place to call home. No dilapidated higgledy-piggledy stands from which to get wet but 20,000 seats for the modern football fan, facilities that will be enviable to every club in League 2 and the vast majority in the League 1, a real platform for the club to build on. Let’s not jinx it, though, the planning documents haven’t even been handed over yet.

But back to Paul Buckle.

Under Trollope and Campbell the football was noticeably similar, it was defensive, had no width and allowed little flair for the players involved in it. Dave Penney on the other hand seemed intent on filling his team with mercenaries, instilling an abhorrent long ball style that satisfied neither the players or fans, Buckle seems different though, he has a fresh attitude on the pitch as well as in the transfer market. The rumours were already flying before his team started their play-off campaign meaning that Gasheads were watching eagle-eyed as Torquay faced Shrewsbury in the semi final first leg, and they weren’t left disappointed.

Buckle started with four strikers on the pitch and his team took a 2-0 lead into the half time break, dominating a side that were just a point away from automatic promotion and the second half was no different. Though they lost in the final they put up a heck of a fight, hitting the crossbar late on as they unluckily lost out to Stevenage, but the signs were there, the Rovers fans had seen their new chief, now all they needed was his signature, and that came swiftly enough.

What has been most noticeable for a man whose most notable achievement in four years as a manager is a play-off final is Buckle’s ability to sell the club to potential players. He has clearly set his stall out as promotion, and his views on the way he wants his team to get there is making an impression on the new signings, Gill claiming interest from League 1, Mustapha Carayol rumoured to be in talks with Stevenage.

What is clear is that Rovers now have a man who is not only capable to manage a team into the higher reaches of League 2 but is also passionate about the game and confident in his own methods and abilities.

The fans are bursting at the seams with excitement, and one thing’s for sure, it’s time to Buckle up for one hell of a ride.

The Pirates Are Swashbuckling With The Reveal Of New Manager

Weeks of speculation as to who would be given the leading role at Bristol Rovers ended on Monday morning as the club confirmed Paul Buckle as their new manager.

The appointment comes as no surprise, various media circles had been talking about the former Torquay United boss for some time, any potential deal being delayed by the Gulls shock run to the League 2 play off final, a game they eventually lost 1-0 to Stevenage. During press conferences in the build up to Torquay's three play-off games there was a steady stream of questions from the press as to whether Buckle would be leaving his post to join the Gas, whether his side were to win promotion or not, a move that was continually met with denial by the man himself.

But his four successful years at Torquay have now ended, not least on the high of guiding his charges to Old Trafford. "I leave Torquay with a heavy heart after four fantastic years, which included three Cup Finals and re-instating their place back in the Football League." Said Buckle, "The Club now has a sound infrastructure, both on and off the field, which will serve them well in the coming seasons. I always wanted to leave Torquay on a high, and I am blessed that I can do that."

The opportunity to take over at Rovers proved to much of a temptation for the Hertfordshire born manager to resist. During his time with Torquay Buckle was forced to work on a shoestring budget, not least when they found their way back into the Football League, but he has still managed to work wonders with the Devon club, not only managing to sustain their place in the league but to push them onto bigger and better things, giving them a fantastic platform on which to build.

Rovers on the other hand will be able to give Buckle the chance to work with more cash floating around, 'a substantial six-figure sum' was how Will Hoskins transfer fee was described and no doubt some of it will be reinvested back into the side that the new boss will want to build. Hoskins was also on a hefty wage packet at Rovers and his, along with Jeff Hughes and potentially Chris Lines departures, will allow a certain amount of freedom in the transfer market. He will need to use his money wisely, though, it has not been stated publicly but all involved at the Memorial Stadium, fans and club officials alike, will be expecting the Gas to fight for an immediate promotion back to League 1, though it seems that Buckle understands this and is similarly ambitious.

"The chance to become Bristol Rovers manager was far too good an opportunity to turn down. I intend to do everything in my power to take Rovers back to where they belong.

"After meeting with Nick and the Rovers Board I'm in no doubt of the ambitions of the Club and believe with everything in place this Club has the potential to reach the Championship in the coming years."

For too many years now the Rovers faithful have had to put up with bland and overall below par defensive football, Paul Trollope becoming ever more cautious during his reign before Dave Penney came in and seemed to do all within his power to create a morose long ball team full of mercenaries. By that point it looked all over, Campbell came in, seemingly taking his tactics straight from the Paul Trollope school of management, and though there was a glimmer of hope it eventually faded out into relegation with a game to play, barring a mathematical miracle.

But over the hill and into the coming season Buckle will bring with him a new set of ideas, attacking ideas, his starting line up for the first leg of Torquay's play-off semi contained no less than four strikers and throughout the season the Gulls managed a positive goal difference of 21, a full 55 goals better off than Rovers abhorrent -34 in the division above.


"I will be installing a fresh mentality throughout the Club that reflects me, by bringing in the high standards that I demanded at Torquay, which resulted in great success."

That was Buckle's claim on Rovers official website this morning and it is no doubt what is required. Part of which will be about getting some of the disenfranchised fanbase back onside, although even at this early stage the mood has lifted among Gashead internet users, many fans cooing over the appointment. Now, however, the next steps must be taken, building a squad capable of promotion. It has been stated that Buckle will now take a break to give himself time to collect his thoughts and take some personal time out, but over the next few weeks Rovers chairman Nick Higgs has come out and said that the club will be looking to work on bringing in a list of targets that have already been identified by the new manager, while also talking about 'the rebuilding process' that will occur in pre-season.

There were rumours abound of attitude problems in the squad over the past season that disrupted the dressing room but with the new shake up in terms of the playing staff this will hopefully be evaporated, part of the 'high standards' Buckle demands, a professional attitude and dedication both on and off the pitch.

Indeed, the first step has been taken, Shaun North following Buckle from Devon to Bristol, taking up the role of assistant manager. An experienced coach North has worked with Buckle for the past few seasons and has a great deal of experience in the game having taken up various roles at Portsmouth and Oxford, a period during which he worked with Rovers current youth team manager Darren Patterson who he will no doubt be rendezvousing with on a regular basis to develop the next generation of talent.

The length of the duo's contracts are shrouded in mystery, no word coming from the club as of yet on the deals. There will be a small compensation fee paid from Rovers to Torquay however, as Buckle's contract with the Gulls set to run until November this year.

Rovers odds have already been shortened from 16/1 to 5/2 with the news of the new gaffer and fans will remain interested spectators as to how these continue to fluctuate in the time leading up to August 6th, when the new Football League season will begin, Buckle at the helm, in the quest to regain League 1 status.