Bristol Rovers entered today’s away game at Valley Parade in 11th place in the Sky Bet League One table, two places and one point lower than their hosts Bradford City.
Rovers lost their opening two games of the season, their opening day loss to Charlton being a slight 1-0 reverse. However, they were crushed 4-1 in the next game by table toppers Peterborough who are unbeaten in their opening four games in the league.
Victory today for Rovers would be the first time that they’d had three consecutive league wins since 2010 and they will be buoyed by a change in fortunes out on the pitch. The opening two losses have been turned around and the Pirates sit on two wins, the last one being impressive against 5th place Fleetwood Town.
Rovers’ 3-1 win last weekend destroyed the Cod Army’s unbeaten start to the season with them taking a 2-0 lead in to half-time thanks to goals from Stuart Sinclair (26′) and Billy Bodin (43′). Fleetwood pulled one back through the dangerous Devante Cole (60′), the north-west side on the front foot. However a third, and ultimately final, goal from Rovers’ Ellis Harrison (79′) was enough to earn the home side a 3-1 victory and three points.
Home side Bradford City will be looking to avoid a repeat of last weekend when a 3-0 lead on 49 minutes was frittered away with opponents Walsall battling back for a creditable 3-3 draw.
Team News and fan reactions
TEAM NEWS: Here is your Rovers team for today's encounter with @officialbantams. #BristolRovers pic.twitter.com/T2Bvb2i0Y0
— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) September 2, 2017
Here are some fan responses ahead of the game to the release of the team news
Leadbitter 😥
— Jack ~ Brfc (@Jackobrfc999) September 2, 2017
Don’t understand how Partington has been dropped for Leadbitter to be honest. Telford deserves a start
— Dylan Quibell (@drtq_9) September 2, 2017
Good joke, now show us the lineup with Partington in the team.
— Brisgas123 (@Brisgas321) September 2, 2017
Couple of surprises … Leads and Ellis. Otherwise nothing to worry us. 3 points please.
— Hibbsy (@Hibbsy37) September 2, 2017
So play a right back who has just come from injury and didn’t look great against P’boro when you have two rookie CB’s? 😕
— Jer Kinsman (@piratgas) September 2, 2017