Bristol Rovers... In Focus

Last updated : 15 December 2006 By Gary Moss

After a slow start, recording just one win from their first six, things looked glum for Rovers, but there has since been a bit of a turn around for Paul Trollope's men.

Trollope... Bidding for the Playoffs
However, Bristol Rovers will be looking to bounce back this weekend at the County Ground against Swindon.

The Pirates ended a run of six straight league wins losing the previous two against Lincoln and Hartlepool.

In recent weeks, Rovers have slipped from ninth to thirteenth in the League Two table. Despite being only four points from the play-offs, with only 17 goals to their name in 21 games, their poor finishing could cost them.

With only Richard Walker and Lewis Haldane likely to really score goals, reaching the play-off's could be a hard task, unless one or two more players are bought in, in January.

Midfielder Sammy Igoe has impressed this term at the Memorial Stadium. His consistent displays keep the Pirates ticking.

But, the success story for Rovers is their victory over League One's Bournemouth in the second round of the FA Cup. They have progressed to the elite third round where they take on fellow League 2 outfit Hereford, looking to keep their cup dream alive.

Manager: Paul Trollope

League position (as of December 14th 2006): 13th

Igoe... Consistent

Top goalscorer: Richard Walker with nine.

Goals Scored: 17

Goals Conceded: 22

Player of the season so far: Mr. Consistent Sammy Igoe

Against Notts: Predictably Haldane and Walker bagged at Meadow Lane to leave the Magpies empty handed back in October. 2-1 Defeat. The return fixture is on the 17th March.

Drapes Prediction: It's the same as at the moment in the eyes of your editor, 13th place…no play-off's this year.