Bristol Rovers



Odds: 14/1









Last Five Seasons

2005/06 - 12 (League Two), 2004/05 - 12 (League Two), 2003/04 - 15 (League Two), 2002/03 - 20 (League Two), 2001/02 - 23 (League Two).



2005/06 Cup Progress

FA Cup Second Round (replay) vs Port Vale (h) - lost 1-0

Carling Cup First Round vs Millwall (a) - lost 2-0

Football League Trophy Southern Section First Round vs Peterborough United (a) - lost 2-1 after extra time.



Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Richard Walker (striker) - 21 goals.



Players In

Steve Phillips (Bristol City - Free), Ryan Green (Hereford United - Free).



Bristol Rovers battled to the bitter end to secure a place in last season's play-offs, but just one victory in their last six matches meant they had to make do with a twelfth placed finish.



Manager Paul Trollope will expect more from his side during the 2006/07 campaign and the team should do better, especially with two of the most prolific strikers in the division spearheading their attack. Former Aston Villa striker Richard Walker lead the scoring with 21 goals but strike partner Junior Agogo, with 18 goals to his name, has been linked with a move to Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle.



Trollope has boosted his defence with the signing of former Cardiff City and Wales international defender Ryan Green from promoted Hereford United. Green was capped at 17 years and 226 days, taking Ryan Giggs' place in the record books, although that record was broken twice in 2006, first by Derby County's Lewin Nyatanga (17 years and 195 days) and then by Southampton's Gareth Bale (16 years, 315 days).



Rovers missed out on goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall who opted to join Yeovil Town and follow former boss Russell Slade from Grimsby Town but given Lennie Lawrence's connections at Cardiff City, several former Bluebirds could be joining the Gas. Striker Andy Campbell has been released by Dunfermline Athletic while long serving midfielder Willie Boland is surplus to requirements at Ninian Park.



Bristol Rovers are planning to improve the entire football experience for the fans and they may have to leave the Memorial Stadium for at least 18 months to speed up development work to turn the ground into an 18,000 all seater venue. The Pirates had originally thought about staying at the ground while the building work was carried out. Bristol City's Ashton Gate was one of the options mentioned although the bitter rivalry between the two clubs mean it would probably not go down well with fans of The Gas.



Verdict

If Trollope can keep hold of his lethal strike duo of Agogo and Walker then the play-offs could be within touching distance this season.

By: David Walker

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David Walker runs Bet365 free bet and UK poker websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both of these websites.