Luke Thomas makes personal Bristol Rovers confession ahead of 'biggest game' for the Gas

It has been an underwhelming season for Luke Thomas but the Bristol Rovers fan favourite is looking to ensure he helps keep the Gas in League OneSport

Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter

12:00, 11 Apr 2025

Luke Thomas celebrates scoring for Bristol Rovers against Burton Albion(Image: Jake Manuell/PPAUK)

If you look around at the current Bristol Rovers squad, there are very few who were at the club the last time they faced a game as significant as this weekend’s clash at home to Exeter City.

Rovers haven’t had a match so important since they sealed automatic promotion out of League Two in sensational fashion with a 7-0 win over Scunthorpe United that saw them promoted on goals scored. Three years on, their task is avoiding a return to the fourth tier.

In many ways, Saturday’s game against the Grecians has even more riding on it as few would have predicted the Gas to secure promotion ahead of Northampton Town going into the final day of the 2021/22 campaign based on the requirements to finish third.

Of the players involved in the matchday squad that day in May 2022, only two are still at Rovers in Connor Taylor and Luke Thomas. Both of whom were loanees that campaign and returned on a permanent basis in summer 2023.

Last week, Taylor insisted that Saturday’s game against Exeter is a must win while, for Thomas, the winger admits that it is the biggest match he has played in wearing a Rovers shirt.

“I think it’s probably going to be the biggest game so far for Rovers,” the forward told Bristol Live. “I don’t want to reiterate how bad a relegation is and I don’t want it on my CV. Obviously the lads don’t want it on their CVs. But yeah, it’s a really big game. We know it’s a must win.

“I think it’s easy (to get up for the game). Like I say, there’s nothing worse than a relegation on your CV for anyone. Staff-wise and player-wise. The motivation’s got to be there to stay in the league.

“It’s easy to get up for it and we’ve just got to make sure we go and do the business now.

“Personally, I like pressure. I think I perform better under the pressure. I’ve had one situation before with Barnsley where it was a miracle. I don’t think we’re quite in a miracle situation yet but yeah, hopefully we can just do the business and get over the line.”

Rovers have five games remaining to get themselves over the line and avoid dropping back down to League Two after three seasons in League One in what has been a majorly disappointing campaign.

Their situation just about remains in their hands, sitting outside of the relegation zone in 20th place, three points ahead of 21st place Burton Albion. However, they will be looking to strengthen their grip on their fate with the Brewers boasting a game in hand while their goal difference is currently seven goals better off.

Although there will be another four opportunities to get maximum points after Saturday, the Pirates desperately need to put an end to their recent rut that has seen them lose the last five games, despite arguably warranting results in their last three.

Additionally, their away form is the worst in the division and trips to a Wrexham side on course for automatic promotion and Blackpool on the final day look particularly complex on paper.

“It’s a massive week,” Thomas declared. “We’re under no illusions of how big a game that is Saturday. We’ve got to make sure we prepare properly and make sure, come three o’clock Saturday, whoever’s playing, we’re ready for it.

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“You need to stand up and be counted. I think everyone needs to stand up and be men now. Obviously it’s not the right end of the table but they can write themselves in history to say I’ve scored the goal to stay up or I’ve scored a big goal to stay up.

“All the motivation’s there and we know what we’ve got to do.

“I think we’ve missed that clinical edge all season,” the 26-year-old added. “It’s difficult sometimes when you haven’t got a striker – the injuries we’ve had.

“I think in recent weeks, obviously not the last five games, but before that, you know, Ruel, players like that and Gats obviously back now stepping up to the plate.

“Hopefully they can continue for the next five games and get us over the line.”

Alongside the disappointment as a collective, from a personal standpoint it has been an underwhelming season for Thomas himself.

The winger recorded his best ever numbers in front of goal last term, registering seven goals and nine assists across all competitions. Currently, he’s at two goals and six assists in a campaign where he’s rarely had a consistent spell.

After a poor start to the season, Thomas lost his place in the team but no one expected the forward to be exiled in the manner that he was.

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After playing the full 90 minutes in the 3-2 defeat at Peterborough United in September, the 26-year-old made just six more appearances under Matt Taylor before he was sacked in mid-December with his two starts coming in the EFL Trophy.

The wide man has seen his minutes pick up again under Inigo Calderon, scoring important goals in wins over Cambridge United and Burton Albion, but, again, he has rarely started an extended string of games. Like for most of his teammates, consistency has been Thomas’ biggest evading factor this term.

“It’s not been a great season for me,” the winger admitted to Bristol Live. “I think I played the first six, seven games and then probably went three months without playing. So, ups and downs. I’ve never really been consistent in the team which is obviously disappointing and obviously on me. I need to be performing better when I’m given a chance.

“Hopefully now we’ve got five games left and I can play a big part to keep Rovers in the league.”

Luke Thomas makes personal Bristol Rovers confession ahead of ‘biggest game’ for the Gas

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