The talking points after 10 man Bristol Rovers lost 3-1 away at Chesterfield on Saturday afternoon
Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter
07:00, 17 Aug 2025
Dan Hargraves is the Bristol Rovers reporter for Bristol Live. He joined the title in July 2023 having previously worked for Reach PLC as a freelance football writer in April 2022 while a journalism student at the University of Derby.
He has also reported on a number of football matches across European competition, the Premier League and EFL and covered the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022. In his role as covering the Gas, he wants to leave no stone unturned and cover every angle of the football club for Gasheads’ enjoyment.
Bristol Rovers head coach Darrell Clarke looks on(Image: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK)
Although an improved performance against a team expected to be in the League Two promotion hunt this season, Bristol Rovers fell to a fourth defeat from four games away at Chesterfield on Saturday afternoon, losing 3-1.
The Gas are still yet to make their presence felt in the fourth tier but, on a day where a major decision went against them, showed more character than in recent displays. Of course, that still isn’t enough as they seek that much-needed first win.
Joel Senior’s red card towards the end of the first half has been much-discussed and the general verdict is that it is a seriously poor decision; Darrell Clarke called it “soft” without going into too much detail in order to avoid spilling anything that might get him a fine.
Tom Naylor scored just after the sending off occurred as what had been a solid start for the Pirates was completely turned over.
Rovers did well to look as though they were still playing 11 vs 11, finding an equaliser through substitute Isaac Hutchinson, but from that point the gaps started to appear and Chesterfield eventually found the goals to seal victory.
Understandably, Clarke wasn’t in the mood to shed much light on any potential positives, but it was an improved display, albeit that isn’t saying a great deal. Three defeats from three in the league plus a cup exit is a far from ideal start back at the club for the 47-year-old, who has a tough job on his hands. He would have known that anyway going into it, of course.
The red card is the decisive moment in the match, but there isn’t much else to say other than it’s a poor decision. So, here are some of the other stand out talking points after Rovers’ defeat at Chesterfield…
READ MORE: Darrell Clarke reacts to Joel Senior red card decision as Bristol Rovers lose at ChesterfieldREAD MORE: Chesterfield 3-1 Bristol Rovers recap: 10 man Gas fall to defeat on the roadFans direct criticism at Darrell Clarke instead of players this time
While supporters were booing Bristol Rovers players on Tuesday night after a lacklustre display against Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup, they were clapping them come Saturday afternoon in recognition of some fight.
Rovers started the second half brightly and eventually got their equalising goal in the 68th minute. From then on though, Luke Southwood was required to make some big saves before Chesterfield scored from a corner and then on the break to seal the win as the gaps as a result of having one player less became glaringly clear.
Darrell Clarke noted post-match that he wasn’t pleased with his players’ mentality after getting the equaliser, but a number of supporters expressed their frustration with his decision to bring on another centre-back in Taylor Moore in the 76th minute for midfielder Ryan Howley, who had been having a good game.
Hindsight plays a major role in that. If they see the game out and get a point, it’s a smart call to help the Gas get over the line. Because they couldn’t hold on, it’s seen as a poor tactical decision. Debate amongst yourselves.
Isaac Hutchinson calls for last season to be shelved for good
There has been some backlash following Isaac Hutchinson’s incredibly human post-match interview with local media in which he essentially made the point that questioning fans’ commitment is “out of order” and that Bristol Rovers now need to move on from last season and put that behind them.
You can understand why some supporters weren’t particularly keen to be told that it would help to put the last campaign behind Bristol Rovers, considering how long it has now been since they saw a competitive win. However, it was all said with good intentions and, actually, is pretty fair game.
In the chaos of the opening few weeks of the season, and arguably well beyond that too, plenty of criticism has been flying around, directed at numerous individuals. However, it is very easy to forget that the targets of this criticism are actually human and, as is unfortunately the world we live in, expressing an opinion can go way too far, and has done in numerous cases recently when it comes to players being criticised online.
If you think someone had a bad game, fair enough. Make your case, argue your points and move on. When it starts to become personal, that’s when it has crossed the line.
Any relationship between these players and the fans hasn’t really materialised and if Rovers are going to be successful this season that will have to change. Something has to give, on both sides.
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Bristol Rovers make baby steps but now they need strides
In his club interview, Darrell Clarke wasn’t looking to take any positives from another defeat. Fair enough. That doesn’t mean we won’t though.
Without singing and dancing, because four losses from four is poor, this was a better performance. A bit of fight, endeavour and solidity was pleasing, up until the equalising goal from which point things disappointingly unravelled.
To suggest that losing a game 3-1 is a step in the right direction would be ludicrous, but a better performance suggests that some of the cogs might be starting to click into gear, albeit more slowly than anyone would like.
Next week already a big one for the season
Considering that they are only games four and five of the league campaign, calling Bristol Rovers’ home matches against Oldham Athletic and Cambridge United “must-win” is a bit hyperbolic. However, failing to secure victory in either match would take the discontent and gloomy atmosphere to another level.
If they want to secure promotion this season, Rovers should expect to win every home game. But, with all due respect to Oldham, they should be beating a side who finished fifth in the National League last season, albeit having made reinforcements since to be competitive back in the EFL.
Seven days can feel like a lifetime in football, and we could be talking about a very different narrative this time next week. Let’s hope that is the case.
READ MORE: Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Chesterfield: 10 man Gas beaten despite Hutchinson goalREAD MORE: Macauley Southam-Hales targeting repeated success at Bristol Rovers after Stockport tenure