“I’m searching for answers in that final third at the minute”
Fabrizio Cavegn of Bristol Rovers reacts as his shot is saved during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Bristol Rovers and Gillingham at Memorial Stadium. Photo: Kara Thomas/PPAUK
With two goals in their last five League Two games, Bristol Rovers are struggling to find the answers in attacking areas. They repeatedly knocked on the door against Gillingham on Saturday, registering 17 shots, with Fabrizio Cavegn, Stephan Negru, Kamil Conteh and Freddie Issaka all coming close to scoring.
Ultimately, they were unable to break through Gillingham’s defence and a 53rd minute strike from Max Clark condemned the Gas to their fifth consecutive league defeat.
Darrell Clarke brought on the likes of Luke Thomas, Ollie Dewsbury and the aforementioned Issaka in the second half after Clark’s opener. All three looked lively, but Clarke acknowledged that in the absence of the injured Promise Omochere and Ellis Harrison, it is important for Rovers to find alternative routes to goal.
OPINION
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When speaking to Bristol Live about the impact of Dewsbury and Issaka, Clarke said: “Listen, you’re losing one nil in a game, and they come on, and it’s up to them to try and make a difference. I’m searching for answers in that final third at the minute, [with] one or two missing, which loses that physicality about us, so we have to find different ways to get opportunities to get goals. We haven’t done that today, but we’ll try to do it next game.”
The lack of physicality in Rovers’ frontline is an issue that has continually come up in recent weeks. Omochere made a sudden return to the starting eleven against Crawley Town in late October, but was replaced after only 31 minutes due to an injury. Harrison has also not featured since coming off in the 25th minute against Tranmere Rovers.
Promise Omochere applauds the Bristol Rovers fans(Image: Steve Taylor/PPAUK)
Chris Martin, whose contract with the club expired at the end of last season, is also a more physical attacking option that could be explored. He has remained at Rovers to continue his rehabilitation from a knee injury which he picked up in March 2025. In his pre-Gillingham press conference, Clarke said: “Chris is still in rehab, we should probably have some more information on that in the next week or two.”
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Cavegn thrived earlier in the season with a more physical attacking counterpart. His four goals in four games against Barrow, Colchester United, Salford City and Walsall came with Omochere and Harrison alongside him.
One possibility that has been discussed is playing Bilongo up front. In fact, the Bristol Rovers Supporters Club included the following paragraph in their resume of what assistant head coach, Jon Stead, said during last week’s Annual General Meeeting (AGM): “With regard to the possibility of Bryant Bilongo playing up front, Jon said that the management team have looked at that possibility in training where he has been tried in all positions across the front line.
“He is, at present, a little bit inconsistent, and it’s a case of getting him on the pitch at the right time, but there is a possibility of him getting some game time up front. He is getting more minutes under his belt and this is a great opportunity for him.”
Bryant Bilongo pictured in action for Bristol Rovers(Image: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK)
Bilongo has played as a striker before for Rovers. Matt Taylor experimented with the 24-year-old up top during last season. Before the 2025/26 campaign, Bilongo scored the only goal of the game in a friendly against Bath City, rising highest to head home a Josh McEachran delivery.
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Speaking to club media post-match after the pre-season fixture at Bath City, he said: “I do tell everyone that I’m a striker, but it was a perfect ball by Josh, and all I had to do was kick it in the goal. It was a decent goal, really. I expected to score, I always am, but the coaches gave us a set-piece to do. We’ve been working on that a lot this past week and even in Spain, so I’m glad it worked out.”
With games against Accrington and Cheltenham, who sit in 20th and 22nd, respectively, to come, Clarke will be keen to find a solution to the attacking issues, which are currently holding Rovers back.
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