‘There are some good players here, we just need to get them playing at the top of their game and if we get them playing at the top of their game, the rest will take care of itself.’Steve Evans is the new Bristol Rovers head coach (Image: Bristol Rovers FC)

Steve Evans has said that he and his coaching staff will “work incredibly hard,” as they look to guide Bristol Rovers away from the League Two relegation zone after being appointed as the new head coach on Tuesday afternoon.

The 63-year-old has been out of management since he was sacked from Rotherham United in March 2025. Over the course of his managerial career, Evans has won nine promotions at five different clubs, including two promotions during his first spell at the Millers.

Speaking about what supporters can expect from him when speaking to the club’s media team, Evans said: “We’ll work incredibly hard; we’ll be incredibly disciplined on the training ground. Of course, it’s very easy for me to say that it’s a fresh piece of paper for everyone and everyone gets a new opportunity, that’s partly true, but we also have opinions on players and systems.

“I have seen Rovers three or four times since the start of the season. I’ve seen them be very good, I’ve seen them be not so good, but they can expect a whole-hearted team performance from start to finish and some fight, some effort and some spirit.

“That largely takes you a long way. We’ve got some gifted players here when you look at the squad, but football is never won on paper. Therefore, we need to get the basics right. Don’t run, don’t play, don’t work hard, don’t play. Many ownership models that we have worked for over the years, and many fanbases will know that’s how we operate.”

READ MORE: ‘It’s fantastic to be here’ – Steve Evans’ first words as new Bristol Rovers head coachREAD MORE: Steve Evans appointed as new Bristol Rovers head coach

Evans’ first game as the new Rovers head coach is a trip to Crewe Alexandra, with the Gas looking to end a run of ten consecutive league defeats. In fact, Rovers have only managed two away league victories, with 1-0 and 3-2 wins against Grimsby Town and Newport County, respectively.

Steve Evans is the new Bristol Rovers head coach Steve Evans is the new Bristol Rovers head coach (Image: Bristol Rovers FC)

Speaking about the importance of the away support as the Gas look to preserve their EFL status, Evans said: “They are massive, aren’t they? Not many people will be aware that I was at the Barnet game, not to see Bristol Rovers get beat, I was actually there in a supporter fashion of Darrell but sat away. I think there were about 500 supporters from Bristol Rovers that travelled up and they were brilliant, they were loud, but they came away really disappointed.

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“I need to get them really behind the team, the team is what is important. It’s not myself or Paul or anyone else, it’s about us giving them a team that they have been very proud of over the years, and we have to make sure that they become very proud again.

“There are some good players here, we just need to get them playing at the top of their game and if we get them playing at the top of their game, the rest will take care of itself. But the immediate aim is to make sure we get enough points, and we have an identity in our play, and we make sure that we’re part of the EFL, which is a magical league to be involved in.”

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It is a busy period of games for Evans’ side with two home games in quick succession against Bromley and Barnet on the 26th and the 29th December respectively, before away trips to Barrow and Shrewsbury Town in the New Year. The former Rotherham and Leeds United boss acknowledged that “this is a really important time,” with Rovers looking to climb out of the relegation zone after Harrogate Town leapfrogged them on Saturday following their 1-1 draw against Cheltenham Town.

OPINION

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