Bristol Rovers head coach Steve Evans discussed the performance of goalkeeper Brad Young after yesterday’s 1-0 defeat against MK Dons, confirming that “he’s getting competition coming in the next couple of days”.
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Young has come in for Luke Southwood in the last two matches and pulled off an impressive save in the 82nd minute to deny Gethin Jones, who was one-on-one with the shot stopper.
The 23-year-old has been solid in both matches since returning to the starting lineup and looks to be Evans’ preferred choice between the sticks currently.
Speaking to Bristol Live after the match, Evans was asked whether Young has claimed the number one spot. “Performance always picks the shirt,” he said. “The best compliment I can give Brad, and this has nothing to do with Luke Southwood, we were conceding too many goals, we were losing, you know, with the Plymouth game and even the Colchester goal.
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“We’re looking at that, we’re thinking, right, there’s an opportunity for a young man who’s been very good in training. But my biggest compliment I can give Brad back to that point, if he’s on loan tonight and Saturday from Chelsea, everyone’s talking about him.
“No one’s talking about him because he’s come from our number two to number one, but he’s getting competition coming in the next couple of days.”
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There are only five days left in the January transfer window, with Rovers confirming their sixth addition this month yesterday when they announced Mees Rijks, who then went on to make his debut in the second half against MK Dons.
Meanwhile, eight players have departed the club, including the five loanees signed by Darrell Clarke, Ollie Dewsbury, Bryant Bilongo and Ruel Sotiriou.
When Evans was asked whether the club will be making more signings in the last week of the window, he said: “Three or four. Yeah. Three or four, I think we’re trying really hard.
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Bristol Rovers Manager Steve Evans during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Bristol Rovers and Colchester United at Memorial Stadium on 17 January 2026. Photo: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK -Credit:Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK
“We’re just trying to improve the options within the group. I think they’ve been very limited, and people can see, you know, when you make even the tactical changes you spoke about, you put Clinton Mola in the middle of the park with De Havilland – it’s a top class midfield if I’m playing against that at the top end of League Two like MK Dons are and the best performance in midfield was lost.”
Next up for the Gas is a crucial game against Newport County in the relegation battle. The Exiles sit a point behind Rovers in 23rd following their 4-1 home defeat against Accrington Stanley last night.
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