“There’s probably maybe one option that Ricky’s still talking to”
Full-time celebrations from Steve Evans Manager of Bristol Rovers during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Bristol Rovers and Walsall at Memorial Stadium on 3 February 2026. Photo: Kara Thomas/PPAUK(Image: Kara Thomas/PPAUK)
Bristol Rovers signed nine players in the January transfer window, with Joe Quigley, Tommy Leigh, and Richie Smallwood arriving on Deadline Day. Since the closure of the winter window, Rovers have won one and lost one, with victory against Walsall on February 3 and defeat against Chesterfield four days later.
After the win against Walsall at The Mem, Steve Evans was asked whether the club had considered the free agent market. “I was with the chairman before the game today discussing a couple,” he said. “He gave me his blessing to explore them further. The wonderful thing at this football club, as head coach, people say in the past, why was the recruitment not quite right? Well, it only lies at the door of the head coach or the manager, because they decide who comes in.
“You know, you’ve got Ricky Martin, who’s been stunning in this transfer window since the day I walked in. And Ricky, if I say to him, “I need a left wing-back; I need the characteristics of X, Y, Z,” he brings me different options. And then I’ll make my decision. And that’s how he’s worked here for a long time.”
READ MORE: Ricky Martin interview notebook: Bristol Rovers Director of Football on season so far, Darrell Clarke and Steve EvansREAD MORE: Steve Evans on turning down a recent offer, ‘huge opportunity’ at Bristol Rovers and Cambridge test
In Thursday’s press conference at The Quarters Training Facility, Bristol Live asked Evans whether Rovers are still pursuing a couple of free agents. He said: “Yeah, listen, as the Chairman has made absolutely clear, if we go forward and nominate a player we’d like to bring into the building, he’ll support it every step of the way as much as he can. He was nothing short of outstanding in the transfer window – the Chairman – and I’ve said before from a distance, how good he is.
“But enough of that, there’s probably maybe one option that Ricky’s still talking to, and we’ll see where that goes. But if it doesn’t come in, we’ve got enough in this building to deliver the first aspect, which is to stay up.
“And then, I’ll tell you what, Bristol Rovers fans, if we stay up, they can go and enjoy the summer and be ready for next season.”
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So far under Evans, the Gas have picked up ten points from ten league games, with six points in the last three games following victories against Newport County and Walsall.
Even in the defeat against Chesterfield last Saturday, there were positive signs, with increased squad depth evident from the strength of the bench. Quigley, Smallwood, and Leigh came on, with the former registering an assist for Shaq Forde’s second of the afternoon.
(Image: Kara Thomas/PPAUK)
Yesterday, the head coach said: “Listen, we’re in a much better place than where we were when we walked into the building. I think the owners are pleased with what we did in the transfer window – ins and outs. I think it’s worked for us.”
One area of the pitch where Rovers potentially lack depth is at left wing-back, with Jack Sparkes the only natural option to play there following the permanent departure of Bryant Bilongo in January.
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Evans has said that both Clinton Mola and Yusuf Akhamrich are capable of playing in this role. If there is no movement in the free agent market in that area of the pitch, they might be required to fill in for Sparkes, as he is only one yellow away from a two-match suspension over the next few games.
Up next for the Gas is a trip to Cambridge United, who sit fourth, having lost only once in League Two since the start of November.
READ MORE: Riley Harbottle, Tom Lockyer and Promise Omochere: Bristol Rovers team news for Cambridge United tripREAD MORE: Joe Quigley on signing for Bristol Rovers on Deadline Day, settling in and six points from last three games
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