Bristol Rovers verdict: Game-changing red, attacking injuries and January preparation continues

Here are the main talking points from Bristol Rovers’ 3-2 defeat against Bromley at The Mem – the club’s sixth consecutive home defeat in League TwoBen Thompson of Bromley scores a goal to make it 2-2 during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Bristol Rovers and Bromley at Memorial Stadium on 26 December 2025. Photo: Will Cooper/PPAUK(Image: Will Cooper/PPAUK)

At half-time on Saturday, the aftermath of the 3-0 defeat against Swindon Town a couple of weeks ago, which saw Darrell Clarke sacked, seemed a long time ago.

After picking up an important point at play-off chasing Crewe Alexandra in Steve Evans’ first game in charge, Bristol Rovers were 2-0 up at the break against a Bromley side with seven wins in their last eight league games.

A second-half collapse, which saw substitutes Nicke Kabamba and Ben Thompson overturn the deficit after Shaq Forde’s 53rd minute red card condemned the Gas to a sixth consecutive home league defeat, though.

Despite another defeat, Harrogate Town lost again, meaning Rovers are still teetering just above the relegation zone, but Evans knows more than anyone that they need to pick up wins sooner rather than later.

With that said, here are the talking points from a game of two halves at The Mem…

In the first-half, Forde picked up his first yellow in the 12th minute for a late tackle on Idris Odutayo. This was one of five fouls he committed on the afternoon, with the last one a reckless challenge eight minutes after the interval, resulting in a second yellow card and, subsequently, a red card.

Evans was critical of the red card after the game, describing the second challenge by Forde as “atrocious,” while also pointing to the fact that it is the 21-year-old’s third dismissal since the start of last season. While the defending for the three goals that followed after the sending off was poor, Forde’s red and decision to jump in proved to be costly for Rovers.

Shaq Forde of Bristol Rovers reacts after receiving a red card during the Sky Bet League 2 Match between Bristol Rovers and Bromley at Memorial Stadium on 26 December 2025. Photo: Will Cooper/PPAUK(Image: Will Cooper/PPAUK)

When Evans arrived, he said that he’d be willing to give the existing squad opportunities to prove themselves, reaffirming after the match that they are “a lot of them are playing for their immediate futures.”

Whether Forde is given another chance under the 63-year-old will be intriguing as the season wears on, because the right-winger is clearly very talented, young, and still contracted until 2027. It’s time for decisive decisions, and Evans is not the type of character to shirk away from difficult ones.

Sparkes and midfield three shine in dominant first-half

Now, onto the positives. The Gas completely dominated the first-half and could have scored three or four goals in truth. Before the goals from Jack Sparkes and Fabrizio Cavegn, Rovers had clear-cut chances through the Swiss striker and Forde within the first 15 minutes. They also restricted Bromley to a limited attacking threat, with their only big chance coming through a clever corner routine, which saw an unmarked Ben Krahaus miss the target at the front post.

Key to Rovers’ forward play in the first 45 minutes was the threat posed by Sparkes on the left-hand side, alongside the midfield trio of Josh McEachran, Kamil Conteh, and Joel Cotterill, who added a perfect balance of control and energy. In fact, the left-back’s goal came from a perfectly-weighted through ball from McEachran before Sparkes lashed home into the top right corner.

Conteh and Cotterill complemented the experience and passing ability of McEachran perfectly, pushing forward with purpose on the ball and pressing an in-form Bromley back continually.

(Image: Will Cooper/PPAUK)

It’s clear that with two right-backs out injured and Taylor Moore having to slot in on that side, the wide threat under Evans is currently reliant on Sparkes, who has stepped up to that mantle in the last two games. The new head coach also seems set on a back four with a midfield three, and the signs so far are that they are working.

Under Clarke, there was an identity issue at times in terms of the style and formation week by week. Evans, in my opinion, is already starting to implement patterns and partnerships that are wielding better performances, especially in an attacking sense.

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Attacking injuries stacking up

Callum Morton picked up a hamstring strain against Crewe, and it seemed unlikely that he would make this game, given his injury issues in the last year. The 25-year-old did miss out and joins the growing list of strikers injured at Rovers, with Promise Omochere and Ellis Harrison also sidelined.

Speaking to Bristol Live about the these three injuries, Evans said: “I’m not sure any will be ready for Barnet. Maybe as we go forward to Shrewsbury and Barrow. Maybe one or two could be ready to, but we’ll have to wait and see. We’re at the beck and call of the management team, but certainly by the fourth, we’ll have hopefully added to the group anyway.

“You can’t play any player on the first, any new player. They’re not legible. So myself and Ricky will be working hard, even yesterday we were on the phone for long spells and we’re back in tomorrow and post the boys meetings and various stuff and training cooldowns, we’ll sit and we’ll go to work again.”

(Image: Will Cooper/PPAUK)

With all three to set the miss the visit of Barnet on Monday, the team selection will be intriguing, especially given that Forde is now suspended. Evans started with a 4-3-3 against Bromley, switching from the 4-3-1-2 he employed in his first game in charge following the injury of Morton. Potential options to start in the frontline include Ollie Dewsbury, who could start alongside Cavegn, or even Bryant Bilongo as a left winger, with Luke Thomas on the other side in a 4-3-3.

It is certainly not ideal for Evans to have so many players unavailable, but he is an experienced coach that knows what needs to be done to get points in the short-term and also identify the areas the club need to strengthen, which he is clearly working on.

January window edges closer as Bristol Rovers look to do quick business

As already mentioned, Evans and director of football Ricky Martin are working hard to complete early business, as Rovers look to make smart additions in their fight for survival. In fact, Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony revealed on his podcast ‘Hard Truths,’ released on Christmas Eve, “Steve Evans is interested in a couple of our players and if Bristol Rovers back him they could do a Doncaster and surge up the League Two table.”

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The identity of the players is unknown, but Rovers are firmly in the market for new players. With Evans’ strong connections to clubs like Peterborough, he will be keen to bring in players that fit his style and can help the Gas in the short-term as the League Two relegation trap door edges closer.

I will compile a ‘What Bristol Rovers need in the January transfer window,’ piece soon, but off the top of my head, I feel like these three profiles are required – a right-back, an experienced, combative midfielder in the mould of Paul Coutts and a physical striker, similar to Harrison and Omochere who can stay fit.

A big ask, I know, and by the end of next month, we’ll have a greater idea of how this squad is shaping up in the fight to avoid non-league football.

Bristol Rovers verdict: Game-changing red, attacking injuries and January preparation continues

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