Football Season Guide

Bristol Rovers return to League One after just one season in League Two. The Pirates snatched the 3rd automatic promotion spot on goal difference after a 7-0 win on the final day, they had not been in the top three all season. Two of the standout players from last season have now departed after their loan deals expired. Winger Elliot Anderson has a key figure in their late promotion push after joining in January, contributing six goals and seven assists in 20 starts. Centre-back Taylor was an ever-present last season after joining in the summer from Stoke. In terms of incomings, manager Joey Barton has raided his old club Fleetwood for Rossiter. The hardworking midfielder missed most of last season injured but impressed in League One in the previous campaign. Striker Marquis brings lots of experience while Connolly is a young centre-back recently capped by Wales U21s who spent the 2nd half of last season on loan at Rovers. The main strength of Bristol Rovers from last season was their midfield with the experienced Finley and Coutts fulfilling the defensive work, providing the platform for playmaker Evans (10 goals and 12 assists in 21/22) to thrive. With Rossiter to add into the mix this again should be an area where they are strong.