Finland international Jaakkola has taken up some coaching duties in the goalkeeping department, which could give him more security over his long-term future with the club. Positions of need Are there any areas of true need? Do Rovers really need anything? That is not to say they cannot upgrade their squad or their starting XI in January – of course, they can – but a high hit rate of their summer acquisitions means most bases seem pretty well covered with the players already in the building.
This time around, Rovers are in a very different position. With 31 points from 22 games, the Gas are just 21 points from meeting Barton's conservative target of 52 points to secure League One status for next season. The play-off places are within touching distance and the team is on an upward trend, going unbeaten in their past five games, winning three of them. As a result, Rovers have built something of a launch pad for the second half of their season and Barton and head of football operations Eddy Jennings will be scheming in the hope they can replicate the success of last January, making shrewd additions to give the Gas lift-off. But the sense is trading will be measured, unlike in some windows in the recent past. "For me, it will be a couple of people going out and a couple of people coming in, " Barton said last month.
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Sinclair signs, luck for a key player, a transfer bonus - Joey Barton's Christmas wishes Barton quickly acted to sign a striker in Ryan Loft and a to Fulham was
mitigated by the fact Sinclair had just signed as a free
Matchday Recap: How Town's 2-0 win at Exeter unfoldedThis website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here © 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. A Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY.
In terms of loans, EFL clubs are allowed a maximum of five loan players in their 18-man matchday squad, and again Rovers have room for manoeuvre here. The mid-season departure of Sylvester Jasper, who has returned to Fulham's under-21s squad, has left the Gas with three loan players on the books in Lewis Gibson (Everton), Bobby Thomas (Burnley) and Coburn (Middlesbrough). Josh Coburn celebrates victory over Charlton Athletic (Juan Gasparini/JMP) Therefore, the Gas can make two loan signings in January without the need to leave any of their loan players out on a matchday.
However, just a few months ago the cupboard was bare in defence due to a brutal run of injuries and Rovers may look to insure against that happening again with another centre-back signing. Lewis Gibson has emerged as one of Rovers' most important players, not only because of his high-level performances since he returned to full fitness in the autumn but because of the balance he brings to the team on the left side of the back three. Given his unfortunate luck with injuries in recent seasons, the Gas could look to take out an insurance policy in the form of another player in that mould, although good left-footed centre-backs are sought after and few and far between. Another area Rovers could look to be active is on the wings.
Matchday Recap: How Town's 2-0 win at Exeter unfoldedThis website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here © 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network.
Half Time: Crawley 1 Pompey 0 Cowley made a couple of changes at the break, with Morrell and Hume withdrawn for Tom Lowery and Kieron Freeman. It failed to immediately spark the visitors into life and they still struggled to break down an organised Crawley defence. Despite that, the large congregation of Blues fans behind the goal – and to one side – remained in fine voice. Another double switch followed just past the hour mark, as Jacobs and Curtis made way for Owen Dale and Scarlett. The latter thought he should have been awarded a penalty after tangling with Travis Johnson, but Allison again disagreed. A spell of persistent Pompey pressure then ended with Dale having a shot deflected over, while Robertson could not guide his header on target from the resulting corner.
Crawley Town vs Portsmouth on 30 Aug 22 - Match CentreA controversial late penalty from David Bremang denied Pompey victory at Crawley in their opening Papa John’s Trophy group stage contest. The visitors had earlier turned the game around, with Clark Robertson and substitute Dane Scarlett on target after Dom Telford had also struck from the spot. But the Blues were also denied a bonus point after being beaten 6-5 in the resulting penalty shoot-out. Danny Cowley made 10 changes from the side that beat Port Vale in the league at the weekend, with Ronan Curtis the only player to keep his spot.
But it was a better effort from the skipper moments later, with ROBERTSON rising highest to plant the ball into the net from Lowery’s delivery. Teenage midfielder Payce was then given his second appearance in this competition, coming on for Swanson. And it was another youngster celebrating moments later, with SCARLETT collecting Mnoga’s pass, spinning around Craig and drilling a shot into the bottom corner. The visitors continued to threaten as the seconds ticked down, but it was Crawley who snatched a draw in stoppage-time. Tilley went down in the box under Lowery’s soft challenge and Pompey were furious with the decision to award a penalty, which Bremang slammed into the roof of the net. It meant that penalties would be required to see who claimed a bonus point and Scarlett sent the first one wide. But Hackett, Dale, Lowery, Pigott and Robertson all confidently found the target and Oluwayemi denied Tilley.
Finally, in terms of contracts, most of Rovers' players are tied down beyond the end of this season, but Scott Sinclair's short-term deal is set to expire at the end of this month and the club are negotiating an extension. Anssi Jaakkola, Alfie Kilgour, Josh Grant, Harry Anderson, Zain Westbrooke, Paul Coutts, Harvey Saunders and Alex Rodman are the senior players whose contracts are up in June 2023. Barton has indicated Rovers will offer Grant terms to stay as he continues his recovery from double knee surgery, and surely club captain Coutts will be involved in BS7 as long as Barton is.
Portsmouth vs Fleetwood Town on 08 Oct 22 - Match Centre The League One season is up and running for Bristol Rovers and Joey Barton
and you won't miss a beat with our free
Portsmouth vs MK Dons on 17 Dec 22 - Match Centre Wycombe have recently enjoyed wins against Portsmouth and high-flying
Ipswich Town with a draw against Lincoln City sandwiched
Ipswich Town vs Oxford United on 26 Dec 22 - Match Centre Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth). Forever linked with a move to the Championship -
Blackburn, Swansea and Cardiff have all taken a look at him down
Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley has his doubts over possible change in transfer policy Two second-half strikes by Freddie Ladapo and Wes Burns within six minutes
of each other helped earn Ipswich three points and
Hackett was the recipient of the first, but his effort was diverted behind, while a later Curtis attempt flew straight at David Robson. Instead it was the hosts who broke the deadlock on eight minutes after James Tilley went down in the box under Pigott’s challenge. Referee Sam Allison decided it was a foul by the Pompey striker and Telford stepped up to score from the spot. Pompey dominated possession and territory as the first half progressed, but their moves broke down in the final third.
Portsmouth and League One rivals sent Plymouth Argyle warning after 'good statement' vs Ipswich Deep Exeter free-kick hung up to the far post. Diabate wins the aerial
duel, but ball eventually drifts out for a goalkick. 0-2 (87).
Ipswich Town 3-2 Portsmouth It was a close one at the start of the second period as Koroma fired a
free-kick from 20-yards just past the near post and then created
Under this criteria, Rovers have three spaces in their squad to make senior signings in January without needing any departures, should they wish. The wiggle room in their squad numbers is a reward for the faith Barton has placed in young players to take up key roles, with Josh Coburn, James Connolly and Luca Hoole not taking up places on the EFL list because they were aged 20 and younger when the season started.
There was a debut for Josh Oluwayemi between the sticks, while Denver Hume made a first appearance in more than five months after recovering from a back problem. Robertson skippered the side, with Haji Mnoga and a fit-again Zak Swanson completing the back-line. Reeco Hackett, Joe Morrell, Jay Mingi and Michael Jacobs were in midfield, while Curtis was partnered by Joe Pigott up front. Academy scholars Malachi Osei-Owusu, Harvey Laidlaw and Adam Payce were all included among the substitutes. The visitors looked to make a fast start and a couple of fortunate ricochets provided chances in the opening stages.
Sheffield United set to raid L1 as ex-Pompey coach delivers A right-sided free-kick from Clark Robertson caught everyone out and the
ball bounced off the top of the crossbar before being