Bristol Rovers once a solid football league side bouncing between League One and League Two spending most of their time with mid-table finishes
Bristol Rovers once a solid football league side bouncing between League One and League Two spending most of their time with mid-table finishes, had recently fallen down the table and went into non-league football at one point but now their back into league football where they rightfully belong it is now your job to take them further on and push for the dizzy heights of the Championship where Bristol Rovers haven’t been since the 1992/93 season. But this year with players such as Liam Lawrence you can make this dream turn into a reality in a few seasons with the right management.
Basic Club Info
- Founded: September 1883
- Nickname(s): The Pirates, The Gas
- Ground: Memorial Stadium
- Capacity: 11,485
- Chairman: Nick Higgs
- Head Coach: Darrell Clarke
- Captain: Mark McChrystal
- Key Player: Liam Lawrence
- League: Sky Bet League Two
- Predicted Finish: 18th out of 24th
The Financial Situation is a little volatile with the club having a balance of £2.4m but have a Loan which will need payed off worth £6m saying that the clubs overall balance stands at a very healthy £373,000, the transfer budget you will start of with is £25,000 and the wage budget will be £32,166 p/w with Bristol Rovers current committed spending being at £29,500 p/w but with a little bit of adjustment you will have £120,000 transfer kitty with a £30,000 wage budget.
Players
Goalkeepers
- Steven Mildenhall - Mildenhall will do job for you this season but with his contract up at the end of the season and with him being 37 your probably best of letting his contract run-out.
- Will Puddy - Will Puddy is injured when you first start but will make a challenge for the #1 spot once he recovers, will be good for first few years but has one year left on his contract so I would suggest renewing.
Defenders
- Daniel Leadbitter - D R - Leadbitter will provide good cover for your first choice Right back Tom Lockyer might want to renew contract.
- James Clarke - D R - James Clarke will be your best right back for you and with him being young you might want to tie him down to a more lucrative contract.
- Lee Brown - D L - Lee Brown is one of your best defenders in your team never mind your best left back, he will be more than capable of doing the job you want him to do for the foreseeable future.
- Danny Greenslade - D L - I would suggest letting him go ASAP, he does not have the talent required to challenge Lee Brown for #1 spot.
- Mark McChrystal - D C - Mark McChrystal is your captain at the start and will be more than capable of putting in some rock solid performances but is a little bit old with contract up at the end of the season.
- Tom Lockyer - D C - Tom Lockyer will be one of the first names you will put on the team sheet he is young, English and potentially could be your future captain, get him a new contract or some bigger clubs could come sniffing.
- Tom Parkes - D C - Tom Parkes will be challenging for a position at the back with Tom Lockyer both players are the same talent wise so I’ll leave it up to you.
Midfielders
- Liam Lawrence - M R - Best player at the club but the only downfalls is that he is ageing and his contract expires at the end of the season, probably worth looking for replacement.
- Jake Gosling - M L - Should be first choice since that is the only left winger who you have on the team, I suggest keeping him as he will become good enough cover for you.
- Stuart Sinclair - M C - Probably your second best Centre Midfielders in your team, Contract runs out so sign him up to a new contract and quick.
- Lee Mansell - M C - Could be used as decent back-up but I suggest getting a replacement in since he is also getting on a bit.
- Chris Lines - M C - Your best centre mid use him to his maximum and whatever you do, don’t sell
- Ollie Clarke - M C - With him being a 2 and a half stars, keep him till he reaches his potential then decide from there.
- Dom Thomas - M C - Sell. not worth training up
- Jay Malpas - M C - Future centre mid, renew contract because he will be a asset for your team.
Strikers
- Ellis Harrison - AM R - Should you decide to keep you will have to accommodate for other players depending on your tactics.
- Rory Gaffney/Billy Bodin - AM RL - Same as above
- Cristian Montano - ST C - Would provide good cover for the main strikers in the team, he can also play out wide as well.
- Rory Fallon - ST C - Personally I will sell him off, he is 33 contract up at the end of the season and will only provide cover
- Jermaine Easter - ST C - Probably your main attacking player use him to your advantages since will be good for the season but will need replacement
- Matty Taylor - ST C - After having a good season last year finishing on 18 goals he will be wanting to capitalising on that, point to prove.
Tactics
4-2-3-1 Wide
--------------------------------------------GK - DEF--------------------------------------------------
WB - SU---------------LD - DEF------------------LD - DEF---------------------WB - SU--------
-----------------------AP - SU--------------------BWM - DEF -------------------------------------
W - AT -----------------------------AM - SU --------------------------------------INF - AT-------
---------------------------------------DLF - SU -------------------------------------------------------
Well that is it, I hope you have found it a interesting read and hope you will try out and have a go.
Good luck!
