Bristol Rovers make the short trip across the Severn Bridge tomorrow for a 12.30pm kick off against Newport County in what will be the 67th league meeting between the sides.
Of the previous 66 games, Rovers have won 23, Newport 26 and there’s been 17 draws while Rovers have scored 102 goals and Newport 99.
Our away record against the Welsh outfit shows five wins, 18 defeats and 10 draws so it’s not actually been a happy hunting ground!
Our last league visit to Rodney Parade was in March 2022, though we did win a Trophy game at the same venue in November 2023.
Incidentally, that league game in March 2022 marked the solitary appearance in a Rovers shirt of Jon Nolan, who had signed for the club after being released by Ipswich Town.
Nolan, the 978th player appear in league football for Rovers, was the last player to make his Rovers debut against Newport, though there could be one or two more debuts tomorrow. Goalkeeper Bradley Young is in line to play his first game in Rovers colours, as Luke Southwood is away with the Northern Ireland squad and was on their bench for their 3-1 win in Luxembourg on Thursday. Meanwhile three of the four deadline day signings could also be involved. We know that Joel Cotterill won’t be, as he is on international duty with Wales, but Freddie Issak, Stephan Negru and Alfie Chang are all available for selection.
Newport’ come into the game on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Cambridge last Saturday and are currently in 20th place in the League Two table, having lost four of their six league games to date.
Rovers are now unbeaten in their last three league games, having kept clean sheets in all of them and last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Grimsby sees us up to 16th.
Newport boss David Hughes, when previewing this fixture, said that his team need to show more ‘nastiness’ in their game; ‘The boys are really professional, hungry, humble, disciplined and try to play the game the right way. They are competitive and on the edge.
‘They have been a joy to work with but what we have to do is add that little bit of grit and, more psychologically, nastiness, to ensure we come away with three points. We don’t want to be nice and we don’t want to be friendly, we want to win.’
Meanwhile Darrell Clarke spoke about the goalkeeping position and the tough game in prospect for his side; ‘There are no understudies here. You’ve got to be fighting for that number one shirt. Luke Southwood has
had a solid start at the Football Club, and Brad’s training is really hard. James Bittner, a top quality goalkeeping coach, is working hard with him, so we’re looking forward to seeing him put in a performance.
‘It’s a derby game, isn’t it? All games are tough at the professional level. So, we’re respectful of what Newport is and what they can bring. Obviously, there was a new manager in the summer, and he’s finding his feet a little bit, as we all are. So, it will be a tough challenge, but we go there on the back of a really positive result and will try to get another one.’
However you’re getting to Newport, Gasheads, we wish you a safe journey there and back.
UTG
