Wycombe Wanderers head to Bristol Rovers this season in the hope of continuing their good start to the season.
Despite losing their opening two league matches of the campaign against Wrexham and Birmingham City respectively, the Chairboys have won three of their last four fixtures in League One, picking up 10 points from the last 12 available.
They travel to the West Country unbeaten in their last seven against the Gas, and we spoke to Bristol Live’s Rovers reporter, Dan Hargraves, on what he expects this weekend at the Memorial.
What have you made of Rovers’ season so far?
DH: “Bristol Rovers' season started with plenty of promise with seven points from their opening four games including two home wins from two and three clean sheets.
“However, three losses in a row have completely extinguished the excitement.
“The last two games against Wigan and Peterborough have been particularly poor, especially the former with Rovers losing 4-0 at home.
“They need to rediscover their defensive solidity that gave them a platform to start the season so well and they need to do so swiftly.
Who are the players to look out for?
DH: “Goalkeeper Josh Griffiths, on loan from West Brom, has been Rovers' player of the season so far which tells you a bit about how the opening stages have gone.
“Although slightly out of form and playing in an unnatural role of right wing-back, Luke Thomas always has the potential to be one of the most dangerous wide men in the league while club-record signing Promise Omochere has shown glimpses of being an outstanding front man.
“He'll certainly be hungry for a goal.
With the two sides having great battles in recent seasons, what is Rovers’ perception of Wycombe?
DH: “The feeling ahead of any game with Wycombe is that they have had Rovers' number in recent years.
“I think they've won six of the last seven with the anomaly being a draw so a Gas win over the Chairboys is certainly long overdue.
“Last season's home game highlighted so many issues with the football Joey Barton was trying to play.
“Attractive, passing football that ultimately had very little potency against a side playing a low-block.
“I feel as though this will be a bit more competitive.”
What is the aim for Rovers this season?
DH: “Sixteen new signings over the summer means that this is a work in progress.
“Matt Taylor deserves time to fit the pieces of the jigsaw together but if this poor run continues for much longer he'll no doubt be under pressure after Rovers ended last term so poorly.
“The Rovers hierarchy came out last season and said they have ambitions to be promoted to the Championship within the next three years and you do certainly feel as though this a club on the up.
“However, with many new and young players gelling together while competing in arguably the toughest League One ever, most if not all fans would be happy with a comfortable midtable finish to use as a foundation upon which to build over the next campaigns.”
What is your score prediction?
DH: “I do back Rovers to offer an improved performance but this certainly isn't going to be easy.
“There will be moments where they suffer and it's going to be about how they respond to adversity.
“As tends to be the case in any game in League One, the first goal is absolutely crucial and I'm going to back Rovers to get it.
“However, I think Wycombe still have a great deal of quality and will get a result.
“I'm going for 2-2.”
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