Bristol Rovers' key dilemma is clear, but two players could lead exciting turnaround: Opinion

Today at 05:29 AM

Bristol Rovers sit 14th in the table as it stands, but with some of the attackers on the books, there is a feeling they should be further up the division.

Bristol Rovers’ top contributor at this early stage is Promise Omochere, who only has two goals and three assists in 14 league matches.

Both of those goals came in the same match too, a 2-0 home win against Cambridge United in August.

So far this season, the Gas have only managed 16 goals in 15 games, the 14th-highest in League One, leaving the fans rightfully underwhelmed. However, their xG statistic suggests that they should have scored 14.1 goals this campaign. So why are the Gasheads so disenchanted?

Wasting big chances

Put simply, Bristol Rovers are missing their best chances.

Out of the 26 big chances created, they have missed 19 of them. Unfortunately, Scott Sinclair leads the way with the most big chances missed in the squad with five. This indicates that there is a real problem with burying clear-cut chances and with one-touch finishing in the box.

On many occasions fans have seen players fluff their lines, flap when going through one-on-on, strike the woodwork or even send it wide from such encouraging positions. As a one-off here and there, this can be forgiven – but as a persisting season-long issue to date? Probably not.

For example, in the Gas’ last game against Crawley Town on home turf, this was as prevalent as ever. From nine shots, three were on target with three big chances created and all there were missed – and that was only in the first half. It ended 0-0 with an xG of 1.18 registered and four big chances missed.

It shows Bristol Rovers are simply not clinical, and that needs to change of they’re to progress up the table.

Positive signs from two players

Despite the continued struggles in front of goal, Bristol Rovers have a couple of players gaining momentum, and they could be key in the bid to find some consistent form at the top end of the pitch.

Shaq Forde is coming in to some fine form with two goals and one assist in his last six games. It is refreshing to see a winger take on his man and run at players with his pace and direct dribbling ability causing havoc.

The 20-year-old has played 468 minutes in the league so far this season – with his efforts equating to one goal contribution every 156 minutes (1.73 games). This can be nothing but good news for the Gas.

Another showing more promising signs is Isaac Hutchinson, who managed 27 goals and assists for Walsall in League Two last season. He has had a slow start in BS7 but is now finally finding his feet in a blue and white quartered shirt.

Hutchinson certainly could have registered more goal contributions already this season, but rest assured they’re coming. He’s some player on his day and could be quite the force for Bristol Rovers.

The answer to this conundrum is patience and once it clicks, the Gas could be mightily dangerous.

(All stats via FotMob)

The post Bristol Rovers’ key dilemma is clear, but two players could lead exciting turnaround: Opinion appeared first on The72 - Football League News.