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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
John Evely

Bristol Rovers expected XI to take on Gillingham: How will Graham Coughlan deal with Alex Jakubiak's pace?

Bristol Rovers have been an impressive force at the Memorial Stadium so far this season and tonight 14th place Gillingham come to town.

With the Gas missing just two players through injury there are selection dilemmas across the pitch for manager Graham Coughlan.

Bristol Live chief sports reporter John Evely takes a closer look at who looks set to win the battle to make Rovers' starting XI.

Anssi Jaakkola of Bristol Rovers (JMP)

Goalkeeper

Anssi Jaakkola looks secure as houses in the Bristol Rovers goal and will start between the posts against Gillingham, with Jordi van Stappershoed resigned to warming the bench.

He came straight back in to replace the Dutchman after returning from international duty with Finland and Jaakkola picked up his fourth clean sheet of the season at Sincil Bank.

Defenders

Coughlan has some decisions to make at the back. Mark Little replaced Josh Hare at right wing back on Saturday and had an impressive outing.

Little was a consistent outlet on the right flank on Sincil Bank and took up some good positions in attack. There were no signs of any effects from his injury as he was constantly bounding backwards and forwards to cover the space. It feels harsh that Josh Hare, one of Rovers' performers of the season so far, was dropped for Little's return and I think they can both play in the same side.

Rovers will have to contend with the pace of Alex Jakubiak to Tuesday night as the former Pirates loanee returns to the Memorial Stadium - with that in mind Little could well get a run out as one of the three centre backs rather than as a wing back to provide more pace in the middle of the defence. In that scenario Tony Craig would drop out.

It was a position we saw Little take up in pre-season and he looked comfortable playing there.

The rest of the defence picks itself at the moment with Alfie Kilgour, Tom Davies and Luke Leahy clocking up the minutes this season. It appears only fatigue will see them drop out of the starting side.

Midfielders

Abu Ogogo is the rock this Rovers side is built on and will start in his normal position sheltering the defence with Ed Upson and Ollie Clarke given their now accustomed freedom to attack.

But with Liam Sercombe back fit enough to make the bench on Saturday in the 1-0 victory over Lincoln City, there are now plenty of attacking players vying for a place in the side, with Alex Rodman and Kyle Bennett  also ready and waiting should Coughlan want more attacking options. There are certainly plenty ready.

Strikers

It speaks volumes of the type of player he is that no matter who is manager at the Gas, no matter how many other strikers are signed, Tom Nichols continues to win the battle to earn a place in the starting side.

He kept the promising Jakubiak out of the side for the majority of last season and now looks set to do the same to Tyler Smith who is having to make do with the role of impact sub, using his pace to stretch tired legs in the final quarter of games. And it is a role he is well suited to.

So Nichols looks set to partner the main man Jonson Clarke-Harris up front who now has six goals in nine games this season.

Both men will have to be on top form it they are to beat Gillingham keeper Jack Bonham who proved last season while on loan at the Pirates he is one of the best stoppers in League One.

Without the Rovers defence in front of him this season Bonham has not quite had the same success with just one clean sheet in 2019/20. Let's hope that continues tonight.

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