Football Macaulay stakes his claim as Rovers revert to four at the back

ALTHOUGH it was not the first win of the season they craved, Bristol Rovers took a step in the right direction on Tuesday night with a battling performance in a goalless draw at home to Oldham Athletic.

- Dan HARGRAVES

After a pretty even first half, Rovers controlled the majority of the second, as the likes of Macauley Southam-Hales, Alfie Kilgour, Isaac Hutchinson and Jack Sparkes were among the players to have good chances to score.

Having started the League Two season poorly with three defeats from three, as well as a 2-0 reverse to Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup, it was a first point on the board for Darrell Clarke’s side and they looked a lot closer to what you would expect a Rovers team managed by Clarke to look like.

Admittedly, it’s a result that looks pretty underwhelming on paper, but on another night the Pirates would have won that comfortably. They just need that final bit of confidence, quality and, in some cases, luck to put chances away.

Here are some of the standout talking points after the stalemate...

FANS GET WHAT THEY’VE BEEN CRYING OUT ‘FOUR’

AFTER playing the majority of preseason and the start of the campaign with a back three, Rovers fans have been calling out for a change in shape in defence from the start.

Darrell Clarke has changed it mid-game a couple of times when Rovers have been behind, but made the call to start with Kacper Lopata and Alfie Kilgour as the two central defenders, with Clinton Mola missing due to a knock.

There is certainly a case to be made that the Gas’ best performance of the season came partly as a result of going to back four, but it seems as though throughout recent history Rovers and a back three have just never worked together, regardless of who's been in charge and the players at the club.

Clarke has insisted he will be flexible and adaptable, but I’m sure the four will now get its moment.

RIGHT-BACK SELECTION HEADACHE