Bristol Rovers predicted team vs Shrewsbury Town: More defensive options available to Steve Evans
Bristol Live’s predicted Bristol Rovers team to face Shrewsbury Town as Steve Evans’ side look to pull away from the League Two relegation zone
06:00, 01 Jan 2026
Joel Senior pictured in action for Bristol Rovers(Image: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK)
Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury Town will both want to put 2025 behind them, as the two sides were relegated to League Two in the 2024/25 season, before being dragged into a relegation battle in the fourth tier during the following campaign.
After a 1-1 draw at Crewe Alexandra in Steve Evans’ first game in charge, the Gas have lost back-to-back home games against Bromley and Barnet, meaning they now linger only a point above the League Two relegation zone.
Meanwhile, the Shrews haven’t fared much better – winning only once in the league since the start of November. They sit only a point above Rovers in the table, but have enjoyed some home comforts. In fact, Michael Appleton’s side have picked up 13 of their 19 points at the Croud Meadow.
A win would lift Rovers ahead of the hosts, easing some relegation fears following a dismal run of one point from their last 13 league games. It won’t be an easy task, though, with a number of attacking injuries and a squad lacking in confidence.
With that said, here is how we think Rovers will set up against the Shrews…
READ MORE: Isaac Hutchinson: ‘I want to see out the season here’ as recall decision loomsREAD MORE: ‘The intention at the minute is that he’ll be coming back’ – Steve Evans gives Isaac Hutchinson verdict after Barnet defeat
Goalkeeper and defence
It’s been a season of few positives, but Luke Southwood’s penalty-saving ability has been a particular highlight. He saved his third spot-kick of the league campaign against Barnet, denying Mark Shelton just after the hour mark. Rovers were unable to find a way back into the game, with Southwood’s save in vain again. The 28-year-old will start in goal on New Year’s Day.
Now, this is where it gets interesting. Joel Senior returned to the squad on Monday and was solid during his 29-minute cameo. His substitution prompted a move to a back five, with Taylor Moore shifting to a right centre-back role. Moore has started all three games under Evans at right-back, but we think the return of an out-and-out full-back in the form of Senior will see him replace the 28-year-old, especially during such a busy run of games when rotation is needed.
Sign up for our Rovers newsletter
Bristol Rovers have Steve Evans now in charge as they look to battle push up the League Two table – and you won’t miss a beat with our free newsletter.
All the latest news, views, interviews, gossip and analysis concerning the Gas, delivered straight to your inbox.
It’s completely free and you can sign up HERE
Meanwhile, at centre-back, for the first time, Evans has arguably his best four central defenders to pick from. With Kacper Lopata returning after his three-match suspension and Tom Lockyer on the bench against Barnet, we could see a change in the middle of Rovers’ defence. Alfie Kilgour will not be replaced, so a potential change could see Lopata or Lockyer come in for Clinton Mola. It feels unlikely, though, given that Evans is keen to build continuity, especially defensively, and after the Barrow game on 4th January, the Gas have a 13-day break until their next league game.
At left-back, Jack Sparkes will start again. Despite having his weakest performance so far under Evans against Barnet, the 25-year-old still created a decent chance for Moore in the 69th minute, which forced Cieran Slicker into a smart stop. With Senior potentially starting on the other side, we think Rovers’ attacking play will be far more balanced on the flanks, giving Sparkes the licence to create.
Midfield
Evans will be thinking over everything right now to try and find a winning formula and pull Rovers away from relegation trouble. When looking back at the performances during his tenure so far, the first-half against top-of-the-table Bromley remains the standout display. This saw a midfield three of Josh McEachran, Kamil Conteh and Joel Cotterill dominate the Ravens in the centre of the pitch.
McEachran was withdrawn in the 58th minute against Barnet, though, and is an injury doubt for this one. Alfie Chang would be the most logical replacement, with the 23-year-old last starting alongside Conteh and Cotterill in the 1-0 defeat against Cheltenham Town in mid-November. The on-loan midfielder also came on in the last 10 minutes against Bromley, and if Evans does stick with a 4-3-3, he will be the first in line to replace McEachran.
Attack and striker
After the defeat against Barnet, Evans was asked about Shaq Forde, who was sent off for a second yellow in the 53rd minute during the Boxing Day defeat against Bromley. Evans explained that the 21-year-old has been fined in line with the club’s rules and has apologised to the squad for his mistake.
He added: “Yeah, redemption in football’s a wonderful thing, isn’t it, if you can do it. He’s back in the group and listen you make a simple mistake.
“You can make a mistake, you can make two, you don’t make three. And he’s made a couple of mistakes since he’s joined Gas last 12, 13 months, but he’s been left in no uncertain terms for me, it doesn’t happen again.”
Bristol Rovers Live on Whatsapp
Join Bristol Rovers Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Rovers stories sent straight to your phone
Bristol Rovers Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.
With Ruel Sotiriou struggling to make an impact against the Bees on Monday and three strikers – Promise Omochere, Ellis Harrison, and Callum Morton – likely injured, it would be no surprise to see Forde given another chance by Evans.
Post-Barnet, the Rovers head coach praised the right winger for his performance in the first 53 minutes against Andy Woodman’s side, claiming, “I thought for 53, 54 minutes, he [Forde] was a real presence and a real handful for us, probably for the first time I’ve seen he resembled a bit like his Leyton Orient form. So we need more from him, but we need a lot more from a lot of others.”
We expect Evans to stick with Luke Thomas on the other flank, who was a crucial part of the first-half performance against Bromley, and provides a creative spark for the Gas.
Finally, Fabrizio Cavegn will lead the line for Rovers, and will be looking to build on his first-half strike against Bromley, as Rovers look to secure a first league win since September.
Bristol Rovers Predicted XI (4-3-3): Luke Southwood, Joel Senior, Alfie Kilgour, Clinton Mola, Jack Sparkes, Kamil Conteh, Joel Cotterill, Alfie Chang, Shaq Forde, Luke Thomas, Fabrizio Cavegn.
OPINION
OPINION
