Bristol Rovers travel to Chesterfield this afternoon in the lunchtime kick-off with a new defender in their ranks and fans calling for a formation change
Daniel Hargraves Bristol Rovers reporter
07:00, 16 Aug 2025
Dan Hargraves
Dan Hargraves is the Bristol Rovers reporter for Bristol Live. He joined the title in July 2023 having previously worked for Reach PLC as a freelance football writer in April 2022 while a journalism student at the University of Derby. He has also reported on a number of football matches across European competition, the Premier League and EFL and covered the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022. In his role as covering the Gas, he wants to leave no stone unturned and cover every angle of the football club for Gasheads' enjoyment.
Kacper Lopata is Bristol Rovers' latest signing and could make his debut at Chesterfield(Image: Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Confidence is limited going into Bristol Rovers' lunchtime kick-off away at Chesterfield this afternoon after the Gas began their season with three defeats from three, while the Spireites have won both their league matches so far are expected to be in the League Two promotion hunt this campaign.
Perhaps going into a match not the favourite will benefit Rovers, who would have been expected to win their home games against Harrogate Town and Cambridge United (Carabao Cup) while potentially also getting a result away at Fleetwood Town. However, it's been a poor start so far as problems from last season's relegation campaign have resurfaced.
The Pirates' woeful away form this calendar year has been well documented, with their last win on the road coming way back on January 4, their only victory away from the Mem in 2025 so far. However, every away match is a new opportunity to change that feat.
Despite calls for changes from supporters and a desire for new additions, right now Darrell Clarke doesn't really have the resources to make significant alterations to his line up.
Naturally, tweaks from the last league side are expected, while there could be a debut for new recruit Kacper Lopata who joined on a season-long loan from Barnsley on Thursday evening.
There have also been calls from fans to scrap the back-three defence, a set up Rovers have started with for all three games so far and most of pre-season.
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I managed to predict 11/11 last weekend ahead of the Fleetwood game, but something tells me that won't be the case on this occasion. Here is how I think Rovers might set up this afternoon for their first competitive meeting with Chesterfield since 2017.
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Goalkeeper and defence
Let's get it out of the way first - I don't think there will be a major change in shape. Darrell Clarke has shown he can be adaptable in-game as was seen last weekend at Fleetwood when Bristol Rovers were 2-0 down. It worked, but Fleetwood were always expected to sit in a bit more and absorb pressure in the second half. They could have also made it 3-0 before Promise Omochere's penalty.
Considering how much of pre-season saw Rovers set up with a back-three, it would be surprising to see Clarke give it up now.
In goal, Luke Southwood is going to be one of the first names on the teamsheet. It hasn't been a stunning start to life at the Gas for the goalkeeper but he will undoubtedly be required this afternoon. This is a great opportunity for him to show how his saves can win his team points.
So, the defence. Alfie Kilgour is another guaranteed pick as captain. The major decision is whether or not to bring in new loanee Kacper Lopata immediately. The 23-year-old was announced on Thursday evening and hadn't even made it to Bristol at that point. It will be a pretty hectic 36 hours for the Polish defender, but based on how keen Clarke sounded in regards to having signings through the door and starting, Lopata seems on course to start.
Unfortunately for Taylor Moore, the defender's performance against Fleetwood last weekend wasn't up to standard and he seems the most likely to drop out with Clinton Mola keeping his place as the left-sided centre-back.
On the left flank, Jack Sparkes is the obvious choice at wing-back. The 24-year-old came off at half-time against Cambridge on Tuesday, along with Kilgour, to prevent any sort of risk.
Over on the right though, despite making his Rovers debut on Tuesday, Macauley Southam-Hales may have to be patient for that first league start with Joel Senior in good form after an impressive pre-season.
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Darrell Clarke Pre-Chesterfield Away
Midfield
This is where the Gas are now glaringly light. Kamil Conteh had a tough game on Tuesday and is clearly getting back into the groove of playing 90 minutes regularly after his lengthy spell out. The same applies to Josh McEachran. As a partnership, the pair will only get better but there is now an alarming lack of numbers in the middle.
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Last weekend at Fleetwood, Darrell Clarke opted to bring in Isaac Hutchinson for some extra creativity. Admittedly, the attacking midfielder is clearly suffering from limited confidence. However, he probably remains the Pirates' best option to provide that extra body in the middle of the park.
21-year-old Ryan Howley played centre-back against Cambridge but is known to be a midfielder. He remains an option. Meanwhile, Luke Thomas will also have a case for starting despite his own slow start to the season. The same goes for Ruel Sotiriou, who is capable of playing in that 10 role.
Isaac Hutchinson pictured in action for Bristol Rovers(Image: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK)
Attack
One of few players to come away from last weekend's trip to Fleetwood with any credit was Promise Omochere, who got himself off the mark from the penalty spot. Hopefully, his confidence is starting to return and Rovers can benefit from that.
Alongside the Irishman, there are a number of options. Again, Sotiriou is one, despite his underwhelming start to the season. Another is Ellis Harrison, who would be a popular name on the teamsheet this afternoon. He was also one of an extremely limited number of players to come away from Tuesday's cup defeat with some credit. As was Swiss striker Fabrizio Cavegn, who registered the Gas' only shot on target. Also a word for Ollie Dewsbury, who offers useful energy when coming on but probably isn't quite ready to be a starter.
The club have invested in Cavegn and need to get him up to speed, hence why my prediction is that last weekend's strikers will keep their place.
Bristol Rovers predicted XI: Luke Southwood; Joel Senior, Alfie Kilgour, Kacper Lopata, Clinton Mola, Jack Sparkes; Kamil Conteh, Josh McEachran, Isaac Hutchinson; Fabrizio Cavegn, Promise Omochere
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