Bristol Rovers

Bristol Rovers
Atkins not changing style of play Bristol Rovers boss Ian Atkins says although a more direct approach could lead to better results he is not going to change his style of play. Atkins feels that at clubs like Rovers there is a need to mix between the direct game and the passing game. "The way Lincoln play might not be everyone's cup of tea, and we could not get away with how they play, but it works," Atkins told the club website. "At clubs like this, it's important to try and marry the two styles."

Rovers set to miss out on Aiston
Bristol Rovers look certain to miss out on summer transfer target Sam Aiston. The Pirates appeared to be battling it out with League Two rivals Grimsby in the race to sign the 28-year-old. Boss Ian Atkins highlighted the left-winger, recently released by Shrewsbury Town, as one of the men on his wanted list for the close-season. However, Aiston now looks set to join Darlington - despite the Mariners' claims that the ex-Sunderland player was due to sign for them.

Rovers starlet on Chelsea switch
Teenager Scott Sinclair says the offer of a switch to Premiership champions Chelsea was too good to turn down following his move from Bristol Rovers. The 16-year-old, who has been at Rovers since he was seven, has signed scholarship forms at Stamford Bridge. Sinclair told the Evening Post: "I want to thank Rovers who have been so good to me and understood that this was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. "Chelsea's set-up is incredible and I didn't need much persuading to sign." Rovers had offered Sinclair a place at their own academy with the guarantee of a professional contract at the end of it.

Atkins urges Agogo to stay loyal
Bristol Rovers manager Ian Atkins has called on striker Junior Agogo to show some loyalty to the club when his contract expires. Agogo, 25, has just a year left on his current deal. Atkins told BBC Radio Bristol: "There's been a lot of talk of people coming in, but we haven't had any kind of offer for Junior. "If we did have a bid, with the way the club has stuck by Junior you'd hope he'd show some loyalty."

Dunford welcomes stadium decision
Bristol Rovers chairman Geoff Dunford has largely welcomed the City Council's decision to back the redevelopment of the Memorial Stadium's Blackthorn End. A meeting on Wednesday gave Rovers the green light to increase their 11,679 capacity by a further 1,269 seats. Dunford told Rovers' website: "It is a giant step forward. "However, there is a concern regarding some of the restrictions put on the planning permission - we will have further talks with councillors."

Rovers confirm Dudfield interest
Bristol Rovers manager Ian Atkins wants to sign 25-year-old Southend striker Lawrie Dudfield. "Lawrie is a player we do have an interest in," Atkins told the Bristol Evening News. "He is the type that could bring a little bit of quality to the squad which would enable us to move on another notch. "He could make a difference in turning the type of games we drew last season into wins next time around." Both Atkins and Dudfield, who was often third choice at Southend last season, are currently on holiday with no deal likely until they return.

Flahavan agrees new Southend deal
Southend keeper Darryl Flahavan has rejected offers from a host of other clubs to agree a new two-year deal. Bristol Rovers, Grimsby, Northampton and Rushden & Diamonds were all keen on signing the 27-year-old shot-stopper. Flahavan was impressive at the back end of last season, three clean sheets in a row helping the Shrimpers win promotion to League One via the play-offs. He said: "I had offers to go elsewhere but Southend was always my number one option. I really enjoy it here."

Wright chases Southend strike duo
Peterborough manager Mark Wright has been in talks with Southend strikers Tes Bramble and Lawrie Dudfield about bringing them to London Road. Bramble, 24, has been released by the Shrimpers while Dudfield, 25, is also a summer target for Bristol Rovers. Posh's director of football Barry Fry told the Evening Telegraph: "Mark has been speaking to lots of agents. "Bramble and Dudfield are two of his transfer targets but he hasn't reached an agreement with either player yet."

Clarke eyes long-term Rovers stay
Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Ryan Clarke said he wants to stay at the Memorial Stadium long-term. The 23-year-old Bristolian said he felt the Pirates had a real chance of promotion next season. "My ambition is to stay part of this club and I would love to extend my contract," he told Rovers' website. "I think we have a good chance of going up next year and I want to be a part of it. I think in the next two years I can grow and mature as a goalkeeper."

Atkins frustrated over Carruthers
Bristol Rovers boss Ian Atkins has spoken of his frustration at missing out on left-back Chris Carruthers. The 21-year-old played five times for the Pirates on loan at the end of last season - but joined Rovers' League Two rivals Wycombe on Friday. "He was high on my list. There are not many players who can play left-back, wing-back or as out-and-out wingers," he told the Bristol Evening Post. "Every manager will tell you it's frustrating when you lose out."

Bristol clubs plan friendly match
Bristol City will visit local rivals Bristol Rovers for a pre-season friendly on Monday, 25 July - with a view to making it an annual fixture. The sides last met in a LDV Trophy game in January 2002 - which City won 3-0. The Robins' chief executive Colin Sexstone told his club's website: "The intention is that the match is played as a mark of friendship." Rovers general manager Ian Holtby added: "It shows both clubs can work together in a positive fashion."

Walker extends stay with Pirates
Bristol Rovers striker Richard Walker has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract at the Memorial Stadium. "I'm pleased to have signed before pre-season training gets underway," the 27-year-old told the club website. "I've always said that I feel this is a club that's going places, and I'm just pleased that I've been given the chance to be part of it." Walker has scored 14 goals in 32 first-team appearances for the Pirates since joining from Oxford last summer.

Pirates boss comes out fighting
Bristol Rovers boss Ian Atkins has hit back at the critics who turned his first year at the Prates' helm into a turbulent one. The Pirates' boss told the Bristol Evening Post: "People can batter me as much as they like. "But it will be like putting a water jet against a brick wall, I'll just deflect it straight back. "It was difficult last year and things didn't always go as we planned, but nothing has dampened my enthusiasm."

Atkins wants to use local talent
Bristol Rovers boss Ian Atkins is determined to inject more local blood and pride into his squad. Keeper Ryan Clarke is the sole Bristolian currently in the first-team frame at the Memorial Stadium. Atkins told the Evening Post: "We want people bursting to put the blue-and-white quarters on, players the fans can identify with. "It would be good to get more Bristol lads into the team over time and we're looking to do just that."

Pirates confirm friendly line-up
Bristol Rovers have confirmed their final three friendlies - giving them a total of eight pre-season matches. They begin with trips to Aldershot Town (19 July) and Clevedon Town (21 July), while Rovers will send sides to both Hereford and Bromsgrove on 23 July. Closer to home, they host Bristol City in an all-ticket tie on 25 July before travelling to Team Bath two days later. Ian Atkins' side round off the pre-season with games at Kidderminster (30 July) and Cirencester (6 August). The Cirencester match coincides with Rovers' first game of the League season - away at Barnet

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