Elliott: Bristol Rovers need a settled defence

Steve Elliott says Bristol Rovers need to have a settled back four if they are to mount a serious challenge next season.

And the central defender believes the disruption Bristol Rovers have suffered to their rearguard this term is the main reason they have not been able to push for a play-off spot.

"It's been a big factor," said Elliott.

"At Swindon Town last weekend we had our left-winger Jeff Hughes at full-back, which we've had to do for the last few games, and right-back Aaron Lescott playing at centre-half when Byron Anthony got injured.

"It's not an excuse because we have players who are capable of performing in different positions, but it can be disruptive when you don't have a settled back four – and that has certainly been the case for us this season.

"Danny Coles has been out for most of the season, Joe Jacobson was missing for the first few months and is out again now, so it's been frustrating.

"We had some great results and went on a decent run after the turn of the year and we felt we could kick on and take a big step forward. But recently we have suffered a few more injuries and suspensions at the back and it has been a bit stop-start for us.

"It's been really frustrating because it seems any time we've had a chance to move into the top 10, we've not taken it.

"But there's one more game to go and hopefully we can get the result we want against Hartlepool. If other results go our way, we can still sneak in there."

Rovers' firepower up front means they have been outscored by only four other sides in League One, which again points to the fact that improvement is needed in other areas.

"We have scored 75 goals, which is up there with teams in the top six," said Elliott.

"We have taken a step forward from last season because we have more points and have managed more home wins.

"But one thing we need to address next season is doing better at home against the teams who are challenging near the top.

"You look at the sort of home record Peterborough had this season and what they have managed to achieve, and it gives you something to think about.

"It's getting harder and harder every year to get out of Coca-Cola League One because it is so competitive, but hopefully that will bring the best out of us next season.

Bristol Rovers coach Paul Trollope agrees that the side have been held back by their defensive inconsistencies – and that disruption through injuries has played a big part in that. He said: "We have had well-documented issues defensively, but our firepower and our goal difference is that of a team that could be in the play offs, and that gives us something to work with as a base for next season.

"We suffered a number of defensive injuries in pre-season and into the early part of the season, and over the last few weeks it has been the same.

"We have probably had too many square pegs in round holes. But if we can get a good performance and three points against Hartlepool United on Saturday, it will secure a top-half finish – and 10th is still a possibility."