Bristol Rovers' win gives Trollope food for thought

Bristol Rovers fan Dennis Payter: At last, we have beaten a top-three side, but why can't we play like that more often?

I wasn't very impressed with promotion-chasing Millwall, particularly in the first half, but that should not detract from our performance.

Those who went to MK Dons would question the lack of commitment last Monday but at least we bounced back and some players have left Trollope with a headache over handing out new contracts.

I was delighted but not surprised that it was Craig Disley that started the goal spree on Saturday. He constantly won the ball in the air all afternoon and I don't know why he has not been able to command a regular place in the side.

Maybe Trolls felt Disley had something to prove. I don't think that is the case and I will be very disappointed if he is not offered a new contract.

Craig Hinton is another who has not let the side down whenever he has been called on, as he was against Millwall with some vital interceptions as the visitors increased the pressure. But will he be on his way at the end of the season?

Hinton replaced Steve Elliott after his red card.

Trolls admitted the second booking, for a nudge which stopped a forward in his tracks, was right. But the first, for handball, was ridiculous. If, as he argued, the ball was out of play when he handled, was he then expecting the 'keeper to allow him to get back into position?

Some may say that Jeff Hughes proved me wrong on Saturday, but I would argue that he again showed he is not a good midfield player by producing his best performance of the season at left-back. It could turn out to be his best position and it could be worth persevering with him in this role.

At the Brighton game you will get the opportunity to vote for Player of the Year (voting slips at the turnstiles) and it is difficult to look beyond a man who has already got 27 goals this season.

But the really sad indictment of this campaign is that only one player is young enough to win the Young Player of the Year award, and that is Ben Hunt.

It is disappointing that a club like ours has not produced more youngsters recently and I will be watching the appointment of the new youth-team coach with great interest.