Opposition Lowdown: Inigo Calderon's Bristol Rovers

Reading’s penultimate game of the regular season sees the Royals head along the M4 to take on Bristol Rovers. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.

Form

Bristol Rovers finished 15th in League One last season following 16 wins, nine draws and 21 losses. This is their third season back in the third tier, having won promotion from League Two in 2022, after finishing third in the league, securing automatic promotion.

Rovers are currently in a relegation battle and sit 21st in the league in the final relegation place. They are on the same number of points as Burton Albion in 20th, but have a far worse goal difference.

Their recent form has been poor, having seen one draw and four losses in their last five games, and the Pirates are winless in eight league games. They come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 0-1 home defeat to Stevenage on Easter Monday.

The two sides last faced each other back in October with Reading claiming a 1-0 win at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, after a 66th-minute Sam Smith winner.

The boss

Inigo Calderon: Calderon became Rovers manager on Boxing Day last year, taking over from Matt Taylor, who was sacked after just over a year in charge.

The former right-back had a 19-year career as a player, starting off at Alaves, before going on to play for Brighton & Hove Albion, where he made 232 appearances.

He retired from playing in 2019 and went on to have coaching roles at former clubs Alaves and then Brighton, where he was head coach of their under-18 team.

His move to Rovers was the start of his managerial career, with the 43-year-old having a tough start to life in the dugout, picking up only six wins in his first 24 games, giving him a win percentage of 25%.

Calderon likes his side to control the game, both with and without the ball. He will be hoping to save Rovers from relegation with two games left of the season.

Squad

Rovers signed five players in the winter transfer window, with one player joining on a permanent deal and four arriving on loan until the end of the season.

Midfielder Romain Sawyers was the player to join permanently, joining on a free transfer following the end of his short-term deal at AFC Wimbledon.

Rovers’ four loan signings were goalkeeper Myles Roberts (formerly of Reading's academy), who joined from Watford; defender Sil Swinkels, who signed from Aston Villa: midfielder Matt Butcher, who signed from Wycombe Wanderers; and forward Michael Reindorf, who joined from Cardiff City.

Striker Promise Omochere is out for the season following a hamstring injury. Forward Ruel Sotiriou and midfielder Isaac Hutchinson are both fitness doubts for Saturday’s game.

Predicted lineup

Ward, Moore, Wilson, Taylor, Hunt, Thomas, Butcher, Sawyers, Shaw, Sinclair, O’Donkor

Key player

5. James Wilson: Defender Wilson signed for Rovers in June 2023, joining on a free transfer, following his release from Plymouth Argyle.

He started his career in the youth setup at Bristol City, going on to make his professional debut in 2008. Wilson spent six years at City, before signing for Oldham Athletic, where he made over 100 appearances.

The Welshman went on to represent Sheffield United, Lincoln City and Ipswich Town. He signed for Plymouth Argyle in 2021, where he stayed for two seasons, making 95 appearances.

Since signing for Rovers in 2023, the 36-year-old has made 78 appearances, scoring three goals. He has one international cap to his name, making his Wales debut in 2013.

Wilson is a physical defender who favours a direct playing approach.

One to watch

17. Connor Taylor: Defender Taylor signed for Rovers in August 2023 from Stoke City for an undisclosed fee.

During his youth career he spent time at Port Vale, Stafford Rangers and Stoke City, where he went on to sign his first pro deal. He made his Potters debut in 2021 and went on to make 19 appearances for the club.

While at Stoke, Taylor had loan spells at Ashton United, Chester and Bristol Rovers, where he spent the 2021/22 season, when the club gained promotion to League One. He was named Rovers' young player of the season in his first stint at the club.

The following season Taylor played a number of games for Stoke in the Championship before going on to rejoin Rovers on a permanent deal in the summer of 2023.

Following his return to Rovers, the 23-year-old has now made 134 appearances in total for the club, scoring six goals. Taylor is a centre-back who is strong in the air, but also comfortable with the ball at his feet.