Bristol Rovers head coach Steve Evans has admitted he is considering his future following a 2-0 defeat against Chesterfield at the Memorial Stadium yesterday afternoon.
The 64-year-old arrived at Rovers last December with the club embroiled in a relegation scrap. After a slow start, Evans completely turned around the fortunes of the Gas, with one defeat from their last 14 games securing a 14th-placed finish.
This led to pre-season predictions that a promotion push would be on the cards this season. This appeared justified when four wins from their opening five fixtures sent them to the top of League Two.
It’s been downhill from there, though. One victory from their last 10 games has sent Evans’ team tumbling down the table and they now sit 18th, four points above the relegation places.
Chesterfield Defeat Piles Pressure On Evans
Despite their poor league form, Evans could have been forgiven for thinking the tide was beginning to turn over the past week. They picked up an impressive 2-0 win over League One outfit Cambridge United in the FA Cup first round before a penalty shootout victory over Reading in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.
It proved to be somewhat of a false dawn as they returned to losing ways yesterday afternoon. Rovers had the opportunities to get something out of the game but were unable to convert as Chesterfield secured the three points.
There was discontent among the home support upon the final whistle, with Evans addressing the situation afterwards. Speaking to the media, the former Rotherham United boss said:
“My message has always been the same. If I’m not wanted, I’ll leave. I’m not the others that hang in for paydays.
“Let’s not mince my words. I sat on the bench for 10 seconds to have a conversation with Paul Raynor, and somebody shouted when I came out, “He’s come out from hiding.”
“I answer them. I don’t hide. I’m out the trenches. I don’t hide. I’m not like the others hiding behind the ownership. I don’t do that. I’m not doing my job, neither’s Paul, neither’s Byron, neither’s Tomo.”
Evans Slams Players
It was a busy summer at the Memorial Ground as Evans sought to shape his squad. With promotion ultimately the ambition, the head coach made no secret of the fact that he needed an overhaul, and no fewer than 13 new players arrived through the door.
Therefore, it’s somewhat perplexing that Evans criticised his players following yesterday’s defeat:
“We’re not doing our jobs, but we’re being let down by inconsistent players. Poor players, in my opinion.
“I judge everything in my life by my own standards and whether I’m affecting whatever I do, whether it’s family life or my football life.
“So me and Paul are quite proud people, so we have to decide whether we want to stay in this fight or not, we have to decide that. It’s a big decision because we’ve had too long of inconsistencies even though we’re now in mid-November.”
Rovers are next back in action next Saturday when they travel to Steve Cotterill’s Cheltenham Town. Whether Evans will be in the dugout remains to be seen.
