Matt Taylor stated that back-to-back games in Sky Bet League One at The Memorial Stadium provides a great opportunity for his players ahead of the Gas' fixture against Lincoln City.
The Pirates will be searching for their second successive victory at home. Rovers previously beat Weston-super-Mare 3-1 in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup last Saturday, with Connor Taylor and Grant Ward scoring in extra time to confirm their place in the next round.
Rovers have not played in League One in two weeks, where they lost 1-0 to Reading in a bright performance at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, but will be looking to continue their strong form at home, winning four out of six with three clean sheets.
Taylor previewed the upcoming match against the Imps, the form at The Memorial Stadium and the 'Gasheads against racism' flag.
BACK-TO-BACK LEAGUE GAMES AT THE MEMORIAL STADIUM
"They shouldn’t have to fear playing at home because our home form this season has been pretty good," he said. "We know what happened in the last minute against Wycombe, and they have proved to be a very good team since then. We know where the Wigan game was when we weren't quite at the races.
"But our home form has been good. So, if we were to be confident anywhere, it would be at home. We always want the players to enjoy playing at home in front of the majority of our home fans, where they generally have done well this season.
"They are two games which I think suit us, two games with a fantastic opportunity for this group of players. I see a hungry group at the moment, and I want to see that on the pitch on Saturday. I am sure our fans are the same."
LINCOLN CITY PREVIEW
"They are an effective team," said the manager. "From what I can hear and what I’ve been told, they’ve scored the most number of goals from set-pieces in the football league. So, if you’re defensively sound, you have a clear structure, style and system, and you’re a real threat from set-pieces, that’s a good foundation for a good team.
"They’ve also got a lot of quality on that pitch and have a strong squad with players to choose from. They have strength in depth. They are an impressive team, so there is no surprise that they are in the playoff positions."
GASHEADS AGAINST RACISM FLAG
"I was so happy when I heard that news," he said. "The players have been through it a little bit, the Bristol Rovers name has been dragged through the mud to a certain extent in terms of what has happened recently, and there has been more other than the Shaq Forde one that is probably public knowledge.
"It’s hit the players quite hard, not just the ones that have been directly involved. So, any form of support, verbally or visibly, and certainly from our fanbase, will mean an awful lot.
"It will mean a lot to me, the staff, the Club, especially the players. For those players to see, witness and hear that this weekend will be a big moment for them because sometimes they can feel alone.
"Not in terms of playing football but certainly in terms of the discrimination and some of the racist abuse that they’ve received. They are our players, and we have to support them in any way we can. It will be a moment of togetherness, connection, solidarity, and everything you need as a football club in terms of supporting each other."
INJURY NEWS
"James Wilson’s knee is in a better place than it has been," said Taylor. "He had it drained, and then they injected fluid back into it to lubricate the joint, as far as I know. He’s settled down pretty well, so we expect him to be in a better capacity going into the game this weekend.
"It’s touch and go with Promise Omochere. Every day, we seem to be getting closer, but there’s still discomfort and pain within that ankle joint. So, that will be a late decision.
"Apart from Gatlin O’Donkor and Joel Senior, who aren’t quite easy to join the playing group, we don’t seem in too bad of a place."
THE TEAM IS GELLING
"The team is gelling in terms of connection, partnerships and getting to know each other," he said. "What now will hold us back is availability, and it will be a disruption in terms of a settled team, which you probably always get at the end of October and November, as it’s always a month where the injuries come.
"But we see ourselves as quite settled into our current formation, the personnel involved in that, and who the big contributors are."
