Bristol Rovers winger Luke Thomas is urging supporters to play their part as the Pirates prepare for a vital Sky Bet League One fixture against Exeter City at The Memorial Stadium this weekend.
The Gas are without a win in five league games, four of which have been decided by a single goal. Their most recent outings, narrow losses to Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers, have left them teetering just three points above the relegation zone.
While performances have improved under head coach Iñigo Calderón, results haven’t followed, and the pressure is growing. However, home form has been a rare bright spot. Rovers have secured five victories at The Mem since Calderón’s appointment, and Thomas believes a passionate fanbase can make all the difference again.
“I think we’ve been really good at home,” said the winger. “That’s where we’ve got most of our points. We’ve been disappointing away. The crowd here, they get right behind us, and they really are the twelfth man. Hopefully, on Saturday, they can do the same, and we can put a show on and do the business.”
Big test for the Pirates
The visit of Exeter offers a chance for redemption after the Grecians defeated Rovers twice earlier in the season—once in the Vertu Trophy and again on Boxing Day, the latter being a 3-1 win in Devon. Calderón watched that game from the stands, having just been appointed.
Despite Exeter sitting 15th in the table, the gap between the sides is only seven points. A win for the hosts would significantly ease relegation concerns and tighten the mid-table picture.
Thomas is under no illusions about the challenge ahead but remains confident that Rovers can rise to the occasion.
He added that the Easter open training session, attended by around 300 supporters, was a timely reminder of what the team is playing for. The winger stressed the importance of unity, urging everyone at the club to remain “connected” as the season nears its climax.
Site opinion
The statistics paint a bleak picture, but Rovers’ performances have hinted at more positive outcomes. Calderón’s men have been competitive in recent weeks, and their home form provides a genuine foundation. Thomas’ rallying cry speaks volumes about the pressure but also the belief within the camp. A result on Saturday could be the turning point the Gas desperately need to steady the ship—and re-energise their fanbase.
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