Key Points
- Form Report: Brad Young, the goalkeeper for Bristol Rovers, admitted that himself and his team-mates “haven’t been at the races” after two successive losses in League Two.
- Defensive Reverses: The team coached by Steve Evans has lost 2-0 away to Grimsby Town and then lost 3-0 at Priestfield Stadium against Gillingham.
- League Status: Although they have had a disappointing run, the Gas have managed to retain their position in sixth place in League Two before the end of the month of September.
- Next Match: Bristol Rovers will face off against Exeter City who are managed by Matt Taylor, the former manager of Bristol Rovers.
- Club Historical Record: The Rovers have maintained an undefeated streak at home league games for 10 successive games since February and can equal a club record if they win again at the Mem.
North Bristol (Bristol Express News) September 26, 2026 — Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Brad Young has insisted that he and his dressing room colleagues are fully aware they “haven’t been at the races” over recent weeks, but the squad are firmly focused on bouncing back against Exeter City rather than dwelling on past results.
As reported by Daniel Carter of Bristol Live, the Gas are preparing to welcome the Grecians—under the management of former Rovers head coach Matt Taylor—to the Memorial Stadium. Exeter make the short journey north having secured only one victory from their opening seven league outings, leaving them precariously sitting just a single point clear of the relegation zone. Conversely, Steve Evans’ Rovers occupy sixth place as September draws to a close, remaining well within striking distance of the automatic promotion berths despite stumbling through consecutive away reversals.
Why did Brad Young admit that Bristol Rovers have fallen below their standards?
Reflecting on recent performances during a pre-match press conference at the Quarters training base, goalkeeper Brad Young did not shy away from criticism after his side conceded five goals without reply across two matches.
As reported by Daniel Carter of Bristol Live, Young stated that “it hasn’t been good enough” and acknowledged that “we all know that in the dressing room”. Elaborating further on the team’s recent displays—which included a 2-0 defeat at Grimsby Town and a 3-0 loss at Gillingham—Young explained that “it’s not as if we’ve gone away and put in a performance and been unlucky; we haven’t been at the races, and we need to put that right this Saturday”. He added that while there were barely any positives to salvage from those fixtures, the squad had engaged in some hard reflection and maintained a positive atmosphere through a rigorous week of training.
How are Bristol Rovers approaching their formidable home record at the Memorial Stadium?
The Memorial Stadium has proven to be a fortress for Steve Evans’ side, with Rovers stringing together 10 successive home league victories since a defeat against Chesterfield back in February. Another triumph against Exeter City would see the club etch a brand-new milestone into its history books.
Discussing the mounting anticipation surrounding the potential club record, goalkeeper Brad Young admitted that he had caught wind of the discussion via social media and brief mentions from the coaching staff. However, as reported by Daniel Carter of Bristol Live, Young maintained that the primary focus must remain on the pitch, noting that “the most important thing is getting the three points, winning the game, and that will take care of itself”. Stressing the value of home comforts, Young emphasised that the team intend to harness their supporters and start on the front foot to pressurise the visiting Grecians from the opening whistle.
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Background of the Development
The current test for Bristol Rovers arrives at a critical juncture in the 2026/27 League Two campaign. Under the guidance of Steve Evans, the Gas built positive momentum through an impressive sequence of August fixtures, featuring victories over Colchester United, Crawley Town, and Newport County alongside a home win against Rotherham United. However, September introduced adversity via back-to-back away defeats against Grimsby Town and Gillingham.
These setbacks exposed vulnerabilities in defensive concentration and clinical execution, prompting candid internal assessments from players like Brad Young. Meanwhile, opponents Exeter City arrive under the stewardship of Matt Taylor—a familiar face in Bristol—adding tactical intrigue and emotional narrative to a fixture carrying immense value for both sides’ early-season trajectories.
Impact on the Audience
For Bristol Rovers supporters and the club’s wider community, this weekend’s fixture serves as an immediate barometer of character. If Steve Evans’ side can successfully leverage their historic home form at the Memorial Stadium to overcome Exeter City, it will not only secure a milestone 11th consecutive home league victory but also instantly reignite their push toward the automatic promotion spots. Conversely, failing to bounce back could extend a damaging slump, amplifying pressure on the defensive unit and stalling the positive momentum generated during the opening weeks of the season. For the fans, a dominant response at the Mem is essential to restore faith in the team’s promotion credentials.
