Steve Evans has condemned Bristol Rovers' transfer dealings prior to last summer as "abysmal" as he implored fans to "dig in" and help preserve their team's English Football League status. Rovers are two points above the League Two relegation places following a run of three consecutive defeats and they next face play-off contenders Grimsby at the Memorial Stadium. Evans, who took over as manager two months ago, laid the blame for the Pirates' precarious position on their recruitment policy before Ricky Martin was appointed director of football at the end of last season. "That's been caused by the havoc of the recruitment – I think it can only be described as abysmal," Evans told BBC Radio Bristol. We've got better players and better characters in the building and hopefully the lads who were in the building prior to that time are seeing the benefits."

Source: BBC February 19, 2026 23:50 UTC