Here at 90minutesonline I am proud to present our first exclusive interview, the focus of which is the First-team coach of League One’s Bristol Rovers- Mr Paul Trollope.
Bristol Rovers have seen steady progress over almost four years since Trollope phased out his playing career and became caretaker manager in 2005. He was soon appointed on a permanent basis as the First-team coach with the aid of Lennie Lawrence in a Director of football capacity.
Their inaugural season cemented a 12th place finish in League Two. This was followed in the 2006-07 season with a successful promotion campaign, which culminated in a 3-1 play-off triumph over Shrewsbury Town.
The same season also produced a run to the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, including a memorable semi-final triumph over their near rivals Bristol City. Unfortunately the final resulted in a narrow 3-2 loss to Doncaster Rovers after extra-time.
The last two campaigns have seen Bristol Rovers secure and then improve their League One status, with final positions of 16th and 11th in 2007-08 and 2008-09 respectively. So far this season they have secured three league wins out of their opening four and are sitting pretty in League One’s fourth spot.
I caught up with Paul Trollope for a general chat and to discuss some of his views…
DD. How do you feel about your start to the season?
PT. Obviously I’m pleased with how we have started. Although the Leyton Orient result on the opening day was disappointing, and along with Ricky Lambert’s departure soon after there was a feeling of anti-climax. We looked at last season and saw how a slow start had cost us and we were determined to improve our training and fitness schedules to avoid a repeat.
DD. You mention Ricky Lambert, why was the decision taken to sell him on and do you plan to spend some of the transfer fee recouped?
PT. Ricky was a good servant to the club during his three years with us and would have stayed on if no clubs had come in for him. Southampton came in with what the club felt was a good offer and inevitably his head was turned slightly by the higher wages on offer.
As for replacements, we are looking to strengthen in three or four areas, not just up front. We will look at higher divisions down to non-league, but it is important that whoever we get fits in with the team. Something may happen before the (transfer) window closes or in the couple of days after, such as a loan signing.
DD. So what are your aims and ambitions for the season?
PT. We are looking to progress again, as we have in the last two seasons, the aim is definitely to finish in the top-half of League One. If by March or April we are in and around the play-offs then clearly we would like to push on.
DD. As for your rivals in the division, it seems to be getting more and more competitive each year. Last season for example there were three teams relegated from the Championship that had been in the Premier League in the last 5-10 years.
PT. Yes, the Football League has definitely got stronger since my own playing career ended. Not only has there been a trickle down effect with Premier League clubs but also with players. I think with more foreign players in the top tier, that some young British players of that standard have had to drop down into the Championship and League One even.
DD. How is the progress with the plans to redevelop the Memorial Stadium?
PT. We remain positive that it will happen and I feel that it does need to happen.
DD. And finally I would like to ask you about your own playing career and what you feel the highlights of it were?
PT. I would say that gaining promotion to the Premier League with Derby County in 1996 and then helping the team to stay in the division in ’97.
Following that I had a couple of promotions at Fulham under the management of Kevin Keegan and Jean Tigana. Those experiences have helped me to analyse the game and it’s methods and I am very grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me here at Bristol Rovers. Finally I would also like to mention my 9 caps with Wales, as well as my involvement with other squads.
DD. Thanks for your time and for speaking with us Paul. Best of luck for the rest of the season and we look forward to interviewing you again.
From my experience with their First-team coach, I would say that Bristol Rovers are in a good position to continue their programme of steady progression. Although Trollope was keen not to place too much pressure on his team, it will be fascinating to keep tabs on their progress as the new season unfolds.
There will clearly be dips in form and several twists and turns in League One, and as mentioned the competition this season is even more fierce than before. The likes of Leeds, Norwich, Charlton, Southampton and the MK Dons to name a few, will have to be overcome. Come next summer though, there is every possibility that Bristol Rovers could be looking forward to a Championship derby with their City rivals…