We talk to the manager ahead of Saturday's opening game of the season

With just two days to go, Darrell Clarke is looking forward to a new season and a fresh start.

The manager has been impressed with the attitude and work rate of his team in pre-season, but now everyone is ready to get competitive games underway.

He said: “As a group we are looking forward to it; new season, fresh start. We have had a good pre-season programme and the feeling in the squad is good.

“Everyone starts with a clean sheet on zero points, and I am trying to rebuild a football club which has hit the lowest point in it’s history.

“I feel like there is a better mentality amongst this group, and there is definitely a better work rate and work ethic. From day one, since they came in for pre-season the attitude has been fantastic.”

Rovers kick off the season at home to Grimsby, a side who are one of the favourites for promotion this year.

Darrell said: “This is a great game for us, they are everybody’s favourites to get promoted this year as they have been amongst the play offs the last few years.

“Paul Hurst has done a great job up there. But we are at home, so away we go.”

The manager has a full fit squad to choose from for the game, and although Jamie Turley failed his medical, there are still a couple of players under consideration.

Darrell said: “I have no injuries, Tom Lockyer has trained all week and I have a fully fit squad to choose from.

“We had Jamie Turley assessed, and he didn’t pass his medical, he is still 6-8 weeks away. He is still a player I want to bring to the club when he is fit.

“He wants to come in a couple of days a week, without any wages being paid, to get himself fit and ready to go for when he can play.

“We were never going to be paying a player that didn’t pass a medical. We will assess him when he comes in and having another look at him nearer the time.

“I offered Angelo Balanta a deal, but he has decided not to accept it.

“Duncan Culley is still training with the squad, he has done ok, but is a little rough round the edges.

“We have a practice match today and I will have a look at him in training tomorrow, and then I will make a decision.

“I have made a loan move for a striker, and I am waiting on a phone call.”
For the full interview visit Gas Player.