Bristol Rovers have lost their last seven fixtures in Sky Bet League Two, but form can change quickly in football, and Alfie Chang has full confidence that the squad can turn things around.
The Pirates have already gone through a difficult period in the 2025/26 campaign after losing their first four fixtures across all competitions. However, a 0-0 draw against Oldham Athletic at The Memorial Stadium was the start of an eight-match unbeaten run.
The Gas are going through another frustrating patch, having won only the Vertu Trophy and the Emirates FA Cup since the start of October, but know that one positive result can be a momentum switcher.
Speaking to BRTV ahead of the upcoming game against Notts County, Chang believes his team has the quality to put a good run of results together.
“We obviously went through a really good run, and now we’re in a really bad run," he said. "So, we know we’ve got the squad and the capability to put another good run together. We just need to find that form.
“I think we’re feeling the same disappointment and the same frustration as the fans, but I think for us, it’s just nailing down in training and doing things right still. We’re just trying to put it right on the training pitch, so it translates into the games."
The Pirates have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks and were the better side against Cheltenham, controlling the majority of the game before losing to the Robins' only shot on target.
Reflecting on recent results, Chang stated his side needs to convert decent performances into points on the board whilst improving in both boxes.
“There are some games where we are putting in decent performances, and we’re not coming away with the result, and that’s what we have to try and change," said Chang. "We have to stick to what we’re doing and be as positive as possible, but we need to change the results.
“I think it’s about being better than the opposition in both boxes. Obviously, stopping goals from going in, but we need to score more goals and create more chances if we’re going to get three points."
Chang joined Rovers on loan from Birmingham City on transfer deadline day, looking for regular senior football after a loan spell at fellow Sky Bet League Two team Walsall last campaign. The midfielder has done just that, starting all 11 fourth-tier fixtures since moving down to Bristol.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed featuring regularly but is only focused on the results.
"It’s nice for me personally to play more, but it’s about the team, and it’s about winning games," he said. "That’s all I can really focus on, helping the team where I can get three points in a game."
Rovers are back at The Mem for the first time since beating Plymouth Argyle in the Vertu Trophy and will welcome Notts County. The Magpies are in fifth position in Sky Bet League Two and are pushing for promotion after losing in the Play-Off Semi-Finals last season.
Notts are also looking for a win after losing to Colchester United in their previous outing, with Chang sure that the opening exchanges of the match will be crucial to get the Gasheads going.
"We understand that the fans are really frustrated with how things are going," said Chang. "So, with our performance on Saturday and especially in the first ten or 15 minutes, we can get back on side and make it more positive going into the game.
"I think they are more of a ball-playing team, which is different to what we have faced more recently, but we’ve had a week to prepare and to train and to work towards what we are going to come up against."
