Joel Senior believes the Gasheads have played an important role in Bristol Rovers' form ahead of the Pirates' Sky Bet League Two clash against Crawley Town.
Almost 800 Gasheads travelled to Harrogate Town to help Rovers secure their survival in the fourth tier wth a thrilling 3-2 triumph over the Sulphurites. The Pirates twice went behind after goals from Ellis Taylor. However, a strike from Shaq Forde and a brace from Ellis Harrison helped the visitors to all three points.
It was the Gas' fifth straight victory in Sky Bet League Two. The Pirates are now back at The Mem, where they have also won their last five matches. Late winners, impressive comebacks, and packed crowds have all been part of the run, with Rovers looking to continue their impressive form until the end of the campaign.
Speaking to the media before the game against Crawley, Senior explained the reasons behind the recent form and thanked the Gasheads for their unwavering support.
"When we played the games at home, and we put a couple of wins together, and we went away and lost a couple, it was about getting back on track," he said. "We were able to get a run of form at home, and obviously, the fans have been massive in helping us get over the line with late winners or coming from behind.
“It’s hard to put your finger on exactly one thing, but we’ve all stuck together, tried to get through it, and we’ve had new signings in the building who have obviously helped us. We’ve managed to put wins together. We know we’re a good team in this league if we play well or if we work together as a team."
Senior later added: "I think confidence within the boys and the fans is a massive part of it. Even if we’re not playing well or we’ve gone a goal down, they have always been there to support us.
"The boys who came in January, who have helped us, have only really ever seen The Mem at its best. The fans getting behind us, they knew we were in a position where we needed help, they’ve got right behind us, we’ve tried to repay them, and we’ve done that."
The Pirates have only lost one of their last ten games, with Rovers' strong form at The Mem boosting confidence around the squad and proving to be the foundation for the success on the road.
Putting a run together has been crucial for the Gas, pushing them 19 points clear of the bottom two, with Senior always believing in the team's quality.
"We’ve managed to put a good run together, and winning games brings a good feeling around the training ground," said the defender. "We’ve managed to get that going. I wouldn’t say it’s a celebration, but it’s still a good feeling to know that next year, the Club will be in this league. The fans and everyone were desperate for that, and we’ve made it happen.
“We always knew that we had a good team. In this league, you can put a run of wins together, and I think a lot of teams can put a run of losses together, and it’s hard to switch the momentum. I suppose that in December, we knew we were in a situation that we shouldn’t be in, but we were in, and it was one that was going to be difficult to get out of because we were in that swing of losing games.
“To be 19 points clear [of the bottom two] with four games to go is a massive credit to the boys, the staff and everyone involved that we have been able to put that run together.”
Senior has been at the heart of Rovers' team, starting the last 11 matches and playing every minute available in that run. The 24-year-old signed for the Pirates before the start of the 2024/25 campaign, but three serious injuries have seen him go in and out of the team. However, the defender feels that consistent starts has seen him play his best football in the blue-and-white quarters.
“I’ve had a difficult time in terms of injury, stop-start, but it’s the first time I have been able to put a run together and show my ability that when I’ve been fit, which has been the hardest thing for me is that in my career, if I have put a run together, I’ve always played well," said Senior. "Since I have come to Rovers, it’s been hard because I have been injured.
"I can only look at myself for that, but I would probably say that is the biggest reason why at the start of the season or last season, especially, I wasn’t playing my best football. I was in and out, and when I was coming back from injury, I wasn’t fit like I probably am now. I’ve put a run together, and I feel like I’m playing alright, but I feel like I can play a lot better as well."
Senior has excelled in his advanced position on the flank, playing right wing-back. The former Morecambe man has registered three assists under Evans, regularly bursting into the final third with possession before delivering a dangerous ball into the box. Senior feels playing further up on the right is getting the best out of him.
"It’s a weird one because I’ve probably said throughout my career that my best position is actually right-back, but since I’ve come back into the team, I feel like I’ve been given the license to get forward and do what I want when I have got the ball and be expressive," he said. "I feel like I have done quite well.
“I have played in that position a lot, but my main position before coming here was right-back. I have had to get used to the position because I feel like it is a very different position from playing in a back four to a back five. You have to be a lot higher, but I like getting forward. That’s the best part of my game, so being able to do that at right wing-back with these players has helped me a lot.”
