Steve Evans is raring to go ahead of the Bristol Rovers' first fixture of the 2026/27 Sky Bet League Two season and is ready for the challenge York City will bring.
The Pirates opened the new campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sky Bet League One side Peterborough United in Round One of the Carabao Cup, but all the focus is now on York.
Both teams come into the contest off the back of a thrilling end to the previous campaign and will want to keep it going. The Minstermen clinched promotion from the National League with a last-minute winner against Rochdale, with the Pirates winning eight on the bounce before a 1-1 draw with Notts County.
Speaking to the media before the match, Evans previewed the clash against York, the expectations for the season and delivered the latest team news.
PETERBOROUGH UNITED PERFORMANCE
“Of course. We’ve learned in every game we’ve played since the squad has been put together. You learn a lot more when it’s competitive, and Saturday was. So, we’ve learned lots about certain individuals, and we’ve learned about ourselves as well.
“We didn’t really turn up. We turned up for the first 15–20 minutes against Peterborough. In terms of the penalty, you can see why the referee gave it. When he gives it, the momentum swings. If you play a team in a higher league position in the cup and they get a second goal, it could be a long day because they get more confidence and the young players are inspired. But we sorted a few things at half-time with the changes."
FIRST DAY OF THE SEASON
“Oh yeah, this is waking up on Christmas Day if you’re a kid on Saturday morning. When those butterflies go away, and you fail to get excited, then it’s time to get out.
“So, from our point of view, we should all be excited by the challenge. And of course, playing a team that’s just got promotion with a record number of points, deserved champions, a really good club with good fans, and a full house. We can only look forward to it."
LOOKING TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
“That’s the plan. That’s what we want to do. We understand the dynamics within the league are different. We go back to playing a lot of teams that have lots to play for.
“We felt perhaps in the run-in that some teams had not a lot to play for, and when they did, our boys dealt with them anyway. So yes, we can take the momentum forward.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to go away to what many regard as a real competitor for promotion in York City. We’ll see where we land on Saturday, and if we come away with something on the board points-wise, we’ll be pleased.”
EXPECTATIONS FOR THE SEASON
“I think a lot of people this time last year, me included, had Bristol Rovers down as a promotion candidate. And certainly, until we came into the club, it was going to be relegated; that’s for sure. That’s just an opinion, and a lot of people share it. So, we don’t get carried away. We have to earn everything we’re going to get.
“I think it’s going to be really tough. Rochdale and York add to it as the two teams that come up, both with good ownership models who do it very well.
“And then of course there’s the might of the clubs who failed to win promotion last season. You can’t discount the signing of quality players at Salford. They’re probably everyone’s favourites in terms of the bookmakers’ favourites, and that’s because of the money they spend. We know because we tried to get those players and we didn’t get within the Bristol Channel of getting them here.
“So, we live in the real world, but we’ve also got players hungry for a further promotion, and players who’ve never had one who are really keen. That’s the dressing room ahead of Saturday. Sometimes you get a feeling as a manager, and the feeling is that our squad is just about there and ready for the challenges ahead.”
INJURIES
“I think we’re largely there. As we were last week, we’ve got Ellis Harrison who’s probably a week away, and Promise Omochere is probably a week away now. He’s made remarkable progress.
“We have no complaints about who’s available. We’re in really good shape. We’d have preferred Ellis and Promise on the coach with us, but they’ll remain here and continue the work under the medical team, which has been first class.”
GOALKEEPER UPDATES
“We don’t need a backup goalkeeper in the sense that we’re desperate. We’ve got Charlie Binns back in the building. We recalled him from Malvern. People should listen to my words: this is Brad Young from a year ago. This is a good goalkeeper.
“James Bittner deserves enormous credit for putting him in front of our eyes. He’s had the same type of education Brad Young had prior to coming here. Brad was at Leicester City; young Charlie had a short spell at Bath, but before that he was at Ipswich for four or five years. I know the people at Ipswich were on the fence about keeping him.
“They went the other way. But the chairman’s made it absolutely clear: if I feel, and the staff feel, that we need to go to the market and sign a goalkeeper, we can. We’ve had presentations from out-of-contract goalkeepers. But at this minute, I’m happy with what we’ve got.
“And to be fair to Charlie, he’s impressed most days. We know he’s been on loan at Malvern, but on the odd occasion we’ve had him in, he’s been in our practice matches, and he’s been really good.
“Paul and I said when we walked into this building, we’re probably the only two people in it who have seen Brad Young and seen the capability. And we’ve seen that in Charlie.
“So, we’re fairly relaxed, and so is James, who has a massive input into the goalkeepers. The chairman was asking me three consecutive days where the new goalkeeper is and whether I’d presented any names. I said I’m fairly happy with where we are.”
YORK PREVIEW
“York City is a proud football club. They’ve been promoted; they’re at home for the first time in a league game, and their supporters will be right behind them. I know them; I know the owners really well.
“They’re good people, and I know that decision wouldn’t have been taken lightly. I know what they’re about; I know how detailed they are. You look and see someone losing their job, which is never nice, but you never know what happens inside a football club until you’re inside that office.”
