Bristol Rovers cruised past Newport County the last time the Exiles came to The Memorial Stadium, but after a strong start to the 2026/27 season, Steve Evans is expecting a much tougher test this time around.
Newport thumped newly promoted Rochdale 3-0 at Rodney Parade, with summer signings Kyle Cameron and Shaquille Gwengwe netting before Yahya Bamba added the finishing touches in additional time.
As for the Pirates, they will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing opening day of the league campaign, losing 3-2 to York City. However, the Gas will certainly be boosted by their return to The Mem after winning their previous seven league fixtures at BS7.
Speaking to the media, Evans previewed the fixture against Newport, highlighting their threats and Rovers' need to improve on last week's showing.
YORK REFLECTIONS
"There's nothing that I took out of the game other than things that we learn about each other and learn about ourselves. I'm not going to be too critical of my players because I got it wrong myself. But the objective this week is to get it right. And for us, it's a great game.
"It'll be a sellout crowd, no doubt, at The Mem, and they tell me it's heading that way very quickly. Good travelling support from Newport. They've got a chairman I know very well on the opposite side. But it's time for us to get our season started."
"Our personnel were wrong, shape was wrong. Probably the build-up in the week wasn't quite where I needed it to be when I reflected on it, and the one thing I've always been able to do in my career is to be self-critical, and a lot of times it's in private. Paul and I spent a lot of time together on Sunday and had some home truths between both of us, which is what we do regularly anyway. So, it's no big feat, but it's an important part of my success over the years — being able to know when it's been wrong.
"You're always learning in this game, aren't you? I listened to Mikel Arteta talk this week, and he's the best on the planet at the minute. I listened to him saying he was learning lots about his players in the last week or two leading up to the season. So, if Mikel's learning, then it leaves it open for all of us to learn."
PICKING THE SQUAD
"It's never about keeping them happy. It's about picking the right team to do the job. I think, evidently, my own brain, my own head, and my own eyes told me I got it wrong last week. So, the important thing is that I get it right this week, and with the support of Paul and Byron, we'll try our best to do that. We know that we owe that to the supporters who travelled to York."
NEWPORT PREVIEW
"I think their recruitment's been really good. They've gone for a younger profile and probably a few players coming up for the first time into the Football League, but good players. I've watched a complete rerun of the win last week. It could have been five or six in fairness to Newport. They dominated from start to finish and ran all over Rochdale. So, this is a different Newport that's coming into Bristol than the one we played last season."
BOBBY KAMWA
"He probably knows most of their players. He knows how they set up. He knows how they play, but there are certain little differences. I think the previous head coach was more into being a technician and playing.
"The current head coach, I know, is more into getting it forward early and fighting off second balls. Listen, I don't demean that. There's a lot to be said for that. If you do it right, you win a lot of football matches."
CHANCES FOR PLAYERS
"I think any player who's trained properly this week gives himself an opportunity because there's no doubt it was going to change from York. We weren't happy with individuals and the collective. But as I said, I was more controlled, assertive aggression with the players on Monday because the first thing I need to do as manager and head coach is get my job right.
"I didn't get my job right. So if you don't get your own job right, then you can't be looking for players to bail you out, so to speak. Certainly, that's right; then we'll certainly be a better team on Saturday. Whether we're good enough to beat a good Newport side, a different Newport side, time will tell."
ELLIS HARRISON
"He's back in training, but he's largely been non-contact. Whether we deem Ellis to be ready to be involved in the 18 on Saturday, a lot will be told tomorrow because we always have a good tough Friday session — shin pads on and earn the right to be in the team. So we'll see if Ellis can put himself about in that shape. Ellis is a big character. We love him, we love having him around, but there are a lot of good players at this club, and there's a lot of focus on Ellis."
PROMISE OMOCHERE
"Promise to be back on the grass. He'll train on Monday, I expect. We'd hope that if he's not ready to play, it would be difficult for him to play a part against Chelsea in the trophy game next week, but he should have a full week's training. There's an opportunity for him to break into the squad depending on performances in training."
DERBY ATMOSPHERE
"I think it's great. It's a local derby. The Mem will be jumping. I think the fans can always forgive an off day — we had an off day at York, we know that, and what really impressed me about the visiting supporters was that there was not one bit of criticism coming from the terraces to the players or the staff. I always said my aim here was to enjoy the good times and be prepared for when it's not so good on the pitch because we couldn't keep winning football matches — just turn up and win, turn up and win. That cannot continue. But we're still going to have a hell of a good season."
