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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

Bristol Rovers player ratings v Sutton: Collins, Finley, Hoole among numerous excellent displays

James Belshaw - 7

A quiet night for the second game in succession, but he was error-free.

Luca Hoole - 8

No wonder Joey Barton has settled on a back four as his preferred shape because Hoole has given him no choice. A solid display that gave Sutton's tricky wingers no change and made several important blocks after Sutton won first contact at set plays.

Connor Taylor - 8

Timed an early challenge on David Ajiboye to perfection to avert a moment of danger. His aerial presence meant Sutton got very little joy from their efforts to play direct.

James Connolly - 8

Looking increasingly assured at alongside Taylor at the back after a couple of skittish moments in recent games

Nick Anderton - 8

Dominant in the air once again. Grown immensely as a Rovers player, giving Barton a valuable physical option at left-back.

Paul Coutts (c) - 6

Kept the ball ticking over nicely in the first half, but he ended the first 45 minutes on a sour note with a poor penalty that lacked pace and was at a comfortable height for the goalkeeper. Taken off in the second half, presumably to save his legs.

Sam Finley - 8

Set the tone for a fluid display with a sumptuous crossfield pass in the opening moments. Moved freely to receive the ball in midfield, setting the Gas off on several attacks. Assisted Collins for the second goal.

Harry Anderson - 8

At his best. Rovers have plenty of players who move towards the ball and Anderson provided the opposite, stretching the defence with his pace and endeavour. Opened the scoring by sweeping a low shot beyond Dean Bouzanis from 20 yards and was a constant thorn in the Sutton side.

Elliot Anderson - 8

The Geordie boy was electric, excelling on the half-turn in particular. Claimed the assist for the opening goal and should have had at least one of his own if not for a spot of profligacy. Doubtless, Anderson will be frustrated, but he should be pleased with a good night's work where he caused plenty of problems for the Sutton defence.

Sam Nicholson - 8

Showed glimpse of his best form at the weekend when he had the beating of the full-backs all day and he pieced together a more complete performance here that was only lacking a goal to cap it off. Menaced on both flanks, created several chances and on another night he could have had a couple of goals to his name.

Aaron Collins - 8

Missed a golden chance to make it 2-0 before half time but in this form he had every chance of atoning for that scuffed miss. Won a penalty in first-half stoppage time but the chance wasn't taken by Coutts. Collins, however, took matters into his own hands and scored a sublime goal 25 seconds into the second half.

Bouzanis raced wildly off his line and the Gas striker beat him to it before clipping the ball into an open net from a tight angle 35 yards out.

Substitutes

Glenn Whelan (for Coutts on 70') - 7

A like-for-like replacement for Coutts, bringing the same assuredness in front of the defence.

Luke Thomas (for H Anderson on 77') - 7

Defended from the front to keep Rovers high up the pitch.

Leon Clarke (for Nicholson on 83') - 7

A nice bounce pass showed what he can bring.

Not used: Anssi Jaakkola, Cian Harries, Alex Rodman, Harvey Saunders

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