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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Sam Frost

International attention, scouting visits and keepers' union – Bristol Rovers moments missed

Elliot Anderson's superb goal and performance rightly dominated the headlines after Bristol Rovers defeated Colchester United at the Mem on Tuesday evening, but there were plenty of moments of interest in the background in BS7.

Joey Barton's side's excellent form continued as the Gas burst into the play-off places for the first time this season, and with so many players in fine form, it is only natural that more and more attention is received from external sources.

Seventh place is now in Rovers' possession, with their latest win coming on an eventful evening in North Bristol. Here are some of the moments you may have missed as Rovers enhanced their promotion credentials with a ninth win since the turn of the year...

Luton Town take another look at Anderson

It was widely reported throughout January that Luton Town were seriously considering a loan move for Elliot Anderson, but Hatters boss Nathan Jones later revealed they did not believe the 19-year-old was quite ready for Championship football.

That decision has had a huge impact on Rovers' season, with the Gas benefitting from a talent too good to be playing in League Two. In 12 appearances for Barton's side, Anderson has three goals and two assists to his name, but it is the manner with which he has performed that has caught the eye.

The evidence – his superior technique and the ease with which he glides away from challenges – points to Anderson having the tools to cut it at a higher level next season, and Luton assistant manager and chief recruitment officer Mick Harford was an interested viewer at the Mem on Tuesday.

Hatters legend Harford sat high up in the East Stand – not for the first time this season – and if he indeed was spending the evening in BS7 taking a closer look at Anderson, it certainly was not a wasted visit.

Millwall scout David Lee, a former Chelsea and Rovers defender, was also in attendance on Tuesday.

International eyes

Sat nearby to Harford on Tuesday evening was Wales under-21 manager Paul Bodin, the father of Gas hero Billy Bodin, of course. Bodin has been seen at the occasional Rovers game this season and there are plenty of Wales-qualified talents in the Gas squad for him to be looking at.

Sion Spence was the main subject of his visits earlier in the season, with the Crystal Palace loanee the proud owner of six Wales under-21 caps, but he has fallen down the pecking order and not featured for the Gas since December.

Instead, Bodin was sure to be taking a close look at right-back Luca Hoole, who has been outstanding in his maiden full season for Rovers. The academy graduate has cemented his place in Barton's defence, starting the past 11 games and making 24 appearances in all competitions.

The 19-year-old, born in Newport, has been capped by his country at under-19 level but is awaiting recognition at under-21 level. In this form, a call-up is inevitable.

Another Rovers player who could be on Bodin's radar is centre-half James Connolly. The on-loan Cardiff City defender is a scouser, but has Welsh parentage and is another young talent who could be closing in on a call-up thanks to his excellent form in the blue and white quarters.

The 20-year-old, like Hoole, missed out on selection for this month's games against Switzerland and Bulgaria, which won't displease Barton because two crucial members of his back four will not be taken away on international duty, but they are doubtless knocking on the door.

Belshaw banter

James Belshaw is known for bringing the positive vibes to raise a smile at the Mem, but he took a chance to wind-up goalkeeping understudy Jed Ward on Tuesday night.

Belshaw had completed the bulk of his warm-up with Ward and goalkeeping coach Tony Warner, with Ward taking his turn at catching some crosses from the former Liverpool goalkeeper.

The teenager lined up one cross and lowered himself to spring up and catch it, only for Belshaw to intervene. Rovers' number one, holding another ball, threw it into the path of Warner's cross, knocking it off its path and leaving Ward clutching at thin air.

Belshaw's infectious grin came in handy once again as the pair embraced afterwards with no hard feelings.

Bristol City presence

The Bristol City connections in Colchester's squad, Cole Skuse and Owura Edwards, took plenty of stick from the terraces throughout the 90 minutes, but there was one man in the stands taking a closer look at the latter.

Edwards is on loan from Ashton Gate to Colchester and the winger looked an interesting but very raw prospect on Tuesday. His burst of speed made him dangerous but he was guilty of trying to do too much on his own, wasting possession and promising positions.

Edwards was being scouted by former City midfielder Matthew Hewlett in the East Stand.

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Connor Taylor's composure

With the Gas unable to add to their one-goal lead on Tuesday, tension was building at the Mem but centre-back Connor Taylor showed no shortage of composure on the ball.

After sitting deep for much of the contest, Colchester gradually started to show some more ambition in the closing stages but Rovers' defence is made of tough stuff these days and they saw out a 13th clean sheet of the season with relative ease.

Their confidence was typified by a moment of skill from Taylor, who intercepted a pass under pressure and worked his way away from danger with a fancy flick that bought him time and space on the ball to play upfield, showing yet another glimpse of the self-belief that is powering Rovers' excellent form.

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