In what has been a turbulent first half of the 2024-25 season for Bristol Rovers, the turn of the year represents a chance for owner Hussain Alsaeed to refresh his squad.
George Friend, the Gas’ director of football, has a prime opportunity to make additions to a squad quite clearly a few steps away from being the finished article.
Their current inhabitance towards the bottom end of the League One table suggests they need additions that can impact the first-team immediately.
Scouting primarily from the leagues beneath, FLW takes a look at a trio that could realistically be tempted to the Mem this winter, in pursuit of stabilizing a rickety season in England’s third-tier.
James Tilley – AFC Wimbledon
26-year-old James Tilley has been exceptional for AFC Wimbledon this campaign, with proficiency in a wide-left position that could cetainly be utilised on Gloucester Road.
While his pre-Christmas total of two goals and four assists is respectable, it goes no way to explaining exactly how active Tilley has been in attack this campaign.
According to WhoScored, the former Brighton man is averaging 2.4 key passes per game, a figure seconded only by Tranmere’s Sam Finley.
| Potential Bristol Rovers Signings – January 2025 | |||
| Name | Position | Team | Contract expiring |
| Kyron Gordon | RCB | Rochdale AFC | June 2026 |
| Gavin Kilkenny | CM | Swindon Town | June 2026 |
| James Tilley | LM | AFC Wimbledon | June 2025 |
The winger, who can be used all across the midfield positions too, is out of contract in the summer, making him a perfect man to target for a bargain fee in January.
If he could continue his level of output in League One, the acquisition of Tilley could revalutionise Rovers’ threat from wide positions, something that has been identified as a problem area this year.
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