Day 1 Of Pre-Season

The Rovers squad returned to their Cribbs Causeway training base today for their first pre-season session of the summer. They were put through their paces by Fitness Coach Mark Hammond and physio Phil Kite, easing them in for the real work which begins next Monday.

Lifted from: bristolrovers.co.uk

The players were not joined by any new faces, other than the permanent return of goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall. Well, I say that, Conor Gough could count as a 'new face' given his new style - he's no longer bald! German winger Fabian Broghammer officially signed his new deal today but there was no other news to report on day 1 of pre-season.

Tom Parkes was interviewed and made it abundantly clear what he hopes to achieve this coming season: "I am looking to get the club promoted. All the boys want promotion. We have to work hard and if we can carry on what we did the second half of last season we have got a chance."

It's nice that even from this early stage of summer preparations that a player as influential as Parkes has set out the collective desire for promotion. The young centre half has also expressed his want of the captain's armband once again come August.

"I would love to be captain again, I thought second half of last season I did well with the band on. No matter what I always count myself as a captain, but I want to be the main man."

He most certainly is one of our main men and I think it would be a brave decision from John Ward not to give him the captaincy full-time. The recovery of club captain Matt Gill from a knee injury has led to speculation that he will retain the armband but the good form we enjoyed from January last season stemmed from Parkes assuming the role. I'd give it back to Parkes personally because I'm not even sure Gill will be a first team regular.

The good news is David Clarkson is also fit and will take a full part in all pre-season training. It means there's every chance we can see the best of Clarky next year, something we were unable to see last campaign due to persistent injury problems. His best position is subject of much debate but whether Ward sees him as a central midfielder or a striker I think we have ourselves a very talented player.

Hopefully the club can be active in the transfer market and secure some signings soon because we have quickly gone from being one of the only clubs to recruit to being one of the only clubs to sign just 1 player. We're still pursuing John-Joe O'Toole and I'm sure the gaffer will want to strengthen elsewhere too. Come on Gas, put us out of our misery!