It is rumoured that Geoff Dunford will consider terminating the contract of Ian Atkins this week. After a promising start, the season has dwindled into mediocrity, with a joint club record 17 draws. The elimination from the LDV Vans trophy last night in Southend has ended the remotest possiblity of success this season, and it is thought the board will consider ringing the changes.
Attendances are vastly down, only 5,000 turned up on Saturday - for a club that usually attracts 7,500. This 'stay away' protest is not directed just at dissappointing results, many fans blame the boring long ball approach adopted by Atkins - it is the opinion of some that for £12 a ticket they at least deserve some entertainment for their money.
A promising group of players are on the books at Rovers, on paper they are not a million miles away from success, but Atkins has squarely failed to get the best out of them. If Atkins is removed this week then the most likely successor remains Russell Osman, who guided Rovers to safety last season and made way for Atkins. Other candidates include former Mansfield boss Keith Curle, who is Bristolian, and former captain Andy Tillson.