Rovers are in League Two action at The Fully Charged New Lawn once again as they take on Leyton Orient tonight.
Rob Edwards will be hoping for his side to bounce back after a 2-0 defeat to Bradford City on Saturday.
Here’s everything you need to know about our 18th home opponent of the season, the O’s.
MEET THE MANAGER: RICHIE WELLENS
New Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens succeeded Kenny Jackett as the O’s gaffer last Wednesday, signing a two and a half year deal.
Wellens started his playing career with Manchester United but most notably played for Blackpool, Leicester City and Doncaster Rovers where he played over two spells.
He also had short stints with the likes of Shrewsbury Town, Salford City and two spells with Oldham Athletic before retiring back in 2017.
The 41-year-old's first managerial gig came with Oldham before various spells in League One and Two, with former club Doncaster the most recent of them.
After just over three months out of a job, Wellens became the new Orient boss and gained a point in his first game against Hartlepool United on Saturday.
KEY PLAYER: THEO ARCHIBALD
Formerly of FGR, winger Theodore Archibald joined Leyton Orient from Lincoln City on a season-long loan back in July.
The 24 year old came through the youth system at his hometown club Celtic before moving to sign for Brentford’s B team on a three year deal in 2017.
During his time in West London, Archibald spent the first half of the 2018/19 season on loan in Nailsworth, where he made 21 appearances scoring once in his final game.
A year in Cheshire with Macclesfield Town followed before the Scottish youth international signed a one year contract with Lincoln.
Archibald was kept by the Imps after a patchy season last year but was sent on loan to Orient in the Summer.
He’s been ever-present so far this season, scoring five and assisting six, playing in 28 of Orient’s 34 league games.
FORM – DDDLL
22/02/22 – Leyton Orient 0-2 Bristol Rovers
26/02/22 – Leyton Orient 0-1 Carlisle United
01/03/22 – Colchester United 2-2 Leyton Orient
05/03/22 – Leyton Orient 2-2 Stevenage
12/03/22 – Hartlepool United 0-0 Leyton Orient
PLAYED FOR BOTH SIDES
Ebou Adams:
Current Rovers middle man Ebou Adams is now in his third year in Nailsworth and has made over 100 appearances for the club.
Adams spent time with Tuesdays opponents too, spending one of his four career loan spells with Leyton Orient.
He played the second half of the 2017/18 season with the O’s in the National League, turning out 16 times in the league.
Mark Ellis:
The veteran centre-back had two loan spells with Forest Green, the second at the start of 2017, helping Rovers into the Football League.
Ellis’ next destination was to Leyton Orient on loan where he spent two months making seven league appearances.
The 33 year old recently joined National League Solihull Moors on loan from Barrow having made 16 league appearances for the Bluebirds earlier this season.
LAST TIME OUT
Leyton Orient made it three draws in a row as they were held to a 0-0 stalemate against an in-form Hartlepool United.
The O’s were the first team to come close as Ruel Sotiriou got the break of the ball before firing his effort just over the bar from the edge of the box.
Then it was the hosts turn as Newcastle United loanee Joe White cut In from the left before his effort went just wide of the far post.
After the break the best chance of the game came for Richie Wellens side as a scramble in the box let the ball fall to Hector Kyprianou, whose shot was saved well off the line.
Omar Bogle had a great chance to take the three points toward the end of the game but spurned his chance in the box.
The draw leaves Orient winless in 15 games in all competitions just five points outside the relegation zone.
LAST TIME WE MET
Rovers came back from the capital with a point back in October drawing 1-1 with Leyton Orient.
A fairly quiet first half saw both Matty Stevens and Jamille Matt come close with Stevens’ header being cleared off the line from a corner.
Into the second half and Stevens did score, putting Rovers ahead with 20 minutes left as his bullet header rippled the net.
That lead lasted just eight minutes however as Ruel Sotiriou fired home after a quick break to bring the O’s level.
Neither side could find a winner and Rovers took the point back to GL6 ahead of the visit of Salford City.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Rovers and Orient have met on just five occasions in their respective histories having first come face to face back in November 2019.
The meeting was certainly the most memorable between the two as Rovers ran out 4-2 winners in East London thanks to goals from Matty Stevens, Junior Mondal and an Ebou Adams brace.
The Gloucestershire side dominate the record having not lost to Orient in league action, winning three of the four games.
The O’s beat Rovers in the only other meeting with the win coming in a League Cup tie at the start of last season.
