Bristol Rovers predicted team vs Wigan as Gas conclude turbulent season ahead of hectic summer

Well, we've finally reached the final game of the season. In some ways Bristol Rovers' opening day trip to Portsmouth feels like years ago as well as as though it happened last week. It's been a turbulent campaign of transition which has triggered all of the emotions but, annoyingly, the overriding feeling when reflecting on the season is frustration.

For quite a while there hasn't been anything significant to play for in way of the league table. Play-offs has been quite some distance away for months now while, thankfully, enough points were picked up between August and January to prevent any immediate concerns regarding the bottom end of the table. A top half finish would have been a nice milestone to reach but a difficult conclusion to the campaign has coincided with other teams in midtable picking up form and now 13th to 15th is the range in which Rovers can finish.

Wigan Athletic are the final opponents of this term and are still in reachable distance to the Gas who will finish above the Latics if they win at the DW Stadium this afternoon. They've managed to pick up some form in recent weeks with their most notable result being a 2-1 win at Lincoln City to end the Imps' lengthy unbeaten run.

In terms of what to expect today, there's very little that seems to be set in stone. Amid the major squad overhaul that will occur over the summer, the chances are that some players will be playing their final games for the club are high so whether that will lead to a timid or a triumphant display is yet to be seen. Neither side have anything immediately notable to play for in terms of the league which either means it will be easily forgetable or an instant classic.

One thing that does seem certain though is the vast majority of the players who will start. Over recent weeks Matt Taylor has started selecting a side closer to what he wants his team to look like come the start of next season and therefore we've started to get an indication of who are and aren't in his plans.

In terms of team news, the major lines in terms of who could be involved relates to James Wilson and Academy Player of the Year Kofi Shaw. The former narrowly missed out on being involved against Peterborough United last weekend with his hamstring issue still not quite right while Taylor has confirmed that the latter will be involved in the squad as a result of both reward and a lack of available options.

So, with all that considered, here is our final attempt at predicting 11 out of 11 with the total for the season admittedly a lot lower than I would like...

Goalkeeper and defence

In goal it will undoubtedly be Jed Ward who comes into the game fresh from winning Rovers' Young Player of the Season award for his outstanding second half of the season. It is quite incredible to think that Ward played his first league game of the campaign at the end of January as it already feels as though the 20-year-old goalkeeper has a full season of being number one under his belt.

Of course there will be a decision to make over the summer as to whether or not Taylor opts to have a more experienced 'keeper in between the sticks or he maintains faith in Ward but, regardless of the outcome of that decision, what a season it's been for the academy product who started the campaign on loan at National League Wealdstone.

In front of him, if Wilson is cleared to be fit enough to start, the 35-year-old should certainly come in. A bit of experience in that backline has tended to prove helpful and, with Jack Hunt ruled out, Wilson is the only senior defender available with Connor Taylor also side lined.

Next to the Welshman will likely be Elkan Baggott after a string of outstanding displays at the back for the Gas. Disappointingly, the Ipswich Town loanee will be headed back to Portman Road following the conclusion of his loan spell but, if any of the current six loanees were to return to Rovers over the summer on either a permanent deal or another loan, you would probably deem Baggott the most likely given that he was hardly getting a look in at Ipswich while in the Championship and the Tractor Boys could soon find themselves to be a Premier League outfit.

On the flanks, another loanee who has impressed in blue-and-white quarters is Harvey Vale who you would expect will be subject to another loan move next season but potentially at a higher level as the Chelsea youngster continues to develop. Although he came into the club as an attack-minded player, the 20-year-old has been an absolute credit to himself when playing at left-back and the Gas are certainly going to need to consider their options there regardless of whether the out of contract Lewis Gordon is handed a new deal or not.

Finally in defence, with Hunt injured naturally Luca Hoole will be expected to keep his place in the side but the elephant in the room regarding the right-back and academy product is whether or not it will be his final appearance for the club. You would expect that the 21-year-old has done enough to earn himself a new contract in recent months but that is one in particular that is still up in the air.

Midfield

On the topic of players potentially playing their final games for Rovers, supporters will be particularly hopeful to see both Jordan Rossiter and Antony Evans stay on at the club. Regarding the former, considering that the midfielder has been out of action for 16 months, he has been outstanding in the past three matches and is certainly one out of the players out of contract you would expect to have been offered a new deal.

Additionally, although he's still got another year left on his current deal, the expectation is that Evans will be subject to interest elsewhere after an outstanding campaign that saw him come away with Rovers' player of the season award. Where things stand regarding the possibility of signing a contract extension are unclear but, when asked this week, Taylor revealed he expects Evans to be at the club next season. Whether there was an element of hope in that response as opposed to confidence will have to be seen.

With the 25-year-old dropping deeper to support Rossiter, Brandon Aguilera is expected to keep his place in the middle of the attacking midfield trio. The Nottingham Forest loanee has impressed during the month of April, making it a real shame that he had to miss a month of action for the Gas injured because there is a feeling that Rovers haven't been able to see enough of the Costa Rican in their kit.

Admittedly, the 20-year-old is still a very raw talent and has struggled at times against the more physical sides but there is undoubtedly an exciting player there who you would expect is set for bigger things.

Flanking him seems a no brainer in regards to Scott Sinclair and Luke Thomas. Taylor has hinted that the former could be in line for a new contract which is news you would expect the vast majority of supporters to be delighted with after a string of excellent performances since coming back into the side in February. Pace is an asset that Rovers seriously lack, particularly in the final third, but the 35-year-old has been able to inject a bit of extra speed to the Gas' forward play and is still a valuable asset for both his quality and experience.

For Thomas, three assists in three matches has made it a strong conclusion to a campaign in which the winger has shone but, of his own admittance, there is a feeling that he could be ending the season with even better numbers. Over the past month though since he returned from injury, the 25-year-old has demonstrated what Rovers miss when he's been absent, which admittedly hasn't been that often in the grand scheme of things, and looks set to be an integral part of the side Taylor wants to construct for next season.

Attack

Last but not least, unless the Rovers manager has come up with an alternative option, it seems very likely that Jevani Brown will once again be leading the line. You do have to sympathise with the forward who has proven all season that he is not an out-and-out striker and is at his best when slightly deeper in a more attacking midfield role. To the Gas' frustration though, they don't have the privilege of a recognised centre-forward amid Chris Martin's suspension and John Marquis' supposed injury which has seemed to suggest that the striker will be departing the club.

Undoubtedly it's been a disappointing campaign for Brown who was subject to high hopes upon his arrival after eye-catching form in front of goal for Exeter City but if he can double his goal tally in League One for the season at the DW Stadium, that will certainly be a positive to take into the summer.

Bristol Rovers XI: Jed Ward; Luca Hoole, James Wilson, Elkan Baggott, Harvey Vale; Jordan Rossiter, Antony Evans; Luke Thomas, Brandon Aguilera, Scott Sinclair; Jevani Brown