Matt Taylor comments show he recognises danger facing Bristol Rovers and him in FA Cup | OneFootball

Bristol Rovers host non-league Weston-Super-Mare in the FA Cup First Round

Bristol Rovers meet close neighbours Weston-Super-Mare this weekend as the first round proper of the 2024-2025 Emirates FA Cup gets underway. It’s a day that excites fans and players alike but can equally be joined by dread for some supporters as those clubs out of form coming up against a gritty non-league team can face a nervy 90+ minutes of grueling, often unpretty football.

For a Bristol Rovers side currently in mixed form, it could be the unpretty version we see this weekend as the Gas face a Seagulls side on a hefty 16-game unbeaten run. And with pressure on the manager already at boiling point, Rovers gaffer Matt Taylor will have no room for error.

Some are confused by all the pressure that the Pirates manager is currently under with Rovers having won three of their last five in League One. While many others are confused as to how he still has his position given his win/loss record and the manner of some of the defeats Bristol Rovers have endured this season.

Taylor himself clearly recognises the danger that both the Gas and he face heading into an FA Cup tie against a local foe as very heavy favourites.

A tricky test for the Gas

The National League South outfit are expected to pose a tricky test for the Gas with it being billed by some associated with Weston-Super-Mare as the biggest game in the club's history.

The Seagulls are currently sitting top of a tight-looking National League South table with 27 points from 13 games, level with Farnborough who have played one game more.

It’s also not their first time at the FA Cup proper dance with Weston looking to equal their best performance in the competition, which came in the 2003-04 season when they reached the second round and met Northampton Town.

They entered this year's competition in the second qualifying round, winning 2-0 away at Wimborne, with Luke Coulson and Nick McCootie grabbing the goals. Then beating another familiar name to Bristolians - Chippenham Town - in the next round.

Expectations of an easy win

Bristol Rovers have a strong home record so far this season and ordinarily will be expected to progress against a side three tiers below them in the football pyramid. In his pre-match briefing with local media, Taylor commented on the pressure that comes with the expectations of an easy win against non-league opposition.

He said: "We speak about being professional footballers and it being a privilege and part of being a privilege is the pressure you get with it. And this weekend, there might be more pressure because the expectation is there with the difference between the leagues.

"But we, internally, fully respect Weston, certainly in terms of the form they’re on and the job Scott [Bartlett]’s done there for a number of seasons and the players they’ve got. We know some of them. They’re quite familiar to us. I’ve worked with a couple in the past and they’re seriously good players. But if we’re on our game, regardless of who we’re playing, our home form has generally shown that if we’re where we need to be, we’ll be okay.

Taylor spoke further of his familiarity with several of the players having worked with them previously. He added: “They’ve got some physical players, some strong players, some ball-handling players. [James] Dodds and Kane [Ingram] in midfield, ex-Exeter boys so we know a little bit about them. I’ve worked with Reuben Reid and Nick McCootie in the past. So, physicality top end of the pitch. Ruben’s still a fantastic platform and profile for any team, let alone that level. They’ve got a good group of players across the board.”

And with such close proximity between the clubs, it's no surprise to find a number of former Gas players who have played for both sides. Including David Mehew, Lewis Hogg, and Justin Skinner to name a few.

Matt Taylor must not lose FA Cup first round clash

It’s a match Bristol Rovers just simply must not lose while with no replays in the competition anymore, there'll be no second chance.

The Gas go into the game as heavy favourites and are expected to brush the non-league outfit aside by most but Taylor's comments suggest he recognises the danger that Weston pose - both for his players and his future.

The local factor will only drive the visitor's motivation and may add to the nerves for Rovers while losing on Saturday would surely spell the end of a difficult time in charge of the club for the manager.

With there only being a 40-minute or so drive to Weston-Super-Mare and the club having followers from both of Bristol’s professional football clubs, the match is likely to have a derby feel. In theory, it should be a comfortable afternoon for Rovers. In practice, however, it may be very different.