Case Study: Bristol Rovers

APPROACH 

Clarke assembled a staff team comprising two assistant coaches: Jon Stead and Rhys Carr.

Stead, who had previously worked under Clarke at Barnsley, oversaw in possession and set pieces.

Carr, who had worked at Bristol Rovers Academy in 2022 as lead professional development phase coach, oversaw out of possession and individual development. Each worked alongside a dedicated analyst. 

James Bittner remained goalkeeping coach, having been appointed in February 2025.

During the 2025 off-season and pre-season period, Clarke oversaw a squad overhaul, with six players leaving the club and 14 joining – a combination of purchases, loans and free transfers.

Clarke’s approach was that ‘every game is a project’.

As such, his staff team was tasked with preparing for, overseeing, and reviewing each game in this style, with a focus on beating the team in front of them, and the understanding that results and points were what mattered most, and his job was to do what it took to win. 

Clarke was not committed to a specific shape, preferring his team to be able to play any and every formation in order to combat an opponent. 

GAME V BARROW

On 13 September 2025, Bristol Rovers beat Barrow 2-1 in a home fixture. It was the team’s fourth win and fifth unbeaten game in a row.

The sessions which follow offer insight into the preparation for the game. They were designed and delivered by the assistant head coaches, informed by collaborative reflection with the analysts on what they were likely to face in Barrow.

WHAT FOLLOWED

Rovers’ unbeaten streak was extended to seven games, with a draw away to Colchester United and a win at home to Salford City.

However, nine straight defeats followed. And, after the last in the run, a 3-0 loss at home to Swindon Town, Clarke vacated the head coach spot.

Jon Stead also left, while Rhys Carr remained in his role under new head coach Steve Evans until January 2026.

Clarke is currently head coach of League Two club Tranmere Rovers, having joined them in May 2026.

Stead is now assistant coach at his hometown and youth team club, Huddersfield Town, having joined the club in a coaching role in January 2026.

THE COACH – Jon Stead

Role at Bristol Rovers: Assistant head coach

Started coaching: 2021

Highest coaching qualification: UEFA A Licence

Previous clubs: TB Rowdies, Barnsley

As a player: Striker who went through the youth system at Huddersfield Town before going on to represent them. Played at various other English clubs including Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Sheffield United, Ipswich Town, Bristol City and Notts County. Represented England U21s 11 times.

Current role: First team coach, Huddersfield Town

CONNECT AND RELEASE

We set up in an area 44yds wide, and from one end to the edge of the centre circle, with two 16 yd x 16 yd areas and one 5yd x 5yd area as shown, and two full size goals in place. There are four attackers (red) in each box, a number of defenders (blue) in the small box ready to press, and two attackers and one defender in the area beyond the boxes.

The Red team set up replicates our 4-3-3 shape, with the back four set across the two boxes (a centre back and a full-back in each), alongside what would be a winger and a six. The strikers up top, each one working with one of the boxes, are the high outlet.  They can start wherever they like within the space.

The ball starts with the in-possession goalkeeper, who plays to one of the centre backs. The four players in the box must play five passes before they can play forwards. Two blues come into the box to press. Once the ball has gone forward, the striker goes 1v1 to goal [1a].

If the in-possession team are struggling to connect and release, they can go back to the goalkeeper who can switch it to the box on the other side. The attackers in this box must now work five passes, while two other blues come in to press [1b].

If any of the blues win the ball, they go quickly to goal. The goalkeeper is passive in this instance [1c].

We might progress the session by removing the pass restriction in the boxes, or by allowing the boxes to switch directly between each other, rather than working an indirect switch via the goalkeeper, to connect the back four.

We’re looking for sharp passes, ideally getting to goal as quickly as possible, focusing on the speed at which we connect and using the space that we’ve got available.

[1a]

1. The red team set-up replicates our 4-3-3 shape

2. The back four is set across the two boxes, with a centre back and a full-back in each

3. A winger and a six are at the top of each box

4. The strikers provide a high outlet

5. The ball starts with the goalkeeper who plays to one of the centre backs

6. The reds must play five passes before they can play forwards

7. Two blues press

8. The striker goes 1v1 to goal

[1b]

1. If the reds can’t get out, they can switch via the goalkeeper

2. The two blues in the first box go back to their starting positions

3. Two other blues go into the other box to press

[1c]

1. If the blues regain they go quickly to goal

2. The goalkeeper is passive
   
   

BUILD

We set up in an area 44yds wide, and from one end to the edge of the centre circle, with channels indicated as shown. We play 10v8, with the in-possession team of 10 (reds) playing a 4-3-3 and the out-of-possession team (blues) playing a 3-3-2, essentially removing the wingbacks.

The ball starts with the in-possession goalkeeper. The blues press with five – the midfield three and attacking two– making it an 8v5 in the defending zone. The three blue defenders are locked in the defensive zone with the three red attackers.  The red team must beat the press and build.  Once the reds break into the attacking zone, zones are unlocked.

The back four are key in this, especially the full-backs who must start wide and deep. If building down the left, the left winger should start and stay high, effectively pinning the opposition’s wingback. The right eight can drop more into a pivot six, while the right winger narrows off [2a].

If building down the right, the shape looks slightly different. The right winger should come down the line to receive and the nearest eight should look to be in the pocket as a weakside pass [2b].

The aim is to always play to a finish. If the blues regain the ball, they go to goal [2c].

We’re working on positioning, timing of movements and connections.

[2a]

1. The red team set up replicates our 4-3-3 shape

2. The blue team set up in a 3-3-2

3. The blues press with five – the midfield three and attacking two, making it an 8v5 in the defending zone

4. The three blue defenders are locked in the defensive zone with the three red attackers

5. The reds build down the left

6. The full-back starts wide and deep

7. The left winger starts and stays high, effectively pinning the opposition’s wingback

8. The right eight drops into a pivot six

9. The right winger narrows off

[2b]

1. The reds build down the right

2. The right winger comes down the line to receive

3. The nearest eight is in the pocket as a weakside pass

[2c]

1. Blues regain the ball

2. They go to goal quickly

THE COACH – Rhys Carr

Role at Bristol Rovers: Assistant head coach

Started coaching: 2010

Highest coaching qualification: UEFA A Licence

Previous teams: Coventry City, Ireland Women, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United, Bristol City, Cardiff City, Swansea City

FORCE LONG AND WIN

We set up from one edge of the pitch to the edge of the other penalty box and 60yds wide, with channels and two mannequins positioned as shown.

We play 10v9 on pitch. The 10, the out-of-possession team (blues) set up in a 4-3-3, while the in-possession team (reds) are in a 3-3-3.

Play starts with the red goalkeeper, and the reds look to build through the six. The blues aim to cut the six off from the ball, forcing the reds to go long. The aim is then, when 5v4 after the long ball, the blues land on second balls, gain possession and connect quickly on the regain [3a].

If the reds are able to connect and get the ball into the six, the blues then work to regain by flattening off into a 3-4 behind the ball, and looking to delay play, preventing the opposition from playing around, over, or through. Again, once the ball has been regained, we reconnect quickly [3b].

If the blues progress, they look to score [3c]. Play restarts with the red goalkeeper each time.

[3a]

1. The blue team set up replicates our 4-3-3 shape

2. The reds set up in a 3-3-3

3. Play starts with the red goalkeeper, and the reds look to build through the six

4. The blues cut the six off, forcing the reds to go long

5. The blues are now 5v4 and look to win the ball

6. The blues connect quickly on the regain

[3b]

1. The reds connect and get the ball into the six

2. The blues flatten off into a 3-4 behind the ball

3. The blues delay play and regain

[3c]

1. The blues connect quickly after the regain and score