the signing of Tuesday night, Jevani Brown scored his first goal for Bristol Rovers against Port Vale with an incredible strike.
Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton told his followers on Twitter before the start of the season that Jevani Brown was one of League One’s top summer additions. The 28-year-old has had some difficulty getting going, but it appears like we may be about to see the forward at his peak.
Granted, Brown’s debut was greeted with skepticism—not because of his football prowess, but rather because of his off-field issues. The 28-year-old, who had previously pleaded to a second charge of assault involving a different lady, arrived at Rovers as he was about to be on trial after entering a plea of not guilty to attacking a woman.
With Her Game Too, a movement to “tackle sexism and champion women in sport,” issuing a statement declaring that they will be reconsidering their connection with the football club as a result of the signing, this understandably made many sections of the fandom uneasy.
Following a drunken altercation outside an Exeter nightclub, the summer signing was later fined £5,000 for hitting one woman and using threatening behavior toward another. Brown was quite contrite and blamed alcohol for his actions. He has been receiving alcohol abuse treatment from the PFA.
There was universal agreement that Brown, who was a League One player of the season nominee for half a season of activity with Exeter City, could be a valuable asset on the field despite the fact that his coming at Rovers sparked criticism among, for such activities.
His star forward was suspended by the Grecians in February, and he didn’t play again that year. Although his ability at third tier level was undeniable, he had already scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 27 league outings.
Given his notoriety, signing Brown was always going to be a risk for the Gas, and the forward would be under more pressure to perform on the field as a result, even though he arrived on a free transfer.
The Jamaican would undoubtedly acknowledge that his season hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts after suffering an injury after the first two games and having to enter the field as a replacement for three straight games before being given the chance to start against Port Vale.
Getting an assist for Luke Thomas’ goal against Portsmouth on the first weekend was the ideal way to get going in the Gas jersey, and getting another against Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy was the right way to get back in the lineup after a discouraging loss. However, it has always been clear that the forward needs some time to adjust after not playing in a competitive game since joining Rovers in January.
Brown has never appeared to be playing at his full potential while donning blue-and-white quarters since the 28-year-old is obviously still getting used to his new surroundings. When Barton’s team defeated Port Vale 3-0 on Tuesday night, the same could be said at times. However, in that triumph, the forward scored a thunderous goal and made a superb assist. If that’s what he’s capable of when he’s not at his best, the shape he’s going to take next will be terrifying.
at addition to getting hurt, Brown hasn’t always played at what he considers to be his best position. The creative informed the club’s media in his debut interview: “My best position is attacking midfielder, what people nowadays call a number 10.” Since Barton has been successful since transitioning to a 4-3-3 formation, it appears that he will need to adapt. His position has varied between striker, left wing, and right flank.
The normal right winger Thomas is now projected to miss six weeks of action due to a hamstring injury, thus he is now poised for a run of starts. Brown had earlier opportunities, but they frequently ended with a red buzzer, so Tuesday night’s match against Port Vale was another chance. The talisman, on the other hand, got the better deal this time, leaving the Mem with a goal and an assist.
Additionally, it wasn’t always pretty from the forward, with a few errant touches or hefty passes occasionally igniting groans from the home crowd. There is so much more to come, which should be really exciting.
Brown is anticipated to be one of the players who helps lighten Aaron Collins’ load this season, showing just how much the roster has improved since last year when Collins was always considered the primary goal threat. Additionally, the summer addition might have defeated Collins for the League One player of the season award had he played the entire season.
The cliche that every League One game is important always holds true, but with a winnable run of games ahead of them, the Gas have a real potential to go an entire month without losing, if not finish October with a perfect record.
Well, the notion that they are winnable derives from the presumption that teams vying for promotions would view them favorably as chances to score three points. Although Rovers see themselves as possible prospects, it has to be seen whether they can truly live up to their words. However, the early indications are promising.
