Bristol Rovers have taken Isaac Hutchinson transfer risk - it might overshadow positives | OneFootball

Bristol Rovers transfer risk on Isaac Hutchinson could overshadow positives

Another transfer window has drawn to a close and Bristol Rovers fans are once more debating whether their side is stronger or weaker than it was before the summer window. And with the Gas having finally put to an end a horrendous winless run in the league with back-to-back victories against Grimsby Town and Cambridge United, it's a debate that can perhaps be shut down pretty quickly.

After a slow start to deadline day, it was a somewhat frantic conclusion with a late flurry of activity as the window was closing – and the Gas focusing heavily on the loan market. It would, however, be an outgoing loan deal that caught the most attention, with midfielder Isaac Hutchinson confirmed by Cheltenham Town after the window had closed.

Isaac Hutchinson struggled to match expectations at Bristol Rovers

At the time of his arrival at Bristol Rovers, Hutchinson was a signing that had some Gasheads licking their lips. The youngster had a seeming breakout year in League Two the previous season and many expected him to kick on in a team widely tipped for a strong season last campaign. Relegation would, in fact, follow and, for whatever reason, he just wasn’t able to make his mark on the Bristol Rovers side.

The 25-year-old had appeared to find some degree of form in recent weeks with some decent appearances off the bench, including grabbing the consolation goal as the Gas went down 3-1 at Chesterfield. Hutchinson would also play the full 90 minutes in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Tottenham Under 21s in the EFL Trophy, adding his name to the scoresheet in the process.

It was always clear that central midfield was a position that needed strengthening and Hutchinson’s lack of form meant Darrell Clarke needed some extra reinforcements. It subsequently also became clear that there was more to Hutchinson’s inability to settle at the club than met the eye.

Hutchinson’s partner shared via her Instagram business account this week that the pair had been subjected to vile and despicable abuse, seemingly also targeted towards her business interests, with now deleted footage even surfacing online of some of the horrifying abuse. The club and the wider Gashead family were quick to condemn such abuse, which should have no place in football or society.

Isaac Hutchinson to Cheltenham Town a risk, but there is a "but" for Bristol Rovers

Hutchinson ultimately may have had a say in his departure, but his late exit had some scratching their heads, with Gasheads online concerned about the lack of depth in central midfield. For that, it's a risk.

In contrast, there is a sense among Gasheads that the window has been a successful one, with several additions already bringing a new quality to the side. A series of gritty, resilient performances has already spawned a renewed sense of pride in the team, with the returning Alfie Kilgour perhaps demonstrating this the most - winning plaudits from the fanbase for his presence in the Bristol Rovers defence.

Fresh impetus has also been afforded to the midfield with the addition of veteran Josh McEachran, and full-back Macauley Southam-Hales even demonstrating some of his creative flair with his winning wonder strike against Cambridge over the weekend. And it could even be said that Rovers’ best business came from the players they managed to retain, with the likes of Kamil Conteh, Luke Thomas and Ruel Sotiriou all subject to heavy speculation.

Rovers might feel that they have sufficient cover with the additions of Joel Cotterill on loan from Swansea City, and Ryan Howley on a two-year contract, adding to Conteh and McEachran down the middle, but Rovers’ injury record is well known and concerns that the Gas might get caught out here are valid. When asked by Football League World whether there was a recall clause in the agreement with Cheltenham, the club would neither confirm nor deny its inclusion.

There is a real risk then that, despite what is currently seen as a successful summer window, it may get overshadowed should the Gas fall into injury and/or suspension problems before they have an opportunity to address it.