Lawrence backs new setup

Lennie Lawrence insists Bristol Rovers' new two-tier management system can work.

The former Middlesbrough, Luton Town and Cardiff City boss was appointed director of football by The Pirates on Monday, with Paul Trollope retaining his position as first team coach.

The West Country club opted not to appoint a manager after parting ways with Ian Atkins back in September and choosing instead to have Lawrence and Trollope in differing football management roles with the League Two club.

Lawrence defended the club's decision to go in the management direction they have chosen, claiming that it is a setup that is often overlooked.

"I think this club is structured and set up for a director of football," Lawrence told Sky Sports News.

"That became clear in two interviews I had - both from the board's side and my side.

"There's a young progressive coach in Paul Trollope, who has done very well in his caretaker spell, but it's hard these days.

"I think it'll benefit him and hopefully, benefit me and the football club.

"We share the same philosophy, which is a coincidence, as I didn't know that when I came in.

"Football is littered with arrangements like this that have failed - we all know that - but I think with the director of football thing, aspersions have been cast and it's been dismissed out of hand at too many levels.

"I think there is a place for it. It can work but obviously things have got to be clearly defined and it's got to take a willingness of two people to make it work."

The Pirates are languishing in the bottom half of the table and Trollope believes it is time his side give Rovers supporters something to be cheerful about.

"At the start of last season, when we were the near the top of the division, we were getting 9,000 fans and that tailed off, but we know there's potential," Trollope added.

"The fan base is big and they're fantastic fans as well.

"We want to give them something to shout about by getting into the top half of the table and be pushing towards the play-offs, then we'll see what fantastic support we do have."