How are the nerves?

Even with four games remaining after today, this really feels like last chance saloon for Bristol Rovers to, at the very least, keep their fate in their control.

A run of five consecutive defeats has to be ended with a win this afternoon at home to Exeter City for the Gas to have a realistic chance of avoiding relegation to League Two.

Rovers can take positives from past performances into today, even if they didn't get the desired results. Inigo Calderon's side should have won, let alone drawn, last time out at the Mem against now-promoted Birmingham City who came away with a 2-1 win. Even against Bolton Wanderers last week, although their ball use was poor, they were extremely disciplined and sturdy without it and arguably did enough to deserve a point.

This time, they will come up against a different sort of team in Exeter while the focus will very much be on them as opposed to their opponent. Past matches suggests that that sort of pressure doesn't suit the Gas but they have to get past that. I think we will learn a great deal about this group in how they go about today.

There wasn't too much wrong at Bolton with it one of Rovers' better away displays of late which is a pretty significant statement considering that the Pirates now officially have the worst current record on the road in League One this season.

Naturally, there's likely to be a change or two at the very least. Here's how we think Calderon will set his team up this afternoon...

Goalkeeper and defence

The back-four shape is here to stay it seems. For a game that Bristol Rovers need to win, it certainly seems the way to go.

Jed Ward in between the sticks is a given. The 21-year-old will have been frustrated to come away on the losing side last weekend after not being forced into much action; the same can be said about the Birmingham game too.

Ahead of the goalkeeper, Connor Taylor and James Wilson as the centre-backs is a given, but there are still some question marks surrounding the full-backs. Sil Swinkels had a good game at left-back last weekend with Clinton Mola left out of the squad. Meanwhile, Lino Sousa remains sidelined through injury.

On the opposite flank, Taylor Moore was solid defensively but didn't look as comfortable as he does in his natural position at centre-back and therefore bringing in a natural option like Jack Hunt just makes sense.

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Midfield

Romaine Sawyers has impressed since returning from injury while Matt Butcher has also had a couple of good games lately, making their partnership as a pivot work nicely. Grant Ward will be knocking on the door, of course, but the midfielder currently finds himself third in that particular pecking order.

More advanced, and Kofi Shaw continues to shine in a senior setting. Admittedly, he has played better than he did against Bolton last weekend but the 18-year-old is likely to keep his place considering the talent he posseses. Isaac Hutchinson will rightly feel hard done by but the attacking midfielder will be expected to be one of the first substitutes to be brought on if he doesn't start the game.

On the flanks, Ruel Sotiriou is a given on the left, although supporters would probably argue that the 24-year-old is being wasted out wide and needs to be leading the line after going six games without a goal. It would be a surprise to see Scott Sinclair start there with the skipper the obvious alternative.

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Out on the right, it's a close call between Shaq Forde and Luke Thomas. The former has started the last three games and has produced improved displays having gone through a poor spell which concluded with a four-game suspension for his second red card of the season. Meanwhile, Thomas came on with a point to prove at Bolton last weekend and was a handful for the defence.

Admittedly, when he has started recently, the winger has been disappointing. However, it's a home game, a must win and Rovers have been short of attacking quality lately - this feels like a good time for Thomas to step back in.

Striker

Last but not least, Gatlin O'Donkor is expected to lead the line. The striker was excellent against Birmingham but then disappointing at Bolton. Consistency at 20 years of age is tricky to manage so hopefully the Oxford United loanee finds his best again this afternoon and scores a fourth goal for the club.

Michael Reindorf, meanwhile, deserves a mention. The Cardiff City loanee didn't get on the pitch at Bolton but did make his first squad in over a month. Perhaps he could be on the brink of getting some minutes this afternoon if the Gas are in need of reinforcements up top.

Bristol Rovers XI (4-2-3-1): Jed Ward; Jack Hunt, James Wilson, Connor Taylor, Sil Swinkels; Romaine Sawyers, Matt Butcher; Luke Thomas, Kofi Shaw, Ruel Sotiriou; Gatlin O'Donkor

"That's two orange Americans too many"

News

The arrival of the first branch of Popeyes Louisiana fried chicken establishments in Bristol today was met by queues around the building, people sleeping their cars - and a very cheeky riposte from the city’s long-established fried chicken chain.

Miss Millie’s the very Bristol chain of fried chicken shops have taken out a digital ad on the billboard just yards from the new Popeyes, starting a beef with the new upstarts.

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The digital ad is currently showing to drivers on the southbound St Philips Causeway on the flyover next to the Avonmeads Retail Park, where US chain Popeyes opened its first fried chicken restaurant on Friday morning, April 11.

The US chain, with its distinctive orange branding, are on a massive expansion programme in the UK, but bringing their version of fried chicken to the home of Miss Millie’s appears to have started a bit of beef.

The cheeky ad reads: “Trump? Popeyes? That’s two orange Americans too many,” and alongside the Miss Millie’s logo is the strapline “We’re Bristol born and breaded since 1988”.

Miss Millie’s, famously, was started by Harry Latham back in 1988 after he spent more than 20 years as Colonel Sanders’ right-hand man, bringing KFC from America to Britain from 1965.

READ MORE: Inside new Popeyes chicken spot with exclusive 'shatter crunch' chicken

Harry, a Bristolian, started his own chain of fried chicken shops - named after Colonel Sanders’ daughter Mildred - in his home town and beyond, and the firm remained in the family with Harry's daughters until 2018, a year before Harry passed away.

With the arrival of Popeyes, Miss Millie’s wanted to mark the occasion and remind Bristolians who the OG fried chicken kings - or queens - are in the city.

The ad went live even before today’s big Popeyes opening at 11am, and will run for the rest of the weekend. “We wanted to welcome Popeyes to the city with a bit of Bristol charm,” said a spokesperson for Miss Millie’s.

“We’re so proud of how fiercely independent the city is, and to have been part of it for so long, so we thought we’d give them a proper Bristol welcome.”

Bristol Rovers are back in action this weekend as they look to stay up in League One

Bristol Rovers are embroiled in a League One relegation battle right now as they look to avoid relegation to League Two. Inigo Calderon’s side are back in action this weekend with a home clash against Exeter City as they aim to return to winning ways. They were beaten 1-0 away at Bolton Wanderers last time out.

Aaron Collins scored against his former club as the Gas slumped to a narrow defeat in the North West. That result has left them in 20th place in the table with five fixtures left to play. They are three points above Burton Albion below them but the Brewers have a game in-hand.

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Bristol Rovers goalkeeper and defence

Jed Ward has been Bristol Rovers’ number one since Josh Griffiths’ return to West Brom in January. He spent the first-half of this season out on loan from the Memorial Ground at Forest Green Rovers in the National League to get some experience under his belt. The 21-year-old will be looking to keep a clean sheet against Exeter to help his team.

Taylor Moore went off against Bolton in the Gas’ last outing against Bolton. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Jack Hunt come in for him from the off against the Grecians. He is more experienced and is a more attacking option down the right flank.

James Wilson and Connor Taylor have been Calderon’s preferred centre-back pairing recently and they will look to keep Gary Caldwell’s side at bay. Aston Villa loanee Sil Swinkels is likely to make up the backline along with the duo. He was given the green light to link up with the Pirates on a temporary basis in the last window to get some experience under his belt in the Football League.

Bristol Rovers midfield and attack

Kofi Shaw has a bright future ahead of him in the game but Calderon could take him out of the firing line for this one against Exeter. He has said this week: "I feel kind of sorry for him. I don't think he deserves to be in this situation and I'm so glad that he's dealing with the pressure so well and it's not affecting his game. Hopefully, we will be fine and he will learn so much from the situation.”

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The youngster may have more of an influence off the bench in the second half. Isaac Hutchinson could come back in for him to add some fresh legs to the middle of the park. Romaine Sawyers and Matt Butcher are likely to get the nod again in midfield.

On the wings, Scott Sinclair may come back into the starting XI. Similarly to Hunt, he has bags of experience and his influence will come in handy for the younger players. On the other flank, Shaq Forde’s pace and power can cause problems.

Up top, Gatlin O’Donkor usually leads the line for Bristol Rovers. He has scored only three league goals this term. If Calderon’s men are to survive, they need him to get firing more.

Bristol Rovers predicted XI vs Exeter City: Ward; Hunt, Wilson, Taylor, Swinkels; Sawyers, Hutchinson, Butcher; Sinclair, Forde; O’Donkor

Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.

Harry Matuszewicz-Milne moved to Bristol with his wife in 2011. A year later, they purchased their £148,000 two-bedroom flat where they live with their two-year-old Cavapoo, Bonnie.

It might now be 2025, but inside, it’s 1982 — the very same year The Haçienda nightclub opened its doors in Manchester.

The venue was the epicentre of a music scene that pulsed through the veins of not just Manchester, but rave culture across the UK in the 1980s and early 1990s. Legends from Oasis and The Happy Mondays to The Stone Roses and even Madonna performed there.

As soon as he picked up his keys to his Bristol home, Harry, now an interior designer, knew that he wanted to commemorate the nightclub, which closed in 1997.

Inside, it’s a maximalist dream, with leopard prints, blaring colour and the same yellow and black striped hazard tape that adorned the walls of The Haçienda.

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With that in mind, here’s what Harry had to say about his property journey…

I’m Harry, aged 42. I’m originally from Aberdeen but have been in Bristol since 2011.

I was a registered mental health nurse until very recently, and then I requalified as an interior designer after I graduated with a first from the University of the West of England (UWE) last summer.

Old Market, right in the centre of Bristol. My wife and love it here. We can walk everywhere we need to get to, so I rarely get taxis.

Town is right on the doorstep, but Old Market itself has a great range of pubs, shops, a bakery and places to eat.

July 2012.

£148,000.

£22,200.

£1,151 per month.

We were able to save up a lot over the years. When I was a nurse, I worked extra shifts, which would often give me an extra weeks’ pay per month. We also got married in 2008, and were kindly gifted money from our guests.

It was relatively straightforward. We used the services of a financial advisor, who talked us through things. In many ways, it was daunting as nobody teaches you stuff like this at school.

It was a 33-year term.

We’d been renting a property in Clifton. We were fortunate to have a good landlord, but it was a bit dingy as it was a basement flat. Before that, we’d been renting in Aberdeen.

I wanted to be able to decorate properly! I was really excited about this aspect. And as our flat was relatively cheap, the mortgage ended up costing less than our rent did, and for a much bigger space.

I think it was through Zoopla. It had been on the market for a while, and the estate agent told us people thought it was too big, which seems insane! I’d rather have this than a pokey wee place.

We chose it for the central location, it being a beautiful historical building, the massive rooms, high ceilings and big windows.

It was also a blank canvas for us as all the walls were plain white to put our own mark on. We knew as soon as we viewed it that we wanted to live here.

My love of DJ-ing, acid house, dance music and dance culture eventually led me to reading up about the history and origins of the movement, which is where I first learnt about The Hacienda.

I instantly fell in love with Ben Kelly’s iconic design – it just really resonated with me and turbo charged my interest in interior design, and to studying it at UWE.

Unfortunately, I’m just slightly too young to have ever partied there, but I remain obsessed with it to this day. I wrote my last essay at university about its design, and even managed to interview Ben Kelly as part of it.

I’m very lucky that my wife is extremely laid-back and was fine giving me free reign to go nuts interior-wise when we bought the flat. There are a lot of prominent beams, and straight away I knew I’d paint them like those that were at the Hacienda. We didn’t decorate it all in one go; it’s been more of an organic process.

I’ve always thought most people’s homes are a bit boring really – and I’ve been asked before why our flat is so loud, but I always think, why is everyone else’s so dull?

I’m also inspired by industrial and rustic themes, as well as Bristol’s street art scene, pop art, kitsch, maximalism, dance music/rave/acid house culture and even politics and activism.

The living room/home bar/nightclub! I feel I’ve poured all that I am as a designer into this room, as well as reminding me that this was essentially the room where I became a designer.

Pre-lockdown, yes, we did. But now, the spare room is my wife’s home office. I also really need space for a workshop and my own design studio, as I take the next step in opening my own interior design practice.

No. But we are now selling up to get a house that will fit in a design studio, workshop (and maybe even a nightclub room).

Nope!

Honestly, we just got really lucky with a flat that, for unexplainable reasons, couldn’t shift for what was a real bargain price.

But I can’t give people advice on how to have good luck. The housing market is a killer, and I believe the government really needs to do more to help young people get on the ladder.

We’re selling up and looking to move to a house in Edinburgh for a change of scene – I want to explore more work opportunities and hopefully get a new place to put my stamp on with more space.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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Bristol's first-ever Popeyes restaurant is opening its doors on Friday (April 11) and so it was only right that while we visited for a look behind the scenes on Monday, we sampled some of the famous menu.

Known for the chicken sandwich that broke the internet in 2020 - you can read our full review of that menu item, and how we made our own, here -we opted for a selection of wings, boneless wings, tenders, biscuits, fries, mashed potato, Cajun gravy, mac 'n' cheese, milkshakes, and a huge array of dips (something else Popeyes is known for here in the UK).

We had a platter of things to sample on the menu laid out on several of the bright orange trays - the colour synonymous with the brand and its New Orleans origins.

First up were the wings and boneless wings (Popeyes' version of chicken nuggets), each option coming as a portion of eight as standard- the Buffalo Saucin' Wings were drizzled in the similarly orange buffalo sauce from Popeyes, and these had a kick to them though weren't overly spicy.

The Bold BBQ Saucin' boneless chicken were drizzled in warming, slightly sweet BBQ sauce. The Garlic Parm Saucin' option, new on the menu, were creamy, cheesy and packed a wonderful garlic punch. While the latter were by far our favourites, each offered something unique taste-wise, and the chicken itself stole the show.

That 'shatter crunch' batter and light and tender chicken is just to die for. Spoiler: This is a running theme throughout this review.

In addition to our Classic Chicken Sandwich (the one that broke the internet), we also tried The Deluxe Sandwich, which includes the added extras of lettuce, tomato and cheese, for a proper filling burger feel with all the trimmings. As mentioned in our previous review, the brioche was buttery and sumptuous, the chicken tender and that shatter crunch could be felt as soon as you took your first bite, with the addition of the cheese and salad extras tying the whole thing together perfectly.

When it comes to the quality of the chicken at Popeyes, nothing could showcase it more than the Classic Tenders, which come in a portion of three, are decently sized, and perfect for dipping into one of the many dips available - Mango Habanero, Ranch, Louisiana Hot, Bold BBQ, Garlic Mayo, Classic Mayo, and Buffalo among them. Each dip has a spice scale, too, so you know what to choose, or what to avoid based on personal preference.

The fries at Popeyes are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with the Cajun fries seasoned deliciously. Meanwhile, the mashed potato and Cajun gravy was smooth and equally as herby. This mashed potato was also extremely moreish - I couldn't get enough.

When it comes to milkshakes, we had two to try - Oreo and Biscoff. The Oreo was thick and creamy, filled with chunks of Oreo biscuit and topped with cream, chocolate sauce and an Oreo crumble of sorts.

The Biscoff was similarly thick and creamy, filled with chunks of Biscoff biscuits and sauce, and topped with cream, sauce and Biscoff crumb. On such a hot and sunny day, these were ideal, and also perfect palate cleansers between bites of our mammoth feast.

All in all, the menu at Popeyes delivers an incredible selection for lover of fried chicken, and with Popeyes' unique 'shatter crunch' batter, tender chicken pieces, vast selection of dips, and incredible knowledge of flavour, I haven't yet found something on the menu that doesn't live up to my expectations.

What's more, while not open quite yet, the staff we met on the day of our visit were warm, welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable, and hugely passionate about food, freshness and the Popeyes brand. And with a UK CEO who was born and bred in Bristol, the city is in for a treat here.