Former favourite still struggling

By Micky Monsoon
December 25 2004

Robbie Ryan is fondly remembered by fans at Millwall, but is still struggling to find his form at Bristol Rovers. With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps Wisey was right to only offer the Irish left back a one-year contract.

Ryan has missed the last four games, one through injury, one through suspension and twice because he was not selected, and accepts he has not produced his best form since arriving in the summer.

"Aaron (Lescott) has come into the side and done very well," said Ryan. "I certainly know I'll have a fight on my hands to get the place back.

"But I know that I can play much better than I have done so far.

"For whatever reason, I've been disappointed with my form.

"And I have found it quite hard to adapt."

Ryan said relocating his family to the area - during his wife's pregnancy - was unsettling, but stressed that he was not using that as an excuse for his form.

He added: "If you have a couple of bad games your confidence goes a bit, and everything seemed to be happening at the same time. But I think things are improving now."