"Right time to do it" - Carlton Palmer reacts to big Bristol Rovers news involving Matt Taylor | OneFootball

The pundit has spoken exclusively to Football League World about his thoughts on the Gas sacking their now former manager.

Carlton Palmer has backed Bristol Rovers after they made the decision to sack Matt Taylor on Monday following a 2-0 loss to Birmingham City at the weekend.

It's been an incredibly difficult season for the Gas, and they currently sit 20th in the League One table, just two points ahead of Crawley Town, who occupy the final relegation spot.

Taylor had been in charge at the Memorial Stadium for over a year, guiding the club to a 15th place finish, and there were hopes that he could have taken them towards the play-off places in this campaign.

However, just one league win in seven has cost the 42-year-old his job, with David Horseman and Lee Cattermole taking charge of Bristol Rovers on an interim basis.

Palmer gives Bristol Rovers, Taylor verdict after sacking

Frustrations have been growing in the blue-and-white half of Bristol in recent weeks, and performances have not been good enough.

Taylor's position became untenable following the Gas' 2-0 loss on Saturday, despite playing one of the best teams in the division, and after pressure earlier in the season, the hierarchy at the Memorial Stadium have decided that now is the perfect time to sack Taylor.

Former England and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, Palmer, has spoken exclusively to Football League World about his thoughts on the decision, and whether it was the correct one made by Bristol Rovers.

"Bristol Rovers parted company with their manager Matt Taylor after a very, very poor run of form," he started.

"Bristol Rovers sit 20th in League One, only two points outside the relegation zone, and they have only won six out of their 19 games this season and the 2-0 defeat to Blues was their third straight loss and the decision was taken to relieve him of his duties.

"It's been a poor run of form, Rovers won only twice in 10 games in all competitions during August and September, which put the manager under pressure. They briefly had a little bit of a revival, but one league win in the past seven and a goal difference of -11 is the worst in the league aside from the sides in the relegation positions."

Palmer continued: "I've always said I do not like to see a manager get the sack, but it's a serious run of poor form and Bristol Rovers have decided to make the change. I think if you're going to make a change at a club, it's the right time to do it before the January transfer window, so the incoming manager can assess the players and move one or two players out and bring one or two players in.

"So, if you're going to do it, it's the right time to do it. The new manager can implement some changes because, generally, if the players aren't good enough, then the new incoming manager needs to move one or two players around to make sure he can give himself the best chance of getting the results to stay in League One, or maybe push on and do even better. I think for Bristol Rovers they were looking to be pushing on to at least be around the play-offs."

Getting the new appointment right is imperative for Bristol Rovers' season

It's been a long season already for Bristol Rovers fans, and they will be hoping for the new manager to come in with plenty of time to make changes in January.

Getting away from those occupying the relegation places is a must, and the Gas can ill-afford a tough opening few weeks for the incoming boss.

Despite only being in interim charge, Cattermole and Horseman must help with that transition, whenever that may be, and having a positive showing on Saturday at home to Wrexham will help get supporters back onside.

Taylor had a bright start to life in the south-west but failed to capitalise on that in his first full season at the club, and will know himself that his now former squad needs improvements next month to help climb towards mid-table.