Atkins eyes Bees encounter
"Going to a newly-promoted side on the opening day of the season is always difficult," he told the Bristol Rovers website "Because any team that wins their league - whatever the level - is a good side.
"It's a big game for us. It is their first game back at Underhill, there promises to be a cup-tie atmosphere and the pressure will be on them to win it.
"But it doesn't make any difference who we play in the first month of the season, as long as we give a good account of ourselves."
"It's a big game for us. It is their first game back at Underhill, there promises to be a cup-tie atmosphere and the pressure will be on them to win it.
"But it doesn't make any difference who we play in the first month of the season, as long as we give a good account of ourselves."
Bees manager Paul Fairclough also told TEAMtalk the point that "We'll be playing the two Bristol sides in the space of a fortnight".
After the Bees match against Bristol Rovers on the 6th on August which hopefully will be a sell-out crowd at Underhill. The Bees take on Northampton Town at Sixfields on the 9th and then take on Carlisle United at Brunton Park on the 13th.