Bristol Rovers could be League 1’s most improved team. They declined badly under their previous manager and our match there last season was probably one of the final nails in his coffin.
They are above us in the table and unbeaten away for 6; in fact, they are 4th in the League and 3rd form-wise in both all matches and away matches, so they are on the crest of a wave.
I do not need to say that recently we have moving downwards, certainly in terms of results in the last 3 matches.
Until Oxford we could point to performances as a consolation, but in the last game the result truly reflected what occurred on the pitch. DM’s reported meticulous style of preparation could build back what was seemingly lost there, but, given a choice of opponents at this juncture, the Rovers of Bristol would be at the bottom of the list. What we have seen recently has revealed that we are not yet complete as a team in terms either of personnel or tactically. We failed to make superiority tell in the 2 home losses against teams that came to defend. I am guessing that Bristol Rovers will play a more open game and perhaps that will help us, but another 20 odd shots and only 1 or 2 goals to show for it will probably not be enough for a win.
It would be bold to forecast a home victory in what is surely likely to be a close game (assuming we can recover our effectiveness) but history could be on our side as my memory, rather than reliable stats, makes me think that we have got a good record versus “The Gas".
I am going to say a 3-2 win for us with Anderson scoring number 1.
DPL vs Bristol Rovers
posted on 19/10/19
1-1 Taylor.
Small Azza Rovers 2-1 Sadlier
posted on 19/10/19
Excellent result and good performances all over the field but, blimey, Bristol Rovers were dire. The space they gave our players was staggering, but how well they took their opportunities. The defence was solid and Halliday had his best game for us, at least of those that I have seen. Sheaf and Whiteman bossed the centre while Taylor terrorised the right wing. Coppinger and Sadlier probed and poked holes in the Bristol back line while Ennis plowed a lone furrow up the middle. Dieng was masterful throughout and not least when he saved a poor first half penalty after a rash high foot clearance in our area was penalised. Sadlier's drifted header from a cross was a thing of beauty in the first half, as was Taylor's predatory tap in after Ennis was played in by Whiteman, only to have his shot pushed out by the BR goalie. MoM Sadiler.
posted on 19/10/19
Thanks albi
posted on 20/10/19
While I agree with nearly all of Albi's comments, I would not have said BR were "dire" - for the first 15 minutes they were doing well, but then the Rovers seemed to realise what DM told them and played on BR's 3 back formation that gave Taylor and Sadlier so much space.
Last week we were "dire" in some ways that Oxford knew how we played - maybe the BR manager did not do enough research.
After that diatribe, here are my own comments on some of the players:
Dieng: I'm much more comfortable with him in goal than Lawlor; I know he was not really tested today, but his distribution is very good as compared with Lawlor - except when he is given stupid back passes!
Halliday and Reece: after mediocre games last week, a vast improvement.
Anderson: a rock, but I just wish more of his clearance go to our players.
Daniels: not sure about him as he is more like to give away fouls in difficult positions, but was good today - except some days a ref would have given a penalty against him.
Whiteman: how can we hold on to him in January? What a great performance today, Oh there were about two stray passes, but if we had really taken advantage of his probing passes we would have won by a more convincing score - and one of these days his great shots will not be blocked or hit the woodwork.
Sheaf: after last week's poor game, I'd vote him the most improved player over a week. An excellent performance such as we saw earlier in the season.
Copps: well Copps is Copps; I thought he was a little below par today being robbed in possession and an occasional stray pass, but then you get the wonderful ball work and body swerves - long may it continue!
Taylor: his best game so far in a Rovers' shirt - my MoM. OK, BR gave him space, but he took advantage of it. He delivers great crosses, and his reaction to the save from Ennis was great.
Ennis: To me what lets him down often is his first touch, but often he holds up play well for other players. Certainly, a guy that will improve.
Sadlier: he started very quietly and was not much in the game and did not seem to be able to dribble pass someone, although in previous games he had. The he scored a great goal and it brought him back to life and was unlucky not add more scores to his goals tally.
Once again, the disappointment was for all the shots we only scored two - the BR manager said they had a "get out of jail card free card".
Looking forward to Tuesday.
posted on 20/10/19
I wonder why it says a League Two at the top of this thread?
posted on 20/10/19
Thanks pdx
posted on 20/10/19
Thanks for your reports which were very heartening.
I then watched the extended highlights. The commentator described the Rovers’ goal as “against the run of play” and that Bristol R would feel most aggrieved (or words to that effect). Their manager’s comments suggested that they were very much in the contest until the missed penalty, but beyond that - by the time we scored - they were second best. Yet most of the attacking play in the first half in the video highlights was from Bristol. Nothing much of note was seen of our Rovers who looked very moderate on what small elements of their play which were included.
The stats, 606 reports, everything seem at odds with the alleged “highlights”.
So, I watched all the first half and it was as originally broadcast. The only conclusion I could come to was that the editing was utterly incompetent and that perhaps (to excuse the man who did the related commentary) he only saw what the editor provided by way of excerpts. And, as those who were actually there witnessed or saw via the live stream, it was a splendid performance by our Rovers. Bristol were not in it at all even though they did get the penalty dubiously earned by the forward who brought his head down well below its normal position and collided with the boot. There was also the tackle on the Bristol man running away from the goal which was certainly late and might well have qualified more legitimately as a penalty, but didn’t; that was about all The Gas could claim as "plus" points.
However, it was also very odd that the Rovers’ summariser on the iFollow said quite a way through the first half that it had been “very even” which was as nonsensical as the comment about “against the run of play”.
However, what was evident was that Rovers pressed forward as opposed to sideways and did so at speed and instead of many of the 20 odd shots on goal being largely ineffective efforts, it was largely credit to the Bristol defence that we did not get more than 2. So whilst they were killed off as an attacking force their defence was actually very creditable.
So, it was extremely encouraging as reported by Albi and Micky. So don’t be deceived by the highlights.
I acknowledge what must have been my mistake in titling the Article Hound. Sorry. It would be genuinely interested in hear your impression of the match and you see the team’s progress.
posted on 22/10/19
Interesting comments, Donaldo; I've often thought the commentator on highlights was nothing like those on live iFollow. The last few weeks on iFollow have been great as on many games Matty Blair has been one of the commentators and has given a real players view of the game - and he not shy about criticism!
Even though Southend have a new interim manager, and have recovered (slightly) from a very poor start, and last season we nearly let a win go away, I'm very positive about tomorrow night.
posted on 22/10/19
Thanks Micky. I was unable to listen to the sound commentary when it went out; I thought the summariser sounded as though it could be Matty Blair.
My preview of tonight’s match will be put out shortly. I am looking forward to my first visit to Roots Hall this season tonight. I am going again on Saturday too when they play Ipswich which will be interesting and hope they win that one!
posted on 22/10/19
As I trawled through the forecasts I was reminded that I had not responded to Crazy’s question about thoughts on the SOD interview.
His sacking was almost as upsetting as if it had been me who had lost my job. My opinion of John Ryan went right down at the same time. The injuries to Sharp and Hayter contributed to the bad start and although the new directors were an influence on what replaced him – and it was a “what” rather than a “who” – JR was unforgivable weak in not sticking with him. SOD transformed Rovers and was probably the best manager in the Championship at the time.
He was not broken by it, although his talent was not valued elsewhere in the way it should have been. I suspect that he was not always as diplomatic as he might have been which does not fit well with the modern world, especially the type of person who owns a football club. He had to work his way back and it was big of him to accept the role of number 2 to a man who seemed far less able, Steve Cotterill at Forest. When the club handed him the top job there, he began to show how capable he was by getting them in or near the play-off places for the first time since they got back to the Championship. Whether it was his fatalistic downbeat style or not, somehow the then-owner of Forest decided someone else, someone with a big name, could do better and Alex McLeish replaced him. Needless to say, that was another Forest failure, but I am straying from the point.
In March 2019 at the time of the interview it seems he was working at Portsmouth, but more recently I saw his name on the coaching staff at his beloved Wolves and I hope that he is ending his career in a happy place.
He must have been the best modern manager we have had, although Peter Doherty, operating in a different century was successful; that was at a time when perhaps individual talent was more significant than team cohesion.
Sadlier did it again (as predicted by Small Azza alone) in the weekend match and he is proving to be a very sophisticated footballer and it was good to see Taylor rewarded. He is really exciting to watch and a shrewd signing.
Rovers 2 (Sadlier) : Bristol Rovers 0
>>>>>>> Scorer > Score > Result Bonus > Total > Pts B/F > O/all
Donaldo>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>> 3 >>>>> 20 >>>> 23
PDXMickey> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>> 3 >>>>> 21 >>>> 24
Yorks Lad>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>> 3 >>>>> 33 >>>> 36
BVZ>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 6 >>>>>> 6
Crazy>>>>> 0 >>>>> 4 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 7 >>>>> 23 >>>> 30
Uthred>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 17 >>>> 20
Mooligan>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 28 >>>> 28
King Chmprr 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>>> 0
Small Azza> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 6 >>>>> 6 >>>> 12
Azza>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 8 >>>> 8
Cheltenham 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0
Nookie>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 40 >>>> 40
Selby>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0
Lanza>>>>> 0 >>>>> 4 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 7 >>>>> 12 >>>> 19
>>>>>>>>>> 3 >>>>> 8 >>>> 21 >>>> 0 >>>> 32 >>>> 214 >>> 246