DPL v Portsmouth

Or better still Bryan Flynn

I’m sure you could go on...

I’m feeling better now and enthusiastic about the future; in fact AB has talked about speeding up the pace and variation!

2-0 Bogle/Sims/Anderson.

Over breakfast I told Pauline what the starting line-up would be and I was spot-on except for the goalkeeper - I said it was about 45:55 that he would give Jones a start over Balcombe. I suppose that choice is somewhat of a risk.
I'll nominate Sims to score the first.

Greetings chaps,
Brilliant appointment for my mate Andy, well my Mrs and his Mrs are old mates 😀
Think this has been talked of behind closed doors for a while, I believe that's why he had a extension on his contract, ready made cover so to speak.
Anyways, it made my day finding out old two faces had gone. Wednesday made offer on Friday, Moore spoke with them Sunday, told Rovers he was leaving straight away. No few days to mule it over, I'm offski same day. Board had bases covered with Andy in place, plus a 6 figure sum in the Olde Bank account.

I said before season started we'd finish top half, thats where we would of ended up, 12th place.
His team selections baffled me, squer pegs round holes so to speak. Only a matter of time before he got found out, thought it would of been earlier than when it did, but be thankful for small mercies.
The real problem i had with Moore was, he just seemed to want to play as many of his players as possible, the loanees, whilst letting our own young hungry players go. Watters still winds me up.

You can't keep the ball, passing around your own box all game and not expect to end up losing.
72% possession, yet only 12% in the final 3rd.

When you start with 7 defenders, its no wonder we struggled to score,

Once Andy gets his mark on this team, I thing we could get automatics,

Truth be told, if we were allowed back in to watch the Mighty Ziggers, I honestly would struggle to go see us play, 10-15 minutes decent football, then rest..... no i couldn't watch it.

I'd take a draw tonight, but lets get a winning run started, 3.1 to the Mighty Ziggers, Anderson first goal.

No other club can give you a rush like we do, we don't do easy, all part of being a Rovers fan 👍👏👏

Rovers 2-1 Portsmouth
Bogle to score ⚽⚽

C'mon Rovers

Better, but there have been some dodgy back passes!

An encouragingly dynamic performance. Portsmouth’s shooting was generally way off target, so Louis Jones had a quiet night because he did not look that confident.

Rovers were much more energetic and ambitious and only occasionally fell back on meaningless passing, but certainly a much better spectacle with full use of the pitch.

An encouraging start for Butts - just a pity about Marquis' goal!
Finally playing with two fast wingers did result in a more entertaining match using all of the pitch. Hope both are OK for Saturday.
It was good to see everyone lively and trying 100% for the whole game, and a joy to see Copps starting and playing well.
I have two main concerns:
Still too much passing around in defence, but better than in the last few games; and
Still trying to be too clever in the opponents box and ignoring good opportunities to shoot. Occasionally some are selfish, but tonight it was mainly the opposite and sometimes passing when shooting seemed to be the better option.

Great to get the win and a good start under Butts. Hoping that we can kick on now.

I don't think Copps fitted into Moore's template. In fact the style might not have been a straightjacket, but it is remarkable how much more free-flowing the play was last night.

It will be interesting to consider, based on the way AB's team plays, whether it will be apparent that he will encourage individuals to use their individual skills and strengths to a greater extent than may have been possible given the previous manager's style, which often seemed invariable.