Come on Rovers

We will win 2-0 ,Rowe to score in front of 11111.

Rovers to win 2-1 with Rowe scoring. I'd decided that before seeing uthred comments. Although their home crowds have been getting smaller, I assume we will take a reasonable crowd with the Virgin deal. I say 11069.

Donaldo - I think with the MLS it is the dumping ground for aging European players and the USA cannot develop enough home grown talent. The Portland Timbers have eight nationalities in the squad and the captain is Ridgewell whom I well remember from when we beat Villa 3-0 in the League Cup. I know the Premier League is somewhat similar in the amount of foreign talent.

Although without Kane England and 'Spurs would not be where they are, I remember the great Jimmy Greaves never doing for England as he did for the 'Spurs.

1-1, Whiteman to score (Marquis if Whiteman not playing) in front of 10185.

2-2 May to score first and 9999

3-1 victory to the mighty Ziggers. Marquis first goal. Crowd of 10987.

3-1 to Charlton
Marquis with goal
11425 crowd

Charlton 2-1 Rovers
Marquis to score, if not playing May
Crowd 11,500
C'mon Rovers

1-1 copps to score crowd 1179

0-0
no one to score
crowd 11325

kingchomprrrrs prediction
3-1 Charlton
copps to score
crowd 11450

We out-played Charlton in many ways. We pressed them, dispossessed them and dominated so much of the play, yet were utterly incompetent in the business of the key objective of the game; shooting at the goal and getting the ball in the net. Often a good attacking position was abandoned with a retreat because a way through was not obvious. The ball was passed and passed again until inevitably Charlton got it back; no one seemed to have the confidence to go for goal even when it was in range.

In contrast Charlton did not mess about with elaborate build-up when they did get in range as was the case with their goal which came in a rare attack after fairly sustained Rovers pressure. Copps was contributing usefully when his afternoon was cut short, but Kongolo was excellent and reminiscent of Emmanual Thomas in his ability to gain, regain and retain possession of the ball. Alfie met his match in a big centre half who contained him very effectively and his replacement Mandeville seems a only a shadow of his 2016/17 season self. Toffolo, Mason, Wright and Rowe and Houghton all had reasonable games, working hard to win and keep the ball and Lawlor made some excellent saves when they penetrated our defence in the second half which was more even than the first. I haven’t seen their goal again, but it did look as though it took Lawlor by surprise, so possibly save-able.

If I were a Charlton fan I’d be worried that they were easily dispossessed and could have lost heavily if we had had anyone capable of finishing. Marquis worked hard, but he lacked finesse.

As for us, you might say that our play deserved at least a draw, but despite all the pressure and possession, when the goal was in range we opted to inter-pass elaborately or went into reverse if there seemed no way through and the ball would be played backwards. It was as though goals would not count unless the shot was within 5 yards of the goal.

It leads me to forecast a 0-2 loss against Portsmouth with 7500 there.

Thanks don.
Same old same old

Thanks Don. Worrying. Stating the obvious but teams that don't score enough goals get relegated.

Who's playing up front Tuesday

Unless Williams makes a miraculous recovery it will be May, possibly Mandeville supporting him.
I hear that Copps may not be recovered in time to play.
Although we are not getting battered we are unable to pick up even one point a game and with around a uarter of the season gone it already looks like yet another battle to avoid the drop.
It looks increasingly as though the clubs ambition to become a sustainable Championship club may require back to back promotions, starting once again from L2.
I dearly hope I am wrong.

I’m beginning to wonder if it is worth getting up for a 7 AM kick-off on this left coast. I agree with most of Donaldo’s detailed report, but differ in a few areas.
I’d have dropped Marquis for Tuesday even without the 5 yellows, as I though he was poor and missed an excellent chance when he side-footed over the bar with the whole goal at which to aim. However, the worst miss was Rowe who tamely shot almost straight at their ‘keeper from about 10 yards, otherwise he was good.
I like Kongolo in the way Donaldo does, but on Saturday his passing was not of the same quality as against Southend.
For the first time I was nervous about Lawlor, whom I thought had a dreadful first half. The second half he made some vital saves and did admit about his mistake for the goal. I thought at the time he must have been asleep or assumed the Charlton player would cross not shoot. Although the shot was well-placed, it was fairly weak and I still think he should have saved it. Lawlor seems excellent at reaction off the line and blocking near shots, but is not great at distant shots – he fumbled two on Saturday, and when you think of some of the goals earlier in the season he seems too static too often, maybe improvement comes with experience (by the way, in my ancient youth, I did play in goal!).
After Southend heroics I do not think Whiteman had a single attempt on goal, other than maybe in a goalmouth scramble. Donaldo is correct about the 5 yard mentality. However, I thought May’s curler was going in until it hit the bar.
I really thought a draw would have been a fair result.
I’m not sure who is going to be fit on Tuesday and so it may be 3-4-2-1 with Mandy up front with Copps (if fit) and Whiteman/Rowe behind him.
At least Tuesday game will be 11:45AM here!

Butler up front with mandy behind him

Never liked fa cup anyway

Cracking draw Lanza and another ground to visit

May out now with a hernia.

I know most of you do not care about what is going on on the left coast of the USA, but I'm grateful I live in a place that loves "soccer".
At least "Soccer City USA" had reason to celebrate this weekend - our women did win the National Championship and the Timbers secured a play-off berth with a 4-0 rout of DC United. They are now second in the Western Conference, and their last game next weekend is against the #1 the Vancouver Whitecaps. If we win we will be #1 and have a bye in the first round of the play-offs.
Please be with me in encouraging the development of the beautiful game in the "colonies".

well well well down to one striker,we can not score anyway so will go 1-0 win whiteman to score crowd 6543

Lets get Curtis back on loan

nooooo would rather play with marosi as centre forward