Yes it all looked positive a few weeks ago but we seem to be going round in circles at the moment and suddenly the season is upon us without a really settled squad or formation. Not sure what to expect. It's odds on we will concede goals though. Pre season not the most of reliable of indicators but we've shipped a lot of goals. I'm loathed to forecast a loss but that's what I'm expecting. So I'll go 2-2 draw. I'll wait to see the line up for scorer.

Indeed, it is the big unknown on Saturday!. My gut says the same as Nookie's that we will be defeated. Budget was always going to be a bit if a problem, but we were not expecting the injuries or more Covid problems. I'm not sure where goals will come from, and our defence has not exactly shone pre-season. However, I'll put on my overly optimistic hat and say we will perform a robbery and win 2-1 with Rowe scoring the first - and I have not had a glass of wine yet today!
May well change my mind nearer the game after tossing another coin.

I see we lost to Watford (0-4) in a game at St George’s Park, the national football centre, but again we do not seem to have played a full-strength team.

Wellens’ obvious priority is deciding on players’ and potential players’ ability rather than practicing playing together.

He is very much his own man.

Let’s hope it confuses the enemy as much as it does us!

Happy new season all!
It's really difficult to know what to expect for this first game. With all of the juggling that has been required to cope with injuries and covid, how coherent will we be on the pitch?
I'm going to be optimistic and go for a 2-1 win with Barlow getting the first.

My scorers ,in the unlikely event. Cukcur, Bogle. Barlow.

Doesnt look like Wimbledon did that well pre season but its no guide really. Im changing my prediction to a 2-1 win though!

Welcome back, Crazy! We three old _____ have kept it going - maybe I should use the John Ryan term of Three Amigos.
I'm looking forward to the new season with an alternating feeling of excitement and trepidation.
Richie and Gavin have talked about needing patience, and with the current injury situation, it will be needed.
I remain stupidly optimistic for Saturday! At least at this time in the season there is daylight when I get up to watch the game.

Did ever a Rovers manager receive so much praise from the pundits in advance of beginning in the job as RW?

Quite a lot to live up to...

Got my tickets and excitement building.

Let's hope Richie lives up to his reputation. I've no clear idea where I think Rovers will finish this year. Not an ideal position to start in. Popular opinion has us finishing mid table and Wimbledon to be relegated! I usually follow the odds but I've a sneaking feeling we may just over achieve this season and be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. I'm not sure we'll have that great a start but as things settle down we may be able to steal a top 6 finish. I just hope the big spenders don't prevail. Saturday may give us a clue but I doubt it. Not bothered if it's light or dark when I wake up. Just grateful I did!

A new Swedish Goalkeeper and an attacking midfielder in, just in time. Here we go. Should be interesting.

Pontus Dahlberg. 6ft 4, age 22, Swedish International goal keeper. Not a bad signing! Dan Gardener. Experience at this level 6ft 2. At least we'll probably be the tallest team in the league.

The signing of Dahlberg will not be good for Jones' mind. Who will start tomorrow? I assume it may be Jones as the Swede giant has only just arrived. Jones will be so lacking in confidence... (I certainly hope not if that is the case, but...!)

Just realised we are taking on the top of the league today! 😊

Afternoon gentlemen - looking forward to an eventful season - hopefully with some entertaining football!!

Going for a 1-0 victory to the rovers with Barlow getting the goal

Hi 606ers
Hope that you are well.
Rovers 2-1 Wimbledon
Cukur to score

C'mon Rovers ⚽

Jones will not be a happy camper at the moment!
I never thought of Seaman as a possible left wing - there again, I've never seen him play.
I'll stick with my 2-1 win and Rowe to bang in the first.

He's at right back

Bring back Butler!

Nookie, the DFP originally showed him on the left wing not the right wing. Based on today, maybe he is the best replacement until Taylor is fit.
I saw some signs of quality play, but we looked like a team that has hardly played together. The loan signings of Smith, Cukur and Dahlberg show promise, although I assume Dahlberg saw the free kick late as he maybe should have saved it. However, if Jones had been in goal we would have been 1-0 down at halftime.
Tom Anderson should have cleared the ball before the first goal, and several times the defenders seemed to get in each others way and not clear the ball. Tom also had a good chance to score near the end.
I just hope the standard of refereeing we saw today from the man in the middle and those on the touchlines is not what we will see all season as there were some weird decisions.

It was disjointed and the players showed that they had not really played together much before. Barlow, Seaman and the new GK played well, but Rowe was indecisive and the Turkish CF was slow and completely ineffectual.

Wimbledon worked hard, we’re faster and generally more impressive.

There was very little encouraging on show

Probably what we were all expecting if not hoping for. Yes there were several line up formations posted before the game. Probably indicative of the lack of cohesion. Looks like it's going to be a tough start. Wimbledon only had 1 new player we had 10!

As I reflect on the performance, I find it difficult to draw any consolation from it beyond isolated contributions from some of the players. Several looked out of their depth - Gardiner and Cukur particularly, and Close was erratic with Smith, though industrious, inclined also to be recklessly enthusiastic, as with the handball. Rowe was indecisive at LB, but more comfortable further forward. Most of the passing, if you could call aimless kicking up-field that, was atrocious.

To be perfectly frank, they were no more effective or attractive than the teams put out by Butler at the back end of last season except that we had a proper goalkeeper. Even if we could have matched Wimbledon it would not have meant much if the end up they are fighting to stay up again.

I will not expect a win tomorrow night and I don't think it will be any pleasure to either listen or watch it.

Not sure what the position is with Bostock but the midfield does need a steady and experienced head at the moment. Gardner was a late addition and Cukor is young and inexperienced so it's perhaps understandable they floundered. I'm sure the back 4 will settle with more games under their belt but at the moment it's difficult to see where goals are going to come from. A very tricky few weeks for RW ahead.

How does Wellens select his starters? - looks like he puts names in a hat, puts on a blindfold, and pulls out 11!
Strange line-up this evening.

Now I see Covid caused some of the changes in the team. sorry, Richie!