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For me, this is a decent loan in. We are struggling to score or even create. Twine might not be the answer, but he will certainly give us some more options. When I think back to Tomlin coming in on loan, there was mixed reactions of course. I know the period after he signed didn't go well, but during the loan period he gave us that little spark/quality that was needed and ultimately it was a highly successful loan. We obviously wanted to probably sign him on a permanent, but this seems to me the best option available to us at this time. Fair play we made something happen, even if it's not the full package that we wanted. Another striker to give us some options up front and then hopefully we'll get going again as a team. There's bound to be a whole heap of changes in the summer as Manning starts to bring in the players that he wants, until then, let's just try and score more goals in the remaining 19 league games and at least make the football consistently more engaging.

Was absolutely fantastic against us at AG last season in the cup. That goal he scored, on the run, without stopping, to curl into the goal from 25 yards. Absolutely fantastic technique. You can only admire the talent, after you've been able to see them live. Watching on TV cuts out so much of their off the ball work.

I wonder what sort of team they will put out on Wednesday? It was about 7 changes in the first game i think, but I'm guessing the league is the priority over the cup. An away tie to Liverpool doesn't carry the same glamour when you've done it in the league a number of times recently.

Check out some of these "plans" on Gas Chat. Absolute pie in the sky stuff... https://gaschat.co.uk/thread/21620/redevelopment-memorial-stadium?page=21 They can't even build a prefab that is identical to the one that Rochdale did in the summer (after getting planning permission of course).

In other ridiculous Rover's stadium news. Rather than knocking down the dilapidated East Stand. They plan to build stands on either side of it (???). Then eventually take down all three and build a new larger stand in place of these three stands. The mind boggles, it really does. Just when you think they couldn't cock things up more.

Well that's what they're filling in (particularly on the east stand terrace). On terraces, like in the seater stands, they have to technically have a "seat" as such to be allocated to. In that way Rovers can keep check on capacities. Each starnding terrace ST will be allocated a "seat". All the "seats" were sold during the ticketing fiasco of the last few days. So they are creating additional "seats" to give to the existing STs whose "seats" had been sold. All part of the wonderful Rover's creative archive. Alongside the South Stand and previous away disabled Supporter's stand. A photo that always brings a smile to my face.

I have a number if Rovers ST work colleagues who went up the Mem yesterday to remonstrate their case to the ticket office (they were all successful in the end). Basically the Gas have "voluntarily" taken 2k off their capacity in the past, by having to have a space on the terraces between the advertising hoardings and where the terracing starts. For this game, it appears that Gorringe, who was in the ticket office dealing with the mass of complaining season ticket holders, alongside the club has decided to forgoe that "voluntarily" arrangement. Not sure if they will be in breach of any arrangement because of that, we will have to wait and see. The Rovers ST also said Gorringe after so many disasters in the last year has been given 6 months notice as CEO, to be replaced by the Owner's son. I think we all know how that usually pans out....

Yep, they win.... They are better than us at completely cocking up new stands and ticketing... I concede complete defeat on this point.

I've asked him whether they are going to open up the South Stand to supporters (they haven't said). I'm guessing they're still waiting for trial events to take place for the stand that was due to be open in August 2023.

Came on as sub and is still the quickest player I have seen live. Then his hamstrings went, still very quick, but not "that" quick....

@mattjb @Graham76 Did you get an email from the club? I clicked on the link from that and it took me to a different page than the normal one, then into the 4 family supporter's id. Purchase done in 2 mins, was all good. Not excusing the nonsense, but maybe there is a way around it?

From my Rover's ST colleague at work. None of his lot have got tickets and they've been STs since the Tote End days:- "It’s a cockup by the club! Apparently, only season ticket seats were reserved and ‘someone’ hit the wrong button allowing general sale. This was after us season ticket holders were told we had until 7pm tomorrow to purchase our ‘reserved’ tickets. No I haven’t got a ticket " Couldn't make this stuff up.....

Says Weds night there (17th), not the 16th? Does he know something we don't?

Just put this onto the FA cup tread. Back at work today and have learnt that both Bristol clubs seem to be of the belief that their home replays are going ahead on Tuesday 16th Jan. Logistically from a policing perspective I can't see this happening, as both games with be capacity crowds (one potentially much larger than the other of course) and something somewhere is going to have to give. Watch this space, but I wouldn't bet against our game being moved to Weds 17th.

Of note, it seems that both us and Rovers have our cup replays on the same date (Jan 16th) and of course both at Home. Can't really see this happening from a policing perspective, as they are both probably going to be capacity crowds. One of the teams is definitely going to have to change their date, what this space.....

Agree up to a point @Bs4Red LM stated that we were there to "Compete". The team started out in a 541 formation that looked ponderous and fearful in my eyes. Bell is not and will never be an effective RWB and either gave the ball away with his first touches or failed to track his runners (I do acknowledge his chance in the first 10 mins though). After 15 mins, we were holding on; then Pacqeta (great player) got injured and Manning took the chance to switch the formation back to a flat back 4 acknowledging that the formation hadn't worked. By that stage we could have been 2-0 down (great save by Max from Fornals and defending by Pring at the back post) The team instantly settled into a more familiar formation, but were still hesitant at times. Williams was superb, bringing some order to proceedings. Vyner and Dickie settled down and Knight started to find his usual space in midfield. West Ham's Greek CB then got injured as well (he was by far and away their best CB up until that point). The loss of the two players seemed to have an effect on the West Ham team, who suddenly didn't want a physical battle with us. Second half, I loved our intent and bravery (something that was lacking from the last two games). We went for it and culminated in a wonderful assist by Williams to an excellently taken goal by Conway. So in conclusion, great day (from our seats in row 57). Loved our second half performance and the way we bounced back from the early goal, but changing our initial formation to one that you could tell was an unfamiliar one for the players caused unnecessary confusion for the first 20 mins. Let's get back to what we do well and stop trying to over think our tactics in true LJ fashion.

Run Forest Run...

Total crowd of around 62k. There is probably going to be about 1.5-2k affected. I can't see it being delayed. Just a lot of people missing most of the first half. Went to London Stadium in the summer for MLB. I reckon it'll take around 30 mins from the Elizabeth line stop at Stratford to walk to the ground. Very busy shopping centre there as well.

Rail disruption between Reading and Paddington - BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-67905475.amp Chaos for the whole day by the look of it.

On coach 16. Really feel for everyone trying to get to London by train this morning. Absolute chaos on rail lines into Paddington and trains being cancelled all over the place. I can see a lot of people missing the game unfortunately, unless they get creative.

Last word on the game tonight (as it was rubbish). Why does LM always do the same subs in essence. Wells/Cornick or Conway or vice versa. Bell for Mehmeti or vice versa. Williams/James/TGH rotating. We never seem to change the formation up top. Conway is not a line leader. But maybe play Wells alongside him for once, do something different. I know we've gone to a back 5 at times recently (Bell at Rwb). But jees, 30 goals on 26 games (take away the 7 of Hull & Watford and that's 23 in 25 games). We have to do things differently at times. All for the players being "brave", but that applies to the management as well.

Awful wasn't it. Actually felt sorry for Scott Davidson. He started the season with real ambition at least. When Ward walked, it all went downhill.

@Mr Popodopolous Apologies that's what I meant to say in the opening paragraph. First home game in charge. Forgot about the Bradford game beforehand. Yes 11 goals conceded in 2 games.

I always remember Lennartson's first game in charge at home to Wolves. Went 1-0 up through Hutchings, before going on to lose 6-1. All the players looked lost, without a clue what they were supposed to be doing. A season that had started with such optimism after the promotion, went disasterously wrong and we ended up going straight back down. Awful times, when you consider our ambition (Akinbiyi, Thorpe and Anderson signings).

6-0 wasn't it? I take your point though.