hinsleburg

Thought Pack was OK today, won a lot of second balls and often had lots of time but didn't really offer much going forward. 

In terms of the booing, I personally don't see much of an issue, somebody mentioned pantomime which I agree with. Give them a respectful clap before and after the game and during it no issue with trying to get in their heads. Definitely worked with Flinty when he shouted '**** off' to the south stand... 

Think Scott is going right to the top!

Outstanding and to think he's so young and played several positions this season.

Needs that bit of luck to stay injury free and the rest is up to him, so much talent!

Pretty sure Buffon made a howler during the game at Ashton Gate, swear I've seen it on a Bloopers program somewhere.

Having watched Kelly earlier for Bournemouth this season he easily looks like he could make the step up.

Was delighted when we got what we did for him, in hindsight I wish we held out for more! (Appreciate at the time though it seemed a good deal all round for all parties!)

My biggest issue with Vyner is the amount of times he's out of line and yards deeper than Kalas etc.

Anybody with a bit of pace would be able to exploit that and it nearly cost us a few times against Stoke.

I do think he's lacking in confidence but not sure he will ever be mentally good enough to hold down a regular place across a whole season. Real shame as I think physically and technically, albeit a few dodgy touches and passes yesterday, he has more than enough to make it.

Wonder if he's suffered by being versatile and not ever getting a sustained run in one position?

I said at half time, I felt HNM and Bakinson both did ok as individuals but poorly as a pair...

No cohesion there which a better team would have punished, however both worked hard and had positive moments going forward. Still not sure HNM is ready to play in a midfield two and don't think Bakinson compliments him.

However Tyreeq did ok today especially first half and hopefully James coming back allows both players to flourish a bit more. Its a strange one as there is definitely a player in there but I'm concerned that Bakinson won't ever find that consistency at championship level.

Think he's technically got the lot, would like to see him physically impose himself more in games. On that note, what caused the handbags with the Derby player? I only saw the end but looked a feisty one?

                             Bentley

Simpson           Kalas        Atkinson      Pring

                               James (If fit, Vyner if not)

                        HNM            Scott

Semenyo                                                   Cod

                                  Martin

I would go something like the above, have Semenyo and COD playing very narrow and getting close/in behind Martin. I like Weimann but not playing well, good impact sub to have if we need energy. Feel like Benarous could do with a break, moreso Mental than physical as can't be easy coming  into the team from nowhere. Gone Vyner in midfield if James can't play, desperately missing that shield in front of the defence and don't think any of our other midfielders (other than Williams) can do it.

In the unlikely event Williams is fit I would have him instead of Semenyo and push HNM out wide. Feel like that extra bit of awareness is missing from HNM when he plays in the middle, would want him in the team but right now maybe suited slightly wider!

Bench is everybody else who isn't injured or not on the bus so may not be a full one...

I thought the substitution looked pre-meditated  to me (Which would have been bold  given the state of the game!)

I don't think he was ever going to play the full 90 especially with a game coming up Sunday, but an hour will help match fitness and hopefully prevent these niggly injuries for him. Was in constant communication with the physios and bench 2nd half, think he was desperate to stay on but the decision was made to haul him off (Which seems sensible if he was suffering from tightness)

Wasn't as good last night as Saturday but thought he still had a really solid game in there other than the obvious error. Think he really contributes to the 'bite' and gives other players confidence to throw themselves about a bit as there's a bit more fight in the team with him in it!

Hope it was pre-meditated and precautionary as think he'll be needed again Sunday

Much better last night

27 minutes ago, Red-Robbo said:

 

I think Williams is the player we have really missed.  He's the "starch" that makes the defence bind together, so to speak. 

He understandably tired in the second, but we saw some lovely examples of what he can do, and - of course - playing where he does, it's often where he is that is as important as his tackles. 

Think Williams will get the best out of James too, think Matty James is wasted at the moment as he needs to do all the hard work!

Somebody to take the brunt of that frees him up a lot more and gives us a really solid spine to build off!

Williams sprinting 15 yards to take out (fairly somehow as well) Brereton from the throw in was fantastic too!

There were a lot of verbals for about 5 minutes (most of the game tbf but particularly the last 5)  building up to that so to see Williams have the last laugh was a great psychological win and helped change momentum after their goal.

Think we showed a lot of heart Saturday and to see the young guns being front and centre of that was great..

Benarous seemed a lot like Scott, in the nicest possible way he was a dick and we need more of those!

Yep, pretty much every week but Saturday seemed particularly bad!

It was the bloody yellow sky bet advert, couldn't make out any of the opposition along the Dolman side!

What a drive from Fernando yesterday! Helped by the VSC and a strange strategy from Perez but fair play to him!

Not really a fan of LH or MV but really hope they're as close as possible, as well as the constructors, going into the last race. Will be toxic and fantastic, whatever people's opinions they've both had fantastic seasons and nice to have a proper rivalry!

As a sidenote on this , one of the Stewards out the back of the KFC entrance was a proper jobsworth.

Upon arrival at about 2.15 when the queue was crazy long i asked if I could go to the front with my Grandad who wouldn't have made it to the back of the queue let alone stood in it!

His exact response was 'well that's unfortunate, tough luck'... I then said are we supposed to sit in the car until 3pm and he simply replied 'that's not my problem'.

Fortunately another steward heard this exchange and ushered us straight through. No issue with extra security but needs to be communicated (although I do get that somewhat lessens the impact) and some common sense.

Also, I get the Stewards have it tough, but don't be a dick!

Just now, phantom said:

Is there not a set number of sides that he can play for in a season now?

Believe it's two but unsure if that applies to Non league?

He hasn't played for us yyet so no issue with another loan  but just means he  can't play for us (Depending on non league status)

17 hours ago, phantom said:

The club have previous for this... the name escapes me now but there was the story of a player coming from a Scottish club that was leaked, and was never going to happen

Wasn't it Derek Riordan (or something like that) which prompted the thread in the classics section? 

I was sat in the row behind, his reaction when the two goals went in is my moment of the season and won't be topped!

I'll be honest, I feared for you both first half hour as it was pretty toxic but glad it improved very quickly.

Glad you both enjoyed the day, watching your experience makes me even more excited to bring my young one in a couple of years!

The Linesman on the Lansdown side couldn't even dress himself,spent the whole game with his label hanging out the back.

Strong chance his shorts were on inside out which would sum up the officials performance to be fair.

55 minutes ago, Lanterne Rouge said:

We were discussing this at the time and concluded we`d have to stick Chris Martin back there. Either that or Tanner

I think it would have been Simpson which is a scary thought.

Somebody round me said COD as we've tried him pretty much everywhere else.. 

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Good post.  As you say, Tanner and Dasilva gave us something second half.

O’Dowda hasn’t played in centre midfield for Ireland for some time. And then it tended to be a 352 (CM in a 3). By my reckoning it was 2018 v Denmark under Martin O’Neill.

Tuesdays team selection will be very interesting. 

Yeah I knew it hadn't been for a while but didn't expect that long!

Not really sure what to make of COD yesterday, as alluded to you could argue he was our only bright spot offensively  but his off the  ball work was horrendous.

Ultimately, whilst it eventually backfired with King, I would have said the sub and change of shape actually worked. Dasilva and Tanner playing more advanced then became pretty much our only attacking outlet and any half chances came from them.

Think COD suffers on here with same issue Pack had on here where people are so strong in their views. Those that rate him really rate him and vice versa, for me he lands somewhere in the middle. A bang average midfielder and if we want to progress cannot be first choice but could do a role as a 'squad player'.

Part of me would like to see him play in the middle like he does for Ireland and if King/Williams aee out and HNM not fit we could see that...

I thought if it led to a Red Card or penalty there's the potential for a 3 game ban with this?

Is it not what Bailey Wright got ridiculously done for at Fulham a few years back, albeit this one there is absolutely no contact?

Edit - Kiwicolin beat me to it regarding the 3 game ban!

So I've heard that there has been a 'pretty spectacular' falling out behind the scenes at Rovers and a number of coaches (believe mostly youth) have left/will be leaving.

Will be interesting to see if anything comes out next few days! (I know nothing more than the above so don't have details)

Thought he was like having an extra two players when he came on.

Thought it was an unbelievable cameo and just hoping he can somehow stay fit!

6 minutes ago, Phileas Fogg said:

He scored 11 in 27 league starts so a very decent record. I think it's a good signing for Rovers. Felt we never quite got the best out of him here. 

Yeah its a weird one as I thought his record wasn't too bad either.

Probably one of those instances where fans are unable to see past a perceived lack of effort.