pongo88

I always go to a City match in hope of a good performance and a win, but it's becoming very difficult to do this. If, by any chance, things don't go to plan today and City are losing, rather than booing, why don't we play the "what's the time Mr Wolf" game but substituting LJ for Mr Wolf i.e. What's the time LJ? Two o'clock What's the time LJ? Three o'clock Whats the time LJ? Time to resign!

I was in Tinto Lounge on Gloucester Road this morning having a very nice breakfast, when in walked the police. I quickly hid under the table but, luckily, they didn't see me. They were there to warn the staff about Rovers last home match against Millwall which has a 12.00 k.o. The advice was simple - stay closed. It looks as though the family club is turning Gloucester Road into a no-go zone

LJ's comments on Radio Bristol: "Devastating. played excellent football in first half. Frustrating as we played well in the first half. It wasn't a 5-0 game. It hurts. We've thrown the riot act at the players. Got to pick a team we can trust. 100% we can stay up. Got to be tough. We love you (the supporters)"

Radio Bristol said LJ has just emerged from the dressing room. I can't wait for his interview.

Any good pies? There must be some reason for travelling that distance.

DC to Norwich?

What sort of footy fan are you eating a healthy lunch?

What has it come to? The situation at the club is so bad it's reduced @havanatopia to writing a short intro. It can't get any worse can it? Of course, as @Abraham Romanovich said, this "trade fair" may be a code known only to those ITK. Perhaps he has spent the last 24 hours in an orgy of delight surrounded by that which we mere mortals can't imagine.

What is the difference between reality and negativity? I think being realistic means you go by the reality of the situation. Some on the forum are glass half full people and some are glass half empty. Unfortunately with City recently I don't think I even have a glass!

It's spring and the sun is shining. A wonderful day to go to a football match and have a Clarks pie on the way. What could possibly go wrong?

I feel that 4 only guarantees a draw today

Vyner at right back - no other realistic option but inexperienced. Bryan at left back? Reid and Smith must be a risk in midfield as Reid gives one bad passes for every good one and Smith has been poor in every match this season. O'Neil's not fit. As for attacking options, we have powderpuff O'Dowda and Dad's Army Wilbraham

I won't be watching the match and definitely won't be listening to the commentary on the radio. I just can't face the hope followed by the despair of conceding a soft goal. Out of desperation, later, I may even watch some rugby. (Just watched Ayling go on a run down the wing a put over a good cross for Leeds)

We need something like this today. It was a crazy match.

In 1779 new horse race was planned, and it was decided that it should be named after either the 12th Earl of Derby, or one of his guests, Sir Charles Bunbury. According to legend the decision was made by the toss of a coin, but it is probable that Bunbury, the Steward of the Jockey Club, deferred to his host. The race has been known as The Derby ever since. What is the link to Derby County FC? None, but the Bunburies is a better name for their supporters

The Bristol Rugby owner was a lifelong Rovers supporter who just happened to put the club into administration, enabling Rovers to buy the other 50% for £10k. No attempt was made to find any other backers to avoid administration. This has been covered many times on the forum, but is always ignored by those of a gas persuasion

Very true. The Wael family definitely have a long term plan, it's just doesn't involving funding a football club.

Roadrunner, what have you done? I was over the moon when I read finbarr's post but sick as a parrot after reading yours! Why remind me that we could get zero points from the 4 matches after today? I need every bit of happiness I can get watching City, so I'm going to enjoy today's 6-0 win and forget about the rest of February

City must be positive and start with Abraham, Djuric and Tomlin (Taylor to come on as sub in 70th minute when the score is 3-0). There are interesting connections with Rotherham, as Gerry Gow played for them and Norman Hunter was their manager. Wouldn't it be nice if we could have them playing today?

Any mention of captain of the school reminds me of the Kinks song David Watts: He is the head boy at the school He is the captain of the team His is so gay and fancy free (This was written before the word "gay" had it current meaning. It used to mean happy but I can't imagine Sweeny will remain happy and fancy free for long, playing for the Rovers)

This seems to be a reasonable assumption as it fits the other snippets of info that have emerged. If true, it makes the prospect of a new ground at UWE remote. Assuming the Memorial Stadium could be sold for housing at £15m, and Nick Higgs and other debtors are paid from the proceeds (£8-10m?), it leaves approx £5-7m to fund the build. I know Rovers like tents (sorry I couldn't resist that), but you don't get much for that sort of money. This would confirm the reports that Wael is trying to fund UWE by getting money from outside investors. It's obvious why they have said no, as Wael doesn't seem to want to put much of his own money into the plan and not take any of the risk. If he doesn't want to invest any more of his money into the club, it also makes it impossible to redevelop the Mem. A good long term prospect for him might be to sell Rovers as an established League 1 club, with only Nick Higgs debts to repay and a bit of profit for himself

It's very difficult to get to the bottom of Rovers' finances, but reading this, and your previous posts, it implies that Wael bought the club for only a payment of £3m up front! The other debts (mainly owed to Nick Higgs?) will be paid off over an unspecified time period. £3m seems to be a small sum to pay for a league club, and the fact that Wael can't afford to pay the other debts immediately implies he hasn't got, relatively, very much money.

There are some good points here, but one fundamental error. Rovers are owned by a holding company Dwayne Sports so the debt hasn't really gone away, it's just transferred to an offshore account.

I'll wish you well Mr Flea. Anyone who has to watch Rovers deserves some charitable thoughts at new year.

How about City start well and score first after 5 minutes? (It's got to happen eventually). Final score 3-1 to City.