samo II

I'm sure they think they are Leicester, what with barely any possession, and trying to play on the break. The only bit they'be missed from that cunning strategy is the ability to actually pass, shoot or win possession...

Rovers win a corner. The crowd mildly stirs. It fails to beat the first man. The breakaway comes to nothing. Emblematic of the whole game.

How many passes have Rovers made, and what would be the number completed? It's been a long time I've seen a football team play so little actual football, or see so little of the ball.

What are the possession stats here? Cardiff's B team are pretty much playing keep ball.

Feels like 'Aliens Versus Predator'; "Whoever Wins...We Lose"

Down the road seem to think that the club showing its appreciation for Lansdown by naming the stand that he was crucial in getting built is somehow less important than carrying their chairman around on their shoulders, despite his having promised little and delivered even less. It is genuinely hilarious. In a twisted way I am actually looking forward to this week's 'Battle of the B******s' when the blue few play the bluebirds. Although I truely wish both teams could lose, I can see the sags getting hammered. And what a beautiful irony that would be, as Cardiff are now managed by the man they hounded out when last at their level, because he could 'only' get them to midtable. Since then Trollope has coached at Championship and international level, proving what incredible judgement their club and fans display on a regular basis. I guess looking to the oppositon dugout will form some solice for whateverhisnameis who manages them now; he can look into his future and know that once Rovers fans/board turn on him for 'failing' to return them to being a huge club in League One and he gets sacked, things can (and usually do) get better, unlike Rovers (unless you're a fan of tragic comedy, in which case; they're a gold mine).

Irony is, if Mr Landsdown requested a piggy back from our fans pretty much anywhere, considering how much he's done for us, doubt he'd struggle for volunteers. On the flip side; some guy with a flash watch just in the door, who has yet to actually do anything tangible beyond ride on the back of an already successful team gets hefted up on the shoulders of those horse punchers and they see it as some kind victory? Being gullible and stoking that blokes ego is all it is. Plus; Landsown has too much class for that nonsense. When he speaks, he tends to cut to the heart of the matter, like yesterday RE Kodjia. That bloke at Rovers seems to enjoy giving interviews where he says nothing of any substance. I know which I prefer.

To be fair; they've only just met, so I'd give them a little time to gel. Hopefully both will get more chances to play together, develop an understanding, then we'll have seriously potent strike force. I also think part of Kodjia's selfish play comes from so often having been the only true threat we carried last year; he's so used to carving out his own chances, he forgets he can play off his teammates!

Max Power; the Simpson joke that walks. They've a decent line up tbf; tough game today.

Will Grigg, presumably. And if I never hear that song about him again, I'll die happy.

Imagine Pack, GON & Smith will compete for two spaces - good to have genuine compertition.

Decent looking one too. Fantasic to have such a range of options to alter the game with.

No Golbourne - presuming an injury. Ayling starting is a genuine surprise.

This is the aspect that has surprised me the most over the last few months; the lack of clarity provided regards a new home. Surely everyone at Rovers realises that without a new ground or significant redevelopment in the old one (or some frankly remarkable management on the playing side of what is a team still largely composed of players with non-league pedigree) continued progression up the leagues, or even stability at League One level has a hard limit. The fact this hasn't been laid out, coupled with a summer where Rovers haven't heavily invested in new players (which would at least signal intent, even if a little short sighted) means I'd be seriously concerned with what exactly the new man upstairs is planning, were I one of them. I expect Rovers momentum will keep them in League One this coming season, but also that any standout players will be hard to then hold on to, unless real intent is shown. Interesting times ahead, me thinks.

Well, they went and did it. The blue few will inevitably be unbearable again this summer now. Look forward to reminding them when they get mouthy that even with back-to-back promotions, they'll still be a league below us next year. I'm looking forward to our trips to Newcastle and Aston Villa; I hope they enjoy visiting Bury and Rochdale instead. #MindTheGap

A phrase Alan Partridge would be proud of.

Hope we smash those cockney rich boys. COYR

He really is. 6 goals in 17 appearances, plus some assists; cracking loan signing. Really hope we can do a deal with both him and Bournemouth this summer, because the only downside of his tremendous form is he will have alerted other team to his talent.

Despite what happened this seasons, I'm still very greatful to Cotts - we looked more likely to be in League Two than the Championship when he arrived. I hope that SC gets back in the game soon, and is able to enjoy more success, though I think we made the correct choice in sacking him. This summer simply cannot be like last time; the previous year we bought early and bought smart, and that was a massive part of our first title in 60 years. I'm encouraged by Ashton openly speaking about the benefits of this approach, and if he can make good on this (certainly if the calibre of player obtained matches those we've brought in since he's been here), then I believe we'll be significantly better off. But tonight I'm going to FINALLY celebrate the fact we've retained our Championship status - looking forward to us facing the like Villa and perhaps Sunderland and/or Newcastle next year, rather than Northampton or possibly some recent non-team who used to play in Bath. Good work, City!

LJ's first task was keeping us up, and he's done that. Next test is to see what happens this summer; he's earned my support via what he's managed to do since coming in, but this is a new challenge. One thing that has to be said is he can hardly do worse than we did last summer.

Absolutely. Job done. I said right back in the summer, before all the sound and fury, that I'd have taken staying up on goal difference, as with the new stadium we could not afford to go back down. Now we are up with two to spare; here's to us not repeating our mistakes and moving early to be able to take next season by the scruff of the neck. COYR!

They won 4-1 first day of the season & had a bunch of press about how their 'style' would surprise teams at this level. Now they might be facing AFC in the league; what a boost that will be to the real Dons' motivation to go up!

Not many red cards this season, but two against Blackburn. Disappointing, though perhaps gives us an enforced chance to blood a youngster in the last couple of games.

3-1 Brentford; that's us up. I'd have taken a point today, so 2-2 after being ahead might suck, but it does the job, and Brentford have made it a little less traumatic. A cheeky last min winner to make up for the last min equaliser last week would be nice...

As long as it went in!