Professionalism.
That's the word I want to scream when I have to talk to a Gashead.
City:
* Proper training facilities with potential upgrade coming soon
* A proper stadium that looks amazing - and when our move fell through Lansdown already had designs, planning permission and exactly how he was going to fund it already in place. That's a proper businessman - you have back up plans
* Well respected in the city and surrounding areas, with academic institutions and local authorities actually happy to work with us
* Part of a large sports franchise that isn't just advertised on billboards deep in Rovers territory but is part of a global company's nationwide radio campaign. Also has the Foundation working with schools and the community and the team appearing at the Balloon Fiesta etc
* Actually rich owner - the stadium, his old firm and the rich lists all prove it
Rovers
* A field somewhere - the fence hasn't been paid for and they've not got planning permission yet despite their current training ground having been sold by its owners
* Some tents, patio furniture and a condemned pasty hut. The UWE "fell through" / couldn't be afforded with no plan B in sight let alone with planning permission or funding
* Burned bridges with UWE, their local community, Sainsburys, anyone they've ground shared with and any contractors they've not paid
* They've appointed a used car salesman as commercial director. Oh and Santa's Grotto. Never forget that
* Their owner has only spent money he's secured against their home, appears to have no wealth from the family beyond that backing him and his wealth seems to be forever out of the reach of Rovers. He also wears tracksuits with his initials on despite never playing as he saw it on TV dramas and thought it looked cool
Even ignoring the more-than-double attendances, we're not even in the same universe. We're professional and professionally managed - they're just tinpot...
PS: And before a Rovers fan says "but you're obsessed with us" my grandparents and family spent all they had on shares in 82 to save the club, and watched Rovers fans denigrate us and try to block any attempts to help us. So I'll hate them till I die and foster this hatred in the next generation too!
Really happy with this result - although like many was desperately hoping we could hold on for a surprise win... We're looking pretty solid at the back (first time in ages?!) and got competition for most positions (particularly the CBs) and looking creative in attack. If anyone ever asks I'll still say I'll be happy with a mid-table end to the season, but recently I've actually started to feel that's possible - and maybe we could even sneak a bit better
