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Post by hanham on Jul 27, 2014 15:54:24 GMT
I know nothing of Leadbitter and will give him the benefit until I have seen him play. However, although I have firmly backed on the forums DC after watching all the friendlies (bar Cirencester), I will have my first faltering doubts about him as a manager if Leadbitter is not something special. Higgins has bust a gut and played his heart out trialling for Rovers and has already become a favourite with the consistent 250 or so Gas heads at the friendlies. If Fanboy is right and DC did say it was because of his ability to handle the 'psychology' of playing for Rovers then that makes me want to vomit a little. Probably the weakest excuse for not signing a decent player I have heard in years and smacks of a poor reason in the face of knowing fans who could not fault Higgins performance and that neither should DC. I for one will not forgive this decision if it backfires. I think that's very harsh. I haven't watched any of the friendlies so far as I don't enjoy them and I have heard that Higgins has played well in most, if not all, of them. However, from the very start DC was non-committal over whether he would offer him a contract even if Smith left. That suggests to me that he had his eye on someone else who he feels is better suited to the right-wing-back role. If he was led to believe signing that player was unlikely he probably kept Higgins on to give him the opportunity to impress sufficiently to earn a deal with us or put himself in the shop window to get an offer from elsewhere. Higgins is clearly a likeable character and has, by all accounts, worked hard in pre-season but football is ruthless and there is no point signing him if our manager is in any way unsure about whether he has what it takes. If DC prefers Leadbitter than that's fine by me. I think people get too wrapped up and attached to trialists, which seems premature to say the least until they are signed up. DC said at the SC EGM that he didn't go for players like Elliott Frear from Salisbury because he didn't think he'd be up to the task mentally, so this isn't an excuse he has trotted out in isolation. He clearly feels it's a valid point and has used it as a key factor when deciding what players to sign. We may look back on this decision and say 'it's a shame we didn't go for Higgins' but we may also be saying 'Leadbitter is a bl**dy good player' etc. Football is all about opinions and decisions and this is one of many DC has to make. To say you wouldn't forgive him is ridiculous in my opinion. Not harsh or ridiculous in my opinion, though I totally accept yours may be different and you are very much entitled to it. I stand by the view that if Leadbitter does not fulfil the promise that many are pronouncing, despite him not having played a game for the Gas yet, I think it will be an atrocious decision. I did not say I would not get behind DC but I could not forgive letting the better option go to bring in a better player 'on paper'. Higgins showed flair, pace and the ability to beat players at Gloucester yesterday, he did not shy away at any point and in fact was probably our most entertaining player alongside Sinclair.
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Post by hanham on Jul 27, 2014 15:28:01 GMT
I know nothing of Leadbitter and will give him the benefit until I have seen him play. However, although I have firmly backed on the forums DC after watching all the friendlies (bar Cirencester), I will have my first faltering doubts about him as a manager if Leadbitter is not something special. Higgins has bust a gut and played his heart out trialling for Rovers and has already become a favourite with the consistent 250 or so Gas heads at the friendlies. If Fanboy is right and DC did say it was because of his ability to handle the 'psychology' of playing for Rovers then that makes me want to vomit a little. Probably the weakest excuse for not signing a decent player I have heard in years and smacks of a poor reason in the face of knowing fans who could not fault Higgins performance and that neither should DC.
I for one will not forgive this decision if it backfires.
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Post by hanham on Jul 26, 2014 18:22:56 GMT
Good to hear. Apologies for being hesitant in positivity for now. No apology necessary, we have all suffered greatly as Gas heads and you have to see the change to believe it, but it is there mate, no perfect but a huge step in the right direction. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Post by hanham on Jul 26, 2014 18:15:27 GMT
If we don't give the lad a contract we need our heads read. If managed well he could go from a good player to a great player and is already one that obviously takes pride in his performance. Don't mind if this one pats the badge - he plays with his heart on his sleeve.
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Post by hanham on Jul 26, 2014 18:10:13 GMT
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Post by hanham on Jul 26, 2014 17:44:01 GMT
Hang on. Everything was pretty good but we won 4-3 against frickin Glocester! I don't get it. I take it you weren't there?... Like I said defensively we were poor at times, it should really have been 4-1 or even 4-0 if we could defend today. The first two goals were identical with balls played right through the left of our defence with both goals beating the keeper at the near post and the third was a header from a poorly defended corner. All 3 could/should have been prevented. Going forward and on the ball it was pretty good. Get the defence sorted and it looks good. The style of 'we will score more than you' is risky and although entertaining we cannot rely on scoring 3 or 4 every game! Still work ahead but much better performance than I was expecting. Absolutely spot on. Just got back myself and agree totally, yes we were fallible 'at times' at the back today but the style of football my lad And I witnessed against Cheltenham, Yeovil and now Gloucester is a revolution compared to the dross we witnessed over the last few seasons. I will go further, I enjoyed today and came away with a smile on my face - something I have not associated with watching the Gas to often of late. McChystal and Mildenhall would have made a vast difference if fit today, Higgins had his best game yet, White showed the sharpness we had all been told about and any lapses by Parkes only seemed to spur him on to make amends twice over. His goal was 30% class and 70% anger. Good, that's what I expect to see from any one privileged enough to wear the quarters. Sign Higgins now Clarke. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Post by hanham on Jul 24, 2014 16:22:01 GMT
Is the injury to Sinclairs beard career threatening? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by hanham on Jul 22, 2014 23:16:33 GMT
Only two weeks and two days till we kick off. Expecting some new faces in this week as it looks like smith is as good as gone. We need width and a playmaker in CM. And that's before we replace Smith. Hopefully, and when we get them I hope they are as qualified a choice as DC's choices have been so far. Hope we also sign Higgins and Thompson, both have good potential. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by hanham on Jul 22, 2014 23:13:52 GMT
I have this urge to reply to comments made to me, that is my business. I get my stimulation from going to support my team, not from a can. It also helps form a more qualified and just opinion and everyone is entitled to one.
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Post by hanham on Jul 22, 2014 23:03:25 GMT
Bearing in mind i went out of my way to provide live streams from the q and a and welle group i cant belive some of the sh*t i have recieved on twitter and here via messages or whatever. So what if i thought Brian was a nice guy and i liked Kirsty. So what if i enjoyed myself and felt positive. Some people cant accept any form of pleasantry about the club whatsoever. All i try and do is say it how i see it. Im certainly not going to be bullied by anyone. If i criticise the club i get told im a board basher and if i praise the club i'm naive or made to look an idiot. I think some of our fans need to take a long hard look at themselves. No point using forums or trying to get involved anymore imo. Dont need the sh*t. Don't rise to it mate, I would rather see someone give their honest opinion, be it one I agree with or not, too many sheep and shyit heeds on these forums. Thanks for your efforts last. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by hanham on Jul 22, 2014 22:59:48 GMT
Yawn Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Go to bed then it is late. I know, it's a fair drive back from Ye'oldville. What did you do tonight? Sweet dreams? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by hanham on Jul 22, 2014 22:31:43 GMT
Yawn
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Post by hanham on Jul 21, 2014 20:42:11 GMT
Not so much a beast, more bloater. :0) Scored against us seconds after coming on Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by hanham on Jul 18, 2014 7:37:43 GMT
Sorry. I can't believe that blog did anything for our future prospects apart from feed those who are just waiting for ammunition to fire at DC. No, he did'nt keep us up but he did manage to get a few results out of a unfit, poorly managed and complacent bunch of players, many of whom chose to book tickets for the next bus out of the club rather than try or make amends. I reset the bar two weeks ago (I cannot change the board but I can support the players and manager) and what I witnessed on Tuesday gives me hope I made the right decision.
For me it is now time to either forget Rovers or start again and give it my all. I do not lose that option and can change my mind at anytime, what I won't do is start a crusade against a manager or player(s) who have not even played a competitive game yet.
My opinion only, just as valid as those who support this particular blog piece. See you at Twerton UTG.
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Post by hanham on Jul 15, 2014 22:44:14 GMT
Not been keeping up with forums for a few days, enjoyed the rest. Came back to see what people saying after Cheltenham defeat and must admit it feels a bit crap. Can't see how we can do anything with squad this small. Optimism is waning fast. I was a big believer in dc after he talked the talk but now having my doubts Suggest that actually you will find most people who were there tonight, myself included, came away very positive. Very little hoofball, some good spells of passing and some much missed passion. To be honest Sinclair could be a revelation. If this is the type of football Clarke intends to serve up I am very happy. Good banter with the players too, a wry wink from Parksie when someone suggested he should just put the player he had flattened 'through the table' classic Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Post by hanham on Jul 15, 2014 10:14:02 GMT
Yep, me and the lad, going to have to dig out a retro shirt, not wearing a 'relegation' shirt!
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Post by hanham on Jul 10, 2014 21:21:11 GMT
He is stuck in between Steve Elliot and Peter Kay
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Post by hanham on Jul 8, 2014 6:59:42 GMT
Love the fact they seem to have corrected the article and come up with this... Who says they don't read the forums............. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Post by hanham on Jul 7, 2014 17:01:12 GMT
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Post by hanham on Jul 6, 2014 7:28:16 GMT
Will only be seen first time on the open day which used to be the fun day Another missed opportunity if they leave it to just over a week before first game of the season. I had hoped that pre-season would represent a chance to hopefully bring some positivity and lose some of the lingering depression of last season. Instead many fans will wear 'relegation' shirts instead of fresh new design/colours. Sometimes it just boils down to the small things and simple thinking and we cannot even seem to get those bits right as a club. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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