|
Post by ilysagas on Oct 22, 2019 20:11:14 GMT
Right then.........we have bee sh**. Very sh**. Turn it around somehow and we could be 4th by the end of the night! Hope springs eternal.
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Oct 1, 2019 20:27:23 GMT
There has been plenty of talk as to why attendances are down. I suggest that it's more a case of getting back to normal. For three years I think that we benefitted from the Darrell factor - charismatic manager and two promotions on the bounce. As an irregular visitor to the Mem I thought I'd give some explanation as to what factors influence whether or not I go to games. As a background I typically watch 10 games a season with my two teenage sons (including two or three away games). In order of importance 1.Time/opportunity - with three children the opportunity isn't always there 2.Cost - it's a considerable cost to take the three of us. I'd like to see a few 'quid a kid' type promotions 3.Standard of football(entertainment) - I'd say that the last two years have been dreadful. I saw fewer games last season than usual. I thought todays game showed improvement 4.Keenness of my boys - if they want to go then I'll make more of an effort (bit of family bonding). Last year the oldest was bored with the football, this year he seems keener - partly explains why we've been to 4 games already. 5.Weather 6.Is it an important game? - like anyone else big games carry more weight 7.General air of negativity - I discovered this forum at the beginning of the year and whilst I find it fascinating my word is it depressing at times 8.State of the pasties - they used to be great and part of the matchday experience for my boys. Not so this year. . . . 99. Are we getting a new stadium? - Don't understand why this is a consideration 100. Are we getting new owners? - Again don't get it - it's not of the slightest concern on a matchday to me, my sons, my brother, my cousin, my colleagues or anyone else I know .. Brilliant post. Been going for 40 years. My number of games per season has mostly been determined by my life circumstances rather than the quality of football or ownership matters.
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Dec 1, 2018 13:54:46 GMT
Watched Walsall Wood Girls under 11s beat Tamworth 3-0. Our Isabelle hit the bar. It rained a lot.
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Oct 29, 2018 23:22:15 GMT
Born in Staffordshire. Grew up in Yorkshire, Lancashire and Scotland until aged 9. Then we moved to Yate. Dad supported no team and took me to Bolton first, then Dumbarton. When we moved to Yate he took me to City v Villa but i got crushed on the terrace and hated it as it was so crowded and the villa fans chucked coins. Then he took me to Rovers v Blackburn.....lots of space so much more enjoyable.Hooked. Started going on my own aged 10/11 then we moved away - Trowbridge, then Taunton. Carried on going to the gas from wherever we lived. As an adult moved to Plymouth, then Leeds (when they won the league) Oxford, Swindon, Cheltenham, and Walsall for the last 10 years. Last 2 years in Staffordshire. Have visited over 90 grounds now and done 40 years. I don't have a Bristolian accent and don't know any other Rovers fans apart from the poor buggers in my life like my step kids and Mrs (all Walsall born n bred). Love the gas but I do wonder what it would have been like if my Dad had taken me to a "successful" bigger club. Could have been all over Europe rather than Gateshead. UTG
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Oct 9, 2018 18:45:51 GMT
Sorry for getting excited but...... COME ON YOU BLUES !!!!
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Oct 2, 2018 21:02:09 GMT
Blimey right miserable bunch of posts.
Got to watch the gas in my front room with the kids (Mrs fell asleep) for a tenner.
Wasn't the greatest performance, but seen much worse. Payne hit bar and Sercombe had a good effort well saved.
Should have won but hey ho we didn't.
Don't get to see many games these days so have to rely on the forum a lot....was only really disappointed by Broadbent. Really impressed with Bonham.
Completely underwhelmed by Reilly and Jakubiak.
3 undefeated. Better feeling than a few weeks ago. UTG
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Sept 29, 2018 17:08:57 GMT
Hartlepool away when we made the playoffs. Travelled up with no tickets but got some in the pub. Gateshead away. Met Shearer in a curry house the night before, bumped into a boss man from work who paid for our dinner. Sure we were top of conference after winning. Blackpool....."borrowed" parents car but got away with it.
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Jul 29, 2018 18:13:35 GMT
Having read the forums for years im not surprised by all the negativity I'm reading on here and Facebook since yesterdays game. But I don't feel that way, and I definitely feel in the minority.
I like the direction of travel our club is taking, and accept there will be bumps along the way. Such as sausage roll prices, 4-0 pre season defeats but the tendency to judge everything blow by blow has never been my style. Im happy with signings so far. And until August 9th is over I don't see the point in judging this windows activity.
We sold Ellis cause a bigger club came along.....happens to every club apart from Real Madrid. The price seems reasonable based on his contract length. Can't help smile at the posts from 12 to 24 months ago about Ellis.....glad those posters aren't in charge.
I wait with keen anticipation to see who we manage to sign in the next 11 days, and I expect an ok season. In the last window there was much gnashing of teeth and then we signed 2 good ones the morning after the window closed. I believe DC and Wael will do what they can but we will never know the wage demands and ins and outs of transfer negotiations.
I'm hopeful of a good season.Top half, with play offs in touching distance will do me. In my 35+ years we have had many years of sh**, but the last 4 have not been. And I don't think the next one will be that bad either. However I will judge this in about 9 months time, not moment by moment for the next nine months 😀
No offence meant to anyone. As I appreciate we all see the world differently.
UTG
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Apr 2, 2018 16:29:58 GMT
In my opinion the ref was not the problem today. In the first half there midfielder clattered one of ours and got a yellow. But I noticed Lines charged at the ref straight away demanding red. I thought at the time he was out of order. In the 2nd half Eliis had a foul given against him that maybe he shouldn't BUT Lines ran over and gave the ref a mouthful. He was rightly booked and yet he still kept mouthing off. The women behind me was telling at him to shut up...and watching him you could see he had the red must. Then something else happened (not clear on what) which lead to the 2nd yellow. It was not a suprise. Not trying to dig Lines out, but today he lost his cool and it cost us.
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Mar 31, 2018 11:12:54 GMT
We all know our play off chances are slim. But we do have hope, and I don't feel that we have any potential for disappointment if we don't make it. That's a nice situation to be in as normally it's the hope that sets you up for misery.
So, I have just been looking at the run in of our 6 rivals for the 2 available play off spots, and there are quite a few match ups between the 6 that I assume will prove crucial. I have also looked at the last 6 games form table.
Scunthorpe (20th in form W0 D4 L2) - Plymouth (h) - Wimbledon (a) - Charlton (a) - Walsall (h) - MK Dons (a) - Bradford (a)
Thoughts - need results quick to stay in the hunt, but form suggests that won't happen, especially against in form Plymouth.
Plymouth (3rd in form. W4 D1 L1) - Scunthorpe (a) - Peterborough (h) - Portsmouth (h) - Northampton (a) - Rochdale (a) - Rotherham (h) - Gillingham (a)
Thoughts -Best form of the six. If they use that momentum up I think they are my favourites for 5th spot. If they could win the next 3 I think that could seal it for them but also be of benefit to us.
Peterborough (6th in form W3 D2 L1) - Northampton (h) - Plymouth (a) - Rochdale (h) - Blackburn (a) - Shrewsbury (a) - Fleetwood (h) - Portsmouth (a)
Thoughts - On paper 3 home bankers and 4 really difficult away games. Much more likely than us to make 6th. Personally would much prefer Pompey, Charlton or Plymouth to make it but I fear Posh will sneak in.
Charlton 15th in form (W2 D1 L3) - Rotherham (a) - Gas (a) - Wimbledon (a) - Scunthorpe (h) - Shrewsbury (a) - Portsmouth (a) - Blackburn (h) - Rochdale (a)
Thoughts - won their last 2 under new manager so form position is misleading. But 6 difficult games on paper so hopefully they will lose enough to not make 6th. We must beat them to keep our chances realistic.
Portsmouth 11tg in form (W3 D0 L 3) - Walsall (a) - Wigan (h) - Rochdale (a) - Plymouth (a) - Bradford (a) - Charlton (h) - Bury (a) - Peterborough (h)
Thoughts - think they will beat Walsall today, and then hopefully they will continue their form of winning and losing. Got 4 of their play off rivals in their last 5 games so will be a key factor in the final standings. Gut says they won't quite make it.
Bradford 22nd in form W1 D1 L4 - Walsall (h) - Blackpool (a) - Shrewsbury (h) - Portsmouth (h) - Rochdale (a) - MK Dons (h) - Southend (h) - Scunthorpe (a)
Thoughts - based on form and got 3 top teams to play surely not going to make it. Although if they win next 2 maybe they can get momentum back.
Rovers 9th in form W2,D3,L1
Thoughts - I think we all know our fixtures so won't list them. 3 really hard home games coming up. 2 difficult away days. Brain says we will not be in the frame for 6th after those games but it is good to have the hope still. The next game is always crucial, but Fleetwood is a must win (I think we will draw). If we did win, and Plymouth beat Scunthorpe, Pompey could lose to Wigan, Charlton could lose to Rotherham and the table would be interesting when we face Charlton.
Conclusion - Plymouth and Peterborough to make the play offs
Final thought.......UP THE GAS
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Feb 18, 2018 15:53:11 GMT
Thanks Steve. Pretty much watched the same game as me.
I was amazed to read the critism of Craig last night. Definitely motm.
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Dec 9, 2017 12:18:44 GMT
It's double blanket weather today!! If you're a poof. I see the anti homophobia message from last weekend has landed well then
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Nov 18, 2017 13:06:05 GMT
I hardly ever post but the poster cj deserves a pat on the back. Spot on posts today
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Jul 22, 2017 18:23:39 GMT
Just seen DC post FGR interview. Takes the blame for today's performance. Said he didn't want to play to many youngsters with quite a few gashead attending. Fair enough.
Stated he still wants 4 more players in. Excellent to hear. And exciting.
Presumably a CD, striker, LW and another midfielder. All as he described at the beginning of the summer. It is like he knows what he is doing.😁
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Jul 14, 2017 20:27:47 GMT
I am constantly blown away by some of the comments on here. After over 3 decades of supporting rovers i feel these are the best of times. And yet there are constant moans and excessive negativity, ranging from stadium, fun days, timing of signings, kit availability, etc
The short termism of some of my fellow supporters is very frustrating.
It seems so apparent to me that the evolution is happening, our manager has a clear direction for the footballing side of the club - a 5 year contract, the quality of staff on recent interviews, the structuring of a philosophy that will run through all the age groups is all evidence of foundations being laid for success. The training ground purchase and proposals support the sensible direction our club is being taken on under the stewardship of an eminently sensible and likeable owner. I'm sure a stadium (of some sort) will come to pass or all the rest will prove pointless.
The bigger picture is great as far as I'm concerned. Sit back and enjoy is my philosophy. There will be mistakes made, bad decisions and sh** days BUT relative to the last 30 years i have more faith than ever. I'm sure DC and Wael have it in hand. I think rather than the hope i have always has i now have belief.
And in terms of the transfer activity, i think the time to judge is 1st September. I'm impressed with the 4 so far (on paper) and have no doubt there will be more in the next few weeks.
UTG
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Jul 4, 2017 14:10:43 GMT
Relaxed manager who knows what he is doing. That was what i saw.
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Jun 22, 2017 10:39:25 GMT
Boom😁
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Mar 27, 2017 17:20:57 GMT
When leaving the ground with my Mrs, a 7 year old and a 10 year old i witnessed nobs from both sides acting like hardmen. I saw 2 people arrested. After trying to divert my family away from the bother we got in the car and tried to drive only to watch punches thrown at the other end of the carpark. Tried to divert the kids attention but had to explain this sh** to them which just topped off quite a crap day really. Some rovers supporters are idiots. A reflection of people in general. But anyone in denial on this thread that we have plenty of idiots need to be a little more realistic. It ain't new, but it's always sh**.
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Feb 27, 2017 22:25:27 GMT
Really liked Sheffield United personally. Good size, felt traditional, good view, good size crowd.
And looking forward to Bolton.
|
|
|
Post by ilysagas on Jan 5, 2017 22:31:58 GMT
I'm feeling the need to post (I do so very rarely) as I want to share that I absolutely support DC and whatever he does throughout this season. I believe in judging a manager annually, or maybe halfway through the season at worst. Not day by day or game by game as seems to be the vogue currently. My logic is that I do not have access to the information needed on a daily, weekly or monthly basis to question his decisions in terms of team selection, transfer dealings etc to make a fair judgement. So instead I choose to assess managers on results over the season.
Based on the last 2 seasons he can do whatever he wants this season and I will only question him at the end if we fail to stay in league 1.
I completely understand that hardly anyone else feels like this based on forum contributions and the moaners at games.
I appreciate my view is just that, mine and a forum is a place for debate but the negativity, recurring criticism and over reacting to team changes over the past 2 months is getting very exasperating to read. Just wanted to put out there that I have utmost respect for DC and he has my total support for the rest of the season come what may. He has earnt it.
I honestly do not expect people to agree with me or my view, but I just felt like putting it out there.
UTG
|
|