This was Geoff Dunford's day with the right result
Oct 29, 2017 11:13:01 GMT
Russgas, Antonio Fargas, and 3 more like this
Post by stevek192 on Oct 29, 2017 11:13:01 GMT
Yesterday proved again that whilst we won't set the division alight with this present squad there are enough teams that we are more than capable of beating to retain a mid table position and with the right additions in January could still improve on last seasons position. Two wingers, a strong midfielder, a big striker and maybe a commanding centre half to challenge Lockyer and we would be a good side week in week out. OK five in is a lot but we would also need to release a few in January or at least send them on loan. For me the extra wingers and central midfielder are the essential additions.
The result was righty dedicated to Geoff Dunford by DC after the game and the great speech by Nick Day really summed up the importance the Dunford family and Geoff and Denis in particular played. I am sure the reference to "we would all have been doing something else on a Saturday afternoon for the last 30 years if it wasn't for Geoff Dunford" brought a tear to many eyes but it was so true and his memory will live on for ever in Bristol Rovers Football Club and the entire day was brilliantly organised and conducted and it was wonderful to see so many members of the Dunford Family there and the final words from the Late Denis Dunford was just so poignant and the impeccable behaviour of both sets of fans during the tributes paid the greatest respect on a very sad day to Mr Bristol Rovers. RIP Geoff.
Smith 7 Only one shot to save but looks confident in what he does do and aware to cut out dangers before they occur, We have two reasonable League 1 keepers.
Leadbitter 8 Back to his very best but he will face much more challenging opposition. His pace is an asset that we need because we generally lack that at the back.
Lockyer 8 Another who gave a much better account of himself than recently ands marshalled the defence well and was always that one step ahead of his opponent and unlucky not to score with the header which brought an outstanding save from our ex keeper Nicholls.
Broadbent 8 If he can cut out the one silly passing error per game he can be one hell of a player because he is both hard and possesses the ability to bring the ball out from the back and for a player with only a handful of games looks a good prospect..
Brown 8 Good all round game. Defended very well apart from the late error that would have handed a better team a goal on the plate and attacked with flair including a hard shot that was well saved and an assortment of crosses.
Sercombe 6.5 Always alert
O. Clarke 7 That's more like it Ollie but I would still like to see him WANTING the ball more rather than just winning it. His temperament is questionable and a silly booking was not far away.
Lines 6.5 An Ok performance but would still like to see him further forward if we are going to go with two defensive midfielders.
Sinclair 7.5 Good performance from him and probably the player who made a big difference as the game went o0n and he became the extra player to pressurise MK Dons from the front and stop them having the freedom of the back.
Nichols 7 Did what he is paid to do when the chance came along and his general play was good, holding up the ball well and keeping possession. Will it set him on a scoring spree? Only time will tell but hopefully an almighty weight off his shoulders.
Gaffney 8.5 MOM Caused so many problems to MK Dons with his direct running and control. Great goal to settle the game and well deserved it.
Subs:
Telford Nole
Moore Nole
Crowd 8 Impeccable during the brilliant tributes to Geoff Dunford and that applies to both sets of supporters and 8700 was a pretty good crowd when it followed three disappointing defeats.
Referee 8 Some blatant mistakes but effectively refereed the game without flashing a card every couple of minutes and that deserves praise.
MK Dons 4.5 Not one of the better teams but set up to bring a point home and thankfully didn't manage it. It is difficult to see how they managed four goals last week but it seems to be that sort of division and maybe we made them look worst than they really are.
DC- got the right result but I do question why he set us up to allow MK Dons so much possession in the first half when we were far better when we pressurised from the front. Anyway at the end of the day only the result really matters so it was a job well done by the Manager. The question now is can he mastermind an improvement in his poor FA Cup record. In truth I think we will do well to still be in the draw after Friday. UTG
So we move on to three cup games in just over a week and for me the team that played yesterday should definitely start the FA Cup match at Notts County but Tuesdays match should maybe give an opportunity to Telford to get a full game and maybe start with Broom and Moore on the wings and Sweeney in place of Lockyer.
The result was righty dedicated to Geoff Dunford by DC after the game and the great speech by Nick Day really summed up the importance the Dunford family and Geoff and Denis in particular played. I am sure the reference to "we would all have been doing something else on a Saturday afternoon for the last 30 years if it wasn't for Geoff Dunford" brought a tear to many eyes but it was so true and his memory will live on for ever in Bristol Rovers Football Club and the entire day was brilliantly organised and conducted and it was wonderful to see so many members of the Dunford Family there and the final words from the Late Denis Dunford was just so poignant and the impeccable behaviour of both sets of fans during the tributes paid the greatest respect on a very sad day to Mr Bristol Rovers. RIP Geoff.
Smith 7 Only one shot to save but looks confident in what he does do and aware to cut out dangers before they occur, We have two reasonable League 1 keepers.
Leadbitter 8 Back to his very best but he will face much more challenging opposition. His pace is an asset that we need because we generally lack that at the back.
Lockyer 8 Another who gave a much better account of himself than recently ands marshalled the defence well and was always that one step ahead of his opponent and unlucky not to score with the header which brought an outstanding save from our ex keeper Nicholls.
Broadbent 8 If he can cut out the one silly passing error per game he can be one hell of a player because he is both hard and possesses the ability to bring the ball out from the back and for a player with only a handful of games looks a good prospect..
Brown 8 Good all round game. Defended very well apart from the late error that would have handed a better team a goal on the plate and attacked with flair including a hard shot that was well saved and an assortment of crosses.
Sercombe 6.5 Always alert
O. Clarke 7 That's more like it Ollie but I would still like to see him WANTING the ball more rather than just winning it. His temperament is questionable and a silly booking was not far away.
Lines 6.5 An Ok performance but would still like to see him further forward if we are going to go with two defensive midfielders.
Sinclair 7.5 Good performance from him and probably the player who made a big difference as the game went o0n and he became the extra player to pressurise MK Dons from the front and stop them having the freedom of the back.
Nichols 7 Did what he is paid to do when the chance came along and his general play was good, holding up the ball well and keeping possession. Will it set him on a scoring spree? Only time will tell but hopefully an almighty weight off his shoulders.
Gaffney 8.5 MOM Caused so many problems to MK Dons with his direct running and control. Great goal to settle the game and well deserved it.
Subs:
Telford Nole
Moore Nole
Crowd 8 Impeccable during the brilliant tributes to Geoff Dunford and that applies to both sets of supporters and 8700 was a pretty good crowd when it followed three disappointing defeats.
Referee 8 Some blatant mistakes but effectively refereed the game without flashing a card every couple of minutes and that deserves praise.
MK Dons 4.5 Not one of the better teams but set up to bring a point home and thankfully didn't manage it. It is difficult to see how they managed four goals last week but it seems to be that sort of division and maybe we made them look worst than they really are.
DC- got the right result but I do question why he set us up to allow MK Dons so much possession in the first half when we were far better when we pressurised from the front. Anyway at the end of the day only the result really matters so it was a job well done by the Manager. The question now is can he mastermind an improvement in his poor FA Cup record. In truth I think we will do well to still be in the draw after Friday. UTG
So we move on to three cup games in just over a week and for me the team that played yesterday should definitely start the FA Cup match at Notts County but Tuesdays match should maybe give an opportunity to Telford to get a full game and maybe start with Broom and Moore on the wings and Sweeney in place of Lockyer.
