Bristol Rovers vs Barnsley Matchday Thread 12th August 2023

Feel you are a bit harsh on Marquis for his second chance as he seemed to do well to get his shot on goal.

Both full backs looked reluctant to go forward today, perhaps that was the instructions from JB, although Grant seemed happy to get forward when he came on.

Finley is now a shadow of the L2 player, not sure what the answer is, as how do you drop the captain if we sign a loan player.

I wonder if Wilson will be content to warm the bench as he struggle now to dislodge the CB pairing if they keep up today's performance.

Collins is either off this month or needs to be dropped.

Mangans comments about Belshaw are very telling when asked he said “you’ll have to speak to the manager, that’s above my pay grade”. Let’s face it I think he’s been trying to get rid of Belshaw for a while now and this could be the time when he goes.

Thomas played brilliantly today, but I would personally have given Evans MOTM.

Just got back..



What a lovely day seeing some of you again.
Time has been kind to most of us.
The start of another season at the Mem in the wet....does it get much better?!
Also, welcome back and lovely to see, DC.... he's looking much better and welcomed like a hero with people scrambling for that handshake and selfie.. Much Gas love to him 💙

Atmos in Thatchers as flat as the clubhouse selling it (probably!?)....why?
We had full house.
Playing some ok football.
Missed some guilt edged chances in front of them..
Apart from last 10 mins we could've been more vocally supportive...

Anyhoos, onto less important things...

Keeper..... might sound harsh, but not taking anything away from that ruthless finish, he really shouldn't have been beaten on near post.....no Belly in squad.....I just fear we lack experience in a critical area of the pitch.
For me, the jury is out.

Full backs, both of them had average games. A shame Gordon couldn't press more, and Hoole was quite involved, but it's frustrating neither seemed to stop the crosses....which is worrying.
I thought Hoole better of the two.

Central defenders had a gem of a game.
So much so, Barnsley resorted to subbing a sulky Devante Cole and the number 36.... Connor Taylor was magnificent, as was his home debut sidekick from Brentford Crama, both never really had a sniff.

There's something going on with Evans.
Not only is he forming an eye catching link play with LT and JM, but he's a bloody nuisance to defences as he had a free reign and played some important passes....if JM had his radar set more in focus, we could have been 2-1 up at half time courtesy of him with 2 delectable assists from AE. Nice game.

Ably supported by Grant Ward. He got his foot in and kept it simple.

Finley for me didn't have the best match.... and ceded captaincy to GW above on his rightful substitution.

.... which brings us on to the change of the match. As it appeared the clock was counted down, on comes Scotty and Josh Grant to completely turn the match in our favour and impose more dominant inertia, Aaron moves into the middle as was ineffective again as left winger....my only question is why it wasn't unleashed earlier?

Straight away there was balance, tempo, a feeling everyone knew where they had to be, more cohesion and dangerous to defend.
Scotty got his goal. Could have had another.
We played some exciting front foot passing football v a team that was top of league going into the match.
LT, AE, AC, SS is a formidable attack force !?

So.... that's two live league matches I've watched. Much like many of you.
But I honestly don't think we are 2points the value.
We have played some good stuff in both, created numerous chances against two teams with contrasting styles that are amongst the fav to challenge for promotion.

Nice start.
Dare we dream?

Evans (in his proper role), Ward, Crama...absolutely magnificent today. Everyone else was brilliant too. Sinclair an absolute menace when he came on and with his incredible fitness, am still lost why he doesn't play 90 mimutes.

Luke Thomas though? Class above.

2 points which could easily have been 4/6 against two of the best teams in the league.

UTFG 🏴‍☠️

Barnsley goalie did as soon as we made a double sub? It was a good flowing game generally, with even injured Barnsley players getting up without requiring treatment.

If the remaining matches are as good as todays match, we are in for one hell of a season, apart from the opening 10 minutes we completely dominated a side who had won their previous league game 7-0. & with better finishing we should have had the 3 points. We certainly got a squad of talented players & the style of play is great to watch, considering both Wilson & Brown we’re missing today & with Andy Manham saying we’ve got a couple of signings which the fans should be excited about coming him, we should hopefully be in for a great position to challenge the top end of the league.

I haven't watched the goals back but the way the shot was lashed in I can't see any keeper saving it, near post or not, Cox did make an hell of a save, or just got lucky, at the death when the Barnsley player only had him to beat. 

I think Rossiter will be key when he's back - a lot of talent and if he's fully able to shake off his injury he'll be like a new signing.

A good point today, that's two of the top teams we've matched and almost (and maybe should have) bested. Both of them on 4 points at the end of play today, so we've stopped them getting the full 6.

Looking forward to the next few weeks after a fairly tough start, should begin picking up the three points regularly come September (who'd have had Cambridge down as pacesetters??)