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Post by mftc on Apr 27, 2024 11:24:33 GMT
Nice to see the two young lads on the bench. Shame we have zero strikers. Looking at Jerry Lawrence on Wikipedia it says he's a midfielder who made his only Rovers appearance in August 2022. Had a couple of loan spells in the Southern League Premier but only made 18 appearances and scored 3 goals. Wonder why he hasn't been given a chance since? No page for Kofi Shaw but I gather he won the academy player of the year? What position does he play? Both midfield I think, which is useful as we don't have many of those in the squad! I think Jerry has featured in a few EFL trophy games as well as sub in the league. Really think we need to utilize the trophy games more for some of the youngsters next season. Also, we should have used a few meaningless end of season games last year to give someone like Jones a chance rather than the Stockport reserves player we had on loan. I can't see any reason why Shaw and Lawrence couldn't have been on the bench recently. That said, I think Vaughan had his best 5 minutes in his cameo last week, but really can't see the point of including him today. Could have put Hall on the bench to give him 5 minutes if the result was already a foregone conclusion, or the youngster who played in the FA cup v Whitby.
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Post by mftc on Apr 27, 2024 9:38:29 GMT
When has there NOT been rumours of fights- Gerry and Paul Nixon, Miller and Billy Clark, Dev and Billy Ocean.
Joey and ...... well you get the picture.
Million and Williams had (deservedly so) a few punches from Joe Davis and others allededly.
Not saying it should happen (apart from the last example), but I doubt it is really that uncommon.
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Wishlist
Apr 27, 2024 9:32:15 GMT
via mobile
Post by mftc on Apr 27, 2024 9:32:15 GMT
Disappointing. Was hoping development squad was being set up straight away. Will the club be detailing the youth team retained list, or are you allowed to divulge any further info of players being let go? I cant really until Tuesday (ish) I believe one has been kept on as Pro though (waiting on deceision of 1 more) . So with that one, Kofi Shaw, Jerry Lawrence. Thats all you will have as under 21's Going into next season. Aren't a lot of sides u-23s? That could include Gordon and Jones. Maybe naive of me but I thought covid would knock some sense into "football people" but the wages are still absurd. I thought we would have a few almost professional "squad" players, someone like Cam Hargreaves who would be on not that much and would effectively be semi pro and be contracted to work say 6 hours a week for the Community Trust and similar hours for the FC in some other capacity, such as sponsors or social events or meet and greets at hospitality if not selected. Would have rolling two year contracts and play about 5 league starts a season but would play in the EFL trophy and early rounds of cups and would be handy to be on the bench to play the pressing game when one nil up away from home similar to his best performance when he won a blatant pen (not given!) v Cov when just constantly haranguing the Cov back line. If we had 4-5 of those type of contracts for squad players in different positions we could use more of the budget on main targets. If the player doesn't make it, at least their cv shows they have other transferrable skills and experiences other than just a failed pro. I'm not sure a full development squad and all the management, coaches, physio etc and all that entails are very cost effective.
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Post by mftc on Apr 25, 2024 7:14:35 GMT
There seems to be a current trend for nostalgic chats with former players.
This one, Holtby's keeper night, similar at Glos CC.
If they make money why don't the club do it, or at least let the support organisations use the Mem.
The Tote End boys, the SC and former players association, plus Blue Diamonds have to go elsewhere.
For a club who loses millions of pounds a year, you would think they would look to re-coup some extra bar money?
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Post by mftc on Apr 24, 2024 7:40:12 GMT
Im not saying bring back Ellis, but it seemed he was a real live wire in the camp, a bit like Hinton, or Bill Roost and Josser.
It would good if we could bring someone who has real enthusiasm and dare I say it, a sense of fun.
I'm sure in all walks of live working with someone like that makes going to work much better.
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Post by mftc on Apr 21, 2024 11:35:02 GMT
For me we have gone from different extremes with nearly every manager.
GC did a brilliant jobs with a limited budget to improve things. Wasn't the loan wages for Smith and Victor less than conference wages as they were "work experience"? If only he was allowed to sign the two player he wanted. One now an international with European experience and from the description, pretty sure it was Adkins from Mansfield.
Joey was given a massive budget and some of his signings have been hit or miss but we are still paying for players who have not yet come good.
Garner was given a similar remit as now - bring in young hungry players with the potential to improve but the squad was too top heavy with youngsters.
Hopefully Taylor and Friend can make sure we get an even balance this time.
Looking at our midfield yesterday they play looking up, but with no one able to hold the ball up, or run on to through balls apart from Sinclair we just can't break teams down. Let's hope there is another Barry Hayles out there somewhere!
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Post by mftc on Apr 21, 2024 11:22:00 GMT
I have had very little interest in watching Premiereship matches, after the top clubs voted to end FA Cup replays, that interest is now absolute zero. Brighton, Bournemouth, and Luton etc, have forgotten where they have come from! Sure glad I do not have Sky, which help make the elite super rich. I would like to see Bristol Rovers in the Championship, not the Prem. The blame surely lies with the FA Cup agreeing to their proposals? As MT suggested why do we need so many International breaks? Although isn't 30 years since we had a replay at a big club so it hardly matters to Rovers anyway. In the last few years we have featured in live games on telly in early round replays (Plymouth and Bromley) and if you look at the replay attendance and general buzz around after the Norwich first game you can see the financial benefits for lower league clubs. True they were not big clubs, but to many clubs the replay monies have an absolutely massive effect. With no replays we could have lost on pens in the first round and there would have been no Fulham or WBA in that great cup run under Trolls or Sion Spence's best moments for the Gas v Oxford which kinda kick-started the promotion run. Funny that Ryan Jones was regarded good enough to come of the bench to play 15 minutes of extra time in that game and has not had much of a look in since.
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Post by mftc on Apr 20, 2024 10:23:26 GMT
How has Vassell been doing at Bath?
Also Pirate, what about the top scorer in conference south. Hasn't he got 40 goals this season and regularly scored 20 a season before.
Worth a punt if he knows where the net is?
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Post by mftc on Apr 20, 2024 10:20:02 GMT
I was going to predict 3-2 either way as Posh can be a bit gung ho. With Big John injured and no Martin, I think it will be harder to score more than one now. Mind you Evans hasn't had his scoring boots on recently. Hopefully the Player of the Year trophy might inspire one of his specials.
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Post by mftc on Apr 20, 2024 10:14:27 GMT
It’s been that good a season- Jordan Rossiter is favourite in my book 👍 Definitely been consistently good. Hopefully he will play at least 30 games next year and will walk away with the prize.
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Post by mftc on Apr 20, 2024 10:12:32 GMT
Would be good if there was a players team, or at least a Gas Girls, football club staff and a youth development side.
During the scharescheme era and definitely at Twerton and before, was not unusual to have players attending this type of event.
Must have raised a decent amount and quite often the players enjoyed themselves and it definitely helped build up a rapport with players and the fans.
Maybe this is something the SC should look at?
I'm sure if people like Jed Ward, Byron, Wayne Carlisle and Kofi Shaw made up a team for example, there would be much more interest.
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Post by mftc on Apr 19, 2024 23:15:56 GMT
Imagine there’s quite a step up in class going into a national league . Playing at the Mem should help attract the better players that they’ll need . And hopefully the supporters they will need as well.
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Post by mftc on Apr 19, 2024 23:14:23 GMT
Am I the only one who gets the feeling that football is at a breaking point? Agree. It's not the people's game anymore. More like a rich persons plaything. Chairman, agents and mega rich players are a world apart from local heroes like Alfie and Harold.
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Post by mftc on Apr 19, 2024 12:29:10 GMT
Bristol Rovers FC are extremely disappointed in the Football Association’s decision to axe FA Cup replays from the 2024/25 season. Replays have long formed a traditional and exciting aspect of the FA Cup, the longest-serving cup competition in world football, and provide the greatest opportunity for many EFL clubs to create treasured memories for supporters. Bristol Rovers’ own FA Cup third-round replay at The Memorial Stadium, against Sky Bet Championship side Norwich City, attracted an attendance of over 10,000 fans for a midweek evening fixture in January and provided a valuable and important income for the Club. We are frustrated and dismayed at the lack of consultation regarding the matter, which has seemingly been the case across the EFL, and stand firm in our belief that such fundamental changes to a competition involving Bristol Rovers should not be made without at the very least including the Club in the discussion. Rovers, in full solidarity with other EFL teams, now calls on the FA to suspend their decision to make changes to the FA Cup and undertake a full and transparent consultation process with all shareholders. It seems all lower pyramid clubs ie outside the top 44 odd were not aware of the decision. In the 3rd round many Prem and championship clubs put out a joke X1 anyway. Hopefully there is a suspension or at least a compromise to have the replays in place to at least round 4. Makes the Prem look like school ground bullys.
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Post by mftc on Apr 15, 2024 7:26:27 GMT
With MT saying he has been selecting a team for someone else, could "they" actually be us ie the fans?
Most want Jed Ward, some want Hoole and Gordon to play, I would like Shaw, Hall, Lawrence and Greenslade to feature at least in 10 minute cameos.
Maybe some are not ready. If he has been experimenting, it is the perfect time to do it. The season has been over for ages, but the pressure on the manager for results and performances never stop.
I bet he has learned a lot about our squad, fans and set up though.
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Post by mftc on Apr 15, 2024 7:19:30 GMT
I think he will stay up north.
Agree he deserves a send off as he has done a lot for he club. With Ward injured you would think he could start on Tuesday and get subbed after the hour mark and get applauded off.
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Post by mftc on Apr 15, 2024 7:16:41 GMT
Both Hoole and Gordon have to improve, especially the ability to find the inch perfect cross to Martin as he is often the only Rovers player in the box and marked by 3 defenders.
We just don't have an "out ball". When Joner was in trouble and didn't have a simple pass to Percy, he hit it towards Big Dev and we had a 50/50 chance of getting the ball.
When Gordon is in trouble he nearly often keeps possession but it is sideways or back.
How many times has Finley or Evans been one of the last two players and adopted the quarterback position - only to pass it sideways themselves?
I suspect we will have more options for the defenders to pass to next season.
Personally I would have played Jones the tail end of last season especially rather than wasting money on the 6mth loan at full back we did get. At least we could have seen if he was capable. Despite being rated by the fans, you have to ask why have the last 3 managers rated Gordon higher by selecting him.
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New kit
Apr 14, 2024 10:13:01 GMT
via mobile
Post by mftc on Apr 14, 2024 10:13:01 GMT
Wasn't it mentioned that after the issues of the last two seasons the designs were ratified before Christmas and would be ready for summer hols, or did I dream it?
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Post by mftc on Apr 14, 2024 9:55:13 GMT
Hunt, Rossiter and Ward should be starters but we have to offset this with younger cheaper players we can develop - Hoole, Gordon, Lawrence, Shaw etc
Hopefully we develop a style of play which is right for us, we get organised and everyone (and their squad replacements) knows their jobs.
Throughout the season we have injuries, tactical and formation changes and square pegs in round holes and wholesale changes week from week.
It is good to have a plan B, but we went past plan Z in November.
For all the talk of the best team, we have to learn from mistakes on the past (Jones should have played in the last 3-4 matches last season and Macey, Sinclair, Shaquille Hunter etc before them.
It worked for Kite, G Williams, Slatter and Ollie.
Hopefully Shaw, Lawrence, Hall etc get a few minutes. Better to play now, than having injuries when we are desperate for points this time next year and not knowing if they can cope mentally or physically, so we can try to develop them in all aspects over the next season.
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Post by mftc on Apr 14, 2024 9:40:29 GMT
Pep is a great manager with great players, but if you watch MotD and the FL highlights it is clear several managers are influenced.
How many teams this weekend scored from passing out from the keeper - none.
How many conceded - 15.(Rough estimate)
It just doesn't work. What's the point of 5 nervy touches on our box before a pressurized hoof it clearance anywhere.
Similarly, how many times do we have a throw just outside the opposition penalty area, we have little options and ten seconds later the opposition get a shot away.
I don't think it is attractive and don't want to sound like John Beck but the laws of average say if we put the ball in the opposition penalty area we have more chance of scoring than throwing it to someone on the half way line before a sideways pass.
In the last two seasons its as though we have a team of Ray Wilkins (the crab) clones.
Possession stats may look good but we don't help the players at the back by giving so few options, so they nearly always have to produce a killer ball, hoof it anywhere, or the simple sideways pass which puts the receiving player under pressure.
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