Gas Vs MK Dons/Charlton Thread And Poll

FOCUS ON: MK DONS

This weekend Bristol Rovers entertain a team in turmoil, MK Dons parted company with their head Coach Karl Robinson on 24 October but are yet to appoint a replacement.

There have been many high profile names brandished as possible replacements none more so than Steven Gerrard. The internet is buzzing with the possibility that Stevie G is looking to produce some Bucks Fizz!

Robinson was sacked after a 3-0 home loss to Southend, which followed on from Rovers 3-3 draw at Stadium MK. Since that loss the Dons have played just two League games under Richie Barker, losing 2-1 at Sheffield United and drawing 1-1 at home to Walsall last weekend.

In that game the Saddlers stood up to early pressure and came back into contention as the game approached the half-hour mark when they took the lead as Scott Laird headed home Josh Ginnelly’s cross at the back post.

Stout defending from Paul Downing and then Jack Hendry denied the visitors a second goal before the half-time break.

In the second-half the Dons’ pressure was not rewarded until the final minute of normal time when Dean Bowditch shot across Neil Etheridge into the far corner for his seventh goal of the season.

Despite their current league position, the Dons still boast one of the better away records in the division having secured four wins from their seven away league fixtures as well as draw, while their tally of 13 goals scored is bettered by only three other sides.

There have just 13 games played between the Rovers and the Dons, in the various guises, and it is MK who hold the upper hand with 7 victories, to Rovers 1, and 5 draws.

In the League the teams first met on 29 September 1981 when they were known as Wimbledon. They tied 2-2 at Eastville with doubles by Gary Mabbutt for Rovers and Dave Hubbick for the Wombles. The home team won the return fixture 1-0 in South West London with a goal by Mike Smith.

On New Year’s Day 2011 in Milton Keynes the Dons won 2-0 in a match that they bossed from start to finish, Dan Powell and Peter Levan being the scorers. One month and one day later (just as it is this season) MK went away from Bristol with a 2-1 win.

One notable feature of games between the clubs is how close they are. There has never been a 0-0 draw and in the 12 games in only 5 of them has one of the teams drawn a blank and yet until the match earlier this season no team had scored more than 2 and then both teams scored 3!

Richie Barker spoke about Rovers snatching a draw for the jaws of defeat at Stadium MK with those two goals in the last 5 minutes of the game last month, "It was a tough five minutes. It wasn't just about the result that night, but the performance. Everyone who was there from a neutral point of view would have said they couldn't see us not winning.”

”We felt exactly the same. We weren't complacent, but were a little nervous. But that five minutes has led to the game a few days later, led to another defeat and everything that happened in the next week. It was a pivotal five minutes.”

"And we have to get that point across to the players sometimes even the smallest of details on the grand scheme of things can be vital. Unfortunately, that five minutes led to where we are. It's not the only thing, but it played a part. This is an opportunity now to go there and reverse that."

Speaking about Rovers’ hat-trick hero that night, Matty Taylor, Barker commented "He was a player we looked at in the summer. I know Darrell Clarke well, and I spoke to him about Matty, and he said he was amazed no-one else came in for him. He was out of contract. It wasn't that someone didn't pay £400,000 for him, he was out of contract.”

“He could command big wages because he's had a good record, but fair play to him, he's done it in three divisions consistently now. I watched him on Tuesday night in the FA Cup and he scored again, and he played a pivotal part in their draw here.”

"If you can keep him quiet or out of the box, we'll do well. If we'd have had his number of goals from one of our number nines, we certainly wouldn't be where we are now."

Dons are likely to be without Nicky Maynard, who is suffering hamstring trouble, Darren Potter is also unlikely to make the trip as he continues to feel the effects of a blow he took at Sheffield United last month. Despite being substituted against Walsall with a head injury, Paul Downing is expected to be fit.

Fellow centre back Joe Walsh will return to the team following his international call-up to the Wales squad. Midfielder Samir Carruthers was fit enough to play just over an hour of the Walsall game and is expected to retain his place having returned from a recent injury.

 

Roos plays a blinder and we ain't scoring in the league.
How things change !

 

Couldn't quite understand the set up for this game, almost as if the manager geared things to go in at half time 0-0, fine I suppose in some respects but as the Home team I would like to think that we could of perhaps been a little more positive. 'Triple substitution for Bristol Rovers' 48mins ! twas a good job we didn't get an injury in the 60th then wasn't it ?

Overall though I thought it was a reasonably entertaining 0-0 although I'd have to say MK did look the stronger of the two sides apart from maybe a ten minute spell around the '70 to '80 mark. Oh well, hey ho Charlton tomorrow night..........weather permitting !

 

In the WDP today it said that Moore and Boden were both unwell so he couldn't play wingers.
As I left on Saturday after the match my initial thought was there was not enough excitement to warm us up. I know Baldock for city but I did wonder why they let him go, he attacked at pace can use either foot seemed like a good player

 

Just looked at the Bristol Rovers news page and under the report of Saturdays match against M K Dons is the line WILL ROVERS MATCH AGAINST OLDHAM TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY NIGHT, if you read the article in the Evil post it does say Charlton, I guess that the proof reader was having a cuppa They have now corrected it

 

Sam Baldock plays for Brighton that was his brother George Baldock who played on Saturday Sam did play for MK though early in his career

 

Home Record Vs Charlton

PLD 27 W 15 D 10 L 2 GF 55 GA 33


Last Meeting

Saturday 23rd April - Gas 2 - 2 Charlton - League One

 

The Gas welcome the Addicks to the Memorial Stadium on Tuesday evening, the last time the sides met in 2011, Gavin Williams scored a late equaliser as Bristol Rovers came from two goals down to draw with nine-man Charlton.

Paul Benson nodded the visitors in front early on, before Kyel Reid fired in to double the lead.

The Addicks had Reid sent off for a poor challenge on James Tunnicliffe, before Jose Semedo was also dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Wayne Brown pulled one back for Rovers from close range, before Williams lashed home to clinch a point.

Top scorer Will Hoskins almost won it for Rovers but he fired his shot into the ground and it bounced over the bar.

‘Early Bird’ Tickets are available for both sets of supporters. All Terrace, South and South West Stand Seats are still available for the game so get your ticket today. We are expecting a crowd in excess of 9,000, therefore please arrive in good time to avoid queues. Both the West Stand and East Stand seated areas are sold out for this fixture.

Here’s your match day schedule for Bristol Rovers v Charlton Athletic on Tuesday 22nd November 2016.

9.00am: The Club Shop opens for business with a wide range of items. Check out our full range on our retail website www.brfcdirect.co.uk

4.00pm: Car parking at the stadium opens to season permit holders, where car park attendants will direct car parking. Spaces are not available on a match-by-match basis. Roads in the immediate vicinity of the stadium are not subject to any parking prohibitions on match days, however, drivers are asked to park sensibly and not obstruct resident’s driveways/access.

We recommend travelling to the Memorial Stadium by bus, has never been easier we have seven services which stop close to the ground and then it's just a short walk further details can be found at www.firstgroup.com/bristolrovers.
5.00pm: The Clubhouse Bar opens for Home supporters on a first-come, first-served basis. Sky Sports News will be showing live on the big screen from opening.

Irene’s Kitchen Restaurant will be open in the Bristol Room, serving hot food from chips, burgers, hot dogs, pasties, pulled pork rolls and lots more.

Ticket Office opens and will remain open right up to kick-off at

7:45pm for supporters looking to buy home & away tickets or collect tickets for today’s game.

6.30pm: Stadium opens.

Families are welcome In the Bristol Post Family Terrace, there is a food kiosk where you can buy food and drinks. Captain Gas will make an appearance before kick-off.

Don’t forget to buy your 50-50 tickets to be in with a chance to win a substantial cash prize. Tickets will be available throughout the stadium before kick-off with the draw taking place at half-time. Look out for our
Bristol Rovers Supporters Club 50-50 volunteers around the stadium.

Supporters will also be able to pick up the official Matchday Programme, The Pirate, for a price of only £3.

New addition – Bar in the South West corner open to fans & at the away end for visiting supporters only.

7.45pm: Kick-off! It’s time to back Darrell Clarke’s team to victory. C’mon You Blues!

8.30pm: At Half time, Nick Day will be your host for the interval. Listen out for the 50-50 and Helpline Draw.

9.30pm: On the final whistle, the Clubhouse Bar re-opens with Screen Soccer Highlights on the big screens before the bar closes.

Don’t miss any of the action and buy your tickets now to back The Gas at The Mem. Tickets are available, priced from £16 for adults, from £14 for 16-21 and from £5 for under-16s.

Simply visit www.brfctickets.com , select your area and add your tickets to the shopping basket.

 

Rovers entertain Charlton Athletic at the Mem on Tuesday evening in SkyBet League One.

The visitors are under the guidance of caretaker Manager Kevin Nugent, since departing with Russell Slade earlier this month.

Rovers head into the game looking to make it three Tuesday evening victories on the bounce, after beating Fleetwood Town and Crawley Town under the mid-week lights at the Mem in recent weeks.

Assistant Manager, Marcus Stewart believes that coming up against clubs such as Charlton Athletic demonstrates how far the club has come in recent years.

"We have got to play the likes of Charlton, Sheffield United, Bolton and Bradford, who are all massive teams in this division," said Stewart.

"It just proves how far we have come in the past couple of years, to be in the position that we are in now, competing against the likes of Charlton."

"The club here is in a good place at the moment and it is good going up against these types of teams, who are clubs that you want to be playing against really."

Rovers head into Tuesday's clash on the back on drawing 0-0 with MK Dons on Saturday, a rare occasion this season where Rovers didn't find the net.

"I know we didn't score on Saturday, but we have been scoring quite freely this season, which is what fans want to see."

"We are in a good place at the moment. We are on par with some massive clubs, which have come from a Premier League pedigree, so let's keep on riding the crest of the wave, keep aiming to do the right things and keep on pushing the club forward."

"There is a real feel good factor here at the moment."

Marcus pointed out the journey that members of the Rovers squad have been on, with several players rising through the leagues with the club in recent times.

"We have players in our squad that have made the journey from non-league with the club, so not only have we come a long way as a team, but we have come a long way as individuals as well."

"The players we have here are still hungry to get to the higher divisions and they are still young enough, which is the most important thing."

 

Gashead79 thanks for the info but what ever his first name was he was still useful
Steven Gerrard turned down the managers job at M K Dons
Quillogic Kelle Roos either seems to be hero or villain for my part if DC can persuade the board to find the necessary cash to sign him permanently this supporter would be very happy

 

Rovers host Charlton Athletic this Tuesday at the Mem.

Team News: Rovers have a fully fit squad to choose from heading into the game.

Marcus' View: "We have got to play the likes of Charlton, Sheffield United, Bolton and Bradford, who are all massive teams in this division," said Stewart.

"It just proves how far we have come in the past couple of years, to be in the position that we are in now, competing against the likes of Charlton."

"The club here is in a good place at the moment and it is good going up against these types of teams, who are clubs that you want to be playing against really."

Opposition: Charlton are under the guidance of caretaker Manager, Kevin Nugent.

The visitor's head into the match following a 2-0 victory against Port Vale on Saturday and currently occupy 14th place in SkyBet League One.

Dangerman - Nicky Ajose: The twenty-five-year-old striker is a former Manchester United youth player and is a well versed Football League forward, with an impressive goal return of sixty-nine goals, in just under two-hundred professional appearances

After signing a professional contract at United, the Bury-born striker was loaned to his hometown club for the 2010/11 season, where he impressed with thirteen goals in just over twenty appearances.

On his return to Old Trafford, the striker was transferred to Peterborough United and joined then experienced loan spells at Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Crawley Town, Bury, and Swindon Town.

The forward joined Leeds United in the summer of 2014, but was again loaned out, this time to Crewe Alexandra.

A move to Swindon provided the opportunity for the striker to enjoy settled first-team football and excelled by scoring twenty-four goals last season.

Ajose was the first signing of the summer from former Charlton boss, Russell Slade and the forward has since scored four goals in just over ten appearances.

Last Time Out: The sides last met at the Mem back in 2011, when Paul Benson nodded the visitors in front early on, before Kyle Reid fired in to double the lead.

The Addicks had Reid sent off for a poor challenge on James Tunnicliffe, before Jose Semedo was also dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Wayne Brown pulled one back for Rovers from close range, before Williams lashed home to clinch a point.

Tickets: Supporters can Pay on the Day at the Mem. After 6:30pm the Ticket Office is predominantly for card sales and seat tickets, with fans being able to pay at the turnstiles for terrace tickets.

Keeping Up With The Game: Full match commentary of Rovers game with Charlton Athletic can be heard through Gas PlayerHD. Supporters can access our LIVE match coverage by clicking here.

Alternatively, stay tuned to the club’s social media outlets.

Bristol Rovers found on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your match day fix and make sure you use #BristolRovers!

 

Is the pitch going to make it?

 

Take a look at the potential threats in the ranks of Tuesday's visitors to the Mem, Charlton Athletic.


Josh Magennis

The striker is finding his feet in Sky Bet League One, following his move from Kilmarnock this summer.

The twenty-six-year-old started his career at Cardiff, before making a move north to join Aberdeen in 2010.

The forward made over fifty appearances for Aberdeen, scoring ten goals, before transferring to St Mirren on loan for the conclusion of the 2013/14 season.

Kilmarnock was the next destination for the striker, where he bagged eighteen goals in just over seventy appearances.

Magennis made the move to Charlton in the summer and has bagged four goals so far this season, with his last goal coming in Charlton's 2-0 victory over Port Vale on Saturday.


Ricky Holmes

After forging a career through non-league, the attacking midfielder has progressed his way through the English football pyramid to SkyBet League One.

Starting his career at Chelmsford, it was at Barnet where Holmes made a name for himself, grabbing fifteen goals in just under one-hundred appearances, before joining Portsmouth ahead of the 2013/14 season.

While at Pompey the versatile attacking midfielder made over fifty appearances at Fratton Park, ahead of a move to Northampton.

Holmes was part of the Northampton side that were crowned champions of League Two last season and in the summer the midfielder made the switch to Charlton.

Holmes has three goals to his name so far this season, scoring a brace during Charlton's victory over Shrewsbury in August.


Nicky Ajose

The twenty-five-year-old striker is a former Manchester United youth player and is a well versed Football League forward, with an impressive goal return of sixty-nine goals, in just under two-hundred professional appearances

After signing a professional contract at United, the Bury-born striker was loaned to his hometown club for the 2010/11 season, where he impressed with thirteen goals in just over twenty appearances.

On his return to Old Trafford, the striker was transferred to Peterborough United and joined then experienced loan spells at Scunthorpe United, Chesterfield, Crawley Town, Bury, and Swindon Town.

The forward joined Leeds United in the summer of 2014, but was again loaned out, this time to Crewe Alexandra.

A move to Swindon provided the opportunity for the striker to enjoy settled first-team football and excelled by scoring twenty-four goals last season.

Ajose was the first signing of the summer from former Charlton boss, Russell Slade and the forward has since scored four goals in just over ten appearances.