The Christmas Game Thread And Poll

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Boxing Day - Monday December 26th



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New Years Eve - Saturday 31st December


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Monday 2nd January​

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All news and build up for the festive period games will appear on this thread.

The poll will close on Dec 26, 2016 at 1:42 PM.

You may change your vote if you wish.

 

We will somehow get 3 points from Coventry and then get stuffed at home by Wimbledon and play well at Charlton but still lose due to an error by the keeper or defence!

 

Coventry have lost their last 6 games and have only won 1 game away drawing 2 and losing 8 they've scored 8 and let in 21 so IMO this is our best chance for a win.
Prediction- 3pts

AFC Wimbledon have lost 2 in their last 10 games I can't see us getting anything from this game especially with our defence and the fact The Wombles know where the goal is.
Prediction - 0pts

Its a strange one but Charlton haven't won since beating us 5-1 at The Mem. We haven't won away since beating Oldham in October and I think the losing streak on the road will continue in London.
Prediction - 0pts

 

I gone for Wimbledon stuffing us and you gone for them to beat us too. But somehow, looking at the table, they are only 2 points above us! We could be above them before we play them.

 

If we can rediscover our resilience, we might just get something from Wimbledon. And it would be great if we could reverse the Charlton result just like we did last year with Newport. But it's hard to see that at the moment. I think a more defensive approach might help steady the ship. And if we could get three clean sheets, that would be a result.

 

I would be happy with 1 clean sheet the way we have been defending

 

Lucky draw against Coventry and 2 defeats, We wont score if we don't shoot and they seem to want to walk the ball into the net. Charlton were so much quicker than us that the only way I can see us getting anything from that game would be to give them sleeping tablets

 

Shrews have turned things around pretty well. And they've been keeping clean sheets. I'm sure that needs to be the way out of this.Three ugly 1-0 victories would be perfect.

 

PRECAUTIONS TAKEN TO ENSURE COVENTRY GAME GOES AHEAD

We would like to advise all supporters that we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure that our Boxing Day fixture against Coventry City goes ahead as planned.

The current weather forecast indicates that there will be some light rain falling in the area on Christmas Day, but none is expected for Boxing Day. We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

Stadium Manager, Ian Holtby added, “On Tuesday we took the action to verti-drain the pitch to ensure that there is no compaction in the ground and to help with the drainage.”

“As an extra production, we will put the rain covers on the pitch to protect the playing surface and are looking for volunteers to help the ground staff in doing this on Friday morning at 10am.”

“We will be offering light refreshments to those who are able to assist us on Friday morning.”

We look forward to seeing all supporters here at The Memorial Stadium on Monday for our first competitive match against The Sky Blues since 1964

 

On Boxing Day, Rovers welcome Coventry City to The Memorial Stadium, for the first time since 4th April 1964 as 12,006 watched on as the Sky Blues won 1-0.

We are expecting a bumper crowd of around 11,000, therefore please arrive in good time to avoid queues. No tickets will be available on the day.

Here’s your match day schedule for Bristol Rovers v Coventry City on Monday 26th December 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

10.00am: 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, this 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.

11.00am: The Clubhouse Bar opens for Home supporters on a first-come, first-served basis. Watford v Crystal Palace showing live on the big screen from 12.30pm.

11.30am 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.

12noon: Ticket Office opens and will remain open right up to kick-off at 3pm for supporters looking to buy future home & away tickets or collect tickets for today’s game. Charlton Athletic tickets will be available to purchase.

1.30pm: 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 along with FREE Face Painting.

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.

Away Fans will have access to a bar adjacent the visitor’s entrance. Home fans in the South, South West, West Enclosure and Family Terrace will have access to a bar located in the South West corner of the ground.

There are a variety of food and drink outlets at the ground. Proper Cornish Pasties are a fans favourite, and the kiosks serve a selection of hot and cold food and also has vegetarian options.

3pm: Kick-off! It’s time to back Darrell Clarke’s team to victory. C’mon You Blues!

3.45pm: At Half time, Nick Day will be your host for the interval. Listen out for the 50-50 and Helpline Draw.

4.50pm: On the final whistle, the Clubhouse Bar re-opens with Screen Soccer Highlights on the big screens before the bar closes. Irene’s Kitchen will remain open until 6.00pm.

 

Such pessimism...you'd think we were bottom of the league, or on a run of form like Bury. Our form lately has not been good, but its not been as bad as that either.

 

I bumped into an old work colleague in town earlier who is also a gashead. We got talking about Chris Lines as I know she is friends with Chris's mother. Apparently the reason why Lines havent been playing well in recent weeks is due to a lack of sleep because of his baby keeping him up at night. I said why dont he sleep somewhere else the night before a game but apparently Lines is being a bit of a prima donna about it all which is why DC dropped him. DC told Lines to "sort things out at home or dont play" basically meaning to do what other players do when they got a baby and still put in 100% in training and on matchday or dont play full stop. I thought it was interesting!

 

Rovers host Coventry City on Boxing Day in SkyBet League One.

Team News: Rovers will be without defender Jake Clarke-Salter, who is still recovering from an arm injury sustained in our fixture against Charlton at the Mem.

Darrell's View: "Every game is a difficult task, regardless of the opposition's position in the league table."

"Any team can beat anyone on the day and Coventry are a side that have plenty of energy and plenty of youth at their disposal."

"Even though they are currently on a bad run, I'm sure that with the new manager coming in it will give them a huge lift."

Dangerman - Marvin Sordell: The striker started his career at Fulham, before joining Watford for in 2007.

He made his professional debut for the club during the 2009–10 season, and experienced a loan spell at Tranmere Rovers.

After an impressive return of goals for Watford over two-and-a-half seasons, Sordell earned a £3 million move to the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers in January 2012.

With just eight goals in 29 appearances for the Bolton, the striker spent the 2013–14 season on loan at Charlton Athletic and returned to the Premier League with Burnley for the 2014–15 season, but his appearances were limited to brief game time off the bench.

The striker joined League One club Colchester United last season and this summer made the move to join Coventry City.

So far this campaign he has seven goals in all competitions.

Last Time Out: Coventry's last visit to Bristol to face Rovers was on 4th April 1964 as 12,006 watched on as the Sky Blues come away with a 1-0 victory.

Tickets: This game is an ALL TICKET fixture, with tickets available online up until midnight Christmas Day.

Keeping Up With The Game: Full match commentary of Rovers against Coventry City 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!