Does anyone think we're heading for a relegation battle? I can't see us getting anything from Blackburn or Rotherham unless DC makes a few decisive changes and a few more players find some form.
What form, said on an earlier thread that I thought Rovers were heading towards a relegation battle. Smith didn't inspire confidence in goal today there were NO leaders on the pitch no body was talking to their team mates passes were going to the opposition more than our own team. Harrison worked hard and Leadbitter woke up in the second half but most of the others didn't seem that interested. Worst performance since relegation to the Conference
Its getting very worrying now. Can't see where the points are going to come from. Seems we're there for the taking by any other team that applies themselves. I believe we're 3 points off the drop zone now, we can't rely on the 4 teams at the bottom to keep on losing so I fear we will become one of them before too much longer. Can't quite believe how we've fallen apart since the Northampton game. How the hell did we score 6 against them?
I think we're ok if we get the defensive side sorted out. The difference between today and Northampton/Scunthorpe was the captain and centre back pairing. The Broadbent/Menyase pairing worked well together and seem pretty secure. In contrast, it was panic stations as soon as Lockyer was back in the side.Sawyer hasn't inspired confidence either.If the back four are playing securely as a unit then the rest of the team can relax a bit more and play. Lockyer and Sawyer's positioning isn't great and it always looks like a threat if anyone comes at them. McCrystal came in and did a job to shore things up last season when Lockyer lost his way a bit and I think Lockyer needs a time out to get his spark back.
It depends on what happens in January for me I really hope DC gets some cash to spend but can’t see it myself it will only be more loan players IMO
I think this is more of a problem than just getting a few more players in January. The players aren't talking to each other enough and there's some really bad defending going on. First goal, the centre backs were too far apart (yet again), so when Lockyer got done Broadbent couldn't cover the runner. Second goal, the midfield player should have covered the full back and stopped the shot/ cross instead of doubling up with the full back and then the third goal, both centre backs seemed to be going for the same ball instead of talking to each other and one covering the other. These are all coaching issues and unless they're old and very experienced new players won't make much difference imo.
People behind me were saying DC to be gone I HOPE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN. What does need to happen is the players brought in have experience and big mouths and will shout and encourage their team mates. We need a commanding CB with pace collectively our back four must be the slowest in the division, we also need a Def M/F who can tackle and win the ball we need a LS M/F who can cross a ball with accuracy, I believe we have strikers who given good service will score goals but if we can find a 6ft 4 giant who can hold the ball up then that would help. We as fans also need to get behind the players and I know it's not easy at the moment but we have had hard times before and got through them together
I'm sure DC will get through this. He's already proved he's a fast learner and he's done brilliantly so far.
Issue is that we had 2 successful seasons ending in promotion and last season was down to the momentum of the 2 promotions. This season, clearly the momentum has gone. When we lost last season, DC managed to keep the momentum going. However, instead of building on the momentum by improving the squad and sticking to basics which is keep it tight at the back and not concede, DC has changed the way we have played over the last 4 seasons. Each game was a project and worked on the oppositions weaknesses. This season he has scrapped that winning formula. He now wants to play the 'we will outscore you' game, not caring if we concede 5 but as long as we score 6. Issue is, we don't have the fire power to do it. Also DC is being too loyal to some players. Ollie and Lockyer have been massive let downs this season. Our keepers both look well dodgy too which don't inspire confidence to the team nor the fans which shows with the atmosphere and increases the negative vibe. Thats the spine of the team, 2 struggling keepers, Lockyer and Sweeney looking like headless chickens, Ollie struggling and a front line struggling for goals. No wonder we are a mess right now. Gaffney not playing the amount of minutes he deserves, Sercombe is my player of the season so far and he often is played out of position. We have non league players and league 2 players at best playing above their level and we are struggling for it. DC has a lot of work to do in Jan and I am not sure how much budget is left for him to play with. I am glad Bodin is back as its no coincidence we have struggled since he has been injured. Hopefully he finds his form asap and that he aint sacrificed in Jan to get funds needed to improve the squad. A new manager is not the answer though. I cannot see anyone else who will get any better from these bunch of players that we are stuck with. I dont believe DC has lost the dressing room so stick with the guy.
Article on Rovers news denying DC has left the club, they state he took training this morning in preparation for the match against Blackburn on Saturday. Apparently this rumour started on social media. I would like to see a statement saying the club has agreed a budget with DC for the window and clubs are being spoken to about either Players transferring to us or quality loans of experienced players being put in place
What manager would be mad enough to come to a club with such a poisonous fan base . For me only Harrison, Bodin and Gaffers have performed so far this season the rest can fook off
Would be nice but sadly I fear Bristol Rovers football club seems to have this stigma attached to it of being a little how should we say "amateurish" and a lot of 'quality' players seem to want to steer well clear.
We were complaining about exactly the same things this time last year. Our defensive record was the worst in League 1. But we were probably knocking in a few more goals then.
That's about the sum of it. Most of the fans are pretty loyal, but there are some people who just seem to turn up for a moan.There always have been.
When you consider though what 'The Fans' have had to put up with since the South Stand Fire I think it is quite remarkable that the club still has the numbers coming through the turnstiles that they do. I bet a lot of other clubs wouldn't of had the support that we get if they had gone through similar circumstances, there are always going to be moaners, every club has them, it is in certain people's dna to moan but on the whole I think that the Rovers have been very lucky with their followers.
I wouldn't want the club to make a statement saying there is a budget for DC full stop. That's letting clubs know we have money to spend so prices will rise from clubs and from agents too. I would like a statement from DC and the club saying targets have already been identified and deals are already being negotiated or already agreed so when 1st Jan comes, we have new players and not waiting until end of Jan because we will be just wasting games otherwise. Also if players are in early, then there is time to get rid of unwanted players.
I think it's only a bit of tweaking that's required, no need to panic. One important lesson is to take these cup games more seriously, because bad defeats can knock confidence.
Thank you CJS I think you worded it better than I did. What I was trying to say was that the club were backing DC and that Targets were in place and being followed up, at least that gives the supporters encouragement. As I said we have been down before and the supporters always seem to turn up the volume when it's needed In DC I trust and I firmly believe he will turn it around but we need the board to help him in the January window with funds be it in an increased budget or transfer fees money or both
