Bristol Rovers Vs Mansfield Town, Memorial Stadium, Bristol, Sky Bet League 2, Saturday May 3rd 2014, Kick Off 3:00pm please log in to view this image Vs please log in to view this image
Nothing is ever easy with us I still think we will stay up but my gut is telling me will lose this game and Wycombe will fall to defeat against Torquay meaning of course that it doesn't matter we stay up . My prediction........ The Gas 1 - 2 Mansfield
Manager on Rovers last game of the season Darrell Clarke will be going in to Saturday’s game against Mansfield looking to end the season on a high with three points. Rovers need at least a point from the final game of the season to guarantee League Two survival, but the manager will not be looking to settle for a draw. He said: “We want to finish on a high, we need to finish on a high. The three points at Wycombe has given the squad a big boost and we needed that victory. “Now we are down to the final game and we need to go and win it. We need a point to stay in League Two, but it is a game I want to try and win. “The job is not done and we still have plenty of work to do. When we do it, it is going to be a relief and not a celebration. “I am confident we are going to get over the line, but I don’t find it a celebration as I don’t believe our football club should be in a situation like this and it has been a very, very disappointing season. “The players know that, the staff know that, and everyone at the football club knows that. But we have to focus on the 90 minutes and then we can look to rebuild.” Mansfield have nothing left to play for, but after a couple of poor displays they may be looking for a reaction in the final game. Darrell said: “I believe we cut out individual errors on Saturday, and we are looking to build on that in the final game against a Mansfield team that have had a bit of a dip in form. “It is not going to be an easy game. They could be a dangerous animal as their manager has been in the press saying how disappointed he has been in their last two games, which means he will be looking for a reaction from his team. “The experience we have gained over the last eight games is going to be vital, as the pressure has been there and we are experienced of dealing with it. “We will go into the game in a positive manner and we have got to go out on the front foot and keep the fans behind us – which they will be without a shadow of a doubt. “I will be monitoring the Wycombe and Northampton games, as I have to do my job right, but first and foremost we will be concentrating on ourselves.” And the manager had more praise for the supporters. He said: “The supporters have been top of the league all season, it is us who have been letting those supporters down. “They have stuck by us, and not many other football supporters would do that. They are getting us over the line, as well as one or two players who are stepping up to the plate a little bit more recently. “It would be a proud achievement for me personally to help get us over the line and secure League Two status. Then hopefully I will get the opportunity to rebuild my own team.”
[video=youtube;NpN6KKJAIb0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpN6KKJAIb0[/video] [video=youtube;m_NK10ZcMis]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_NK10ZcMis[/video]
Hope you're right this time CJS, just like you were for the Torquay game (unfotunately!) Anyway, it's seven and a half years since Mansfield last came to the Mem, and on that occasion we edged a dull game with Craig Disley's late goal against his old club. Three years before that, he scored twice as the Stags destroyed us 3-1 in September 2003. There was also a 4-4 between the sides in March 2005. Anyone remember that? I missed it because I had flu.
i was right about beating wycombe too was it mansfield who played city in a 5-4 game that city won?? think i read somewhere mansfield have only beaten us twice in their history at rovers. thats pretty good!
One of the few mistakes Paul Trollope made. The replacements just weren't good enough. Dominic Blizzard - do me a favour...
Rovers 3 - 1 Harrold, Mohamed, Clarkson. Although as long as we get the point we need, I couldn't really care less. This season has been a horror show and I'd like it to go away. Still, testament to Gasheads that we'll get 11k through the turnstiles for a struggling team in the 4th tier.
A look at tomorrow's opponents Bristol Rovers' most important game for more years than many Gasheads can remember takes place this weekend. Having put their destiny in their own hands after defeating and leapfrogging Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday, a draw will be sufficient to ensure that League football continues for Bristol’s oldest professional football club. The importance of David Clarkson’s late winner will only be felt if the team avoid defeat in the game against mid-table Mansfield Town. Whilst Rovers were securing their victory the Stags were going down 3-1 to cellar dweller Torquay United, who despite the victory are destined to play Conference League football next season. Mansfield began the game positively and should have taken the lead through Ollie Palmer but his header from six yards went just wide. The Gulls responded well and opened the scoring on 13 minutes as Baily Cargill's clearance was diverted into his own net by John Dempster to give the away team the lead. Matt Rhead and Dempster both missed the target with headers for Mansfield but just after the half hour the Gulls swooped again. Courtney Cameron's cross was headed goalwards by Ashley Yeoman and after it was saved he lunged in to fire the loose ball into the back of the net. Before the half was over the Stags Matt Rhead was red carded for a poor challenge on Dale Tonge A James Jennings' header at the start of the second half encouraged the home team. The visitors piled on the pressure but missed a host of chances to increase their lead until Shaquile Coulthirst was on the end of substitute Jordan Chappell's cross in the 78th minute to complete a deserved victory. Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox was unimpressed by his team’s display, "That stunk of an end of season performance. Some of the lads looked like they are already on their holidays, and I've just told some of them that they won't be coming back from their holidays. "Since I've been at this club we have always worked hard and that's not been the case today. I think too many think they have arrived because they are Football League players. That's not me. We have to continue to work hard." This will be the first time Rovers have entertained the Nottinghamshire team since 4 November 2006 when a Craig Disley goal secured a 1-0 victory. The record against the Stags is a good one with 14 victories, 7 draws and just 2 defeats. The first ever League meeting between the clubs took place on 19 September 1931 and ended in a 1-1 draw at Eastville. The return match at Field Mill saw Rovers run out 3-0 winners, ironically their best ever result at Mansfield! Whilst Rovers had some very impressive home wins over the years, their record at Field Mill has been poor to say the least. Looking back at some of the home games, on 4th January 1958 the clubs met in the F.A. Cup and Peter Hooper (2), Alfie Biggs, Dai Ward and George Petherbridge thrilled a 20,446 Eastville crowd as Rovers ran out 5-0 victors. The opening day of the 1964/65 season saw Rovers win 4-1. Robin Perry in his Evening Post match report described the performance as “Efficient and often exciting….in the style that has become traditional under the Tann management”. Harold Jarman opened the scoring after just four minutes and Johnny Brown scored a second goal very shortly afterwards. Alfie Biggs netted the third and Jarman created the fourth for Ian Hamilton. Peter Morris the Stags left half netted a consolation goal eight minutes from time. The following season Rovers were in a shocking slump and had their longest spell ever without a win. Then they suddenly saw off Grimsby with two goals in four minutes and beat Brentford away 5-0. Their next home game was against the Stags. Alfie Biggs headed Rovers into a second minute lead, scored another 22 minutes later, which was quickly followed by a Johnny Brown goal. Bobby Jones and Roger Frude added quick second half goals before Johnny Petts sealed a 6-0 victory with just four minutes left. The following season the game on 15th October 1966 saw one of the most memorable Eastville games, as the teams tied in the first of two 4-4 draws against the Stags. At half-time the teams were tied 0-0, Harold Jarman (2), Kenny Ronaldson and Alfie Biggs scored for Rovers and John Rowland (2), Tommy Mitchinson and Stuart Brace for the away team. Since then Rovers have recorded 6-2 and 4-1 wins. The game on 19 March 2005 was a real thriller. The Stags took an early lead but Rovers scored twice before half-time to go in 2-1 up at the break. Two goals in three minutes, just after play resumed gave the advantage to the Nottinghamshire team and a Callum Lloyd goal on 68 minutes seemed to have ensured that all three points were going back to the Midlands. Rovers’ determination was not to be underestimated and two goals in the last 10 minutes ensured a remarkable 4-4 draw. Speaking ahead of the game at the Mem, Paul Cox warned his players, “I will pick a side that has a desire to finish off the season well, individually and collectively. The last two performances will not be tolerated at this football club. “I am not bothered when people tell me we have had a good season for our first season back in the League and where we will finish has been a decent achievement. I am looking for a massive response on Saturday. The close season is a long, long time when you’ve lost your last game, never mind your last three. “It is really important we finish the season well. I have spoken to a number of supporters and they are travelling in their numbers in fancy dress and there should be a great atmosphere. We owe it to them and to the rest of the League to put in a very good performance as, obviously, there is still a battle on against relegation. “For me it’s about personal pride. It is a competitive game and I want to win in – simple as.” Stags will welcome back Darryl Westlake from a hamstring injury for Saturday, but Ryan Tafazolli will again miss out with the hip injury sustained in a training ground challenge with Matt Rhead, who is suspended after last Saturday’s red card.
