There was a time, not long ago, when pre season against Yo! Ville and Cheltenham was a means of swelling their coffers. Just hope that we can stem the decline before Mangos and WSM are doing us a favour
Depends what you mean by 'team'! I'm hoping to go. Some work early pm then up to Cheltenham to catch the last hour or so of GCCC v Derbyshire @ the Festival then saunter across town for the football.
Michael Smith will not be in the team to face Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road tonight because of a minor knee problem and Clarke said: "Michael has a slight knock and that is all there is to it. I'm sure people will think there is something more sinister behind that, but he has had a little problem for the last two or three days and Michael is certainly not the sort of lad to feign an injury." Smith will be joined on the sidelines by striker Ryan Brunt tonight, but otherwise Clarke has a full bill of health and will also offer trialists Pierce Mitchell and Ryan Higgins further opportunities to impress. Mitchell and Higgins are the only players who remain out of of the ten trailists that played in the 1-1 draw at Cirencester Town last week. Clarke said: "I'm looking forward to the game and I know the players are raring to start getting a few minutes under their belts. You don't get points for pre-season games, but it is a good chance for me to assess where we are with the squad at the moment. I'm not expecting miracles in the first game. Pre-season is always a work in progress to make sure that we are ready for the first game of the season."
Tonight, after a morning training session Darrell and his squad travel up to Cheltenham for their first pre-season friendly (kick off 7.45pm). Clarke said: “Many of the players will play 60 or 70 minutes. This is a first team game for us and everyone is looking forward to the game after two weeks of hard training.” The manager has brought youth team goalkeeper Kieran Preston to Wales this week, which represents a great opportunity for the young shot stopper. Clarke said: “Kieran has done very well in the youth team and we are using this week as a good opportunity to have a closer look at him and see if he can stake a claim to be our number two keeper next season.” Another player hoping to make an impression is central defender Pierce Mitchell. Clarke said: “Pierce joined us at the tail end of last season and did very well in some of our development games. He’s shown a bit of potential and is another player I wanted to see in and around the first team squad.” Pre-season training has been tough so far, and there are no plans to ease up. Clarke said: “We are mixing things up quite a lot and it’s important to realise that it’s not all about running and stamina work because are getting through a lot of intense ball work as well. The main thing is that we get ourselves organised and into shape for the start of the season on 9th August."
Here is the tweets on the game: Team to face Cheltenham: Mildenhall, Higgins, Brown, Lockyer, McChrystal, Parkes, Mansell, Clarke, Harrison, Taylor, Sinclair Subs: White, Gosling, Ward-Baptiste, Lucas, Greenslade, Thomas, Mitchell, Preston Cheltenham get the game underway, kicking towards the Rovers fans Cheltenham's Lee Vaughan fires a shot just over the bar Steve Mildenhall does well to touch away a fierce drive from Andy Haworth Asa Hall rolls a shot just wide of the upright. 19 minutes still goalless Ryan Higgins deflects a shot from Matt Richards over the bar Just under ten minutes to go still goalless Ollie Clarke rolls a decent chance just wide Steve Mildenhall saves from Omari Sterling-James with his legs Attendance of 767 includes 239 Rovers fans Half time. Cheltenham 0 Rovers 0 Second half underway Mildenhall saves from Haworth Steve Mildenhall saves from Omari Sterling-James Double substitution 52 minutes White for Harrison, Gosling for Clarke Pierce Mitchell on for Ryan Higgins Haworth goes close with fierce cross shot that drifts wide of the upright Harrison goal for Cheltenham on 75 minutes Lee Brown long range effort over the bar Tom Parkes header just over Final score Cheltenham 1 Rovers 0
going by the tweets, mildenhall was man of the match and saved us from losing like brazil did vs germany! also dont sound like we created many chances. i know its only a friendly so result dont matter as its about match fitness and gelling. but going by the tweets we sound very poor. we sound weak at the back mildenhall saving us and we sound weak going forward not creating anything. i know this is our 1st friendly with the 1st team players but my confidence in the upcoming season has dropped big time now.
match report on the OS....... http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/whaddon-road-loss-1761289.aspx
We're still not scoring. One goal in two friendlies, and that from a trialist who's moved on. Mildenhall was good last night, and our back five of Higgins, Lockyer, McChrystal, Parkes and Brown looked pretty solid....though a mistake lead to Cheltenham's goal. Sinclair could become a fan's favourite. Diminutive with beard and tied back long hair he charged around to good effect like a Tasmanian Devil! In one match he covered more ground than JJ did in a whole season. Very little up front. Barely a shot on target. We need a fit Brunt!
Brunt is not the answer IMO. Get rid if possible and get in someone who knows how to score goals on a regular basis. I personally don't think we will get much more out of Brunt than we did out of Harrold (maybe 10-12 a season)
Put it this way....we need SOMEONE! All these tiddly 'strikers' running around achieving little. We need a big b*****d up front who puts himself about and knows how to score goals; or take attention away from the 'nippers' around him.
I think some of you guys need to give Brunt a decent chance. He showed more skill than Matty; collected balls well and turned his defender. Because of the stupid tactical formation, he never had someone anywhere near him to pass the ball. So he was always obliged to try and play keep ball until probably, JJ strolled forward to take his pop at goal. I feel we should give him a bit more of a chance, before we write him off.
I believe if Brunt stays and regains fitness he has the potential to be our 20 goals a season striker. However I get the feeling he also will be gone by the of the transfer window.
Actually I rate Brunt....however I reckon his injury is long term and no club is going to get a full season out of him. Could be a Jamie Shore scenario.
