Having had time to sleep on yesterdays performance and listen to post match interviews on Gas player, I ain't gonna go off on one and start ranting and raving like some so called Rovers (boo) boys, but I would like to make the following comments/observations... We started the game with a central defender who had been out for almost a year and a left back in the centre of defence. GK was on the bench but was not quite ready to do 90 mins. Roger B has gone back to Norway, and we are interested in Parkes from Leicester (which if we get would be a great signing from what I have seen!) ... meanwhile Arron Downes played for Torquay 90 mins - fit and enthusiastic I would imagine. Can't help feeling he would have been a good aquisition - feel we missed out there! Sam Walker didn't have a chance yesterday with the two goals, but once again we start the match with a loanee goal keeper ... when Michael Poke was playing (again for Torquay I think) and keeping a clean sheet. He was free in the summer and while he was here he certainly looked the part .... again I feel we missed out ! If Oxford had accepted our bid for James Constable - going on yesterdays contribution I feel we would of been robbed! He had good movement etc but we don't need someone like that - we have Eliot Richards and David Clarkson to fill that roll - we need a fast nippy striker - we got smash (Harold) - we need a grab!! And then to mid-field ... on yesterdays showing you can't play WB and MG in the centre of defence together - both too similar and not enough bite and stature. Perhaps if we got someone in to sit in front of the defence and break up play etc and pass, then WB OR MG could fill the playmaker role. Preferably WB as I think he has a better eye and touch. The Hammer - from what I saw looks good - just needs a bit more beef and conviction about him - hopefully that will come as the season goes on. JA looked too lightweight - didn't hold and shield the ball enough for me - kept gettin knocked off or slipped over. So who was the right sided midfield yesterday?? Smiffy (who I rate very highly) was often given the ball out wide and was immeadiately closed down and surrounded by about 3 guys with no other Rovers player within 20 yards of him .. not wanting to lose possession he looked for a pass (not on) or try and beat the man - this he did quite often but - and it cost us the second goal - he can't do it all the time. He is young and still learning, but I think he will be a great asset to us over the years if we keep him. No mention of another mid fielder joining us - so we have MG as our experienced midfielder - who is injury prone and a load of youngsters ... this worries me a bit! MM said he played 4-3-3 yesterday (on gas player) but to me it looked more like 4-5-1. I hope Clarkson has more in his locker as he didn't quite look up to the mark yesterday - fitness or sharpness wise - only time will tell if he is given a good run of games whether he is worth his wage! A lot has been said about pre-season being for fitness etc, and not about results, but however , having lost almost all of our games it doesn't give you a "winning mentality" to start the season with. This showed yesterday as we only really started to play after the break. Whether this was down to Oxford sitting back as they were 2 - 0 up or not we will have to wait and see - but it was very hot out there and we were chasing the game. One last thing - we had about 5 shots in the first half yesterday and all were either scuffed or mishit and our corners were good practice for their keeper! So while I have concerns about MM's ability to get a good balanced squad together, and the players we have at the moment, you cannot pass judgement on the first day of the season - whatever happens I will NEVER boo - that is just negative, and I will get to as many games as possible starting with Wycome away (can't make Barnet!!). Up the Gas!
i suspect there may be some bargains amongst 3 devon clubs. bad luck yesterday, you may have been beaten by a promo club
'you may have been beaten by a promo club' You may well be right...if so we're nowhere near that yet!
IMO we just need the following signings and we'll be fine; A keeper, 2 centre halfs, 2 full backs, 2 central midfielders, 2 wide midfielders and 2 strikers.
are you after a lottery grant or a miracle? there may be a few redundant olympians about. that bolt has a bit of pace,
today was a seriously poor result. with 1 point from 3 games, the gas are in serious trouble and in danger of leaving the football league unless there is a dramatic improvement. what a pity about last weeks result, as 4 points would make the gas look so much better. do hope things get better down there,.
I know people are saying "it's a long season" & things like that .... but if this is a taster of things to come then this season could well last forever! Start off how you mean to go on - fookin hope not!
no and my rain dance didnt work either! wickham fans needs to show us how to do it! anyway, we rather not cheat and abandon the game when losing.
im with you rhinestone. our pre season was shocking. people on the OS forum saying its only pre season blah blah blah. now look.
