Darrell Clarke says he has no idea when any of the play-off games take place as Rovers prepare to continue their chase for the Vanarama Conference title at Dover tomorrow. Rovers are locked in a two-way fight with Barnet for the one highly-coveted automatic promotion spot with two games of the season remaining. Barnet lead Rovers by a solitary point and are favourites to win promotion back to the Football League without the need for a nerve-jangling end-of-season play-off campaign. Clarke said: “It is still all to play for as far as I am concerned. I couldn’t even tell you the exact dates of the play-off games, because while there is still a chance to win the league it would be foolish to focus on anything else. We saw this time last year how quickly things can change when you are at the business end of the season. The level of pressure can change from minute-to-minute, but in comparison to what we went through last season, these games in front of us now are great pressure games that you can enjoy rather than fear. We’re trying to win the title and all our focus is on that because I believe these players would certainly be deserving winners of this league. The players and staff want to win it for the supporters to give them something for the way they have backed us throughout the season. I want to win it for them because they have given me a great chance to take on what is a great job. It wasn’t easy for some of the supporters to accept me after I took over for the last eight games last season, but they have given me a chance to turn it around and I’d like to think that I have won some of them over. I’ve had a couple of promotions and a decent run in the FA Cup when I was manager at Salisbury, but if we finish the job of getting Bristol Rovers back into the Football League it would top the lot. I will know exactly what is happening at Aggborough throughout the game. I don’t think I would be doing my job properly if I didn’t. What is happening may change the landscape and we will need to know that so that we can act accordingly. We will have someone at the Barnet game who will be updating my staff by telephone as soon as a goal is scored or anything changes there. We have to win the game and look after ourselves first and foremost, but I will certainly be taking a keen interest in what is happening with them.” The bits in bold stand out to me. What do you all think about us having someone watching the Barnet game updating DC on that game? Is that good or bad? What would a couple of quick goals for Barnet do to DC confidence for example?
The Barnet score will filter through to the supporters, and therefore the team, anyway so it does no harm having DC kept updated by someone at the Barnet game. He'll also get an idea of how they're playing so can make subs / change tactics etc. accordingly in our match v Dover.
Doesnt matter what form and how good Dover can be, especially when they are at home, really we should be winning this game. Im not trying to suggest we are Barca of the conference and be big headed but surely we should be beating the likes of Dover who are part timers as well mind. I know any team can beat any team on their day and we have to make sure we do the job right. But if we do the basics right and fight for every 1st, 2nd anf 3rd ball and attack, we should win this game with a comfortable result.
"DC will have someone at the Barnet game!" Easy tiger, best not upset him then, and furthermore why isn't he gonna be at Dover with the team?
That would be a great name for a strike partnership! One always in the right place and the other blending effortlessly with him. So....off the field....have you noticed significant changes in the way our beloved club is run?!
