Wrexham Vs Bristol Rovers, Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Vanarama Confrence, Tuesday 2nd December 2014, Kick Off 7:45pm please log in to view this image VS please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
All the news and build up for Tuesday's game will appear on this thread it is also the match day thread. The poll closes on Tuesday at 04:18 PM
The last time we won at The Racecourse Ground was 34 years ago in November 1980 we won 2-1, we've lost all of are last nine visits to North Wales, we last took a point there in 1995 we drew 1-1.
3-0 Gas. Taylor, Blissett, Balanta As Gastro says, we're on a roll and we're playing with confidence.
Darrell Clarke has made some significant changes to his squad over the past few weeks and has said that it has been a very eventful few weeks. “It’s been a busy couple of weeks but we have been on a very consistent run and our recent form has been very good. “We’ve changed things around at the top end of the pitch to freshen it up and all the lads that have come in have fitted in well. The Rovers boss made two half time substitutes on Saturday against Welling and Darrell is happy with the way his players adapted to the changes. “The players have to take credit for being able to adapt and I am lucky here because all of the lads are able to do that. “It is pleasing that I can change things when I have to and everyone is able to cope with it. “We have players chomping at the bit to get involved with the team which you need at all football clubs which is very good to see. “I’m pleased with my current squad, but we need to keep improving. “All I’m thinking about 24/7 is the way that this team can improve, be it the team, the shape, DVD’s of the opponents it is all there to try and get us a result. A trip to Wrexham is up next for Rovers where Darrell is looking to keep the consistency up but understands it is a difficult place to go. “It is a very tough place to go, they had a great win at the weekend beating Alderhsot who had also been on a good run. “Wrexham are one of those teams that are capable of being in the top five come the end of the season. “They’ve got some good players who can find the back of the net and their supporters have got high expectations. “It is a non-league game, but theoretically it will feel like a league game because it will be two good teams going for it.
[video=youtube;ugy2A6Ia8AY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugy2A6Ia8AY&list=UU7dLKUWi0j2nvokTme6U4TQ[/video]
our team is playing without fear of the opposition. they have more fear in supporters reactions the the opposition. however wrexham will be up for this game and being the home team, a draw would be a good result. a win would be quality of course
wonder if clarke (ollie), leadbitter, harrison and trotman will get any game time! something tells me gosling will be dropped!
I think both teams will play this match as a bit of a cup final. The one that plays the best football will win given that little bit of luck which we all need from time to time.
All you need to know about tonight's opponents! Bristol Rovers travel to north Wales to take on Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground. Opposition: Tonight’s opponents Wrexham currently sit in 12th position in the Vanarama Conference Premier table with 33 points from their 23 games. The dragons however have been on an indifferent run of form having only picked up 1 win in their last 10 games. Dangerman – Louis Moult: Moult has been in fine form this season scoring 10 goals in 21 appearances for the Dragons. Louis was a scholar with his hometown Potters and eventually went onto make his debut for the club playing several senior games. Opportunities were though hard to come across and he later spent time on loan with the likes of Bradford City, Mansfield Town and Nuneaton Town. A permanent switch to Northampton Town followed and season with Nuneaton Town, before he followed manager Kevin Wilkin across country to the Racecourse in the summer of 2014. Darrell’s View: “It is a very tough place to go, they had a great win at the weekend beating Aldershot who had also been on a good run. “Wrexham are one of those teams that are capable of being in the top five come the end of the season. “They’ve got some good players who can find the back of the net and their supporters have got high expectations. “It is a non-league game, but theoretically it will feel like a league game because it will be two good teams going for it. Team News: The only noticeable absentee is goalkeeper Will Puddy who injured his arm in the GFA Cup Quarter-Final at the Mem. Last Meeting: These two sides last met back in September as Rovers ran out 1-0 winners at the Memorial Stadium thanks to a first half Andy Monkhouse goal. Listen Live: BBC Radio Bristol 94.9FM/DAB Frequencies.
Alex Taylor on the Pirates visit to the Racecourse... Wrexham are back to winning ways, after their first win in nine league games, beating Aldershot 3-1 at The Racecourse on Saturday. The Reds could sensationally have goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann back from injury, after recovering from a knee injury sustained in the Torquay game back in October. Blaine Hudson might well return after his one match ban, but will have a lot to do to force Ross White out of the side after his tremendous display on Saturday. The home side will however be without Andy Coughlin (hand), Dean Keates (thigh) and Theo Bailey-Jones (foot) through injury. While James Pearson is likely to be rested after his first game back following injury. Third placed Bristol Rovers are unbeaten in their last six league outings, most recently defeating struggling Welling 2-0 on Saturday. The Pirates should have no new injury worries for the trip to North Wales. Wrexham Top Scorer: Louis Moult 10 Bristol Rovers Top Scorer: Matt Taylor 7 Players To Watch Andy Monkhouse: The 33-year-old midfielder/striker joined Rovers in July after being released by Hartlepool United. Monkhouse clocked up 330 appearances for Hartlepool between 2006/14 scoring 52 goals. The Yorkshireman started his career with Rotherham and went on to play for Swindon before Hartlepool in 2006. Scored the only goal of the game when the two met in September at The Memorial Ground. Matt Taylor: Rovers’ top scorer with seven goals in all competitions. Signed for Bristol Rovers in July after parting company with Forest Green Rovers. He spent three years at The New Lawn, making 97 appearances and scoring 22 goals. He also spent time on loan at Chester last season where he scored an impressive six goals in seven games. Jake Gosling: The 21-year-old winger signed for Rovers in June after spending three years at Exeter City. He made his professional debut for Dorchester Town during a loan spell in the 2012/13 season, and scored the goal that knocked Plymouth Argyle out of the FA Cup that season. A Gibraltarian international, he scored on his debut in against Estonia in a friendly match. Alex Wall: The 24-year-old is on loan from League 2 side Luton Town. Despite five appearances and one goal for The Hatters in the Football League this season, Wall was sent back on loan into the Conference, but is yet to score for The Pirates. Began his career with Conference South side Maidenhead United in 2009 and after a successful loan spell at Kenilworth Road, signed for Luton in 2013. Was sent off against Wrexham in our 2-0 win over Luton last season at The Racecourse. Nathan Blissett: The striker is on loan from Kidderminster but will sign a full contract with Rovers in January. Has six goals so far this season, two for Bristol Rovers. The 24 year old began his career with Harriers back in 2013 and has also had loan spells at Cambridge United and Hednesford Town. Blissett was an unused substitute when Wrexham defeated Kidderminster 1-0 at The Racecourse back in September. The Manager Darrell Clarke: Was appointed manager in March this year, after previous manager John Ward moved upstairs as Director of Football. Unfortunately he couldn’t keep the club up as they finished 23rd in League 2. Began his playing career back in 1995 with Mansfield Town, going on to play Hartlepool with loan spells at Stockport, Port Vale and Rochdale. Joined Salisbury in 2007 and became player/manager in 2010 and guided them back into the Conference through the play-offs before leaving for Bristol Rovers as assistant manager in June 2013. Last Six Results Bristol Rovers 2-0 Welling (Blissett 53, Taylor 73 (pen)) 29/11/14 Bristol Rovers 2-1 Barnet (Taylor 4, Balanta 90 - Villa Lopez 37) 25/11/14 Chester 2-2 Bristol Rovers (Oates 68, Hughes 70 - Blissett 51, Parkes 58) 22/11/14 Bristol Rovers 1-1 Kidderminster (Taylor 83 - Blissett 67) 15/11/14 Alfreton 0-0 Bristol Rovers 11/11/14 Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Bristol Rovers (Power 54 (pen)) (FA Cup First Round) 8/11/14 Head to Head This will be the 45th time we have faced Bristol Rovers. Our record against The Pirates looks like this: Wrexham Wins: 18 Draws: 7 Bristol Rovers Wins: 19 Last Time v Bristol Rovers at The Racecourse Wrexham 2-0 Bristol Rovers (Llewellyn 22, Craddock 90) Football League 2-28 October 2006 Wrexham: Ingham, Valentine, Evans, Pejic, Mike Williams, Mark Jones, Ferguson, D.Williams, Llewellyn, Craddock, Done. Subs: Michael Jones, Morgan, Spender, Mackin, Marc Williams. Bristol Rovers: Phillips, Green, Lescott, Elliott, Anthony, Igoe (Disley 76), Campbell, Hunt, Rigg (Easter 59), Haldane (Sandell 69), Walker. Subs: Hinton, Carruthers. Att: 3,803 The last time we faced Bristol Rovers at home we were also on a poor run of form. We had suffered nine defeats in our last ten games before this 2-0 win over The Pirates. Chris Llewellyn opened the scoring on 22 minutes, when his 25 yard screamer flew in. Danny Williams went close by hitting the upright before goal-scorer Llewellyn was then sent off for a two footed lunge on Steve Elliott. But making his debut on loan from Middlesbrough, striker Tom Craddock sealed the win in the final minute of the game with a brilliant solo strike.
