Match Day Thread Versus Bristol Rovers FC

Only Wednesday but as I haven't started one yet, I thought I ought to.

Bumper crowd expected- biggest of the season so far- new signing for us , both teams pushing for the playoffs. I think this game might shape the rest of our season. Win and we are in the box seat for the play offs , lose and we might be a little way behind with some tough games coming up. Should be no pressure because we have over achieved since December.

What could possibly go wrong?

 

That's a bleddy poor effort lyndhurst. Where are the form stats? Where is the reason we owe them a kicking? Oh hang on this is Bristol isn't it so that sort of goes without saying I suppose. This one has to go down as our only authentic local derby at the moment even if it's a 250 mile round trip for one of us. Bound to be a bit of a sell out and hopefully a great atmosphere and right spirit as well.

COYG

 

Will be interesting to see how strong a team we can put out..

 

I sense someone thinks they have a monopoly on Matchday threads..... oooh errrr

 

If we lose notDistant...YOU'LL BE TO BLAME....and I wouldn't bet much on it being streams of condemnation from ....SENSIBLE.

But I'm going to rock the boat as well.....look up the next MATCH DAY THREAD...for the 24th.

 

Talking about the playoffs but not jumping the gun, any idea when div. 1 final will be played? I was guessing Sun. 27 May.

 

correct

 

Semi-Final dates not decided until clubs are known and police requirements are met....but as Lyndy says Wembley on Sun 27th May.

 

That's it I'm off to join the Exeter board now damn you all.

 

The play-offs do not exist, they are never to be mentioned.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29-30 apparently)

 

We seem to be entering the third mini-season this year.

There was the awful start being Period 1, then the switch to 4:3:3 and the return of Ryan Taylor signalling the rocket-like recovery of Period 2 and now the uncertainty of the final run-in possibly without Bradley, Sarcevic and Ness, as well as Ryan Taylor who has more important battles to fight.

It's been a season and a half already. I'm worn out.

 

Wrong Ryan notDistant.

 

You ruffled a few feathers on the Saints board....you curmudgeonly old rascal!

 

No ruffling intended Milton. All I did was give a genuine opinion about their new manager's appointment and appointments in the premiership in general. Had nothing to do with my like or dislike of Southampton supporters and there was nothing in the post that could have been interpreted that way. When Hughes' record was spelt out I think it may have surprised a few as it did me and I acknowledge that it was perhaps perception he was a failure than any sort of fact. Again there was nothing impolite and I didn't respond to the rather childish "he don't like us" crap. It is that sort of response that sort of gave me the original opinion so it just rather proves my point to myself. Don't want to get into a load of tit for tat stuff so I withdrew and let them get on with it.

 

Anyway let get back to the important team. I think tomorrows game will be a real pointer as to how strong the lads have become given the injury list that has mounted up. I guess it was too much to hope that we would remain injury free and have the same squad available till the finish line. We have done enough to survive in league one this season no matter how it goes so at least there isn't a worry. If we continue the run in a positive way then just maybe we will be in a shout for a play off. Not that I'm actually saying we have a chance of course notdistant.

 

I hate to be pessimistic and generally I am not, but, look at the apparent injuries/ illness:-
Luke McCormick
te Loeke
Edwards,
Bradley
Miller
Ness
Sarcervic

Would like to think the replacements will do well , but I would have 4 or 5 of the above on the team sheet every time. Still think we might win, but less confident than I was a few weeks ago....

 

Think the two main losses in that list are Bradley and Sarcevic. We have been well served between the sticks so I don't think we have missed any of our own keepers as it happens. We have also gone along nicely without Edwards and Vyner has filled in nicely there. He has had Bradley alongside and I prefer the pairing of Bradley and Vyner to that of Vyner and Songo there. Sarcevic had come into his own and at last was well and truly firing. Bang and he is out again. We could have done with him continuing the form. Ness is a miss to a slightly lesser extent and Miller would never get in any team of mine. Sorry just don't rate the bloke.

 

Oooops apologies to Ryan Edwards.....

Spot on there Sensible, Sarcevic has been playing out of his skin and is a loss at both ends of the pitch. Paton seems to a robust defensive midfielder. I haven't seen Makasi apart from a beautifully taken goal against Fleetwood on iFollow. We shall see, In Adams I Trust.

Not trying to be negative but I suppose the other worries are any injury to Fox, who played to the end against Fleetwood but was limping at one stage and uncertain form from Gary Sawyer, who hasn't looked to be in the same nick recently.

 

Snowing here, not settling yet.

 

Snow stopped. Ness starts in midfield with Fox and Makasi. Paton on the bench