Non aggressive view of today's game

Don't worry, I won't be giving the swear filter a workout.

I haven't been, or watched it via borderline questionable methods. I've only had the pleasure of Adam Oxley and Adie Moses' commentary.

I've also had the fortune of finding a pub with a few pints of the black stuff despite a national shortage.

I called it before kick off that today's game was a potential banana skin. Partially down to their alleged improved performances under a new coach, but mainly down to how they played in the Cup game last month.

We struggle most against sides who tend to sit back, and look to counter attack. Of all the sides I've watched this season, the Gas have sat the deepest (in the cup game at least). The key today was to get that first goal. If we'd have got it, they'd have had to be a bit more adventurous, which would have played into our hands. I always felt that if they'd got the first goal, it would only further compound our struggle, which ultimately proved to be the case. With the lack of pace we have at the back, we're always susceptible to the counter.

At Oakwell, we hit the front by the 11th minute, and although they equalised, we mounted sufficient pressure early in the second half to ultimately kill the game off. Had we scored with one of our early chances today, we'd have won at a canter. But unfortunately, we aren't always going to be 'at it' in front of goal.

When that happens, the least you can hope for is a solid defensive display. We didn't do that today. Coupled with their keeper being quite decent (he's certainly one I'd be considering as an option for us), and you're looking at a bad day at the office.

I do think we need to strengthen at the back. Someone made a thread in the week that we won't be looking for a centre half because Clarke thinks we have 5 top ones already, however I think his comments were taken out of context. I'd be surprised if we're not at least considering bringing further competition for Earle, given Shepherd seemingly is staying at Bradford.

Today was just one of those days, a bit like Stevenage and Orient. We'll have them. It's how we bounce back that's important. I like Darrell. He seems like a hard taskmaster. He won't be happy with today and he'll make it known. We tend to respond well when he does have to get his hands dirty on the training ground.

Farrugia sounded decent from the comms and Adam Oxley was waxing lyrical over Nwakali's passing, so there's some positives to take.

Move on, get over it, back at it next weekend.

 

What's the point of competition, when you don't play people based on past performances, or current form, but stick with the same players every game? (An over simplification, I know).

 

I agree. I get that Connell is captain, but Nwakali is certainly in better form and should be starting. I understand Roberts replacing Pines, but Darrell does seem to like to tinker, when sometimes, there seems to be no need for it.

 

Nwakali is our best midfielder by a country mile. It shouldn’t be a competition just between him and Connell, they’re different kinds of players.

I said it a few weeks ago, Clarke has to find a way to get Nwakali, Connell, Phillips and Russell into the same team, and if one has to drop out, it definitely shouldn’t be Nwakali.

 

Surely Russell is the one who drops out. Though he's certainly improved this season, I do still think he's often too nonchalant in possession, and has a tendency to go backwards and kill attacks. Despite his poor shooting, I don't mind Connell being played further forward either.

 

Think we’re on the same page yoof

 

Worst thing is today was the best I’ve ever seen us play at Bristol Rovers (I missed the 5-1 in 92).

 

Which was at Bath's ground Twerton park, wasn't it ?.
And against their blue n white kit, we wore yellow n black for some unknown reason that Tuesday night.

 

I was beginning to think I was missing something, I do try not have a thing against any player but I just don't get Russell. He can't run not great in the air and I wouldn't put tackling on his CV. I've no idea what he adds playing him further forward has seen a improvement he was never a defensive midfielder I totally agree we need to find a way to play the 3 you named.

 

Good post, but i think i would have enjoyed a highly aggressive view better.

 

Twas Giddings not Oxley.. not read the rest ridiculously too long

 

I agree with a lot of that but they honestly didn’t sit back & look to counter. They were just wide open defensively. We should have scored more goals yesterday than in any other game this season. They gifted us chance after chance & it’s one of the most baffling games I’ve ever watched.

 

I have family who live down there and are Rovers fans. They were actually laughing that rovers had won, they said football wise, one of the better teams they had faced but couldn't believe how bad how strikers and defence were (their opinions).

 

I agree baffling. Only one I remember to top it. v Tranmere away. 6-1 defeat and their manager after the game saying he couldn't believe what he'd seen either. John Aldridge the difference.
One point I'd like to make about yesterday's game was the amount of gilt edged chances we had. (Some great saves. On the line defending among em). Was the fact we would have needed to score 4 to beat em.

 

Yes mate, I think it was. I went to the 0-0 there same year but season before. We just don’t do well against either of the Bristol sides away. Proper bogey clubs.

 

I was talking to a Rovers fan coming away from the ground. He couldn’t believe what he’d seen. His first words “How did you not comfortably win that?”

 

Remember you saying to me before the Wrexham away game about your thoughts on bogey grounds. We’ve never won at Wrexham and have a very poor record at Bristol. It was always on my mind yesterday when everyone was forecasting an easy win. Strange how clubs have these hoodoos…….

 

Yeah, I don’t know why it happens. Different players, different managers, regardless of form, I’m not superstitious, but it clearly keeps happening, and it’s awful to watch it unfold, especially when it’s like yesterday.

You could see their goal coming. We’d been so wasteful and caught on the break a few times, but they were as wasteful as us until they scored.