Score predictions and preview - Bristol Rovers Home

Newly promoted Bristol Rovers, led by Oakwell favourite Mr J Barton 'the accused', come to Oakwell sat in 3rd place. An opening day defeat to Forest Green has been avenged by the demolition of 10 man Burton Albion, and a good victory over a solid Oxford United side.

25 year old Aaron Collins has been their star man so far, with 3 goals in as many games. This adds to his impressive tally of 16 in the league last season. A more familiar face in attack is John Marquis. By all accounts, he was signed after Mr J Barton 'the accused' decided against signing James Norwood. Marquis opened his league account yesterday, and is a proven goalscorer at this level. My overwhelming memory of him though is of him being offside a world record number of times when we played Doncaster at home a few years ago. I noticed against Harrogate that we often got caught out by the ball over the top, and that's something they might try to exploit with Marquis, who likes to play off the shoulder of the last defender.

Bristol Rovers were the 7th best away team in league 2 last season. They're currently unbeaten in their last 4 league away games, winning the last 3. And have just 2 away league defeats in their last 10. They did lose to league 2 Crawley in the cup last week, with what appears to be a full strength side.

Our home record against Bristol Rovers is decent, albeit we haven't met many times over the last 30 years. We've won 4 of the last 6 meetings at Oakwell (including the last 3), losing only once. Barring our defeat there at the end of the 18/19 season, we had lost just 1 in 7 overall against Bristol Rovers, again dating back over 30 years.

No doubt Mr J Barton 'the accused' will get a warm reception from the Oakwell faithful. I fancy us to edge another close game. There does appear to be signs of progression under Duff, and in these games against the less fancied teams at home, we need to be picking up the points. I'm going for 1-0 with Norwood on the score sheet.

Edit: upon reflection, name calling isn't big or clever.

Further edit: it's not, but I should at least give Mr Barton his full title.

 

I would accept a heavy defeat just as long as Mads does one of his full power hamfisted clearances straight into the face of McCuntface resulting in his teeth flying out of his mouth and landing on the West Stand roof.
Failing that, I agree with your 1-0 win prediction. We should be aiming to win games, like this, at home, but I don’t think we (yet) have it in us to score 4, 3 or even 2 goals.

 

Are you going to this one mate, or are you still on gardening leave?

 

I can’t believe our Joe grassed me up and told you I was flagging my patio, last week (which I was). He could have said something a bit cooler like that I was on a drugs and prostitutes binge in Ibiza or something!,,
But, yes, I will be back in my easy toilet access seat from this game onwards.
Missed you and your folks.

 

He just said you were gardening, which sounds much less of a reason to miss the game than flagging the patio!

You too mate, see you Tuesday!

 

1-0 Reds

 

I was being all ‘manly’ with a stihlsaw, whacker and mixer. But sounds like he gave the impression I was trimming my hedge into dolphin shapes!!!

 

2-0 to us, season back on track. There will be a lot of blips this season, like the first half yesterday, but the overall trajectory will be one of improvement. Slow improvement, but improvement nonetheless.

 

1-1

 

3 -1 Barnsley, aint gor a clue who's gunner score, predicting scorer is harder than predicting score.C,O,Y,R,

 

He did send me this picture.

 

It didn’t quite go to plan….

 

0-2

 

A can see us winning 2-1, Benson and Marsh, Benson appears to getting forward more and Marsh looks like he’s putting the effort in on the training pitch and has been unlucky in the games he’s featured for us.

A think in another 5/6 games, the defeats we’ve had up to press would have certainly been draws at least, you can see improvements in each game already, albeit not for 90 minutes but we’re going in the right direction.

I’m still trying to work out how Aitchinson missed that sitter yesterday

 

Is it a coincidence that Benson looks better now we have Connell as a DM?

 

Funny how when the shackles are sometimes released it gives players another gear......we could see double figures from Benson this season

 

2-0 Barnsley.

Early goal to settle the nerves, players growing into the new system and grab the second before half time

 

1 - 1. Benson worldie in top corner.

Sold to Luton the next day.

 

2-0. Norwood early and Thomas late.