Bristol Rovers Reports

[Cliffk]

On the train home to Crawley.

Well deserved draw in hot conditions.

Had just as many chances as Rovers and Chesney only really asked to pull off one exceptional point blank save towards the end.

Had just as many chances as Rovers but poor upfront.

Lots of hard work from all and undefeated run goes on.

Good Bees fans turnout despite there being little importance other than league position.

[Whitton Borders Bee]

Had the better of the first half, despite the ref letting them push and pull us all over the place. Few dodgy offside decisions as well. Charlie hit the post and Grabban hit the bar. Second half was more even and they finished strongly. Sam Wood cleared one off the line, and Woj made the usual top drawer save.

Dave and KOC were alright in centre mid, but I don't think they got forward to support the front two enough. Charlie was his usual self, and Carl Cort showed some class. None of the 3 wingers (Ainsworth on for Weston) were incisive enough, and didn't get enough crosses in. Leon looked a bit shaky at times, KO had a reasonable game, Sam Wood was dependable and Foster had one of the better games I've seen from him.

Listened to Radio Bristol on the way back and all the wurzels phoning in must have had their pirate eye patches on as they had some very one eyed views of how they should have won the game.

All in all, not a bad point, in hot weather, with a bit of an end of season feel about it.

[BournemouthBee]

Just having a pit stop in Bournemouth on way home.

Not sure how Rovers were in the play-offs earlier this season on this showing. After the first 10 mins we were much the better side and had a couple of good chances as previously mentioned. Grabban looked dangerous down the right but Weston had a quiet match by his standards. Good to have KOC back and he linked up well with Diagouraga.

In defence Sam was brilliant and Karleigh a perfect partner for Leon. Foster had one of his better games and for a change wasn't beaten down the flank. Woijiech made a couple of good saves 2nd half including that point blank stop.

Up front Cort was a class apart and Charlie worked hard as usual.

Despite the long journey I enjoyed the match and our unbeaten run goes on. 3 points on Tues against Tranmere and we can overtake Franchise FC.

[readingbee]

Listened to Radio Bristol on the way back and all the wurzels phoning in must have had their pirate eye patches on as they had some very one eyed views of how they should have won the game.

All in all, not a bad point, in hot weather, with a bit of an end of season feel about it

And on their own site they are saying they dominated the game not that much according to the BBC site, certainly no more than one would expect the home side to do Well done Bees, am really looking forward to next season, it could be a cracker !!

[NorthamptonBee]

End of season stuff, hot sun and a few chances at each end. Chaz could have won and Chesney saved it with a another stunner towards the end. We played some good stuff at times without creating too much, Chaz hit the post, should have scored in teh 2nd half but a draw was fair. Fair performances from all but Myles never really got going, he needs rest, is this his first real season in football as I'm sure I read he had long periods out at Notts County?
A bit of colour in the face and fairly happy watching a game that really meant little to each.
Ref was a ****!

[North London Bee]

Wasn't there but it sounds like a decent performance and hard earned point.

I just hope there is enough left in the tank for Tuesday as it is a crucial game for Tranmere and one they will be desperate to win.

Lookin g at the stats it appears that we were pushed back more and more in the last quarter of the game.

Is that an accurate representation of what happened ? Did we get tired towards the end?

Also will CC be able to play 4 in a row on Tuesday!!??

[busheybee]

I enjoyed today. We have become hard to beat and even without two regular defenders we stood firm. The appearance of Kev and Woj warming up when we arrived gave me renewed hope that we'd be okay and so it turned out. Everyone worked hard, which is what I like about us. Carl Court was impressive and very rarely gave the ball away. On occasion too he was a good outlet as he was able to hold up play and keep possession. We never really looked like losing although Sam's goal line clearance and a super save from Woj ensured the point. Very pleasant in the sunshine, although I didn't have to do any of that running around stuff.

[wanderer paul]

Just back in from: work at 5.30am to 11.30am, taking one daughter to a party in Kempton at 1pm, then taking my son up town (Central London!) to take pic's of buildings for his Art A Level for 4 hours.....................i knackered!!

Glad we did well! Had no idea of the score till logging on here. Good to keep the little run going. Get your bets on for next year!

[NorthamptonBee]

Originally Posted by North London Bee

Lookin g at the stats it appears that we were pushed back more and more in the last quarter of the game.

Is that an accurate representation of what happened ? Did we get tired towards the end?

Also will CC be able to play 4 in a row on Tuesday!!??

A little bit but not too menancing. They created little really, good defending prevented too many panics.
We must have tired in that heat but we broke with pace with Lionel and Lewis, I just wish that they would go for that last man and take them on when breaking.
CC looked as fresh as feck, he didn't stop working and certainly didn't look like he needed to come off.

[ianhl]

Happy with the point, but think I must have been watching a different game to most people because I thought we were quite lucky to come away with a point to be honest.
1st half we made some good breaks and did hit the woodwork twice but even then I thought we were second best.Second half and Wood headed clear on the line , Polands number1 made a couple of good saves in each half and one fantastic one which had goal written all over it.
Weston looked tired and to my eye the pitch just seemed too narrow for him and he never really got going ( not surprised considering the amount of miles he must have run the last few weeks)
Thought Wood played great, and was my m.o.m . All in all I was happy with the result and certainly am not knocking the team for the effort they put in.

[wadbee]

Pity that it has taken AS & the coaching team 95% of the season to discover this 'miracle' answer to Cort playing twice a week - or even once a week for
that matter.

[super J]

I didn't go so well done to all who did. One thing I noticed at Southend on tuesday was that Weston looked dead on his feet, very tired and slow for his standards. Reading the reports and comments it sounds like Legge was the same today. Ideally i'm sure Scott would like to rest them on tuesday but we are down to the bare bones as it is especially in defence I don't think it'll happen. With it being such a massive game for tranmere I think Scott will feel compelled to play his strongest team especially with everything you get these days about teams fielding weakened sides.

Four games to go and it'd be great if we could finish 9th or 10th. Three very winnable home games out of four and a game against a nervy swindon side who are on the slide a little and there is definitely another 10 points out there for us to end the season strongly.

[Wise old Bee]

They put us under pressure for the last 15 minutes or so otherwise it was pretty comfortable and we had a good spell before half time but a draw was about right. I thought the back four looked solid, Foster in particular and our CBs were in control most of the time. Definite end of season feel and the 450 odd Bees were very quiet. Walk from Montpelier station was a sod though. Just one other thing. A whole bunch of Bath rugby supporters got on our train on the way back (6.00 Temple Meads) and they were pissed-up and generally behaved like morons until they got off at Swindon. A lot of passengers were frightened and as we got off at Paddington there were complaints about "football supporters" causing trouble ffs!

[West Ealing Bee]

Originally Posted by super J

I didn't go so well done to all who did. One thing I noticed at Southend on tuesday was that Weston looked dead on his feet, very tired and slow for his standards. Reading the reports and comments it sounds like Legge was the same today. Ideally i'm sure Scott would like to rest them on tuesday but we are down to the bare bones as it is especially in defence I don't think it'll happen. With it being such a massive game for tranmere I think Scott will feel compelled to play his strongest team especially with everything you get these days about teams fielding weakened sides.

Scott said afterwards he is aware Weston has "run out of juice", and I would be surprised if he played on Tuesday - maybe Ainsworth on the left, or Blake at left back with Wood in midfield.

Legge is more difficult - there is simply no way to wriggle it around and give him a break, and TBH it could be as much to do with an off day today - and there were a few minor slips as opposed to be a complete mare of a game - as tiredness.

[ChinaBee]

Apart from first 15 and last 15 we were the better team, some good football on a hot day and bobbly pitch. What the team really lacks is someone to try 20 yarders from edge of area, we had so many opportunities to do it but not taking them meant that we wasted a lot of good possession.

Enjoyed the day out

[rebus]

Originally Posted by wadbee

Pity that it has taken AS & the coaching team 95% of the season to discover this 'miracle' answer to Cort playing twice a week - or even once a week for
that matter.

Do you think if he had played week-in, week out for eight months he would have been playing today. Probably not...

[super J]

Originally Posted by West Ealing Bee

Scott said afterwards he is aware Weston has "run out of juice", and I would be surprised if he played on Tuesday - maybe Ainsworth on the left, or Blake at left back with Wood in midfield.

Legge is more difficult - there is simply no way to wriggle it around and give him a break, and TBH it could be as much to do with an off day today - and there were a few minor slips as opposed to be a complete mare of a game - as tiredness.

With Balkestein, Phillips and Bennett injured there isn't really an obvious solution as to how we could rest Legge. Foster seemed ok covering for a little while at southend so i guess you could play him and Osborne there and put O'Connor at right back and Hunt back into midfield. But then a back four of O'Connor, Foster, Osborne and Blake would be a bit risky even in a nothing game for us.

I'm guessing Scott has already decided Saunders and Ainsworth aren't the answer as i'm sure Weston would have got a rest by now if he felt we had good enough alternative options.

[wadbee]

Originally Posted by rebus

Do you think if he had played week-in, week out for eight months he would have been playing today. Probably not...

Who's said anything about Cort playing week in, week out for eight months
- you'll probably correct me if I'm wromg but am I right in thinking he went over four months without getting a start ?
What number redbus are you ?

[bridport bee]

we can overtake Franchise FC.

after our home against mk dons, i would love to finish above them now...

[SCBee]

Originally Posted by bridport bee

after our home against mk dons, i would love to finish above them now...

I'd far rather see them be finishing below Stockport County myself

[EASTBRISTOLBEE7]

Originally Posted by bridport bee

after our home against mk dons, i would love to finish above them now...

Yep, and also like to see wrinkleman throw the towel in and them dissappear in to obscurity. We can only hope

[Ambrose_1889]

We should certainly be overtaking the franchise and possibly Bristol Rovers. We should now be looking at 10th as a minumum, 9th as a max.

[Keighley Bee]

Originally Posted by super J

But then a back four of O'Connor, Foster, Osborne and Blake would be a bit risky even in a nothing game for us.

You have said that it is a nothing game for us, so how can there be a risk involved? It would be an interesting experiment, no more than that.

[West Wilts Bee]

Fairly even game for me with Rovers just edging it a t the end. I thought we played well as a team, rovers went in without a couple of key players and so did we. Wood bees mom for me. This team has come a long way this season, and I am pretty sure we will be pushing for promotion next season. Well done to all those loyal bees fans that made the journey down to cider land.

PS what a great save from the legend Chez. + a great day out on the piss.

[Sweepy]

Originally Posted by BournemouthBee

Just having a pit stop in Bournemouth on way home.

Not sure how Rovers were in the play-offs earlier this season on this showing.

It seems like it has taken a while for a while for the loss of Lambert to have a full impact on their attack.

Clearly since they run riot at GP earlier this season they have gone backwards, and thankfully the mighty Bees have gone forwards.