League Two Rovers v Sutton

[Rockford's Love Child]

Sutton are the visitors on Saturday, the first of an important sequence of three games where we play teams just above us in the table.

We beat the visitors easily in the reverse fixture, but Sutton were beset by injury problems and in very poor form at the time. They are in much better shape now, wining four of their last five games, and this will be a difficult fixture. Sutton are generally well organised and physical, and our previous matches against them at Prenton Park have been a struggle.

In terms of selection, I think the only real uncertainty is who will partner Hemmings up front. Elsewhere, I think we will be unchanged after three decent performances, despite the frustration of the Crewe game.

 

[bigmart]

We really need to win this game if our season is not going to fizzle out, hoping for a home win 1 0.

 

[Ian]

Yes, it will be tough and the pressure will be on to get a win. The same old problems will haunt us so I'm going for a 1-1 draw.

 

[ALDO MUSSY]

with no new players and cant score wont score up front it could be a long day,but still we stay positive 1-0 but 5-0 would be better

 

[Sparky]

As RLC says sutton are in decent form although I think their wins have been against poorer sides but they’ll have some confidence.
Despite two wins in our last three you wonder what our confidence will be like after the frustration of New Year’s Day.

Agree there will be little changes unless injuries. mumbongo could start given suttons physical approach but he may not last too long so Nevitt may feature.

 

[Am on mobile]

Just over 4000 sold could be worst attendance of season

 

[bigmart]

Only 4157 tickets sold so far, going to struggle to get many more than 5k with virtually no away fans

 

[Keith Hill (Bolton)]

'It'll be lonely this Christmas '

 

[Keith Hill (Bolton)]

Weather might be important to get the locals in.
If we don't get around the 5k crowd and that is with season tickets, then we are getting worse crowds than in the national league, which doesn't bode well.
The average season crowd will be interesting! Home games obviously.

 

[Boz]

Probably not the best time to be facing Sutton, who are on a decent run of form, won 3 on the bounce over the festive period and their only recent loss was pre-Christmas to table-topping Orient. They will also be boosted by the return of winger David Ajiboye on loan, having sold him to Peterborough over the summer.

Having failed to take anything from the Crewe game, this will be a harder game against an opponent who are in a much better place than when we won 0-2 in SW London a few months ago. Mention in Micky's pre-match about some players being ill, so we may be missing one or two tomorrow. Hopefully not central defenders, as we're running a bit short there, though Turnbull did the pre-match and should be available. Expecting Sutton to be a much more physical side than Crewe, so the same strike-force to start, with Mumbongo off the bench and I don't think this is a game for Burton or Hughes. If McAlear is fit, there is an argument that his physical strength makes him valuable in games like this, but hoping MM isn't trying to shoe-horn Nolan back into the team.

The likely crowd numbers ought to be a concern for the Palioi, but when we've got the must sell before we buy mantra reiterated and an already thin squad and raised season ticket prices, it can't be unexpected. I'll be missing again because of train strikes, plans to stay over the weekend not working out. Not confident how this game will pan out, but think it's more likely the points will head back to London.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

The likely crowd numbers ought to be a concern for the Palioi, but when we've got the must sell before we buy mantra reiterated and an already thin squad and raised season ticket prices, it can't be unexpected.

A crowd of about 5,000 for an unattractive fixture on the first weekend after Christmas is to be expected. The season average of 6,300 is perfectly healthy given our league position.

 

[Boz]

A crowd of about 5,000 for an unattractive fixture on the first weekend after Christmas is to be expected. The season average of 6,300 is perfectly healthy given our league position.

Think we’ve played most of the sides who’ll bring a decent following to PP at home already. I wouldn’t be confident the average crowd will stay at that level. Last season’s corresponding fixture in mid November attracted nearly 6.5k.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Think we’ve played most of the sides who’ll bring a decent following to PP at home already. I wouldnt Last season’s corresponding fixture in mid November attracted nearly 6.5k.

Different timing and you can't focus on one game in isolation like that. Our average is only about 400 down on last season, which is reasonable given our poorer performance.

 

[Boz]

Different timing and you can't focus on one game in isolation like that. Our average is only about 400 down on last season, which is reasonable given our poorer performance.

We’re already further away from promotion contention and the reality is unless someone pulls some aces out of the pack our season will be ending much earlier this time around. In those circumstances would expect our average attendance to be in greater decline by the season end.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

We’re already further away from promotion contention and the reality is unless someone pulls some aces out of the pack our season will be ending much earlier this time around. In those circumstances would expect our average attendance to be in greater decline by the season end.

Let's just see what the final attendance figures actually look like, rather than continually talking the club down with doom-mongering. We have been very average this season but attendances have not been significantly affected.

 

[Boz]

Let's just see what the final attendance figures actually look like, rather than continually talking the club down with doom-mongering. We have been very average this season but attendances have not been significantly affected.

Sure we can evaluate at the end of the season, but unless things are looking good on the park, then not looking too hopeful, given all our big away following games have already happened. A number had commented on the likely low attendance on this thread before me, so a relevant area for discussion. It’s not all down to the football, timing, cost of living and train strikes being factors. However the vibe coming out of the club at present is not encouraging, though hope I’m wrong about that and there is a decent turnout today too.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Our average attendance this season will be perfectly respectable.

 

[Boz]

Despite the concern about ill players, only one change with Mumbongo starting ahead of Nevitt.

 

[Ian]

Hopefully Mumongo will be a bit fresher today and we see a bit more up front than we saw at Crewe.

 

[Sparky]

Fairly average start and we’re behind