In a recent post I stated (and I stand by it) that I had seen very little this season to encourage me that we had any chance to stay up this year. Well today changed that. I heard Les talking to Pat Nevin on Five Live on the way up to the game and talked about getting in young players that were 'hungry' for the game, and today was the first time I saw that.
Right from the first whistle there was a hunger, commitment, togetherness and willingness to fight for the cause that was just absent from the previous two home league games.
The new players made a difference. Mendy and Grandison are obviously big strong lads with a bit of presence, Blanchard had a great attitude getting stuck in at every opportunity. Fraughan - was that his first start in the league? had a good game and looked capable of creating chances. Up front McGurk made a solid start (looks far better than Terry Gornell already), and the whole atmosphere of the match was suddenly positive, credit to some great home support as well I thought. dare I say that we did not miss Mclaren in the slightest.
Darville, bar a couple of errors had his best game to date, Cresswell played well, Goodison as usual held it together. Enoch had a decent game as well - was a bit surprised to see him as captain though, but it seemed to rally him somewhat. Peterborough are a decent side, they had a few chance and I would be the first to admit we got them on a bit of an off day, but this could be crucial for Rovers as it will have done wonders for confidence.
Not perfect of course, I'm not suggesting we are getting promotion, but that sort of display makes me think that staying up is more than possible. I still have concerns over young Collister, just doesn't look quite ready to me, he didn't do too badly in terms of his handling and shot stopping today but is very nervous coming off his line, and it is a worry that Mendy and Grandison are on one month loan deals - we could do with keeping them for longer. For now though there are the first signs that this season may not be the nightmare it was looking like being.
Only signs though and more performances are needed like that. I'm happy for now, today couldn't have gone better, but we must not get carried away.
Oh, and some weird referring decisions as well. :?
Right from the first whistle there was a hunger, commitment, togetherness and willingness to fight for the cause that was just absent from the previous two home league games.
The new players made a difference. Mendy and Grandison are obviously big strong lads with a bit of presence, Blanchard had a great attitude getting stuck in at every opportunity. Fraughan - was that his first start in the league? had a good game and looked capable of creating chances. Up front McGurk made a solid start (looks far better than Terry Gornell already), and the whole atmosphere of the match was suddenly positive, credit to some great home support as well I thought. dare I say that we did not miss Mclaren in the slightest.
Darville, bar a couple of errors had his best game to date, Cresswell played well, Goodison as usual held it together. Enoch had a decent game as well - was a bit surprised to see him as captain though, but it seemed to rally him somewhat. Peterborough are a decent side, they had a few chance and I would be the first to admit we got them on a bit of an off day, but this could be crucial for Rovers as it will have done wonders for confidence.
Not perfect of course, I'm not suggesting we are getting promotion, but that sort of display makes me think that staying up is more than possible. I still have concerns over young Collister, just doesn't look quite ready to me, he didn't do too badly in terms of his handling and shot stopping today but is very nervous coming off his line, and it is a worry that Mendy and Grandison are on one month loan deals - we could do with keeping them for longer. For now though there are the first signs that this season may not be the nightmare it was looking like being.
Only signs though and more performances are needed like that. I'm happy for now, today couldn't have gone better, but we must not get carried away.
Oh, and some weird referring decisions as well. :?