League Two Rovers v Pirates

[ADD]

What’s the verdict on the first half? Hanging on? Holding our own?

Bizarre first half... They are much the better side but have created nothing that Murphy has had to save whereas we have had a good Nevitt shot saved and a header cleared from just off the line.

 

[Ian]

Neither really @Charlton1975
We had one good chance that hit the post. Other than that, it’s all been pretty poor. Bristol much better in possession but wasted a lot in the final third. We need much more second half to win this and win this we must.

 

[Boz]

As ADD says Nevitt’s effort our best effort virtually the only one. Their keeper looks a bit iffy, couple of forays out of his box where he’s come to claim the ball and made a bit of a hash of it. Quite a gap between midfield and attack for us, which means the forwards seeing little of the ball. Brizzle have dominated possession for large chunks of the game but so far not made the most of them. Some strange decisions from the officials especially the liner with the red flag

 

[Charlton1975]

Bizarre first half... They are much the better side but have created nothing that Murphy has had to save whereas we have had a good Nevitt shot saved and a header cleared from just off the line.

Thanks mate, let’s hope for more of the same and try and convert something second half!

 

[Charlton1975]

Neither really @Charlton1975
We had one good chance that hit the post. Other than that, it’s all been pretty poor. Bristol much better in possession but wasted a lot in the final third. We need much more second half to win this and win this we must.

Agree mate! Win we must!

 

[ADD]

Haha Hemmings goal straight from a Murphy punt.

 

[bigmart]

Cracking finish

 

[ADD]

No... Should have been two and then terrible defending again...

 

[bigmart]

That didn't last long

 

[bigmart]

This has all the hallmark of last season, form gone but this time I am not sure we will make the play offs

 

[bigmart]

Dropping out the play offs as it stands

 

[bigmart]

Draw, of no use at all, if we fail to make the play offs as looks likely questions need to be asked as this has not been good enough

 

[Sparky]

The points are shared. On paper not a bad result but a shame we conceded not long after we went in front. Look forward to any reports but we’re now out of the play offs - 2 points from 5th and 2 points from 11th

 

[bigmart]

The points are shared. On paper not a bad result but a shame we conceded not long after we went in front. Look forward to any reports but we’re now out of the play offs - 2 points from 5th and 2 points from 11th

I don't think either side really deserved to win as didn't do enough or create enough chances.
I'm afraid we have blown a fantastic position like last season and I can't see us making the play offs

 

[Ian]

Have to agree. We’ve had two home games and come away with 2 points. Our away form is pretty dismal and I think we’ll probably just fade out to around 10th summing up a pretty poor second half showing of the season. Disappointing.

 

[keep the faith]

Playing MacMannaman is like playing with 10 men.

the game I was watching he played well and to be honest was unlucky to be subbed, hawkes on the other should have stayed in the dressing room he was a non-entity still we all see things differently

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

I thought it was a good performance considering the patched-up line up and we should have won the game. Yes, Bristol dominated the ball for long periods, but I can't remember them creating anything aside from the goal, whereas we forced two good saves from their keeper and hit the woodwork. The Nevitt one v one at 1-0 was a pivotal moment, as had we scored a second then it was game over.

I thought there were some good performances today. The strikers were excellent again, albeit Nevitt should have finished one of his opportunities, and Merrie had a decent game at left back. NKP did not do a great deal wrong. However, my man of the match was Lee O'Connor who was very good with and without the ball.

In isolation, it was a solid display and our home form remains very strong. Bristol came here with a lot of hype, but never really looked like winning the game.
However, we are clearly going to have to win at least one of the remaining away matches to make the top seven. On paper, we could not really have a kinder set of fixtures, with the exception of the Exeter game.

We drop out of the play off positions for the first time since 11th December, albeit we are only one point behind seventh, and only two behind Northampton in fifth place. If we do make the play offs, we will at least go into them on a high this time round.

 

[Boz]

Strange game, we probably had the better goal attempts and if Nevitt had converted the one on one, we’d probably have gone onto win it. I wouldn’t want to pin too much onto Elliott, though, he hit it true, scuff it and it probably would go in. Brizzle had a lot of possession but didn’t make the most of it. I’m surprised they’ve been on such a good run and purely on today’s showing would be amazed if they go up.

Would broadly agree with RLCs player plaudits, there were a couple of decent moves started by NKP carrying the ball out of defence and playing a ball for the man in front to run onto. Sponsors gave JDC MoM an interesting selection.

I felt that Warrington was outmuscled a lot today and there was a case for him to be subbed. Maybe as a young player, time to take him out of the firing line for a bit?

 

[Charlton1975]

I must start with the fact that I wasnt at the game today.

The slide continues...... Talk of 'if we make the play offs' seem like the ultimate glass half full optimistic view'. It wasnt long go that people were saying 'if we dont make automatic' If we are honest, we have been poor for a long time now and bar the odd single good performance (Swindon), our league position broadly flattered us.

I hope we do pick up and make the play offs, but on current form sadly I just dont think we are good enough.

Ultimately, the optimism of MM's return hasnt really lived up to expectation. We have a very strong squad but for whatever reason it isnt performing. We have brought in players from Liverpool, Everton, Celtic and Rangers, so there is no excused in terms of the quality of player we can bring in, and at this level players like that should be a big difference.

 

[bigmart]

I must start with the fact that I wasnt at the game today.

The slide continues...... Talk of 'if we make the play offs' seem like the ultimate glass half full optimistic view'. It wasnt long go that people were saying 'if we dont make automatic' If we are honest, we have been poor for a long time now and bar the odd single good performance (Swindon), our league position broadly flattered us.

I hope we do pick up and make the play offs, but on current form sadly I just dont think we are good enough.

Ultimately, the optimism of MM's return hasnt really lived up to expectation. We have a very strong squad but for whatever reason it isnt performing. We have brought in players from Liverpool, Everton, Celtic and Rangers, so there is no excused in terms of the quality of player we can bring in, and at this level players like that should be a big difference.

Agree with this, we don't look.like making the play offs.
We are not bold enough or positive enough and ultimately the lack of goals will be our downfall