Bristol R 2004 - No longer will we go wild Rover?

[SirFozzie]

Bristol Star- July 11th, 2004 Edition

Yellope announced as new head man at Bristol Rovers

Bristol Rovers announced yesterday that former U-17 coach, David Yellope, had been announced as the new manager at the League Two side with immediate effect.

The 29 year old Cambridgeshire native was reportedly delighted to take over at Rovers, and hone his management skills at The Memorial Stadium. The pundits claim that Bristol have an outside shot at promotion this year, with a goal of a finish in the top half of League Two.

However, Yellope inherits a side that will not have much extra going for it this year. According to an unnamed club source at Bristol, the club is nearly a half-million pounds in debt, and the source said it was "highly unlikely" that the side would be granted any transfer funds.

Yellope has said that he was studying the roster, and while he understands that the club's financial position would likely keep the team from being a player in the transfer market this season, he would be studying the loan list for players that he thought could help the club at certain positions."

Bristol Rovers
Also known as - Pirates
Year Formed - 1883
Ground - The Memorial Stadium (Capacity 12,000 (4,000 seated)
Colours
Home: Blue and white quartered shirts, white shorts, blue stockings
Away: White shirts, black shorts, white stockings

Honours: League One winners, 1990, 2nd place 1974, 3rd Place 1970, LDV Vans Trophy Runner Up, 1990.
FA Cup Best season: 6th-round, 1951, 1958
League Cup Best season: 5th-round, 1971, 1972

Bristol Rovers FC All Time Records
Attendance 9464: vs Liverpool 08/02/1992 FA Cup R4
Best league win 7 - 0: vs Brighton & Hove Albion 29/11/1952 Division 3S
Worst league loss 0 - 12: vs Luton Town 13/04/1936 Division 3S
Best cup win 6 - 0: vs Merthyr Tydfil 14/11/1987 FA Cup R1
Worst cup loss 1-8: vs QPR 1937/38
Most capped player Neil Slatter: 10 Wales
League appearances Stuart Taylor: 545 1966/80
League goals Geoff Bradford: 245 1949/64
Goals in a season Geoff Bradford: 33 1952/53 Division 3S
Transfer fee received £2,000,000: Barry Hayles Fulham November 1998
Transfer fee paid £370,000: Andy Tilson Queen's Park Rangers November 1992

[SirFozzie]

Goalkeepers

Kevin Miller (35, Valued at 16K, 800/Wk Wages)
Ryan Clake (22, Valued at 4K, 250/Wk Wages)

Miller is definitely the first choice between the pipes in net. Clarke is a youngster who has an extra year on his contract left, while Miller's expires at the end of the year.

Miller is one of those goalies who isn't good for reflex saves, but at least he has basic punching skills for crosses. If Clarke doesn't catch those looping crosses, he's in big trouble.

With Miller aging and leaving after this season, I'm probably going to have to either get some money for transfers and go hunting, or dip a toe into the Bosman GK's lsit.

[SirFozzie]

Defenders

D L Robbie Ryan (Irish, 27, Valued at 60K, 1,200/Wk)

Our top defender, I don't feel so bad about having him on the left side of defense. A good man-marking type, with good stamina, and great anticipation. He works well with his fellow back line players. I think he'll be out there most of the season.

D C Steve Elliot (25, Valued at 30K, 3K/Week wages)

Steve is still living off his two U21 caps for England in his younger years. He's good physically, but more of a scrapper type technically. I might attempt to see if I can move him, since moving him would get us closer to the Chairman's wage budget (we have a targer of 17.75K per week, we are currently at 23.1K/week)

D C John Anderson (Scottish, 31, Valued at 20K, 600/Wk Wages)

Probably the starter at one of the D C positions (we're going to run a 4-3-1-2 counter style).. very good aerially, with very good stamina and fitness, and tackling's not bad either. He's strictly a hit and hope type when creating a counter, however.

D RC Craig Hinton (26, 16K value, 500/Wk Wages)

Decent if not good, has slightly above average skills in Heading, Marking and Tackling (11 in each), and good teamwork. Will likely start on the Right side, and maybe move into the other DC position if we get rid of Elliot.

D/DM L Ijah Anderson (28, Valued at 14K, 500/wk Wages)

Backup strictly, has some good physical tools, but his technical skills, are quite lacking

D C Liam Burns (Northern Ireland, 25, Valued 10K, 500/Wk Wages)

Holder of 15 U21 caps for the Northern Irish side, fell out of favor with the previous regime, and was transfer listed. We removed him from the list, as he is better then a couple of the other guys we have, at least technically, and we've told Burns he has a chance to prove himself with us, start from scratch, so to speak.

D C Christian Edwards (Wales (1 Cap), 28, Valued 9K, 800/Wk Wages)

On the list, (how did he ever get an international cap???)... Hope I can find someone to take his 800/wk salary. Good aerially, but lacking in most other categories.

D C Sonny Parker (21, 4K Value, 350/Wk)

On the list, Very determined but, just not cut out for footy at this level.

D/DM L Jon Beswetherick (26, 2K Value, 700/wk

On the list, luckily, his contract for some reason ends at the end of October. Will be moving on.

[SirFozzie]

Midfield

AM R/L Ryan Williams (25, Valued at 28K, 1K/Wk Wages)

He's playing for a contract, but he'll likely be playing elsewhere. The regime listed him, and while he's a decent to ok player, he's also making a bit too much for my tastes, and will stay on the list. Good penalty taker tho.. if he plays, he'll probably be my first choice.

M R/L/C Stuart Campbell (Scottish, 26, 24K, 1.4K/Week)

A pretty versatile player, with some decent ratings. A bit pricy, but he brings a good variety to the side. Holds 15 U21 caps in past years for Scotland, but hasn't played for the Tartan Army national side. Likely will start all over the place.

DM R Ali Gibb (28, 24K Value, 700/Wk Wages)

Pretty unflappable, we hear at least one or two Ali G jokes a practice aimed at Ali, but he takes it all in good stride. He's a good player to bring the ball upfield, and hopefully start some attacks. Will start on the Right side of midfield.

M R/C David Savage (Ireland (5 Caps), 30, 24K Value, 2K/Week wages
Pretty fast, and definitely a starter in my setup. 2k/Week is a bunch, but hopefully he lives up to it. He IS playing for a contract, however (expires in June)

M L/C Paul Trollope (Welsh (9 Caps), 32 years old, 20K value, 1K/Week Wages)
The starter at the Left side of midfield, and one of the best players on the team. Will be one of the veteran players that the team will look to.

AM C Craig Disley (22, 18K Value, 750/week)
A bit slow at the Attacking Midfield position, average at best, but he's the best of a bunch of not so good options right now, I think. Let's see if he can improve himself.

M R/C Aaron Lescott (25, 16K, 700/Wk)
A very capable backup, he'll be all over the place.

DM C James Hunt (27, 16K, 1K/Wk)
Strong mentally, but needs work on the field.

M C Thorsten Dinkel (German, 27, 3K, 325/wk)
Not really going to feature in my plans. Listed, and ready to go home.

[SirFozzie]

Forwards and Strikers

F C Junior Agogo (Ghana, 24, 35K, 1.1K/week)
Holds an English passport, so we don't need to worry about a work permit. Pretty good at scoring, but will not create a lot of wonder-goals. Should be the focus of our attack, however.

Lewis Haldane (19, 30K, 450/wk)
A hot prospect for the future. Good at finishing, but I think I will be loaning him out to get first team experience. Contract expires this year, but I will be offering a 2 or 3 year deal, just to see how he develops.

S C Richard Walker (26, 28K, 1K/Wk)
2nd choice, and a pure striker type, good off the ball skills, but average at finishing. 2nd choice on the team for penalties.

F C Jamie Forrester (29, 26K, 1K/Wk)
He joined us in the offseason from League One side Hull, where he scored 4 goals in 21 games. He will be in the rotation up front, but I wanted him to play the AM/C role.. but I don't think he'd work there.

[SirFozzie]

Right now, looking at the squad, Midfield is thin, and we could use a pure goal scorer to partner Agogo up front. Time to hit the loan wire, and see if there's some guys we can grab.

[SirFozzie]

These are the five players that I request to get on loan (at least to start)

S C Adam Birchall (Arsenal Reserves, 19)
M C John Spicer (Arsenal Reserves, 20)
M R Ciaran Ryan (Bolton Reserves, 21)
AM R/C Benjamin Collett (Man Utd Reserves, 19)
AM/F R/C Ryan Stevenson (St Johnstone (1st Div Scotland), 19)

[SirFozzie]

Friendly 1: Home Vs Livingston (Scottish Premier League)

The first half is mixed, Livingston is one of the minnows in the SPL, but they are still a top-flight club, and they spend a lot of time in our half of the field. Hinton plays the best of the first half players, (Form of 7), while Junior Agogo picked up a minor knock, and was less then good (Form 5).

We make six changes at half time, and see how the 2nd team does.

Well, we are good on the defensive side, on the 2nd 45 minutes, but we lack offensive spark, which just confirms that we need more help up front..

We survive, and a scoreless result isn't bad.. it's just not great.

Bristol R 0-0 Livingstone (No Goals) Att:588

[SirFozzie]

Haldane signs with us at 450/week through 2008.

We're waiting to hear on the loan requests, while other teams try to get involved as well, so it's a wait and see.

It doesn't look good for the UK teams in the first round of the Champions League qualifiers, as Moldovian side Sheriff Tiraspol defeats Irish side Shelbourne 3-1. The only saving grace for the Irish side is that the 2nd leg is at home in Shelbourne.

Northern Irish side Linfield is also down 3-1 (to former Russian-sattelite Georgia's WIT-Georgia FC Tbilisi), with their home leg still to come.

Welsh side Rhyl had the best first leg performance, but even their advancement is up in the air, as they could only manage a 1-1 draw at home against Latvian side FK Skonto Riga

[SirFozzie]

Ryan Stevenson flatly rejects coming out from Scotland to play for us, so we let it go.

and our midfield problems just got worse, as Ryan Williams takes a tumble after going up for a header, and accidentally getting undercut. The broken jaw has him on liquid food for a couple weeks. our physio tells us it'll be a month before he'll be in game shape.

[SirFozzie]

Well, we're 0 for 3 on loan requests, with ManU's Benjamin Collett, chosing a freaking Conference North team (Worksop) over us, and Liverpool's Jon Ostemobor choosing Championship side Sheffield United.

Grrr...

[SirFozzie]

We strike out on the rest too.. grr.. Time to go hunting again.

We lose 3-1 in our 2nd friendly, to conference side Aldershot. Junior Agogo scored the only goal.

[SirFozzie]

Well, Shelbourne gets the required two goals needed to advance in the home leg, winning on away goals on a 3-3 aggregate with Sherriff. However, Linfield came close, winning 2-1 at home, but got bounced 4-3 on aggregate to WIT-Georgia, and Rhyl lost 2-0 on the road, which sent them out 3-1 on aggregate.

[SirFozzie]

We lose 2-0 to Crystal Palace in our third friendly (at least we pull almost 12,000 fans to the game)..

However...

Grrr..

An injury at a position we just can't afford to have one, as 35 year old Goalie Kevin Miller twisted his ankle and will miss 3 weeks, which means he isn't likely to be ready for the season opener.

The loan hunt continues.

[SirFozzie]

we Lose 2-1 to Premiership side Charlton, as we start to get ready for the season, and we do finally manage to bring one loan player into the side, as Rochdale's striker Kevin Towson joins us for 3 months.

[SirFozzie]

We manage to get two more players on loan.

We solve our goal keeper deficiencies with Oxford's Simon Cox for the season, he will be a likely #1 while Miller is not available, how he does during that time frame will decide what happens when Miller returns.

We also get Manchester United to send us defender Phillip Bardsley on a 3 month loan

[SirFozzie]

We do manage a win in preseason, as Liam Miller and Kevin Towson score late in the game to get us past Northern Irish side Glentoran, 2-0.

This is what we look like entering the season

GK: Clarke
DL: Ryan
DC: Elliot
DC: Hinton
DR: Bardsley
ML: Campbell
MC: Hunt
MR: Gibb
AMC: Disley
FC: Townson
FC: Agogo

S1: Clarke (GK)
S2: J.Anderson (D C)
S3: Lescott (M RC)
S4:Forrester (F C)
S5: I.Anderson (D/DM L)

[SirFozzie]

We get told of our first round game in the League Cup, and it's less then optimal, as we'll be away, but the game is definitely winnable, at fellow League Two side Bury.

We are favored against Macclesfield, as the bettors seem to think that we're going to get off to a big start.

(H) Macclesfield 7-2, Draw 9-4, Bristol Rovers 4-6 (Fav)

[SirFozzie]

7: We nearly go up early, as Kevin Townson blasts one that Macclesfield netminder Alan Fettis has to palm over the bar. They clear the resulting corner, and we try to counter after they blast the ball to midfield, but Agogo is offside.

19: Clarke with a poor clearance, and Macclesfield on the attack, but fortunately, Tipton puts it into the side netting.

20: Hunt booked for tripping a Macclesfield player.

22: Hunt from just outside the 18 is clear.. right on net, parried by Fettis and cleared. On the ensuing attack, Macclesfield midfielder Joey Jones is booked for bringing down Hunt.

25: Tipton misses wide

36: Agogo seems to have the ball in space, but a Macclesfield defender rides him off the ball just before the 18, and the attack fizzles.

42: Agogo misses wide on a blast from outside the area.

45(1st Minute Stoppage): Sheron nearly puts them up before the break, with a shot that scrapes the corner where the crossbar and post meet.

Halftime: 0-0. Pretty even so far. Surprised that we don't have more then 1 card, because we've committed 9 first half fouls.

53: Cox saves a Jones shot and we clear the ensuing rebound.

62: They make a couple changes, bringing on Parkin and Whitaker for Jones and Miles.

63: Whitaker with the 30 yard free kick.. oof.. right over the wall, Cox never saw it, and into the corner of the net. Down 0-1.

64: Forrester on for Townsend, I.Anderson on for the tired Campbell, and J.Anderson on for Hinton, who's been average at best (6 for form, everyone else is a 7)

65: I.Anderson celebrates getting into the game by getting a slight injury. The physio's taking a quick look at him.

67: We're playing 11 on 10, and missing Anderson when Elliot brings down Macclesfield's Swadi in the Box. (grrr.. give me reasons to ship you out, you blankety-blanker.. 3K/Week my ass. I can hire a trained monkey for one fifth of that, and he'd probably trip less people...)

68: Barras to take the penalty.. AND COX GUESSED RIGHT! Barras tried to put it right up the middle and Cox gloved it easily.

69: Forrester with space.. Fettis comes out to shutdown the angle.. Forrester shoots.... JUST wide. ARGH. so close.

76: Forrester AGAIN with the breakaway, two Macclesfield players hot on his heels, hits the box.. shoots.. Just over. Forrester's made a lot of opportuniteies since subbing in. Now if he could just get one IN.

82: Bristol on the counter attack again. Agogo just puts it wide, however. We're not missing by much, but we're not using hand grenades, and they only count the ones that go IN the net, not by the net.

83: Goal kick intercepted.. Hunt finds Agogo, shot.. Fettis tips it over the bar. Arrrrrghh.. that's what.. four, five straight world-class chances???

86: Disley disagrees with an offside call, and gets booked for dissent. I see Forrester trying to pull Disley away, but he must have said the magic word, because right after the yellow card went into the pocket, it came back out again, this time followed by a red. Bristol are down to 10. I try to decide if I should warn or fine Disley, the last five minutes of a game where we are down 1-0 is NOT the best time to get shirty with the man in black.

88: Swadi feeds Welch right at the 18, who puts one in the net, Cox was screened. Down 0-2, and my blood boils a bit MORE at Disley.

90: In the final seconds before injury time, Forrester has a chance, but puts it just wide. I vow to myself silently to do the next session with my forwards next to a barn, just so I can see if they can hit the broad side of it.

90 (3rd minute stoppage). Gibb takes the pass back, and tries a low hard shot. But that Fettis parries it again, and they clear.

90 (4th minute stoppage) Anderson takes a wild shot just seconds before the final whistle, and it went into the side netting.

We lose 2-0.

Macclesfield 2-0 Bristol Rovers (Disley Sent Off (2 bookings) 87')
Att: 3,126
Man of the Match: Macclesfield GK Alan Fettis (5 saves)

[SirFozzie]

Disley gets an automatic one-match suspension for the Sending Off, and he is the lucky winner of the new practice technique, reserved for those who really screw up, called. "Run laps until you fall down and can't get back up, or throw up, whichever happens first."

[SirFozzie]

I offer Edwards to a team who was interested in him for 2K. They decline, but two other teams (Exeter and Aldershot)make a bid for him.

Shelbourne's adventure in Europe is over, as they lost 2-1 on aggregate, to Croatian side Hadjuk. They were the only UK side in the 2nd qualifying round, but some big names will be in the final qualifying round, after which the 32 group teams will be drawn.

[SirFozzie]

With our 2nd game just three days after the first, our home game against Bury (in the league, we meet them in the League Cup later), sees a bunch of changes for tired players, and Disley's suspension (plus the fact he's still throwing up after running till he dropped)

GK: Cox
DL: Ryan
DC: Elliot
DC: J.Anderson
DR: Bardsley
ML: Trollope
MC: Hunt
MR: Savage
AMC: Campbell
FC: Forrester
FC: Agogo

S1: Clarke (GK)
S2: Burns (D C)
S3: Gibb (M RC)
S4:Thorpe (F C)
S5: Hinton (D RC)

[SirFozzie]

Bury come out in a defensive 3-2-3-2 with five players in either defense or defensive midfield.

3: Savage volleys wide after a nice move.

12: Cox parries a shot from Bury's Newby, and we clear.

14: Agogo has a great shot on a counter, but we just can't put a dent in the old onion bag, as Garner pushes it around the post.

17: Elliott goes chasing after a ball near midfield, which COMPLETELY leaves a zone open, and they thread a through ball to Newby in that zone.. and after a couple dribbles, he puts the ball by Cox. 0-1. Grrr.. have I mentioned I HATE ELLIOTT???

23: Agogo gets the ball outside the side of the box, makes two great moves, beats one guy, then another.. and shoots.. and puts it into the side of the net. Right now we couldn't hit the barn if we shot from INSIDE THE DANG THING.

33: Agogo with another great individual effort, but his cross is too deep and it's punched out by Garner.

42: They have a free kick outside the box, but Elliott clears it out with a header.

45: Agogo is injured and has to come off. @&@$&@!!!

45: (1st minute stoppage) Thorpe on for Agogo. Which is like replacing a car with a moped.

Halftime, 0-1.

56: Ryan with a cross, and Forrester is running for it, but it drifted a bit deep and Garner can collect.

60: Forrester comes up crocked, and needs to come off. So we didn't have a good attack to start.. and now both our starting forwards are hurt. Oy vey.

61: Gibb on for Forrester. Campbell moves up front, and Gibb's way out of position at AMC, but not much we can do.

70: Trollope with the pass back to Savage, but his shot is blocked before it can get on net.

81: Thorpe gets the ball at the 18, but his shot whizzes over. I am not surprised.

82: Savage tries his luck from 40 yards, and Garner has to tip the ball over.

That's all she wrote. 2 straight losses without a goal to start the year. 1-0 Bury.

[SirFozzie]

Oh bloody hell.

Agogo is done for a long time. There's a break in his leg. The doc says.. maybe half a year, maybe longer (7 months)

And Forrester is out for two months with a broken jaw.

Savage tweaked his shoulder and will miss 5 days.

so that's three players who will miss our next game in four days.

Oh man.

I get asked by the press how bad Agogo's injury affects our offense. I almost want to ask what offense.. weren't they watching what happened out there so far? Instead, I take the diplomatic route and say that our offense will be greatly affected by Agogo's abscence.

[SirFozzie]

On the injury front, Miller returns from injury, and while Cox hasn't played badly, it's going to be a toss up for who starts..

on the transfer market, Edwards will go to Exeter for 2K, after having agreed terms.

[SirFozzie]

Our next game is on the road against Chester.

Our lineup:
GK: Miller
DR: Bardsley
DL: Ryan
DC: J.Anderson
DC: Elliot
MR: Gibb
ML: Trollope
MC: Hunt
AMC: Disley
FC: Walker
FC: Townson

S1: Cox
S2: I.Anderson
S3: Campbell
S4: Thorpe
S5: Hinton

Dry, sunny and 23 celsius is the weather for the game.

We are even odds.

[SirFozzie]

3: A Great chance as a Give and Go frees Disley, but Brown saves the close-range effort

5: Watson of Chester booked.

12: Miller is called into action when Elliott leaves his zone to chase again, and leaves space open.

15: They lose a player to injury. I'm just glad it's them instead of me.

19: Ellison puts a cross in for Chester, and Harris heads it back across the goal into the corner of the net. Premiership goalies would have trouble with that one. 0-1 Down.

25: Trollope booked for a bad challenge.

26: Harris with the free kick. Miller thinks it's going over, but it slams off the crossbar, and falls right to Clare, who has a tap in. Miller still hadn't moved. 0-2 down. Grrr..

28: Gibb booked, and on the ensuing free kick, we have a Chinese fire drill.. *sigh* Hessey puts it in. 0-3 down.

we have one good chance in the half, but it's 3-0 Chester at half.

Gibb sent off for a 2nd yellow in the 2nd half, and I just shake my head.

Rapley makes it 4-0 with a half hour to play.. and the bench players look at each other.. one of em murmurs.. "oh, feck, are we going to be running this one off in practice."

and they are, trust me.

Hunt gets injured late, and I just want this farce to be OVER.

4-0 the final.

[SirFozzie]

Well, the sick list is growing and growing, and for a change growing..

Two more names go on it, after the Chester game. Hunt fractured a couple ribs, and will miss a month, while Beardsley started limping in the post match cool down, and the doc found he had strained a muscle in his calf. Out two weeks.

We have a sign put over the training room. "Abandon all game-fitness, ye who enter here".

It fits the mood of the team perfectly.

[SirFozzie]

We're continuing to hit the loan wire, just to cover all these injuries.

We bring in Leeds teenaged striker Barry Corr on a short term loan.

We're dead last after three games. But I figure that just means we have no where to go but up.. .... Right???

Our next game is home against Leyton Orient. Our lineup: (back to a standard 4-4-2 for now)

GK: Cox
DR: Hinton
DL: Ryan
DC: J.Anderson
DC: Elliot
MR: Campbell
ML: R. Williams
MC: Savage
MC: Trollope
FC: Towson
FC: Corr

S1: Miller
S2: Burns
S3: Disley
S4: Lescott
S5: I.Anderson

Dry, 13 degree Celsius weather.

[SirFozzie]

9: Scott putts one over the bar.. pretty decent defense on him pressured him a bit.

20: Elliott makes a fine interception, setting off a Bristol counterattack, but it Fizzles.

24: Leyton Orient's Justin Miller is booked for a two-footed challenge

26: Williams puts the cross in from the left, but Towson's header from close range is at a bad angle and goes over.

29: Cox saves in a one on one situation, with Orient's captain Alexander being freed by a ball over the top.

34: Corr freed on a pass from Campbell, his shot SLAMS into the post, and back out. Almost on his first shot!

42: Cox easily saves on a long range tester, he holds onto it too.

halftime, 0-0.

56: Alexander puts one wide far side. dodged a bullet there.

62: A great offensive move for Bristol, Trollope gets it out wide to Campbell (who's been really good out there today), and a cross for Towson.. Morris palms the header just up enough, it brushes the crossbar on its way over. our best move so far this season.

64: Disley on for an EXHAUSTED Williams.

76: Lockwood sends a free kick well wide of net.

79: Cox parries a 35 yard free kick around the post, maybe should've had it cleanly, it didn't swerve, or dip, or anything, but the important thing is it's still 0-0.

80: Ibhere with a shot, Cox dives to his right.. deflects BACK to the left.. I'm watching in horror.. OFF THE POST... Whew.

82: Saah well wide from distance.

90: (1st minute of stoppage time) well.. a long free kick from Miller from well inside the Leyton Orient half finds Alexander in space, and he pots one in off the post. Down 0-1..

(pause)...

DAMNIT.

0-1 Final. Won 0, Drew 0 Loss 4, Goals for, *0*, Goals Against 8.

[SirFozzie]

The League Cup game with Bury is next. We're on the road, we're 0-4, we haven't even scored a goal yet.

So I change tactics again, to a 4-3-3 normal formation. We're going to put some pressure on and see if that changes our luck. We also go to a long ball attack.. it's not tactically pretty, but when you haven't scored in 360 minutes, you don't care about the pretty.

The lineup:

GK: Miller
DR: Hinton
DL: Ryan
DC: J Anderson
DC: Elliot
MC: Savage
MC: Trollope
MC: Disley
FC: Walker
FC: Haldane
FC: Towson

S1: Cox
S2: Burns
S3: Campbell
S4: Corr
S5: I. Anderson

Dry, and 12 degrees Celsius conditions.

[SirFozzie]

Bury comes out in a 3-4-3, so I expect plenty of offense. Hopefully by beingin a 4-3-3, we can skip over the midfield with long balls.

14: Newby booked for Bury

18: Miller denies Nugent on a close range shot.

22: Savage booked for a trip of an opponent. Lucky not to be sent off.

23: Dunfield puts a free kick right at the edge of the box over.

25: Nugent just fakes Elliot out of his uniform, and breaks in all alone, J.Anderson knocks it away just before the shot. On the ensuing play, Mattis puts it well wide.

29: Haldane gets the long ball, runs on, and shoots.. just wide.. the commentator says it for me. "WHERE IS THE FINISH?"

30: Elliot booked for a bad challenge.

36: Another free kick in a dangerous location, fortunately Barry-Murphy's shot swerves wide.

38: Bristol wins a corner. Elliott will take it. Looks like it's too close to the goalie, there's a pile up.. and Kevin Towson gets above the goalie (who was late in jumping) and heads it home! Our first competitive goal of the season! 1-0 Bristol!!!!!!!!

45 (2nd Minute Stoppage time): Newby shoots wide.

1-0 Bristol Rovers at the half.

Halftime: Burns on for J Anderson, who's had a rough game distributing the ball.

68: Porter finds Dunfield, who heads it past Miller, who was slow to react. 1-1.

79: Barry-Murphy hits a free kick from just outside the box. Well over.

90: Corr on for Haldane. Let's see if some fresh legs can settle this before extra time here in the Cup.

90 (1st minute stoppage time): Santi with a shot from just outside the box, but Miller, who seems to have it, makes a complete howler of it and lets it in. *sigh* Down 1-2.

And that's the way it ends.

[SirFozzie]

Valencia sees off Porto 1-0 to win the European Super Cup at the Stade Louis II.

I'm trying a completely new tactic for the game at Lincoln. We've been pretty decent on the wings, but been killifed on the middle of the field.

Our tactic is a 3-1-3-3. No wingers, but the left and right center midfielders are to make side runs, as are the two forwards to the left and right of the middle.

It's hard to do with all the injuries.. but this is how it turns out.

GK: Cox
DC: J.Anderson
DC: Elliott
DC: Hinton
MC: Trollope
MC: Campbell
MC: Savage
FC: Townson
FC: Haldane
FC: Corr

S1: Miller (I'm still pissed at him for that howler against Bury)
S2: Walker
S3: Burns
S4: Thorpe
S5: Lescott

Lincoln go COMPLETELY defensive. a 3-3-2-1-1 with only one AMC and one SC.

[SirFozzie]

2: Well, so far the tactic doesn't work, Cox has to make a diving stop on a cross and a diving header.

8: Haldane with a NICE pass to Savage who blasts it from 25 yards, ticketed for the corner of the net, but, in the story of our life, Marriott makes a diving stop.

9: Bardsley with a PERFECT long pass to Corr, who takes it to the byline, crosses it, Townson nods it back to Haldane, but Marriott stones him.. Townson has a chance for the rebound, but his shot is blocked.

20: Lincoln's Gordon booked for dissent.

22: Campbell puts one just out in front of Corr, but trying to fight off two defenders, his shot is saved by Marriott. the Long ball seems to be working here.

30: Trollope has two chances at goal. First one blocked right back to him, 2nd one wide.

32: Campbell wide on a half-chance.

Halftime, 0-0, but we're making Lincoln work defensively.

58: Cox dives and tips a yeo shot over the bar,

73: Bardsley with a chance.. he strikes it wide.

73: Thorpe on for Corr, and Lescott on for Campbell

76: Lescott's shot is wide of target.

78: Savage makes the run up the left side.. to Thorpe, who touches it on to Lescott. Lescott has it.. Haldane's open but offsides.. Lescott wisely keeps it.. moves forward.. Haldane dives back onside.. Marriott out to stop the shot.. and LESCOTT SLOTS IT UNDER MARRIOTT AND IN!.. GREAT GOAL.. 1-0 Bristol!

79: Cox makes TWO diving stops to stop a Lincoln attack right after the restart.

81: Morgan shoots wide for Lincoln from outside the 18. It's all hands man the pumps time. We just want to keep them out of our net for 10+ more minutes!

84: Bad marking leaves Robertson for Lincoln WIDE open.. but COX makes the save and holds on! WOW.

85: Lincoln are pressing forward now, looking for the equalizer.. and Thorpe gets the long ball on the counter.. shoots.. beats the goalie.. OFF THE POST.. argghhhh that would have been a clinching goal!

90 (2nd minute stoppage) Thorpe takes the ball crosses.. Townson all alone.. saved by Marriott, scramble in front.. another shot blocked.. they clear. But there are seconds to go.. Lincoln dive forward.. we're caught out.. Gordon shoots.. and puts it in off the far post. Devestation!

we don't even get to the restart.. 1-1 final. Our first point, and first goal. We looked like the better team today.

[SirFozzie]

Even with the loans.. we still have room for a couple more players.. and while none of em will set the world on fire, at least we can afford it

We sign Scottish Third Division side reserve forward Christopher Fisher for 20% of next sale, and Kettering Reserve forward Mark Cartlidge will join us for a 40% of next sale clause. Neither expect to see much action, but we'll see how they develop. besides. The price is definitely right

[SirFozzie]

Both Fisher and Cartlidge make it clear that while they understand they may not break into the first team setup right away here at Bristol, they hope to work hard and hope that I will reward them with a place on the first team. Good luck guys!

We also brought Free transfer Keith Graydon in for a trial. Our coaches liked the way he played, so we offer him a contract. He officially joins us on the morning of our next game against Boston Utd. We are still bottom with one point from four games, Boston Utd is 3rd.

GK: Cox
DC: J Anderson
DC: Elliott
DC: Ryan (normally a D L)
DMC: Bardsley (normally a D C)
MC: Savage
MC: Campbell
MC: Trollope
FC: Thorpe
FC: Walker
FC: Townson

S1: Miller
S2: Burns
S3: Hinton
S4: Haldane
S5: Corr

Dry and 8 Degree weather. We've been lucky it's been dry lately.

[SirFozzie]

They are in a standard 4-4-2.

10: Townson booked for dissent.

21: Boston Utd's Ellender booked for pulling a Rovers player back.

23: McManus booked for dissent for Boston Utd

33: Thorpe earns us a corner by harrying a defender deep, but it comes to nothing.

41: West booked for a challenge on Trollope, Boston Utd's 3rd yellow.

Halftime, 0-0. Not much happening either way.

48: Holland puts a free kick from a long way away towards net, but it's harmlessley high.

49: Thomas jumps unfairly with Thorpe. The referee, Mark Cooper shows him a yellow, Boston's FOURTH yellow.. with almost a full half to go!

51: Bardsley booked for a challenge (he got the ball, but kinda crumped the opposition at the same time)

58: Trollope booked for pushing a Boston Utd player over challenging for a 50/50 ball. That makes seven total yellow cards issued (4 for them, 3 for us.)

64: Burns (making his debut) on for Beardsley, and Haldane on for Walker, after Walker limps off after a challenge.

69: Greaves gets booked for Boston, which makes it 5, and an automatic fine from the FA... Suckerrrrrsssss...

71: Ok, the ref's just LOOKING for players on Boston Utd to put in the book, and McCann is sixth.

76: Wow, an entry that doesn't involve a yellow card! Townson finds Campbell, but he couldn't guide his shot.

77: Anderson with a deep cross, but too deep and at a bad angle, all Thorpe can do is put it into the side of the net.

85: A scramble in the Rovers box gives Watson a perfect chance, but it rattles the post, and we clear.

0-0 Final. Our 2nd draw in a row. We remain on bottom with two points from six games, but it's still early, and now we just need to get a win or two and we'll move up quickly.

[SirFozzie]

Here's the standings (you may need to scroll from side to side)

| Pos   | Inf   | Team           |       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | G.D.  | Pts   | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 1st   |       | Cheltenham     |       | 6     | 5     | 1     | 0     | 11    | 2     | +9    | 16    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 2nd   |       | Rushden        |       | 6     | 5     | 0     | 1     | 10    | 3     | +7    | 15    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 3rd   |       | Boston Utd     |       | 6     | 3     | 3     | 0     | 8     | 3     | +5    | 12    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 4th   |       | Swansea        |       | 6     | 3     | 2     | 1     | 14    | 7     | +7    | 11    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 5th   |       | Leyton Orient  |       | 6     | 3     | 2     | 1     | 8     | 6     | +2    | 11    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 6th   |       | Chester        |       | 6     | 3     | 1     | 2     | 12    | 6     | +6    | 10    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 7th   |       | Southend       |       | 6     | 3     | 1     | 2     | 12    | 12    | 0     | 10    | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 8th   |       | Cambridge      |       | 6     | 3     | 0     | 3     | 8     | 6     | +2    | 9     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 9th   |       | Wycombe        |       | 6     | 2     | 3     | 1     | 8     | 8     | 0     | 9     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 10th  |       | Macclesfield   |       | 6     | 2     | 2     | 2     | 9     | 8     | +1    | 8     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 11th  |       | Northampton    |       | 6     | 2     | 2     | 2     | 6     | 6     | 0     | 8     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 12th  |       | Bury           |       | 6     | 2     | 2     | 2     | 4     | 6     | -2    | 8     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 13th  |       | Oxford         |       | 6     | 1     | 4     | 1     | 9     | 6     | +3    | 7     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 14th  |       | Scunthorpe     |       | 6     | 1     | 4     | 1     | 11    | 9     | +2    | 7     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 15th  |       | Darlington     |       | 6     | 2     | 1     | 3     | 6     | 7     | -1    | 7     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 16th  |       | Lincoln        |       | 6     | 2     | 1     | 3     | 6     | 7     | -1    | 7     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 17th  |       | Shrewsbury     |       | 6     | 2     | 1     | 3     | 6     | 7     | -1    | 7     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 18th  |       | Grimsby        |       | 6     | 2     | 1     | 3     | 7     | 10    | -3    | 7     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 19th  |       | Yeovil         |       | 6     | 2     | 1     | 3     | 4     | 12    | -8    | 7     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 20th  |       | Mansfield      |       | 6     | 1     | 3     | 2     | 5     | 7     | -2    | 6     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 21st  |       | Rochdale       |       | 6     | 2     | 0     | 4     | 6     | 10    | -4    | 6     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 22nd  |       | Notts Co       |       | 6     | 1     | 1     | 4     | 6     | 9     | -3    | 4     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 23rd  |       | Kidderminster  |       | 6     | 1     | 0     | 5     | 2     | 13    | -11   | 3     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 24th  |       | Bristol Rovers |       | 6     | 0     | 2     | 4     | 1     | 9     | -8    | 2     | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
|       |       |                |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       | 
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

[Desnudo]

That is some ugliness. Good luck with the rest of the season. I'm sure you'll turn it around!

[SirFozzie]

Thanks Desnudo

We draw the POSH SCUM in the Vans Trophy 1st Round South, as we take on League One side Petereborouh.

England kick off their European World Cup Qualifying with a 1-0 win at Austria. Fellow Group 6 UK teams, Wales (3-1 winners over Azerbaijan), and Northern Ireland (2-1 shock winners over Poland) also win their opening games. Scotland had the game off, and Ireland beat minnows Cyprus in Group 4, 1-0

There were two other upsets in the first full round of qualifiers, as Georgia defeated Turkey, 2-0 in Turkey, and Iceland defeated Bulgaria 1-0

[SirFozzie]

the 2nd round of Euro WCQ happened, just days after the first set, in a mid-week clash.

England got goals from David Beckham (who converted a Penalty kick), and two from Steven Gerrard, to beat Poland 3-0.

In an all-UK group 6 encounter, Wales moved to the top of group 6 with 4-0 shellacking of Northern Ireland.

Scotland got their WCQ campaign off to a winning start with a 3-1 win over Estonia.

Ireland took advantage of the shock result of the round, with the Faroe Islands tying France at the Faroe Islands 1-1, when they defeated Switzerland 1-0 at Switzerland, they moved to the head of group 4, with a maximum 6 points from the two games.

[SirFozzie]

For the game at Cambridge (8th in L2), I give a couple of our new players a start to see how they react.

GK: Cox
DC: Bardsley
DC: J Anderson
DC: Elliott
DMC: Cartlidge (Debut)
MC: Savage
MC: Campbell
MC: Trollope
FC: Graydon
FC: Walker
FC: Townson

S1: Miller
S2: Hinton
S3: Disley
S4: Haldane
S5: Ryan

9 Degrees and dry/sunny today.

[SirFozzie]

Cambridge comes out in the 4-5-1, with only the striker in the offensive half. I expect a low scoring game, but I think we're starting to get our feet under us.

7: Bardsley with a good header out of play to give Cambridge a corner. It's a good header because if it went over his head, the cross was going to find an open Cambridge attacker.

10: Graydon is free on the right side.. Nearly all alone.. takes it almost to the six yard box, shoots, but Wales U21 goalie James Jowsey makes a tremendous stop.. and Cambridge scramble it behind before we can put home the rebound.

19: Graydon puts one well-wide, he was free, but only for the moment, and he tried to hurry his shot.

21: Savage turns it over deep in our half, and Guttridge has an attempt that skids wide.

22: Beech gets the ball deep on the left side, crosses it, and Easter is there to nod it home in the left corner. Not much Cox could do on that one. Down 0-1.

26: Tudor puts a free kick well over.

31: A nice flick on header puts Walker free, but Jowsey stones him cold on the shot. What is it with goalies playing awesome versus us so far this year (admittedly, Jowsey's been awesome this year. Despite giving up a goal a game, he has an average rating of 7.80)

33: Townson has a half-chance, with two Cambridge players trying to ride him off the ball without getting a penalty.. the first shot is deflected and slams into the diving Jowsey, but Townson gets the balll back and lifts it over the prone Jowsey... AND INTO THE NET! 1-1. Gritty never give up goal from Townson!

38: Cartilidge booked for dissent

40: Trollope with a nice pass to Townson, who's further out left here then he was.. he crosses it, and Walker heads it.. off the crossbar, and Jowsey dives on it.

41: Tudor with the corner, Beech hits a half-volley, deflected and completely wrong-foots Cox. down 1-2.

Halftime. Down 2-1, but it's been a good game. We are getting better and better, but it's a matter of now finishing it off.

Haldane comes on for Graydon as we come back from halftime.

46: Beech is killing us with his crosses. I wish I had a player like him right now. Another perfct cross arrives on the foot of Luke Guttridge who slots it home. Down 1-3.

64: Jowsey denies Townson. What I wouldn't give to put a laxative in the other goalie's coffee before a game. great saves.

71: Cox comes out on a ball he just can't get to, and Cambridge sub Daniel Chillingsworth feeds Guttridge who has to side foot it home for the 4-1 lead. *sigh*

76: And in the time it took me to type the above, it's now 5-1 from Ashley Nicholls.

79: And we're hit for a sixth as Chillingsworth continues the humiliation.

87: Savage puts a FK wide

It's mercifully over. 6-1.

Cox had a four rating, and Elliott and Anderson had 5's. I know it seems like I have a grudge against the guy, but Elliott's play is so eccentric.. it really pisses me off. I decide he's going to get an official warning for poor play. I can't really do much to Cox, as he's a loaner.

[SirFozzie]

Elliott shocks me by... taking the news calmly and even apologizing..

Steve Elliott has apologised for his poor performance in his previous match and admits that he dserved his official warning. He understands that senior squad members have to lead by example and has said that he will try to motivate himself more for future matches.

Ok.. let's see if that leads to results.

[SirFozzie]

Here's our line up for our next game, at home against Notts County.

GK: Miller (Fox has earned a spot on the bench for the next few.)
DC: Ryan
DC: Elliott (let's see how he does after being called on the carpet)
DC: J Anderson
DMC: Bardsley (Hunt is just not fit yet to take the DMC duties)
MC: Savage
MC: Campbell
MC: Trollope
FC: Fisher (debut)
FC: Walker
FC: Townson

S1: Cox
S2: Hinton
S3: Lescott
S4: Thorpe
S5: Gibb

A little bit warmer, 13 degrees celsius.

[SirFozzie]

Notts Co come out in a 4-3-3.. they probably want to put a big # against us as well, but a home win here would be huge, Notts Co is 22nd in the table, and a win would move us close to moving out of the relegation zone.

2: They have an early shot at goal from a cross, but it wouldn't have counted anyway, as they were flagged for offside.

9: Robinson shoots wide for Notts.

18: Walker puts it over the bar, one-on-one with the goalie. *sigh*

19: Walker shoots, and this time it's on targetm but Notts goalie Mildenhall tips it over the bar. Corner doesn't amount to much

23: Biggins booked for a trip just outside the Notts penalty area. Trollope takes the free kick, and it catches the crossbar and goes over.

25: Campbell booked for dissent.

32: Trollope again, and again, over the bar.

38: Savage's turn to kick a field goal, well over the bar.

45 (1st minute stoppage time) We have two great chances. the first, by Trollope beats the keeper but CANNONS off the crossbar, then about 30 seconds later, Townson is in at a bad angle, but Mildenhall makes the save.

0-0 at the Half, 9 shots, 2 on goal. Sheesh.

48: Trollope shoots over from just outside the box. We got a great bunch of FG kickers.. sadly you don't score points that way in footy.

54: A Notts player, Bolland is booked for holding back Trollope. In the resulting free kick, Savage goes for a bit of variety by booting the ball wide of net (don't worry, it was high too!)

58: Whitlow booked for Notts, (their third, for dissent)

63: You think they would have learned that back-chatting the referee was going to get your name added to the book, neh? (Biggins, Notts 4th player to receive a yellow)

64: Townson with the cross.. punched out by Mildenhall, there's a bit of a scramble for it, Campbell gets it with his back to goal, and going away from goal side foots it over to Savage. The fans are already putting up their arms in the American signal to show a kick is good (IE, over the bar), but Savage.. PUTS IT LOW AND IN THE NET! 1-0 Bristol! Who'da thunk it??

67: Thorpe on for Fisher, Lescott on for Campbell

73: Thorpe just wide.. but a great long ball by Ryan as Notts shifts towards the attack.

75: Ryan booked for a foul stopping a Notts attack.

79: A free kick by Scully of Notts Co is well over.

83: Townson wrong-foots the keeper, but can't keep it on target, and they dodge a bullet.

87: Biggins with a hit and hope from 45 yards out, well wide. no shot really.

88: Townson wide of net... but we're really more clock watching at this point, and he does put it high enough that we have to get another ball while the fans toss that one back

89: Mildenhall makes the save on Thorpe.

90: Hinton on for Bardsley, as we try to chew on the clock a bit

And there's the whistle! We've finally broken the duck on the year with our first win.

1-0 final.

[SirFozzie]

The win officially moves us out of the relegation zone, as we're up to 22nd. with 5 points from 8 games.

[SirFozzie]

We put our longest win streak of the season (errr... one) on the line as we travel to 20th ranked Darlington. Hunt is practicing fully with the team again, recovered fully, while Forrester's jaw is no longer wired shut, but he's still a long way away from game fitness.

Our Lineup:
GK: Miller
DC: Bardsley
DC: Elliott (a 7 last game, not bad.. I'm not letting up on him though)
DC: Ryan
DMC: Hunt (making his return from injury, I'm not expecting him to go 90)
MC: Savage
MC: Campbell
MC: Trollope
FC: Walker
FC: Townson
FC: Thorpe

Subs: Cox, Hinton, Lescott, J Anderson, Fisher

Our streak of good weather continues. A bit cloudy, but otherwise fine (10 degrees Celsius)

[SirFozzie]

Darlington's main threat is Alun Armstrong, who has scored 5 of their 8 goals so far thsi year. They too come out in a 4-3-3.

2: Walker has a header saved by Russell, but it's a good start.

4: Walker wide on his second attempt.

5: Ryan lucky not to be sent off after a two footed challenge. He is booked, however.

11: Trollope scrapes the outside of the post with a shot across goal.

18: Hignett booked for dissent after Notts give up a free kick. Walker (that guy again ) puts the free kick over the bar though.

27: Close booked for a challenge, and Hignett still has some things to say to the ref after that previous incident. Uh, bad idea. Up pops the 2nd yellow, and he'll be in the showers before halftime (hope he doesn't use up all the hot water....)

28: We very nearly take instant advantage of the sending off, as Hunt pops one off the crossbar, and we have another chance, but Notts scramble it out for the corner.

32: Wijnhard goes well wide with a long shot for Darlington.. Darlington shifts into a 3-3-3.. very odd..

36: Armstrong is getting crowded everytime he touches the ball. He gets a moment of daylight, but his shot from distance is well wide.

38: Clarke receives the fourth yellow card for Darlington. (remember, Hignett got two of them)

41: Did I say four? Make it five (We really must be good at winding up the opposition, that's the SECOND time this year our opponent's got some 'splanin to do to the FA), as Hutchinson is booked.

Halftime. 0-0. But we still have another 45 minutes to go, and hopefully the man advantage will tell.

46: Thorpe plays a great ball for Townson, and he crosses it over to Walker, who was in space, but the header went over.

52: Walker with a cross that's way too deep.. and the Darlington goalie actually has to tap it over the bar, just in case.

59: Walker takes a cross and tries to put it far post back the way it came, but misses it horribly.

62: Two yellows in a row, one each way. Hutchinson for Darlington, Savage for us.

65: Armstrong with a long distance header, but he couldn't get much on it, Miller makes the save.

74: Hunt booked for dissent (I think he's more trying to catch his breath...) Lescott and Fisher on for Hunt and Walker.

90: (3rd minute of stoppage time), well, just when I think it's going to end with a whimper and not a bang.. they throw one last attack forward, Miller goes up for a fairly routine punch of a cross, and the @$&)@$&@) ref somehow thinks Miller pushed off (HOW CAN HE.. He's COMING INTO the )@$&)@7 pileup!!!) and awards the penalty.

You're shittin me..

Wijnhard with the penalty... SAVED BY MILLER!

And a metaphorical middle finger to the ref.

0-0 final. We really need someone who can put the ball in the net.

[SirFozzie]

We play a second team in the Vans Trophy, and they do ok, but lose 2-1 to Peterborough.

Well, gain one, lose one, as late in the week, Jaime Forrester returns to action after his broken jaw, but we lose Steve Elliott to a twisted knee for a couple weeks. We'll have to make a decision on him soon. We just can't afford to tie 3K/week wages in a average to good player.

We place an advert for some additional coaches, and wait to see what we get.