v Bristol City (a) - 4/11/25

[...]

4 minutes ago, rigger said:

Perhaps Hedges is now being asked to do a job more suited to his capabilities ?

Perhaps so yeah looking it like that, looks more settled anyway

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, arbitro said:

For the fourth time this season the journey home felt far better despite the best efforts of Highways England to change that.

Once again I thought we were the better side particularly in the first half when we were dominant and Bristol were reduced to counter attacking. Getting a goal when in a position of dominance is so important and that is what we did (at one stage I thought our Achilles Heel of missing presentable chances would cost us) so for me that was stage one completed.

We knew the second half would be a backs to the wall job, almost a role reversal from the first half. But we, once again defended valiantly and being completely honest I was relaxed about holding on to the lead.

We were desperately unlucky with injuries in the second half but he much maligned Forshaw in particular came on and did a really good job. Despite the referee doing his best to give Bristol a chance (from afar we thought the tired challenge by Alebiosu was a penalty so perhaps I can forgive him for the extraordinary amount of stoppage time.

Whilst we are on a good run it was heartening to hear a some Rovers fans singing anti Venky songs.

Well done to the staff and players once again. They have been questioned many times this season for various reasons but one thing nobody can question is their commitment to the cause.

I thought the injury time was inevitable due to the injury to Toth, and to a much lesser extent to Wharton.

Alebiosu I think got a slight touch on the ball, although it looked to be just outside the box anyway.

[...]

Fingers crossed for our fake injuries....

[roversfan99]

Hedges certainly suits the wing back role more than being a winger. He still isnt very productive in the final third but there is less onus on that in this system and he plays this position as if hes played it lots before.

[...]

1 hour ago, arbitro said:

For the fourth time this season the journey home felt far better despite the best efforts of Highways England to change that.

Once again I thought we were the better side particularly in the first half when we were dominant and Bristol were reduced to counter attacking. Getting a goal when in a position of dominance is so important and that is what we did (at one stage I thought our Achilles Heel of missing presentable chances would cost us) so for me that was stage one completed.

We knew the second half would be a backs to the wall job, almost a role reversal from the first half. But we, once again defended valiantly and being completely honest I was relaxed about holding on to the lead.

We were desperately unlucky with injuries in the second half but he much maligned Forshaw in particular came on and did a really good job. Despite the referee doing his best to give Bristol a chance (from afar we thought the tired challenge by Alebiosu was a penalty so perhaps I can forgive him for the extraordinary amount of stoppage time.

Whilst we are on a good run it was heartening to hear a some Rovers fans singing anti Venky songs.

Well done to the staff and players once again. They have been questioned many times this season for various reasons but one thing nobody can question is their commitment to the cause.

Hats off for getting down there, not an easy Tuesday night logistically 👏👏👏👏👏

[Parsonblue]

Two wonderful performances in four days for those of us who travel to every away game.  This was very much a game of two halves.  In the first, we played some great stuff at times and dominated the home side.  In the second half we showed a different side to our character with a really dogged performance to defend the lead and grind out a result.  There can be no doubt that these players are definitely playing for Ismael.  One could see at the end the relationship between players and manager is a close one. 

Defensively we look so more solid and the players are putting their bodies on the line to block shots and make tackles to keep the opposition at bay.  Scott's brilliant diving headed clearance with a boot heading towards his head being a perfect example.  Scott is playing out of his skin and the moment and for me is the perfect captain.

Two players who seem to get a fair amount of stick were outstanding last night.  Hedges makes this team so much better when he is in it.  Playing with a back three you need wing backs who can attack and defend and last night he was non-stop in doing both.  The other player was Forshaw who was excellent when he came on in midfield.  He used his experience to anchor things in midfield whilst also getting forward.

I must admit that Gardner-Hickman is really growing on me and is a real workhorse in midfield.

Up front, Yuki and Gudjohnsen are beginning to look a more than decent partnership.  Yuki just never stops and is the very definition of a ninety-minute player.

The injuries to Toth and Scott are a worry but, hopefully, the international break has come at the right time.  Six points from the first four days of November is a wonderful return.

[rigger]

3 minutes ago, ... said:

Fingers crossed for our fake injuries....

Who gives a shit what Bristol fans think, I know I don't.

[...]

Just now, rigger said:

Who gives a shit what Bristol fans think, I know I don't.

I don't just like to see how they thought they played but thought this was funny

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

55 minutes ago, joey_big_nose said:

Looking ahead to Derby I think Id go

                            Pears

            Miller.   McLoughlin.  Pickering

Alebiouso.    TGH.     Forshaw.     Hedges 

                          Morishita 

                Ohashi.       Gudjonsen 

Just look to get forward down the right and defend on the left. Bring Montgomery, De Neve, Henricksson for extra energy around the 60th-70th minute. I have include Forshaw as I think Montgomery and TGH are a bit too similar in how they are most comfortable getting forward, and we will need someone who can drop off and calm things down a bit in the middle.

If we had Toth and Wharton id be optimistic, but feels like our defensive confidence could be quite fragile. First goal even more crucial than usual.

If both Wharton and Toth are unavailable I’d be happy with that starting line up. Who would be captain in those circumstances ? I thought Wharton was doing a good job in the role incidentally.

[Exiled_Rover]

56 minutes ago, ... said:

Fingers crossed for our fake injuries....

Sadly you know the Toth one will be a bad one.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, ... said:

Fingers crossed for our fake injuries....

You don’t take your captain and your goalkeeper off with “ fake injuries “. 

[...]

6 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

You don’t take your captain and your goalkeeper off with “ fake injuries “. 

Also name one team in the championship that doesn't shithouse to run the time down. Every team does it we hate it when it's against us so fake or not we won 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️🔵⚪️

[davulsukur]

1 hour ago, ... said:

Fingers crossed for our fake injuries....

Once we discover the extent of the injuries, I hope you go back on there and tell them to stop moaning

(although I hope neither are injured but we just ain't that lucky)

[Gaz85]

Outstanding 3 points. I thought first half we were excellent and well worthy of the lead. Second half was a tough watch but to not concede a shot on target is credit to the team on how well organised we were.

I never try to get too down after defeats and likewise will not get ahead of myself after these 3 wins. I think it was after the Sheff Utd game I made a post saying I’d stick with the manager (as unpopular as he was then). I think we’re starting to see a system and style of play that suits these players.

The injuries to Wharton and Toth and suspension to Tronstad are a real blow for Saturday. Fingers crossed they are not too serious but as we know with Scotty history would suggest he may be out for a little while. Lets hope not.

Roll on Saturday!

 

[norwichblue]

Just watched the highlights. Very smart run from Mori for the assist. Shields the defender off and picks out Yuki nicely. Think the best is yet to come from Mori while he finds his feet with the physicality of the EFL.

[rovers11]

Well, well what a change in fortunes. Honestly, I felt we were down and out after some dismal results and a complete lack of championship experience. 3 games later and we're looking transformed. Solid at the back, dangerous going forward, comfortably beating 2 of the best teams in the league away from home, and the new signings starting to settle in and look very good players at this level. All the more impressive that it's been done without Cantwell, who is by far our best player.

The change in formation has been a game changer. Just suits the players more and keeps us tighter at the back.

Of the new signings, Alebiousu has been a real find. Has to be one of the best RBs in the league right now. Miller is everything I like in a defender, McLaughlin is a cool head at the back, De Neve looks good at wing back, Gudjohnsen is firing, TGH is a workhorse in the middle, and Mori is very industrious. Still think there's more to come from him. Tavares and Henriksson yet to shine.

Toth and Wharton injuries are a worry. Ironic that Toth could have sat on a deckchair all game last night as he had nothing to do...yet gets injured. There was always a danger of Wharton picking up an injury playing so many games in quick succession.

[TheWeasel]

I felt like Toth was struggling a bit throughout the match I noticed fairly early on after a few goal kicks he seemed to be stretching his knee like it was bothering him. Wouldn't surprise me if he started with a bit of a knock and it's turned into something worse.

[Exiled_Rover]

34 minutes ago, norwichblue said:

Just watched the highlights. Very smart run from Mori for the assist. Shields the defender off and picks out Yuki nicely. Think the best is yet to come from Mori while he finds his feet with the physicality of the EFL.

Incisive ball from the RCB too.

[Mercer]

Three wins on the bounce, very good.

Last night, especially 2nd half, a dire watch.  How anyone can criticise Big Sam's football when we were getting results against all comers in the PL!!!

Ismael seems to have hit upon a formation that works for us - would be folly to change it, our players need to develop and grow within that system.

Injuries to Toth (huge worry with a knee and seemed to be playing with issue until forced to come off) and Wharton (shouldn't play on Saturday <three games in a week> even if 'fit' given what he's coming back from) big worries, compounded by Tronstad's suspension, will sadly show how shallow our squad is on quality. 

Edited 7 hours ago by Mercer

[premier_dreamer]

Just savouring the moment. Football's about hope, hope you'll beat the dingles, hope you'll get the rub of the green against the team trouncing everyone, and hope you'll stay up or go up. And only the team you watch gives you that hope. I had my doubts, and watching the blues had become painful, but these last three games have given me enough hope to think we won't be in a relegation battle.

COYB! Bring on Eustace

 

Edited 7 hours ago by premier_dreamer
Add

[Groundhog]

I thought the 2nd half against Sheff Utd at home recently was our line in the sand, hitting rock bottom. I thought that we as club, and Ismael, wouldn't recover from it - for me it was one of the worst performances in recent years. Seemingly the players have also alluded to having similar feelings (Wharton's interview in particular), maybe they've collectively decided it just wasn't good enough and it's been a wake up call for them too.

Last night they reminded me of a Hughes team, they were getting properly stuck in and putting bodies on the line. Fair play to them, I really doubted their resolve but they've proved me wrong.

[joey_big_nose]

3 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

If both Wharton and Toth are unavailable I’d be happy with that starting line up. Who would be captain in those circumstances ? I thought Wharton was doing a good job in the role incidentally.

McLoughlin got the armband yesterday after Wharton went off so I guess they will stick with that with Tronstad also out.

[davulsukur]

2 hours ago, norwichblue said:

Just watched the highlights. Very smart run from Mori for the assist. Shields the defender off and picks out Yuki nicely. Think the best is yet to come from Mori while he finds his feet with the physicality of the EFL.

He had a good first half. The whole team came out and played badly in the second half but Mori was (probably) rightly hooked. 

I agree though, feels like there is a player there and he's shown flashes of it when he's been on the pitch. Might take a bit longer for him to get to grips with the league etc. but i'm quietly confident he'll do well once he's up to speed (you could argue he should already be up to speed by now but some players do take longer to adapt.)

I think the change of position has helped him no end though, he was poor out wide.

[joey_big_nose]

57 minutes ago, davulsukur said:

He had a good first half. The whole team came out and played badly in the second half but Mori was (probably) rightly hooked. 

I agree though, feels like there is a player there and he's shown flashes of it when he's been on the pitch. Might take a bit longer for him to get to grips with the league etc. but i'm quietly confident he'll do well once he's up to speed (you could argue he should already be up to speed by now but some players do take longer to adapt.)

I think the change of position has helped him no end though, he was poor out wide.

Hmmm i don't think we played badly at all second half. Conceded virtually no chances. If we play that badly while protecting a lead I am all for it.

[Dreams of 1995]

8 hours ago, Parsonblue said:

Two players who seem to get a fair amount of stick were outstanding last night.  Hedges makes this team so much better when he is in it.  Playing with a back three you need wing backs who can attack and defend and last night he was non-stop in doing both.  The other player was Forshaw who was excellent when he came on in midfield.  He used his experience to anchor things in midfield whilst also getting forward.

 

 

You have hit the nail on the head with Hedges. The criticism has always been unfair. I’ve seen him be called useless and worthless to have on a pitch. Couldn’t be any further from the truth. You can tell he’s the type of player you would love to have on your side - he isn’t obnoxious, he’s not a trouble maker, he works hard and he’s a tidy player too

One bad injury spell aside, he’s been ever present. Must be approaching his 150 apps for us now - all for less than £200k. In his time at the club he’s been ever present under 4 different coaches. In that time, we’ve been a top half club every season except for 23/24, which coincidentally he was injured most of that season.

In no way saying that was the root cause of our issues that season but it does show his importance to this squad. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Dreams of 1995