JPTSwindon

Markandy is a strange one - came to us with high expectations, with only fleeting glimpses. Prospered on loan, but unlike others hasn't returned to boost our squad. Presume he will be snapped up by a League One team.

Anyone given this a go and if so, was it worth it?

It's almost as exciting as waiting for the fixture list to be announced!

Yes - a real downside of the ever changing kick off times is for many this messes up transport. Is it worth (on these forums somewhere?) seeing if there someone near you who would carshare to matches? I live in Swindon and I did that years ago on here and someone messaged me and I was able to get to a few more games.

So many football clubs have delays waiting for their new kits - you'd think the suppliers would produce some in advance, rather than try to make them all over the summer?!

As the WSL are increasing (perhaps understandably) the requirements, the the costs will have jumped - which against our very poor attendance figures is the nub of problem we presume? Yes, poor comms from the club, they should have shared the position / challenge. Now, the 'Supporters Coalition' has called for action, presumably many don't want to see the team disappear. So perhaps the middle ground would be if there is a big jump in the costs, then the club could match whatever extra 'raise' through extra season tickets etc. People understandably want to rally around, so let them.

WBA v Blackburn 21st March 1987. We won 1-0, I think Alan Ainscow scored after we missed a penalty (Simon Barker brought down in the box). My Dad was a WBA fan, so took me for my first match. I was very confused why everyone cheered us missing a penalty - we were sat in the WBA end and I hadn't appreciated not everyone would support Rovers! Next time we came (Sept 1989) I wore my Rovers shirt so Dad had to take me in the away end! (Where Colin Hendry was sat in the stands as he was due to join Chelsea the following day (which then changed to Man City) - all the fans were ignoring him, so my Dad said go up and ask for an autograph and he was really nice). Good times!

That was good fun! Though remembering the correct spelling of quite a few of our players was a challenge!

I bloomin love the Tour de France! Tour of Britain starts in a few days Sept 3rd - 8th - ITV4 for all the coverage!

I wonder what the outstanding maintenance list would cost to clear?

To be fair, the Stockport result was great (entertainment, opportunity for fringe players to get game time etc), so had hoped for another win against Blackpool and then either another 'easy' match, or a glamour tie. I get the league is more important (hence the use of fringe players), but a better result (and performance) shouldn't have been beyond us.

How long until Leonard is back from injury?

Makes sense. Has tailed off for a while now, so this his make or break loan - full season, could come good, or maybe that will ultimately be his level. Hope he can kick on.

Positives: Draw away to one of last season play off teams. Fought back to grab a point, something rarely seen under previous managers. Goals, goals… goals! Stockport thumped Blackpool, so roll on the cup. Margot got to wear her pink Rovers kit at the family BBQ to the annoyance of Dingle relatives gathered. Negatives: Burnley winning comfortably again. Defending is for wimps. Stronger squad, but why do some players struggle to last 90 mins? Oh for Brad Friedel.

Positives: Thumping, morale boosting win. 10 goals in 2 games, will help boost attendances (and club cashflow). Sammy still here and firing. Squad players stepping up - strong squad competitive. Wembley, Wembley! Negatives: I wasn’t allowed to put Rovers Radio on until the girls had fallen asleep in the car on the way back from Chester Zoo - they were in no rush…50 mins in. Rovers Radio - crowd noise louder than commentators rendering it pointless, so only updates on Talk Sport. We don’t do clean sheets. We are running out of County’s who we can play. Good times.

Agreed. They play good football. If he clicks, like Scott Wharton and Hayden Carter we will get back a decent player. He needs game time to be judged / build.

So thoughts on starting XI? Similar to Derby to help players gel, or rotate for game time for the wider squad?

Positives: 3 points. 6 goals, well worth the long drive. Didn’t crumble when Derby equalised and we’re on top. Strong substitutions. Good crowd, who were entertained. Pink shirts pretty much sold out in the club shop / online. Everyone loves the opening day hope feeling - ‘we are going up!’ Negatives: Derby defensively were hopeless, we will have tougher challenges. We still prefer to not defend set pieces. I couldn’t spend my £10 online voucher in the club shop. No age 5-6 pink kit sets left, so the more expensive 7-8 (Margot will be wearing that for a few years). We can’t play Derby next week.

I was lucky enough to meet him just over a year ago. Very friendly and spent time discussing my highlights of his Rovers career. Top bloke.

I am in… ‘Expect Toulouse’ league?

I regularly watch Swindon Supermarine. 30 years ago they played in Rovers blue and white. I continue to press for a return!

Confident we can hold them at 0-0 right until kick off. More seriously, we have to, somehow, someway get something from this as next up Sheffield Wednesday are red hot. Team selection / formation absolutely no idea.

I worry. Fell short at Kidderminster Harriers with a decent budget for that level. Mixed record at Birmingham and QPR. 1 in 12 with a ‘fantastic squad’ might be his (low) bar?

Absolute miserable performance - all well covered in all the post match posts. For me, Sunderland aside our dreadful form makes this not a massive surprise - with Sammie’s goals masking just how poor we have been / are. Grim.

He replaced Coyle, so *anything* was a bonus.