berkshireblue

11am suspect

Whatever the team its the 1st day of the season and optimism will be there come this sunny Saturday Against better judgement bought to tickets in safe standing with the lad, 50th season of supporting since the diddy heights of 3rd division champions 1975 The Vine pub beforehand for a few beers and a decent chicken tikka off the barbecue Going down the Bolton road...

I was there came back from working overseas especially One of my Dad's customers had two liverpool season tickets he kindly gave me so was in the stand opposite the dug out near the Kop Very strange atmosphere until Barnes equalised then they were suddenly up for it, but were not upset with rovers fans in the home end. When Redknapp scored perfect result for them I remember outside a scouser saw me in my rovers short and said we will win if off you next year....took them nearly 30 years... was a daze remembering Bristol Rovers away and Palace away a surreal feeling this little old club I watched in the old 3rd division were champions of England

In David Lowe we trust

excellent player got sent off in the FA cup at Exeter, harshly, good he is missing

If you get there early there are 3 car parks Recommend the one behind the home end goal opposite the end with no stand, so drive pass the ground on your left and take the left at the 1st roundabout, you can even park opposite the holiday inn on the curb if the car park is full The 2nd best is the main car park next to the no stand end The 3rd is pass there and up towards blackbird lees, don't recommend that takes ages to exit Otherwise as stated street parking not great

My son was born in Oxford so supports them, rovers his 2nd team, so I regularly take him to the Kassam Could not believe this sold out in 5 days in January! So I dont have a ticket Anyone have a spare I can take off their hands I usually drive and use the sports bar in the retail bar for beers, no colours allowed if away fan and keep relatively quiet If you are on the train, the wetherspoons near the castle is a good place to drink as both bus companies have stops outside to the ground Beware if you get a return it is only valid with that particular bus company so get singles same price and doubles your options Get off in Blackbird lees with the hordes and walk through a car park to the away end Alternatively one bus stops outside the main stand so just walk pass the stand less end to the away end

My brother got his rovers scarf nicked outside the longside, he decided not to give chase sensibly circa 10-12k rovers told I was there in 82, a lot of trouble, away end full, rovers in beehive and cricket field stand where I was Great day

A lot of doom and gloom here started on page 1 with forecasting a half empty stadium, have the faith, a cracking atmosphere of noise and colour will see the boys over the line. What we lack in quality (missing Trav and potentially Cantwell), we can overcome in effort, running, hard work and covering every blade of grass. Tomorrow is our time but they need every supporter to get them over the line no way never.... chim chimney... I never felt more like singing the blues

Always room for improvement I was commenting on the generic finding faults and moaning that follows even victories..We beat Dirty Leeds with a much bigger budget and premier league squad - happy days I refrained from saying bigger club as they only have 7 major trophies us 10 trophies

I THOUGHT WE WON

I see the Dutch legend Johan Neeskens died yesterday, he was one of my favourite ever footballers Growing up at a time when England were absent from the World Cup for 12 years, as a kid in 74 and 78 supported the Dutch. He was just behind Cruyff in talent for me, ably supported by Kroll, Rensenbrink, Rep etc.. RIP

What a night ? I was in Munich the other week with my son for a few days, visited the stadium and Olympic park, very advanced design when you think it was built over 50 years ago. That area must have been carnage with circa 9,000 England fans there at that time when trouble abroad was rife?

My son supports Oxford, (rovers his 2nd team) so I have seen them live a lot over last couple of years Bright young well prepared manager, Cam Brannagan best player, defence strong but right back a weakness if Long plays there, press well up top led by Harris, pass the ball well and work hard So wont be easy, however if they concede early away from home they can be vulnerable Play same system as us, Vauks looked good v Norwich so they are a possession based team Also good in the air at set pieces We should be stronger but will need to take them seriously

My son supports Oxford so took him to last week's game Rovers rejects were both slow, however they are a tall team and our set piece defending is not great!