Thoroughly professional job. We took the early chance and honestly were never going to get anything other than three points from there. Still, grateful that Edwards fashioned himself a superb goal because we didn't take our easier chances. Really hope he hasn't picked up an injury that will keep him out for any time. Ramsay was incredible at RCB and Mitchell must have been pretty glum watching that all-action display. Godden showed that nous that we need in the team and he could have had three with a bit more luck. What the game did show is the need for some pace off the bench, as good as it was to bring on Kanu and Chuks Rovers were ripe to be torn apart with some fresh legs sprinting at them and we didn't have that. Luckily we could have brought present day Mark Fish on up front tonight and we still would have been fine but there will be games where we need that change. Hopefully by the end of the window we'll have that.
Excellent first half but we took our foot off the gas in the second and coasted home in a match that we controlled despite the rather surprising possession stats. Our defensive solidity this season is impressive (Rotherham looks like a blip now) and has now been supplemented with attacking verve. Up to 8th, one point off the play offs and in fine form. No one will look forward to meeting us right now.
Very good first half, but it also had to be said that Rovers were awful.
In the second half we should have got a 3rd, but after they made a triple sub they looked much better while we looked a bit tired, not winning as many of the 50 50s, and losing a few tackles. They never really looked like scoring though.
Jones, and to be fair Gillesphey tonight were very solid. Edwards was excellent, while Godden shone in the first half. A poor cameo by Chuks, but it didn't matter.
Rovers are right down among the very worst teams to visit The Valley in a long while a missed opportunity to bolster the goal difference the way sides like Orient are going, every last goal will be needed to make the top 6 Jones's rigid selection of TC on the left and TS on the right restricts their impact Even a temporary switch should be tried - then all they need to pass fullbacks is pace, with which they are both blessed this inverted winger nonsense means they need pace AND a trick to beat defenders... David Ginola and John Barnes they are not
ATS 3 points in the book roll on Blackpool (undefeated since Boxing Day)
Job done, a mature performance from the entire team. The mini-run continues and we're looking very solid at the back. Now if L.Jones can help persuade Small to sign a new contract and we get 1 or 2 in, we're going to be in a good position! Godden, Berry and Doc played well tonight, in fact there wasn't a 'weak' link in the 18! Very happy tonight!
The most comfortable win of the season. Our defence had their pipe and Slippers on. Good performances from Ramsey , Edwards and Docherty. It's going to be a struggle for Mitchell to get back in the side. I expect Leaburn to start at Blackpool though.
I think you’re right about Mitchell he is going to find it tough. Like you I also think Leaburn will start but I would prefer Godden as we looked to have loads more options with him at the front he is so clever with his runs. Plus for a shortarse he won more headers than Miles does
I don't really agree with some of the assessments of Bristol Rovers. They lacked any threat up front but they had a good keeper and they knocked the ball around well in midfield, with rapid transitions from defence to attack. Not a great team by any means but much better than the likes of Northampton. We just outplayed them.
A good solid home display. And long may they continue. Still think we need to add in that Berry position. Not much in the locker to replace him at the moment and it's such a key position when you want to mix things up and I thought that showed a bit tonight. Ramsay excellent. But a special mention to Edwards. He has become our Mr dependable in the last couple of months.
I know we were tested early on in the season and there’s still a long way to go, but Nathan Jones 100% right to focus his attention on sorting out our useless defence over the last two windows. We’re now a real football team again instead of a footballing laughing stock.
Rovers are right down among the very worst teams to visit The Valley in a long while a missed opportunity to bolster the goal difference the way sides like Orient are going, every last goal will be needed to make the top 6 Jones's rigid selection of TC on the left and TS on the right restricts their impact Even a temporary switch should be tried - then all they need to pass fullbacks is pace, with which they are both blessed this inverted winger nonsense means they need pace AND a trick to beat defenders... David Ginola and John Barnes they are not
ATS 3 points in the book roll on Blackpool (undefeated since Boxing Day)
Job done competently. First half very good. Edwards getting better and better. Great goal. We have a few options now. Blackpool a massive test. COYRs. It's alright this football lark isn't it.
Really enjoyed that. No criticism of any of them tonight. Edwards just MOM for me but plenty of others also played really well. Fantastic goal he scored. I have been very critical of Gillesphey in the past but he was very good tonight. We are such a different team now to a couple of months ago. COYR
Rovers are right down among the very worst teams to visit The Valley in a long while a missed opportunity to bolster the goal difference the way sides like Orient are going, every last goal will be needed to make the top 6 Jones's rigid selection of TC on the left and TS on the right restricts their impact Even a temporary switch should be tried - then all they need to pass fullbacks is pace, with which they are both blessed this inverted winger nonsense means they need pace AND a trick to beat defenders... David Ginola and John Barnes they are not
ATS 3 points in the book roll on Blackpool (undefeated since Boxing Day)
And yet Small and Campbell both manage to beat their defenders every time. They're both playing well but their issues are more around final delivery/ shooting. I feel like small could have had ten assists in the last three games if he passed more.
Would like to see a back up for these two in the window. They've been vital to the last few results.
Still no harmony or consensus on the words to replace the ‘Lee Bowyer’ line in the Allez, Allez song, nor has everyone learnt all the words to the ‘on our way to the championship’ song. Not good enough, how can we hope to get promoted if we don’t all sing about it ? Jones out. Good first half of football, didn’t capitalise upon it second half. Godden looked like he tired early on in the second half, probably because he hasn’t had a lot of time on the pitch of late, so I thought the subs could have come a bit earlier. Another 3 points though, onwards and upwards
I don't really agree with some of the assessments of Bristol Rovers. They lacked any threat up front but they had a good keeper and they knocked the ball around well in midfield, with rapid transitions from defence to attack. Not a great team by any means but much better than the likes of Northampton. We just outplayed them.
Northampton were WAY more solid though. Rovers might play better attacking football, but will ship loads of goals playing like they did in the first half.
Bristol must have thought they were playing rugby the amount of times they put the ball of touch, started within 5 seconds of the start of the game and continued throughout the game.
Glad to see us win that in the first 45 and coast the rest but my word Bristol Rovers are tragic, all that ball to do absolutely 0 with it, really really poor side
I don't really agree with some of the assessments of Bristol Rovers. They lacked any threat up front but they had a good keeper and they knocked the ball around well in midfield, with rapid transitions from defence to attack. Not a great team by any means but much better than the likes of Northampton. We just outplayed them.
Their ‘keeper actually had a blinder, they would have been 4 or 5-0 down by half time if it wasn’t for some of his excellent saves.
That’s the easiest, most drama free win I can remember in a long time!
It was hard work apparently
Perhaps I mis-phrased it. It was "comfortable" but I felt if they had got one back it could have gone pear shaped when really we should have been out of sight.
We don't put teams to bed & had too many draws when an extra goal here & there would now have us comfortably in the play offs.
We have only once this season scored more than twice in a game....the 5-0 thrashing at Northampton. Today would have been the ideal time to have got 3 or 4.
Yes....I'm a sour puss. I'm a negative Nancy. Just dont want us losing out on 6th place on GD.
I understand where you are coming from but I would also point out if you look at the last 10 games form table only 1 team has scored more goals than us in that time. We've even outscored Birmingham.
I was critical of Jones earlier in the season but the turnaround to the season and the style of play has been remarkable since Crawley at home, so huge credit to Jones and the players for that!
Comments
In the second half we should have got a 3rd, but after they made a triple sub they looked much better while we looked a bit tired, not winning as many of the 50 50s, and losing a few tackles. They never really looked like scoring though.
Jones, and to be fair Gillesphey tonight were very solid. Edwards was excellent, while Godden shone in the first half. A poor cameo by Chuks, but it didn't matter.
a missed opportunity to bolster the goal difference
the way sides like Orient are going, every last goal will be needed to make the top 6
Jones's rigid selection of TC on the left and TS on the right restricts their impact
Even a temporary switch should be tried - then all they need to pass fullbacks is pace, with which they are both blessed
this inverted winger nonsense means they need pace AND a trick to beat defenders... David Ginola and John Barnes they are not
ATS 3 points in the book roll on Blackpool (undefeated since Boxing Day)
Godden, Berry and Doc played well tonight, in fact there wasn't a 'weak' link in the 18!
Very happy tonight!
Still think we need to add in that Berry position. Not much in the locker to replace him at the moment and it's such a key position when you want to mix things up and I thought that showed a bit tonight.
Ramsay excellent. But a special mention to Edwards. He has become our Mr dependable in the last couple of months.
Good win and clean sheet. Just keep them ticking along, in a machine like fashion.
Godden MOM
closely followed by Ramsey and Small
hope Edwards was precautionary
Would like to see a back up for these two in the window. They've been vital to the last few results.