Tue 11th & Sat 15th Jan

[Boz]

Rochdale yesterday according to the xG guy should have won 1.6 vs 0.5. Tranmere can’t keep going all season conceding these chances and not creating much.

Doesn't it depend on how good you are at defending though too? Keeper, back four and the pair of defensive central midfielders all did well yesterday. While I felt it was risky to opt for that approach so early, especially when our midfield's attempts at ball-retention weren't initially successful, Rochdale's goal efforts weren't that numerous.

 

[Randolph Haggerty]

I love this forum.
Reasoned ,well rounded arguments, fair comments and the occasional bellend.
So much better than Twitter when it’s completely the other way round

 

[Robshep]

Doesn't it depend on how good you are at defending though too? Keeper, back four and the pair of defensive central midfielders all did well yesterday. While I felt it was risky to opt for that approach so early, especially when our midfield's attempts at ball-retention weren't initially successful, Rochdale's goal efforts weren't that numerous.

4 of Rochdale's 5 shots on target were virtual back passes. Micky Mellon said yesterday that we train for situations where the opposition has more of the ball. I think the saying Fail to prepare, prepare to fail applies very well here. We train for all scenarios. Its a strange world when a professional football club is criticised for acting professionally.
Xg is meaningless. Every game that Liverpool have scored 4 or more goals this season their xg has been below 4. You can have a shot every minute but if none are on target then its wasted energy, but xg will love it.

 

[Kauto Star]

Saw the Quest highlights yesterday. I see the horrible FGR cheats at it again. Dear me, that player throwing himself to the floor was so embarrassing, but no surprise to be honest.

So glad to see that Cobblers equaliser, enjoyed the celebrations too, well done

 

[Gassy]

Be pushing 12,000 I reckon. I doubt Rovers will give us so much time on the ball as Vale did yesterday.

I’ve got to admit flip flopping about our chances of promotion, but I suppose 6 out of 9 against promotion rivals isn’t to be covid’d at.

Apparently we have 100 tickets left of the 2500. If that’s true I must admit I’m surprised we’re taking that many

 

[IanPVFC]

Where to begin, christ! Slow out the blocks, sat off Swindon far too much and just never properly got going first half. A wonder goal from our only real attempt on goal and we are heading into half time undeservedly level, but with a good chance to switch things up for the second half and change the game.

And then, you've all seen it, Covolan happens Just what was going through his head I don't know! In real time, we were sat right behind that goal, the ref blows and gives a free kick to us initially and goes to pull a card out. Then very quickly the liner has a word and calls him over to discuss. Watching back it's quite clearly the right decision so you can only respect how the officials took their time and properly assessed it. I don't like to single players out most of the time, but in this instance he really has cost us that game. He's certainly cost us any chance of even laying a glove on Swindon as we were nowhere near first half.

Second half was just total frustration as a result and we never stood a chance with how Swindon approach the game. Kept hold of it well and were patient in their play, played exactly how you should with a man advantage.

Unfortunately this now makes tomorrow a must win as we're in serious danger of dropping away from the pack which would have appeared impossible 4/6 weeks ago.

 

[Indian Dan]

The Wembley of Wiltshire!

 

[valefan16]

Where to begin, christ! Slow out the blocks, sat off Swindon far too much and just never properly got going first half. A wonder goal from our only real attempt on goal and we are heading into half time undeservedly level, but with a good chance to switch things up for the second half and change the game.

And then, you've all seen it, Covolan happens Just what was going through his head I don't know! In real time, we were sat right behind that goal, the ref blows and gives a free kick to us initially and goes to pull a card out. Then very quickly the liner has a word and calls him over to discuss. Watching back it's quite clearly the right decision so you can only respect how the officials took their time and properly assessed it. I don't like to single players out most of the time, but in this instance he really has cost us that game. He's certainly cost us any chance of even laying a glove on Swindon as we were nowhere near first half.

Second half was just total frustration as a result and we never stood a chance with how Swindon approach the game. Kept hold of it well and were patient in their play, played exactly how you should with a man advantage.

Unfortunately this now makes tomorrow a must win as we're in serious danger of dropping away from the pack which would have appeared impossible 4/6 weeks ago.

I still cant get my head around the set up first half. We sat so deep and do off them it was bizarre. I cant only guess it was fitness after the forward line injuries and long lay off from games as we did the same to Brentford and as you say it was clear we were then going to utilise the press for the second half which worked well against the Bee's and does set up a completely different type of half.

May as well have drawn a box 20 yards square around Jonny Williams as we barely even closed him down at all. He controlled the game and played very well but christ he had it easy, should be getting Garrity to glue to him but only DC knows why we set up like that.

 

[denzel ecfc]

The Wembley of Wiltshire!

Should be another decent away crowd in a few weeks, if you can get your fingers out and start selling some tickets....

 

[Indian Dan]

Should be another decent away crowd in a few weeks, if you can get your fingers out and start selling some tickets....

Yep. Makes a change to have a few decent away followings when we’ve had to put up with several sub 100 ones.

Anything your end about Anthony Grant?

 

[IanPVFC]

I still cant get my head around the set up first half. We sat so deep and do off them it was bizarre. I cant only guess it was fitness after the forward line injuries and long lay off from games as we did the same to Brentford and as you say it was clear we were then going to utilise the press for the second half which worked well against the Bee's and does set up a completely different type of half.

May as well have drawn a box 20 yards square around Jonny Williams as we barely even closed him down at all. He controlled the game and played very well but christ he had it easy, should be getting Garrity to glue to him but only DC knows why we set up like that.

I don't think it helped having Wilson on up front who resembled the early season version and woefully short on match fitness. The Swindon left centre half was able to bring the ball out time after time whilst having a picnic out there, started a lot of their forward play from that position.

 

[valefan16]

I don't think it helped having Wilson on up front who resembled the early season version and woefully short on match fitness. The Swindon left centre half was able to bring the ball out time after time whilst having a picnic out there, started a lot of their forward play from that position.

Yeah, guess he needs minutes though to get back to fitness but would have gone with Harratt with Woz and Politic/Amoo either side and press them, guess that was the changes for the second half had Kung Fu Cov not had his moment of madness.

 

[GEORGE]

Apparently we have 100 tickets left of the 2500. If that’s true I must admit I’m surprised we’re taking that many

Early train out ( 7.17 ) from Parkway already sold out.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Yep. Makes a change to have a few decent away followings when we’ve had to put up with several sub 100 ones.

Anything your end about Anthony Grant?

No nothing.

 

[Agombar stool]

Early train out ( 7.17 ) from Parkway already sold out.

Aren't Cardiff playing Bristol City at 12.30 on Saturday? I'd say the train stations of Bristol are going to be 'vibrant' on Saturday and the Police are going to be kept busy i'd say.

 

[Gassy]

Aren't Cardiff playing Bristol City at 12.30 on Saturday? I'd say the train stations of Bristol are going to be 'vibrant' on Saturday and the Police are going to be kept busy i'd say.

That is idiotic. What a brilliant idea, let’s put tens of thousands of Rovers & City fans in at the train station at the same time.

I’m not sure whether to drive or get the train. I’m a bit annoyed there’s no direct from Paddington for some reason, I have to change at Reading and it takes 1hr 40 mins to Swindon?!

Then again I had family over this weekend and they all had issues with the M4 being closed

 

[Indian Dan]

Thought the game was at Ashton Gate?

 

[GEORGE]

Aren't Cardiff playing Bristol City at 12.30 on Saturday? I'd say the train stations of Bristol are going to be 'vibrant' on Saturday and the Police are going to be kept busy i'd say.

Think the Parkway trains have all got to go through Temple Meads as well now.

 

[The Alex]

Ain’t that the truth. You’ll be in L2!

2nd place champions relegated at the 1st chance piping up. Any club that employs McKirdy should be embarrassed, and I say that as someone who you used to pay for his taxis home from town when he fucked it.

 

[Indian Dan]

But you’re in that inevitable cycle of yours. Get s good crop, get promoted, sell them off, get relegated and hope a new crop comes along some time soon.

I’m sure you know our history of last season with Power in charge who was determined to get us relegated for his own financial gain.

That McKirdy, eh! 20 goals/assists this season. Who needs that

oh, not forgetting we stuffed you 3-0 at your place this season.

Enjoy your slippery slope!

 

[Agombar stool]

Thought the game was at Ashton Gate?

Yeah that's what I actually meant. It won't be like a war zone that City and Rovers fans would have caused, but I imagine there is little love lost between Rovers and Cardiff fans? Or I could be completely wrong.

 

[GEORGE]

Yeah that's what I actually meant. It won't be like a war zone that City and Rovers fans would have caused, but I imagine there is little love lost between Rovers and Cardiff fans? Or I could be completely wrong.

There will be quite a contingent of City supporters coming in from the outlying towns. There has always been bad blood between Rovers and Cardiff but not as bad as the City and Cardiff one.

 

[Devon_Lad]

There will be quite a contingent of City supporters coming in from the outlying towns. There has always been bad blood between Rovers and Cardiff but not as bad as the City and Cardiff one.

Hardly bad blood, Rovers & City supporters all work together and it's more of a friendly banter with old school friends bickering. Any derby within the same city is tin pot beyond belief despite the hype those clubs try to create. That includes the Bristol Derby, Merseyside Derby and the Steel Derby for example, the Old Firm being the only exception for obvious reasons.

 

[valefan16]

Hardly bad blood, Rovers & City supporters all work together and it's more of a friendly banter with old school friends bickering. Any derby within the same city is tin pot beyond belief despite the hype those clubs try to create. That includes the Bristol Derby, Merseyside Derby and the Steel Derby for example, the Old Firm being the only exception for obvious reasons.

You've never clearly been to a Potteries Derby then... it is usually absolutely mayhem, even when playing their kids Team in the Pizza Cup! We nearly had to postpone the following game due to the damage done.

 

[Bottega Don]

Football rivalries are bizarre in general.

Always enjoy any team from Yorkshire chanting "Yorkshire, Yorkshire" when they play us and then hating every other team in Yorkshire basically

 

[GEORGE]

Hardly bad blood, Rovers & City supporters all work together and it's more of a friendly banter with old school friends bickering. Any derby within the same city is tin pot beyond belief despite the hype those clubs try to create. That includes the Bristol Derby, Merseyside Derby and the Steel Derby for example, the Old Firm being the only exception for obvious reasons.

Got to say that is the biggest load of "Bollox" I've ever seen on a football forum. You really have'nt a clue.

 

[Agombar stool]

Hardly bad blood, Rovers & City supporters all work together and it's more of a friendly banter with old school friends bickering. Any derby within the same city is tin pot beyond belief despite the hype those clubs try to create. That includes the Bristol Derby, Merseyside Derby and the Steel Derby for example, the Old Firm being the only exception for obvious reasons.

I've been to a Steel City Derby and multiple Edinburgh Derby games (followed Hearts when I lived in Scotland) and I wouldn't use tin pot to describe either games. Fantastic atmosphere. Clearly the Old Firm is THE benchmark, but I disagree with your generalisation that same city derbies are 'tinpot'.

 

[valefan16]

I've been a cross city derby "Potteries" and obviously the so called A500 derby with Crewe which is obviously different but local towns and its a completely different planet let alone level in terms of the passion and intensity.

We sing songs about Stoke and past meetings, you hear them on TV signing about us even now its just different.

Don't hear us sing about Crewe when we don't play them for instance and the trouble, intensity etc is fractional. As said a Papa Johns Match (or JPT i think then) match at Vale v Stoke U21 was far more intense in the stands than a league Crewe game.

I know Liverpool/Everton is often slightly different in that its seen as a friendly rivalry and you even get fans mix if families but most are not like that (probably down to different area's of the city).

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Yeah that's what I actually meant. It won't be like a war zone that City and Rovers fans would have caused, but I imagine there is little love lost between Rovers and Cardiff fans? Or I could be completely wrong.

Ive personally no feelings about Cardiff whatsover. I think our mutual hate for Bristol City helps

 

[denzel ecfc]

I have heard both that inter City derbies are tinpot, and that cross city ones are. I guess the truth is that if you consider it to be a Derby, it truly is.

Though I still don't understand grown men invading the pitch and setting off flares when Crystal Palace take on Brighton.