Welcome back Bristol Rovers

[JJH]

Fair enough Gassy. I'm not at my cheerful best at the mo bud, been to a funeral today and feeling a bit shit (don't!!).
Got another one next week for a top City lad who passed away last week at a young age so it's easy to get me to bite at the mo. I'm a big lad though, I can take a piss take and I deserve one for falling for that.

Sorry to here about your losses CU - you're a good lad, and it's sad to hear about such losses, especially the fellow Red

 

[Ciderup]

sorry its my first post and I thought it was div 2 forum. all I see is our friends from south of the river are they still in love with us

I love Rovers as much as I love my Mrs and I can't bloody stand her! I wouldn't want her not to be there though!

 

[miagsygas]

Some of these pictures of the 'print that bastard' that are being created are genuinely making me laugh to be fair.

When do Rovers announce their retained and released list then?

As for the loanees they have currently, the only one I'd bank on coming back is Lines - he's not good enough for L1 in all honesty, but he looked very impressive Sunday, and he wears his heart on his sleeve playing for Rovers, and could even be described as a 'club legend.'

He'll be back.

Not sure. The players went straight on holiday after the game on Sunday, think they are back soon, obviously Clarke will want to meet with the players face to face, think we'll know more then about how the season will progress.

Lines has been an integral part of a promotion squad in L1 before, i think he's good enough there provided he has the right players around him, which at Vale it seems he had no-one that he meshes with - i.e. a workhorse who does the dirty work. I'd love to see him back, he's top notch at this level, some deal will have to be made with Vale though. The only other loanee I could potentially see us signing is Dawson. He wasn't in the playoffs but we did miss him a little, he an upgrade over Gosling (although I do think Gos has potential) but I think we'll attempt to strengthen the wing positions anyways. Reckon we'll sign 4/5 players - GK, DC, CM, Winger, Striker.

 

[Aber gas]

Not sure. The players went straight on holiday after the game on Sunday, think they are back soon, obviously Clarke will want to meet with the players face to face, think we'll know more then about how the season will progress.

Lines has been an integral part of a promotion squad in L1 before, i think he's good enough there provided he has the right players around him, which at Vale it seems he had no-one that he meshes with - i.e. a workhorse who does the dirty work. I'd love to see him back, he's top notch at this level, some deal will have to be made with Vale though. The only other loanee I could potentially see us signing is Dawson. He wasn't in the playoffs but we did miss him a little, he an upgrade over Gosling (although I do think Gos has potential) but I think we'll attempt to strengthen the wing positions anyways. Reckon we'll sign 4/5 players - GK, DC, CM, Winger, Striker.

Id like us to sign a striker but we would have to ship one out first , for me it would be blisset .

 

[Grecian O'Grecian]

Not sure. The players went straight on holiday after the game on Sunday, think they are back soon, obviously Clarke will want to meet with the players face to face, think we'll know more then about how the season will progress.

Lines has been an integral part of a promotion squad in L1 before, i think he's good enough there provided he has the right players around him, which at Vale it seems he had no-one that he meshes with - i.e. a workhorse who does the dirty work. I'd love to see him back, he's top notch at this level, some deal will have to be made with Vale though. The only other loanee I could potentially see us signing is Dawson. He wasn't in the playoffs but we did miss him a little, he an upgrade over Gosling (although I do think Gos has potential) but I think we'll attempt to strengthen the wing positions anyways. Reckon we'll sign 4/5 players - GK, DC, CM, Winger, Striker.

Will Gosling be kept, do you reckon?

 

[miagsygas]

Will Gosling be kept, do you reckon?

Not sure again, he was a bit part player for the majority of the season until Dawson had to return from loan late on in the season. He came in and did a decent job in the playoffs and he does have potential but if he didn't get consistent games in the Conference, will he in L2. I'd keep him providing his wages weren't enough to prevent us getting in the preferred first teamers.

The post did an article this morning confirming who is and isn't under contract, most of the key players from this season are sealed up which is a pleasant surprise;

http://m.bristolpost.co.uk/BRISTOL-ROVERS-Darrell-Clarke-facing-big/story-26549004-detail/story.html

 

[JJH]

Is Balanta OOC?

Surely he has to go - he's useless.

 

[miagsygas]

Is Balanta OOC?

Surely he has to go - he's useless.

He is, yes. I actually wouldn't be shocked if he stayed, I think Clarke sees something in him and wants time to mould him, he didn't have much of a preseason anywhere. Personally, I'm not fussed if he stays or goes, I think there

 

[Gashead]

I think Balanta, Baggie and Trotman should go, although as miagsy says there seems to be something about Balanta which DC likes.

 

[gashead88]

I'd keep Trotman as backup

 

[Gashead]

I'd keep Trotman as backup

Depends on his fitness to be honest - he kept McChrystal out of the team for a while and was very good, but his injuries are a problem.

 

[Ciderup]

What's the feeling about the court case fellas? Seems to have gone well.

 

[miagsygas]

What's the feeling about the court case fellas? Seems to have gone well.

Not the foggiest mate. Don't think you can call it really, could go either way.

 

[rudebwoyben]

Like the play-off final?

 

[Ciderup]

Not the foggiest mate. Don't think you can call it really, could go either way.

If I'm honest, I expected Sainsbury's to pull something unexpected in court so to see nothing of the sort happen must be a relief? I have been following it on various sites (excellent reports by Severncider) and genuinely cannot call it!

 

[Gashead]

If I'm honest, I expected Sainsbury's to pull something unexpected in court so to see nothing of the sort happen must be a relief? I have been following it on various sites (excellent reports by Severncider) and genuinely cannot call it!

I've been surprised by the way their representative has conducted himself in court, has come across as quite amateur in some of his responses etc. But you never can tell, I think the case is too complicated for there to be a straightforward verdict if I'm honest.

If we could get enough compo to sell the Mem on for housing or whatever to make up for the remainder of the stadium that would be nice, but time consuming. Don't know how much time UWE have got.

 

[Ciderup]

I would guess wether Higgs has enough fight left in him to go again is another pivotal factor. With the time constraints seemingly surrounding the UWE stadium, I'm not sure he has it in him WTGR fellas.

 

[Gashead]

I would guess wether Higgs has enough fight left in him to go again is another pivotal factor. With the time constraints seemingly surrounding the UWE stadium, I'm not sure he has it in him WTGR fellas.

I get the impression that there are Plan Bs etc. but obviously winning this court case is pivotal for going forward off the pitch. Would be nice to enter a season without fighting an effing court battle as well.

What does give me hope is that Sainsbury's have already had to pay out £500m+ in similar cases, so it shows they're not an unstoppable force, and that they can be found guilty and made to pay compo.

 

[LondonOrn]

Sorry what does "WTGR" stand for?

 

[Ciderup]

Sorry what does "WTGR" stand for?

'With the greatest respect'

 

[Nickchippenhamgas]

Hi first time on this forum, thanks to all the supporters of other teams for their positive comments about us getting back into the league.
I'm incredibly proud of what Darrell has done with the players this year, I'm also very pleased for my City mates for their incredible season, 200 points between City and us in the same season in our respective leagues, and both winners at Wembley, you see, I like to be positive, and act my age, I'm looking forward to the new season, and inevitably playing Watford in the Capital One Cup at some stage, haha

 

[Ciderup]

Welcome Nick, enjoy!

 

[Glasshalffullpools]

Don't forget to come to Pools.... Rovers always bring a few , all intent on enjoying themselves .

 

[Nickchippenhamgas]

Welcome Nick, enjoy!

Hey how you doing mucker!!!?? Thanks and well done to your team I'm so proud to be a Bristolian again!!

 

[Ciderup]

All good Nick, hope you are well.
It's certainly a nice feeling being a Bristolian football fan at the mo. Both clubs doing well and, for us, our stadium rising.
I didn't comprehend how important the stadium was until I saw the sheer scale of the new South stand at the Gate. It made me realise how poor the old Gate was in comparison. We thought it was ok but the rebuild shows it wasn't even close.
That court ruling is massive for you lot now though, really big! Gut feeling?

 

[Nickchippenhamgas]

All good Nick, hope you are well.
It's certainly a nice feeling being a Bristolian football fan at the mo. Both clubs doing well and, for us, our stadium rising.
I didn't comprehend how important the stadium was until I saw the sheer scale of the new South stand at the Gate. It made me realise how poor the old Gate was in comparison. We thought it was ok but the rebuild shows it wasn't even close.
That court ruling is massive for you lot now though, really big! Gut feeling?

My gut feeling is the judge will find in favour of the Gas, and then Sainsburys will appeal on some technicality or other and it will drag on for months, and we'll probably go into administration, I hope of course I'm wrong and Sainsburys do the right thing and pay up!!!!

 

[mowgli]

My gut feeling is the judge will find in favour of the Gas, and then Sainsburys will appeal on some technicality or other and it will drag on for months, and we'll probably go into administration, I hope of course I'm wrong and Sainsburys do the right thing and pay up!!!!

I see the points reduction for going into administration has gone up from 10 points to 12 next season.

 

[Gassy]

We won't go into admin. The loan is substantial but its mind games from the board imo. From the wealth of our board as a whole, do you honestly believe they couldn't put a few hundred thousand together to pay it off? Whether they would is a different matter, but I'm pretty confident.

As for the court case, I can see the judge saying that technically, Sainsbury's do not have to pay up, as they have not broken the contract. However, the only reason the contract was broken is due to Sainsburys' delaying tactics to go past the expiry dates. Therefore, they will have to pay all of the clubs costs and x million (no more than 3) as compensation.

Who knows though, we'll see

 

[Ciderup]

Good post Gassy.
As an 'outsider' in all this but as a local, I find the whole process fascinating. I expected Sainsbury's to pull some legal trick which they didn't so all strength to your case. The whole delay / UWE time frame and the relationship with the University has made this an interesting watch (from a distance) and I wish you well.
While I agree with Gassy's scenario, I can see S'bury's tying this up in legal red tape for years to come, more's the pity. At some point, you will have to do something as the corporate money available in this City is huge! They're gonna force you into an agreement, I reckon, as you cannot wait forever and UWE won't wait either. I went to the UWE last week and it's some complex nowadays, much, much bigger than when I went to Bristol Polytechnic!!
On the 'admin' threat, I just can't see it. Higgs , Boycie et al have way too much money invested to walk away IMHO. They seem to want out but at a personal profit. They HAVE to play the long game here, not just for the football club but to protect their own investments don't they?

 

[WXM_XR3i]

Well done Bristol Rovers.

You are lucky that you were able to get back up first time of asking. The longer you are down in the conference the harder it seems to be able to get out.

We've been down there now for 7 years. Football league days seem like a long time ago and the 90s when we were doing well in league 1 seem like a different lifetime