Welcome to Bristol Rovers and Oxford United

[Ciderup]

I believe so. Power is well aware of the rules so hopefully we'll be seeing some transfer movement sooner rather than later! I presume we will still be hoping to use the loan market. It's quite frustrating at the moment but hopefully this time in 2 weeks we'll have some fresh faces in the squad. We're screwed if we don't!

The other cock up is that the Prem boys normally name their 25 man squads before the load window shuts allowing us lower clubs to target the surplus. This year the squads are named after the window has already closed.

 

[Big Bird]

We're miles away. The natives are restless.

 

[Indian Dan]

The same defence is going to perform just the same as last year. All the opposition have to do is keep it tight and wait for the inevitable howlers.

It beggars belief why this hasn't been addressed.

 

[Gassy]

Not too confident with the squad if i'm being honest. Think we'll struggle without another CB, GK and CM or FWD

GK and Defender are my priority though. I like Mildenhall but he's spilling shots every other game in the friendlies and I dont think he's good enough for L1 football anymore. Neither is Puddy. Hope I'm wrong but I fully expect us to concede a few silly goals and fans to get on Mildy's back after 10 games

 

[ComeOnIrene]

Not too confident with the squad if i'm being honest. Think we'll struggle without another CB, GK and CM or FWD

GK and Defender are my priority though. I like Mildenhall but he's spilling shots every other game in the friendlies and I dont think he's good enough for L1 football anymore. Neither is Puddy. Hope I'm wrong but I fully expect us to concede a few silly goals and fans to get on Mildy's back after 10 games

Certainly with you on Mildy.

I had written him off after his poor start to last season and although he was outstanding during the run-in after Christmas, I don't feel at all confident that he can hack League One football. I'd like to think DC is all over the situation as he wanted to replace him 12 months ago and moving forward I don't think that will have changed now we have moved up a level.

I definitely feel we need another defender, but I also think a central midfielder is pivotal. Lines will be an asset if he continues to track back as he did at the end of last season and the likes of Mansell, Sinclair and Lawrence will be useful players to have at various times during the campaign, but for me we need a younger, League One standard player added to the squad and I do think we'll get one. Clarke has said he wants two or three more and I'm sure he'll know exactly who he wants to bring in.

 

[Gassy]

Certainly with you on Mildy.

I had written him off after his poor start to last season and although he was outstanding during the run-in after Christmas, I don't feel at all confident that he can hack League One football. I'd like to think DC is all over the situation as he wanted to replace him 12 months ago and moving forward I don't think that will have changed now we have moved up a level.

I definitely feel we need another defender, but I also think a central midfielder is pivotal. Lines will be an asset if he continues to track back as he did at the end of last season and the likes of Mansell, Sinclair and Lawrence will be useful players to have at various times during the campaign, but for me we need a younger, League One standard player added to the squad and I do think we'll get one. Clarke has said he wants two or three more and I'm sure he'll know exactly who he wants to bring in.

Couldn't agree more, a CB is definitely needed to partner Locks. Not overly confident on MM as he didn't hack it in L1 previously and probably won't be able to this time, happy to be proven wrong on that one though. Hartley is a very underwhelming signing too, but happy with him as backup. as I doubt there's a huge difference between him and Parkes. Midfield I'm actually ok with, same as up front - it's not a priority but a position that needs strengthening. Lines can cut it, but I feel we need stronger competition for him, otherwise he gets a bit lazy and only really puts the effort in when its end of the season/something to really push for.

We need to sign some established L1 players though. Although I trust DC and he has rarely made a weak signing, I feel an experienced L1 player would settle things down a bit on the pitch and on the turnstiles.

 

[07.05.16]

I agree with the above, I think we need to look at bringing in a new goalkeeper on a permanent deal. Don't want another Nichols!
I am confident in Lee Brown and Dan Leadbitter cutting it in league 1. However, I think we may need backup for Brown should he pick up a knock, as Greenslade would worry me. We should be looking at someone to partner Lockyer, as well as someone to partner Lines in the middle.
When it comes to strikers, I think we should be fine. If the goals have dried up, then we can hopefully bring in another in January.

 

[Gassy]

True, but what if they dry up in August?

I'm a tad worried about upfront. Taylor will surely be missing a bit of match fitness at the beginning and although I like Gaffney a lot and what he does for the team, but since his loan spell, his goal scoring has hardly been prolific. Harrison & Easter could be ok, we'll see.

 

[ComeOnIrene]

Couldn't agree more, a CB is definitely needed to partner Locks. Not overly confident on MM as he didn't hack it in L1 previously and probably won't be able to this time, happy to be proven wrong on that one though. Hartley is a very underwhelming signing too, but happy with him as backup. as I doubt there's a huge difference between him and Parkes. Midfield I'm actually ok with, same as up front - it's not a priority but a position that needs strengthening. Lines can cut it, but I feel we need stronger competition for him, otherwise he gets a bit lazy and only really puts the effort in when its end of the season/something to really push for.

We need to sign some established L1 players though. Although I trust DC and he has rarely made a weak signing, I feel an experienced L1 player would settle things down a bit on the pitch and on the turnstiles.

Definitely. I fear Macca will be exposed at this level but like you I hope we're proven wrong and he continues to do a solid job. I haven't seen Hartley play as yet so I'm happy to reserve judgement, because whilst I agree he isn't an inspiring signing I think he should prove to be an upgrade on Parkes. He shouldn't ought to be as calamitous as Parkesy and he has a goal in his locker too which is something we lacked last season from defence.

I'm with you on the rest of our team - I think we're well equipped elsewhere. The lads that got us here deserve the chance to show what they can do and I don't think they will let us down. If we can add those couple of players we've spoken about I genuinely think we can finish in mid-table/top half, and that would represent a superb season of progression given we haven't splashed cash around willy nilly this summer.

 

[Gassy]

True, although Parkes really had become our back up CB after a while so that's why I mentioned that I'm more than happy with him as backup.

Agree with what you say though, if we make those signings, I'm certain we'd be midtable minimum. Honestly, I'm just looking to stay up this season, I do have the feeling that the recent success of this group of players will be eyeing a tasty play off spot, and good luck to them, why not - especially with the right additions.

 

[Indian Dan]

I see getting smashed by Swansea's reserves hasn't dampened your enthusiasm.

 

[Big Bird]

I see getting smashed by Swansea's reserves hasn't dampened your enthusiasm.

We'll get ours on Wednesday!

 

[07.05.16]

True, but what if they dry up in August?

I'm a tad worried about upfront. Taylor will surely be missing a bit of match fitness at the beginning and although I like Gaffney a lot and what he does for the team, but since his loan spell, his goal scoring has hardly been prolific. Harrison & Easter could be ok, we'll see.

That's not an option
Taylor will bag 50 before Christmas and then go for £500,000,000, allowing us to replace him with Messi, Ronaldo and Suarez.

 

[Indian Dan]

We'll get ours on Wednesday!

Yeah. But we've got no expectations - or pretensions!

 

[Gassy]

Expectations against a near full Swansea team Vs our out of position/2nd team? I don't think anyone expected we'd win when we saw their line up!

And give over, Swindon have no expectations for the game? Give over, you guys used to be premier league, didn't you know?

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

Just to remind everyone that we beat Swansea.

 

[Ciderup]

Expectations against a near full Swansea team Vs our out of position/2nd team? I don't think anyone expected we'd win when we saw their line up!

And give over, Swindon have no expectations for the game? Give over, you guys used to be premier league, didn't you know?

Bullshit! From your own forum.....
Jul 23, 2016 at 9:31pm chippenhamgas said:
Our first choice midfield two and central defensive pairing both out meant we would be weak in the centre against full strength Swansea. Sinclair, clarke, McChrystal and gosling will be bench warmers this season. We certainly do need to strengthen in this area but if we are lining up first game with lockyer/hartley and lines/mansell we'll be fine.

sorry to disappoint you but ........ no Fabianski, no Davies, no Williams, no Sigurdsson and probably a few others I can't remember !

Plus no Taylor, Ki, Montero.

 

[Gassy]

Watch your language ciderup, no need to swear.

Considering Swansea played away from home against us and missing 4 players who only aren't there due to international duty, it's a strong team, hence the word near and not 'it was by far the best 11 Swansea have ever put out in any game in their history'. Probably one of the strongest they had with players still not back in training/injured etc.

Besides, I don't mind losing in friendlies, it means you chase the game more which builds up fitness. What I don't like are crappy mistakes like Mildenhall has been making.

But hey, if it takes city fans to make fun, go to our forum, disect a match thread and then use that quote to try make a slight point in a friendly game we lost to a premier league team that is 2 leagues above us - you know what? I'm fine with that. It just shows how we've improved under DC and how desperate you all are to find anything you can try laugh about. So keep going teds, you're making yourself look like real stars. Especially on your championship away crowds thread from last year

 

[nevermindtheboll_Ox]

Oxford after Mark Little according to the media in Bristol. Any truth in that Oxford supporters?

I'd be surprised. We've signed Christian Ribiero and have back up as well. Could he play further up maybe? Would seem a strange one.

Just picking up the O'Dowda comment about him being our best player as well.... He has the potential to be absolutely terrific, but he wasn't in our Top 4 players last season. I'd be surprised if he was Top 6 in the POTY voting. He will obviously surpass all of those players bar Lundstram and Roofe, and he's a superb signing for Bristol City at the money, but his loss won't affect us as much as people might think.

 

[Ciderup]

Watch your language ciderup, no need to swear.

Considering Swansea played away from home against us and missing 4 players who only aren't there due to international duty, it's a strong team, hence the word near and not 'it was by far the best 11 Swansea have ever put out in any game in their history'. Probably one of the strongest they had with players still not back in training/injured etc.

Besides, I don't mind losing in friendlies, it means you chase the game more which builds up fitness. What I don't like are crappy mistakes like Mildenhall has been making.

But hey, if it takes city fans to make fun, go to our forum, disect a match thread and then use that quote to try make a slight point in a friendly game we lost to a premier league team that is 2 leagues above us - you know what? I'm fine with that. It just shows how we've improved under DC and how desperate you all are to find anything you can try laugh about. So keep going teds, you're making yourself look like real stars. Especially on your championship away crowds thread from last year

We don't need to look far for something to laugh at Gassy. The 'we're coming for you' one is particularly chuckle worthy.
You have done very well over the last 2 years, I wouldn't deny that but you keep us amused, don't worry about that.
Unlike most City fans, I can tolerate talking to you lot, being from east Bristol, I always have done but I won't get into bitching. Having a bit of banter, certainly, but if you want to start banging on about obsessions, our fans are better than yours and comparing the clubs then you can leave me out. It's totally pointless.

 

[Indian Dan]

Just to remind everyone that we beat Swansea.

1987 wasn'

I'd be surprised. We've signed Christian Ribiero and have back up as well. Could he play further up maybe? Would seem a strange one.

Just picking up the O'Dowda comment about him being our best player as well.... He has the potential to be absolutely terrific, but he wasn't in our Top 4 players last season. I'd be surprised if he was Top 6 in the POTY voting. He will obviously surpass all of those players bar Lundstram and Roofe, and he's a superb signing for Bristol City at the money, but his loss won't affect us as much as people might think.

Superb signing for Bristol City and yet he was your 7th best player last season?

Something's wrong somewhere.

 

[Oxon]

1987 wasn'

Superb signing for Bristol City and yet he was your 7th best player last season?

Something's wrong somewhere.

He has potential to go far.

Not sure he was as far down as seventh, but there were certainly a few midfielders and forwards that were more important, and made a greater contribution, to the team last year, such as, Lundstram, Sercombe, Roofe, Hylton.

 

[Indian Dan]

So would agree your squad is stronger but your starting XI is weaker after your outgoings and incomings?

 

[Ciderup]

He has potential to go far.

I kinda get this. On first viewing, the lad has undoubted talent. If LJ can harness that talent and find a way of getting a more consistent end product from him then we will have some player on our hands. He can certainly shift!!
He reminded me of a very young, raw Ryan Giggs last night, admittedly against L2 opposition, not that I'm saying he's anywhere near his class but his ball carrying skills are good and he runs in the same upright manner. I was impressed TBH.
One question, can he use his right foot?

 

[Aber gas]

" young Ryan Giggs" fml

 

[Indian Dan]

You should see my ball carrying skills

 

[Ciderup]

" young Ryan Giggs" fml

Read the rest of it numb nuts!! I did say he's not in or anywhere near his class but his mannerisms remind me of him!
Berk!!

 

[Robie]

On paper you are right our XI and squad are weaker than last season.

GK - Buchel, Slocombe replaced by Eastwood
CB - Dunkley, Wright replaced by Nelson and Martin
LB - Skarz remains
RB - Loanees (Baldock, Kenny) replaced by Ribeiro
CM - Lunny and Sercs with the additions of Crowley, Rothwell
Wing - Roofe, Maguire, Macdonald, Odowda were probably used in that order across 2 positions.. Rob Hall comes in
FW - Hylton, Taylor, Loanees (Bowery, Waring)... Thomas comes in.

We need to replace the goals scored. I don't think we are stronger in the Wings or FW at present.
I still think we need another striker or pacey wide winger to make the impact off the bench that Callum did. When Rob Hall is fit he will have that impact but would rather not be waiting.

However on paper at the start of last season Roofe and O'Dowda would not have been expected to get the goals they did so I trust that Appleton has made the correct signings so far. We are expecting two more signings in attacking positions in the near future.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

So would agree your squad is stronger but your starting XI is weaker after your outgoings and incomings?

Yes, but that would still be true if we had not sold O'Dowda.

 

[Ciderup]

Sabadell (never heard of them) beat the gash 4 nil this evening in Spain but I gather the away support was, admittedly from gashead reports, getting towards 1,000. Fair play if that's true!