Bristol Rovers 3-1 BFC, Saturday 18th January 2025

‘It’s like a competition this...build your best stand.’

I’ve been really impressed with the manager over our 4 game winning sequence. With injuries to ‘key defenders’ (!) Coach Clarke has had to jiggle around the side following the Orient stuffing with the result that we’ve won 4 in a row, including 2 tough fixtures against Wrexham and Bolton. So it comes as great disappointment that as soon as Earl and Roberts are fit, he sticks them straight back in the team. Result? We concede 3 and lose the match. Personally, I’ve enjoyed seeing McCarthy’s resurrection and like seeing a defender who can actually control a ball (as opposed to Roberts and Pines). Earl? Well, he’s not rubbish, but the best I’ve seen him was in his first month with us. Otherwise, he’s not all that. I had to laugh as Clarke, interviewed in the Yorkshire Post, claimed we had ‘5 top class centre halves’ (as he was pondering who to drop, now they’re all fit.)

We also have a glut of top class midfielders too (says Darrell) so obviously, with Connell, Phillips and DKD all fit, he reverts back to dropping Nwakali to the bench despite all and sundry thinking he’s our best midfielder. So, basically, Clarke’s learnt NOWT over the course of the season, and just picks the same 1st team he did when we were losing as many as we were winning, rather than looking at what changed during our recent 4 match winning run. He didn’t mention the forward line.

The forward line. My God. We could have had 7 or 8. Watters alone accounted for 4 of these misses. Clean through twice, 1st half, at least he forced the keeper into saves. 2nd half, he drags one wide, but his coup de grace is an unbelievable miss from 4 yards where he FLICKS it with the outside of his foot, up and over. It was virtually impossible to clear the bar from that range. Indeed, had the chance been at the far end, I’d have questioned my eyesight. He’s rubbish. (Actually, if he’d never found himself in goalscoring positions, I’d be tempted to say he had a decent game. I know, makes no sense. Like playing Watters.) TV replays later show he’s also the reason Connell’s 20 yard volley is disallowed…the clutz wandering into an offside position as he decides to stand next to the goalkeeper for reasons not altogether clear.

Still, despite our apparent domination, Kilip pulls off a worldy, tipping over a screamer headed for the top corner. However, determined not to go in goalless, we stand around watching a Gas cross hit the bar, then stand around watching the return cross, as a Rover does what it says on his tin and MOVES to the ball which drops invitingly between Roberts and MdG. Bullet header, one nil.

Second half continues as before. We are all over these. Watters completely misses a cross. Humphreys heads wide from 2 yards. Phillips has a shot saved and Russell falls over the rebound. But don’t worry, Connell’s about to give the ball away and leave them clean through, though Rovers intelligently square the ball for a tap-in rather than shoot and risk missing. Connell lasts 3 more minutes before he’s hauled for Nwakali, 55 minutes too late.

Still, Earl pulls one back, a header from a free kick, and there’s 20 minutes left. We can still win this. Watters is clean through…and pokes it wide. He’s useless. Then the aimless flick over the bar. He’s useless. Rovers break, O’Keefe is done on his inside and another low cross is sidefooted in. Simples. We have lost a game 3-1 that we have dominated from start to finish. 58% possession, 25 shots (9 on target). Not that I entirely trust the BBC’s stats. Number of ‘one-on-one chances’? One. Eh?

Onwards and upwards!

*** DKD. Good touches and brought 2 good saves out of their keeper, 1st half.
** Phillips. Along with DKD, combined well in our attacks.
* Nwakali. He’s just a joy to watch. Maybe I should go and see the reserves?

Londontykes’ MOTM: 1. Earl 2= Phillips / DKD

Despatches:
XG. Expected goals. Howthehell is this worked out? My Johnny-on-the-Spot Farnham says our XG today was 2.58. Does it take into account Max Watters is on the end of most of our chances? And are we the only team in the Marvel universe to have a lower AG (Actual Goals) than XG?

Anyway, nevermind the football, I had a great day. Reedy loves a bit of Bristol (as opposed to ‘Bristols’) so we treated ourselves to the train. You’ll be unsurprised to learn our return was an hour late, thereby causing us to miss the last train from Sheff to civilisation. However, we got a (free) taxi to Andy’s mum’s, and lateness of the train allowed us to go back to the bar for another pint. So it’s not all bad. Oh, and respect to the Rovers fans I chatted to in the pub after the game…they were all speechless as to how they won, but thought we took it well. ‘We’re used to it.’ My Spurs supporting mate was also impressed at how many Reds fans stayed when the game was lost. Don’t let him see a home game.

Drink du jour: Leffe on the train, Wonderland Hazy IPA in The Full Moon (very nice), Tacoma American Pale (not very nice, more like bitter) and something slightly more drinkable (only slightly) at a craft ale place with beer from barrels. The kind of place I’d have expected better. Neck Oil and Gamma Ray in The Sidings. And Brewdog Hazy Jane for the journey back.

Away: c.750. Full, as far as I could see. I was annoyed they didn’t give us the usual terrace, but it was a good atmosphere.

The Damage:
£25 ent
£41 train
£8 petrol
= £74