Well I thoroughly enjoyed that. Bristol were horrendous, but I thought we were mostly superb, second half at least.
Great home debuts for back and simons.
Humpfreys was superb too.
The subs did well when they came on.
Also ... I don't understand all the hate for Richard on co comms?!
He did in fairness bang on a little bit too much... but actually his Knowledge was impressive, his research was spot on....and his little side thoughts were....(mostly) quite insightful I thought. Just needs to learn when to let phill do his thing and shut up.... and when he can chirp in.
Well that’s one hell of a night. Delighted. Xavier Simons is some player. Magnus, Hagelskjaer, Berry, Sadlier etc. still to return. Many more not mentioned too. Christ. Some squad we have.
Yeah - I do agree that he went on a bit much, but he did actually offer some thoughtful analysis on individual players and how the shape of the game was progressing, it wasn't just yer classic stating the obvious, "and he's got to be doing better with those chances..." kind of comments.
It's great to win again, though I must admit it is a little hard to know what to make of it as Bristol Rovers are the worst team I have seen this season. Horse punchers? I doubt they could even slap a pony.
Taylor will end up playing in top flight I think. I'm somewhat surprised West Brom didn't want him to go to a Championship club in Jan once they opted to send him on loan again.
Together with Low the physical presence at centre back is incredible. It's a huge factor in the way we've played this season I think. They can sit on halfway snuffing out counter attacks so effectively that we're able to attack with an extra bit of freedom.
Good performance from back to front. Back and Simons look like useful additions. I know it was 'only' Rovers but a job well done. For all the talk of Brum and Wrexham we also need to watch out for Orient sneaking in there.
Fred was poor going forward, but he busted a gut pressing their winger/left back and forcing them to switch the ball across the back. Couple of times they had 2 on 1 on Back and he got back to support.
So many times Rovers played it across the back, we pressed and they ended up pumping it long to Low/Taylor to initiate another attack.
Simons was absolutely superb. The player in the Morley mould that we’ve been missing. He allowed Scowen and Humphreys to attack more too and those three were key to winning the game.
Very encouraging debut from Fin Back too.
Only disappointment was front three. But hopefully Kone fit for Saturday.
I don’t think Rovers were as bad as people made out but I think we should have won by more given our control of game.
A word for that Rovers red card too - that tackle could have been a career ender. Hopefully Leahy is okay - even Rovers fans were outraged by it on their forum!
Dont really understand the moaning from some … that was a good performance tonight - only lost our way a bit in the last 20 mins of the first half. Not every front man is going to get 8/10 every game. The work rate and movement was good throughout and Lubala had a good second half on the left.
All the debutants had very good games. Back was very good - strong, intelligent and agile. Simons and Scowen look a great balance in the middle and as much as I love Bradley, Low and Taylor are the best partnership.
Well that was a whole heap of fun in the end. We had to sit and suffer in the first half as Rovers made Bolton look adventurous, albeit they did force a smart save. Once the first goal went in it was like a huge weight lifted and everyone came alive. Simons looks an absolute gem. Back offered tremendous physical presence in an already imperious defence. Scowen was Scowen. Cam was Cam. And delighted for Udoh to score in back to back games. Coupled with that other result…lovely job and great to see many young (and old) smiling faces at full time.
Comments
Well I thoroughly enjoyed that. Bristol were horrendous, but I thought we were mostly superb, second half at least.
Great home debuts for back and simons.
Humpfreys was superb too.
The subs did well when they came on.
Also ... I don't understand all the hate for Richard on co comms?!
He did in fairness bang on a little bit too much... but actually his Knowledge was impressive, his research was spot on....and his little side thoughts were....(mostly) quite insightful I thought. Just needs to learn when to let phill do his thing and shut up.... and when he can chirp in.
Though I'm guessing most of us have long forgotten what lady bumps look like.
Brilliant set of results. Maybe we can all be friends again!
Stansfield stretchered off. I did not realize he had caught Kone, so it may now be a case of who gets back first!
Simons was excellent. Did I see somewhere that it is a loan with an option to buy. ?
Well that’s one hell of a night. Delighted. Xavier Simons is some player. Magnus, Hagelskjaer, Berry, Sadlier etc. still to return. Many more not mentioned too. Christ. Some squad we have.
Yeah - I do agree that he went on a bit much, but he did actually offer some thoughtful analysis on individual players and how the shape of the game was progressing, it wasn't just yer classic stating the obvious, "and he's got to be doing better with those chances..." kind of comments.
And Kone.
It's great to win again, though I must admit it is a little hard to know what to make of it as Bristol Rovers are the worst team I have seen this season. Horse punchers? I doubt they could even slap a pony.
They were terrible.
Anyone spot any hugging tonight?
Taylor will end up playing in top flight I think. I'm somewhat surprised West Brom didn't want him to go to a Championship club in Jan once they opted to send him on loan again.
Together with Low the physical presence at centre back is incredible. It's a huge factor in the way we've played this season I think. They can sit on halfway snuffing out counter attacks so effectively that we're able to attack with an extra bit of freedom.
No. I was too busy looking for Bristols.
Wasn’t an option once he’d played for us and them this season
I think Taylor could only play for WBA and us for the remainder of this season.
https://x.com/theu21fc/status/1891967982907150742?s=46
Plus Dodds has confirmed Kone is back in training 🙏
Good point
Pope Francis appears to be very ill.
Which means a Lowry hattrick next Saturday.
Good performance from back to front. Back and Simons look like useful additions. I know it was 'only' Rovers but a job well done. For all the talk of Brum and Wrexham we also need to watch out for Orient sneaking in there.
Fred was poor going forward, but he busted a gut pressing their winger/left back and forcing them to switch the ball across the back. Couple of times they had 2 on 1 on Back and he got back to support.
So many times Rovers played it across the back, we pressed and they ended up pumping it long to Low/Taylor to initiate another attack.
interesting snippet in this interview from Dodds on the Danes
https://x.com/bbcsport3cr/status/1891975866244268200?s=46
Simons was absolutely superb. The player in the Morley mould that we’ve been missing. He allowed Scowen and Humphreys to attack more too and those three were key to winning the game.
Very encouraging debut from Fin Back too.
Only disappointment was front three. But hopefully Kone fit for Saturday.
I don’t think Rovers were as bad as people made out but I think we should have won by more given our control of game.
A word for that Rovers red card too - that tackle could have been a career ender. Hopefully Leahy is okay - even Rovers fans were outraged by it on their forum!
Dont really understand the moaning from some … that was a good performance tonight - only lost our way a bit in the last 20 mins of the first half. Not every front man is going to get 8/10 every game. The work rate and movement was good throughout and Lubala had a good second half on the left.
All the debutants had very good games. Back was very good - strong, intelligent and agile. Simons and Scowen look a great balance in the middle and as much as I love Bradley, Low and Taylor are the best partnership.
All in all a very good night.
So, not match fit.
More importantly Dodds sounds very good on the radio whereas on TV he looks like he's going to shit himself.
Radio only, for now.
Well that was a whole heap of fun in the end. We had to sit and suffer in the first half as Rovers made Bolton look adventurous, albeit they did force a smart save. Once the first goal went in it was like a huge weight lifted and everyone came alive. Simons looks an absolute gem. Back offered tremendous physical presence in an already imperious defence. Scowen was Scowen. Cam was Cam. And delighted for Udoh to score in back to back games. Coupled with that other result…lovely job and great to see many young (and old) smiling faces at full time.
Simons looks a player.
Why are people calling him "Sim-uns" ??
He’s just Xavi to me
Loads of Simmons chat round me, people also desperate to coat Fred, Bakinson and Leahy off. Sad stuff.
Dodds giving it the Wilko Johnson across the technical area.