EtoileSportiveDeDerby

10 minutes ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

What's the reasoning, any idea? 

I am guessing each new area needs a few more stewards so more planning and costs, so they make sure everything is (almost) sold before thinking of opening new ones

Class player at this level. Ward’s wiped ball had a lot of pace and spin and he was surrounded by defenders. He just controlled it and hit it over the keeper in a couple of steps. quality finish that.

Done, out of interest why Manchester United and the Rams?

I mean one is a giant of the beautiful game, arguably, one of the biggest names in world football and the other a shadow of its former self since Alex Ferguson retired

On 03/03/2024 at 21:58, Rampant said:

Bristol Rovers vs Derby County

Saturday 9th March KO 3pm

Memorial Stadium (BS7 0BF)

 

Opponents Form: Decent recently with three wins in their last four matches including their last two. They currently sit 11th in the table albeit with no realistic playoff aspirations or relegation concerns. Whilst their home record in L1 this season is a reasonable W7-D5-L5 it should be noted that they have lost four of their most recent six matches on their own patch with wins over Carlisle (2-1) and Oxford (3-1) dampened by defeats to Blackpool (1-2), Exeter (0-1), Fleetwood (0-2) and Burton (1-2).

Opponents Bio: Rovers are managed by Matt Taylor who is in his third managerial role. After an impressive four years at Exeter he was the man chosen by Rotherham to take over the reins after the departure of our own Paul Warne to Pride Park. Taylor's spell there lasted 13 months before he parted company with the Yorkshire club in November 2023 as the Millers were struggling in 22nd place. Within three weeks, however, he found himself in the Bristol Rovers hotseat replacing the ever-delightful Joseph Barton. 

The club have played their home matches at the 11,000 capacity (3,000 seated) Memorial Stadium since 1996 after leaving their previous home in Eastville. They are officially known as the 'Pirates', reflecting Bristol's maritime history. Or because they just arrrr. Or maybe because their form is historically patchy. They are of course also known as the 'Gas', a nickname which was given them by opposition fans originally but was cheerfully adopted by the Rovers' followers who refer to themselves as 'Gasheads'. The name came about apparently due to their former stadium being sited next to a gasworks which produced a distinct aroma which would waft over the ground. Anybody who sits near a few of our more dedicated drinkers at Pride Park will no doubt relate to that.

Opponents Player Watch: Only one place to start here as the Rams go up against our former beau, Christopher Hugh Martin. The Wardrobe has scored 15 goals this season and is joint fifth in the top scorers chart for the division. Second top scorer after CM9 is Anthony Evans with half a dozen goals. Other notable players are ex-Rams youngster Luke Thomas, experienced former Swansea, Celtic and Preston man Scott Sinclair and Chelsea loanee Harvey Vale who I think we were linked with during the summer. I'm not sure if he's their number one or not but they also have a goalkeeper called Jed Ward who you can only sympathise with.

Rams Record vs Opponents: There have been three FA Cup ties between the two clubs but we'll focus on the 27 league matches there have been between Bristol Rovers and Derby County. The first meeting was on 29th August 1953 at Bristol so hats off to any Ram or Rover who remembers that match over 70 years ago. During the early years of the fixture it was Bristol Rovers who held sway with the Pirates winning the first three encounters, four of the first five and six of the first nine overall. Since then though it is the Rams who have had much the better of it. The overall league record for Derby against Saturday's opponents is as follows:

P27: W12-D7-L8

Away at Bristol Rovers our record  is: P13: W3-D4-L6   Whilst that isn't impressive it should be pointed out that we lost on our first five visits and since then we've gone W3-D3-L1 on their turf and are unbeaten in our last four visits.

Since our relegation to L1 for the 2022/23 season the Rams have recorded home wins against Rovers in both fixtures at Pride Park (4-2 and 2-1) whilst last season we conceded a debateable late penalty in a 1-1 draw at their place.

Other Saturday Fixtures Of Note: We will either be second or third going into the match depending on the outcome of Barnsley vs Bolton on Tuesday night. Peterborough are at home to Northampton on the same evening. On Saturday our priority is of course to earn three points in the south-west but we will be hoping for favourable results in at least one of the following games:

Blackpool vs Portsmouth

Exeter vs Bolton

Barnsley vs Lincoln

Burton vs Peterborough

Expected Team: My guess is that Derby will be unchanged from the 3-0 win against a desperately struggling Port Vale. With fit full-back options rarer than a salad in the City Ground boardroom I suspect it'll be a back three plus the two wing-backs who played well yesterday. 

 

Safe journey to those who make the trip and COYR.

Top job, i really hope you start many more match threads. Thank for this.

Obviously at our humble level…but the mentality for the remaining games has got to be similar to Citeh and Liverpool, home or away, whatever the opposition they go for the 3 points. don’t start thinking a draw away at Portsmouth is a good result we play for a win every game remaining. Shackles off, ducking go for it PW

7 minutes ago, Rich3478 said:

Thought ward looked fitter than most yesterday, looked quick, sprinted often and made some great tackles. Really impressed 

The analysts will be able to tell re sprints fitness etc, that's what they do. Yes I liked him too, wing back is his best position, full back not so much.

We need automatic, nothing less. As much as I Love London, our latest trips to Wembley have not been a bundle of fun, the  play offs are too much of a lottery for my liking

23 minutes ago, Ghost of Clough said:

Joint 3rd top goal scorer across all competitions now. 

Cracking goal that 3rd one. He showed great Composure, most would have lashed at it on the volley, destination row z. Well done Louie, more of the same please.

1 hour ago, B4’s Sister said:

Thanks Dan. Just what we needed 🎉🐏🐏🐏🎉

Did I hear an announcement at half time for “B4’s sister” or is my hearing is really getting worse as my wife keeps telling me. Daniel’s delivered today, so happy b’day Claire.

11 minutes ago, EtoileSportiveDeDerby said:

Just read The times who have received the “email” with link to Google drive and pictures to illustrate the story for those who can’t read properly. sounds pretty messy. The article goes on saying the DTS can stop filming for this year as they’ve got enough to fill all episodes for next year series 😂

Is it in the public domain/social media yet? Asking for a friend who does not do social media.

 

Google drive to survive for the first episode title would be my bet

Just read The times who have received the “email” with link to Google drive and pictures to illustrate the story for those who can’t read properly. sounds pretty messy. The article goes on saying the DTS can stop filming for this year as they’ve got enough to fill all episodes for next year series 😂

Is it in the public domain/social media yet? Asking for a friend who does not do social media.

2 hours ago, Boycie said:

They won’t represent me!

We need a blow up doll as a director, to represent all the plastic fans.  Wayhay! 😂

A pretty one, please.

How many wingers do we need on the pitch to put in a decent cross?

Warne’s football has got us to 2nd place but it is not good to watch

Every other country are bringing their citizens back and put them on trial. Why should it be different for the UK? That's one thing, the other one she was 15. That does not make it right or an excuse but it has to be taken into consideration too.

30 minutes ago, Gerry Daly said:

We just need someone to come in and help out for a couple of months. We aren't in a position to be too choosy about it

This. And with a pulse.

Last game, the south stand sang east stand gives u a song, they did, then west stand, they did, then north stand. One man stood up, if you are not that man, find him, he's the messiah.

4 hours ago, Ram-Alf said:

Just a little point of contention concerning JC continually being caught offside, Now I've not witnessed this as I neither go to PP or watch on RTV only read it on here, Has anyone ever thought that the reason he's offside is because the player with the ball holds on to it just that little to long...just a thought 🤷‍♂️

Don’t think so it is to anyone holding on to the ball. He’s slow and always have to be at least level with his marker to get a chance of getting there first,if the ball is not played to his feet. Unfortunately level often means half a year offside.this being said he’s scored a few so we’ll have to with this.

10 hours ago, sage said:

Trent isn't a top class RB, he cant defend. 

We are probably the second best team after France.

Spain, Holland and Portugal aren't far behind. 

Trent is a quarterback, Walker and Reece James (always crocked sadly) are your best RB. Trippier isn’t shabby either. Put Trent in midfield with Rice and Bellingham and it does not get much better than that.

and I agree we (France) probably have the best team. if, Bappe turns up, we don’t have a meltdown (last Euros versus the Swiss) or go on strike (WC in South Africa). At least if it goes to pens we have a chance, Lloris had the uncanny ability to always dive the other way. 

Apart from the goal keeper and central defence, England have probably the best squad in Europe. Bellingham, Kane, Saka, Foden, Rice, Walker, Trent, Palmer all top class, they could get into any team. If Radford gets back in form, Henderson gets back to playing good level you have got a very good a chance to win it this summer.

57 minutes ago, G STAR RAM said:

Couple of things:-

Every single offside decision in the first half, at least, was correct in my opinion. 

At what point did Warne come out and tell all of the players to sit back and defend the 1-0 lead?

The support wasn't stupendous. Booing your team when drawing is anything but stupendous.

With Collins on the pitch, this is home banker, he was born offside, it would be easier for the Lino to flag when he is not offside. 

I have enjoyed the Netflix documentary and been impressed by Shaun Edwards command of the French language.

“Quand le ballon est au milieu du terrain, kick the ducking thing”

There is no language tape for that I guess.

56 minutes ago, Comrade 86 said:

So Hammy has Hammer Time, Christian Horner has Horny Time.

Won't be getting any anytime soon, mind! 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/68205305

That does not say much. What do you know?

9 hours ago, Grumpy Git said:

I applied and the interview was going swimmingly, until I told them my journey to the ground on matchdays would be via the Brunswick, Neptune and Merlin.

Not a fan of route one then?

21 hours ago, Comrade 86 said:

Errr, did I mention how good the Irish are? 🙊

Honestly though, WTF is up with the French here. Zero discipline or defensive shape. Worrying for their fans.

Very worrying, Scotland next and they are making this look easy against Wales

1st half was deadly. Got better in the 2nd half, a little better but thank god for the goals. Ref was MOTM for missing the pen.