[Albino Rover]

Seems like an age since that dramatic day at Forthbank, finally we meet again.

You'd have to think the Rovers team we're seeing now would have the beating of that Stirling side. Their defence was poor that day as was ours, I know we've solidified since then, and with John Gemmell up front instead of Gilmartin our firepower will be more threatening too. Barry Russell was our star man that afternoon, and he's meant to have been back in training for a few weeks...an opportunity to give him half an hour? But if Paul Martin's serious about a top half finish this is a must-win, no messing about.

I know little about how the Binos have been playing since that game, didn't see any of their players in anyone's SFL2 Select so there can't be any standout players, although we may have to watch for Jacobs, who I remember looked sharp in August and got his goal. Top scorer Davieson has scored 5, two of them penalties. Stirling have scored the fewest goals in Division 2, only 8 away from home. They've only played one game since losing Jocky Scott and comfortably beat Stenny, something we've been unable to do. They'll be hungry for this one, as should we. 3 defeats on the trot would start to send us on our way back into the danger zone.

Going to this one, Bold?

[puggy69]

its hard to call, i was at the stenny game and we didnt play silky football or anything but the team battled for each other and for the manager, and thats the sort of fight wel need to drag ourselves up the table. The defence looked solid and we deserved our win, i cant actually remember enjoying a game that much since we pumped Dumbarton at the start of the season.

I think the fight in the team might catch rovers out, theyl not expect us to be as up for it as were going to be, stenny got a shock with some of the tackles that went flying in in the first 5 minutes. It refreshing to see the fight and passion back that Jocky had sucked out of the team and the majority of Stirling fans would turn up to support it i think. In danger of sounding defeatest here but you dont mind as much when your team gets beats as long as they give 100% effort and show the will to win which we will do.

Might be getting carried away after one game but 1-0 to the Stirling, id be happy woth a point tho

[shakey]

This ones a must win for the Rovers - with our next 2 games away to Arbroath and Cowdenbeath we really need 3 pts from this one to avoid the possibility of a long losing streak developing. Although we took 4pts from our last games against the top 2 ( and should really have taken 6 ) I suspect it will be difficult to repeat that away from Cliftonhill.

Sounds like the Binos have had a lift through the change in management so we will need to be right up for this one. Midfield is the key for me - someone needs to step into the creative gap that will be left with Lawless's return to 'Well - Ryam McStay is the obvious choice I think but we need to see some more from him than we have up until now. PM might also be tempted to go with Boyle but I wonder how fit he is after a long spell out injured.

I'll go 2-1 Rovers!

[Vodka Vic]

Albino Rover, on 10 January 2012 - 13:38, said:

Seems like an age since that dramatic day at Forthbank, finally we meet again.

You'd have to think the Rovers team we're seeing now would have the beating of that Stirling side. Their defence was poor that day as was ours.

Disagree with this statement, I thought Stirling's defence was decent that day and their keeper pulled off some great saves. However, their midfield was non-existant as they surrendered this area 100% to Rovers - McDonald has started to redress this by signing Ferry from Raith Rovers.

Stirling have had the obvious lift from a new manager with the odds on that this will continue in the short run at the very least. As for Rovers nothing has changed from the start of the season in that we must win our home games, this will determine the success of our season.

[Bold Rover]

Albino Rover, on 10 January 2012 - 13:38, said:

Going to this one, Bold?

Possibly, but if I am, I'll be coming from Edinburgh. So no lift, I'm afraid!

A defeat would put us in a parlous state, but I think we're a better team than Stirling, notwithstanding their superb win against Stenny. What does it say about their players that they couldn't play for Scott but deliver as soon as he goes? If Boyle is fit, I'd like him to fill Lawless's position, and I hope Marriott is preferred in defensive midfield. If Russell's fit, Donnelly could play in the middle where a bit of his dig would be appreciated.

Any of you statsperts know where we are in the approach to suspensions? And do any Rovers insiders know who the new signing is (alluded to by by pere Lawless on the Rovers' message board)?

[headthebaw]

Bold Rover, on 11 January 2012 - 21:13, said:

What does it say about their players that they couldn't play for Scott but deliver as soon as he goes?

Scott couldn't get the best out of them, simples.

This post has been edited by headthebaw: 11 January 2012 - 21:32

[Bold Rover]

headthebaw, on 11 January 2012 - 21:31, said:

Scott couldn't get the best out of them, simples.

Simples? What ambitious player doesn't play to his maximal effort because he doesn't like the boss? Says more about the player(s) than the manager.

[headthebaw]

Bold Rover, on 11 January 2012 - 21:39, said:

Simples? What ambitious player doesn't play to his maximal effort because he doesn't like the boss? Says more about the player(s) than the manager.

nothing to do with players not liking Scott or lack of effort. He just didn't play to their strenghts in terms of formation or their natural positions.

[puggy69]

headthebaw, on 11 January 2012 - 21:44, said:

nothing to do with players not liking Scott or lack of effort. He just didn't play to their strenghts in terms of formation or their natural positions.

Correct! He managed to drain the confidence from the team, it got to a point a player was scared to touch the ball incase he made a mistake. no surprise that with a bit of positive coaching and confidence building that the players actually put in a shift for Greg, Cookie and Josh were a noticeable improvement! and playing players in there right position??? unheard of under Scott!

[Aloysius Snuffleupagus]

Bold Rover, on 11 January 2012 - 21:13, said:

Any of you statsperts know where we are in the approach to suspensions? And do any Rovers insiders know who the new signing is (alluded to by by pere Lawless on the Rovers' message board)?

I'm neither a statspert or an insider, but I'll have a go at answering both.

On the suspension front, we have Stevenson and Gemmell on five yellow cards so one more and they're oot! As for the new signing, I reckon it's Steven Meechan as I really don't see what we would gain by signing another defensive midfielder in Peter Innes. Meechan would at least provide cover, and maybe even a challenge, for the right back position.

Huge game this and a must win. A draw has to be viewed at unacceptable given we're at home, and a defeat would be a real worry with visit to Central park and Gayfield being our next too fixtures. Here's hoping for a return to form, or at the very least an improvement upon what have been really flat performances in our last two games.

[Bold Rover]

Aloysius Snuffleupagus, on 12 January 2012 - 10:32, said:

I'm neither a statspert or an insider, but I'll have a go at answering both.

On the suspension front, we have Stevenson and Gemmell on five yellow cards so one more and they're oot! As for the new signing, I reckon it's Steven Meechan as I really don't see what we would gain by signing another defensive midfielder in Peter Innes. Meechan would at least provide cover, and maybe even a challenge, for the right back position.

Come on, Snuffy - we plebs rely on you for the inside track. You're the father of a ball-boy, for God's sake.

Maybe Paul Martin has followed the lad Meechan's progress. He didn't really impress last season. Played one game at right-back, when Reid was unavailable, and came on as a sub at Annan, only to limp off a short while later, and he never reappeared. I was hoping that "The Loanee" (posting on the other place) was telling us there had been a change of plan for his lad.

[Aloysius Snuffleupagus]

Bold Rover, on 12 January 2012 - 18:54, said:

Come on, Snuffy - we plebs rely on you for the inside track. You're the father of a ball-boy, for God's sake.

Bold Rover, on 12 January 2012 - 18:54, said:

I was hoping that "The Loanee" (posting on the other place) was telling us there had been a change of plan for his lad.

His appearance at Fir Park on Saturday has put paid to that. He can't go out on another loan now.

[Bold Rover]

Even though it was Scottish Cup? (I take it we're talking about Lawless, and not Snuffleupagus Jnr, though, come to think of it, they bear quite a similarity.)

[Aloysius Snuffleupagus]

Bold Rover, on 12 January 2012 - 19:57, said:

Even though it was Scottish Cup? (I take it we're talking about Lawless, and not Snuffleupagus Jnr, though, come to think of it, they bear quite a similarity.)

Yup, as far as I'm aware. You can't have two separate loan periods in the one season and playing a competitive game for Motherwell on Saturday means any return to Rovers would be a fresh loan period.

I don't think coming back to us would do the boy any good. His contract expires in June so he really needs to be under Stuart McCall's nose trying desperately to impress. He could always return to us next season, on loan or not.

[Travolta]

headthebaw, on 11 January 2012 - 21:44, said:

nothing to do with players not liking Scott or lack of effort. He just didn't play to their strenghts in terms of formation or their natural positions.

Yes , Jocky was far to defensively minded , when he let Borris go at the end of last season you knew straight away we would never have any width in the attacking sense . Gibson also obviously knew this as well he played with Scott before and hardly kicked a ball for him before leaving . He then had Flood and Cook playing all over the place rather in there own positions, and the kids were being judged on this by the fans . However we still havent turned the corner and fans optimism outweights last weeks performance . Our defence is as likely to be rotten as it is to be very good but at least we look like we want to attack now and an attacking formation is being put out to win . Long may it continue ............. prediction 2-2 again .

[Bino]

Anyone know if the game is in any doubt due to the cold weather this week?

[60s-airdrie]

There was a severe frost yesterday, bit it is much milder today. I'm a couple of miles from the park, but wouldn't think there would be a problem - but you never know.

[Aloysius Snuffleupagus]

Bino, on 14 January 2012 - 09:56, said:

Anyone know if the game is in any doubt due to the cold weather this week?

There's a post on the Rovers Message Board from a pretty reliable source stating that it's definitely on. Not sure if that's after an inspection or not.

[Travolta]

Great Result absolutely dire fucking rubbbish game though . Im still trying to figure out how we won .Rovers missed loads and were denied a stonewal penalty .On top of this our defence spent the entire game battering the ball up the park and still have absolutely no composure on the ball .It was No bettter than a Jocky Scott performance today . ..

[headthebaw]

Travolta, on 14 January 2012 - 18:30, said:

Great Result absolutely dire fucking rubbbish game though . Im still trying to figure out how we won .Rovers missed loads and were denied a stonewal penalty .On top of this our defence spent the entire game battering the ball up the park and still have absolutely no composure on the ball .It was No bettter than a Jocky Scott performance today . ..

wrong. We've got 3 points today.

Jocky would have got nothing out of the game.

[Travolta]

headthebaw, on 14 January 2012 - 18:42, said:

wrong. We've got 3 points today.

Jocky would have got nothing out of the game.

It was only good luck and nothing else mate .We were fucking rubbish today , The ref was shite He missed the penalty and Rovers should have had a man off for the tackle on Allison . If this is how we are going to play we will be relegated . Did we manage more than 4 passes without the ball being fucked 40 feet into the air all day ???

[froggybinos]

Travolta, on 14 January 2012 - 18:30, said:

Great Result absolutely dire fucking rubbbish game though . Im still trying to figure out how we won .Rovers missed loads and were denied a stonewal penalty .On top of this our defence spent the entire game battering the ball up the park and still have absolutely no composure on the ball .It was No bettter than a Jocky Scott performance today . ..

I agree about the stone wall penalty but I don't remember these loads of Rovers chances. They had the vast majority of possession but few clear cut chances, in fact whilst having a lot less of the ball we probably had the two biggest misses, especially smiths chance at the end of the first half.

Whilst I wouldn't necessarily say we deserved the win today, we Deserved it more than the point earlier in the season when Rovers frankly destroyed us at Forthbank but the game ended in a draw.

[miketheheadlesschicken]

Travolta, on 14 January 2012 - 18:30, said:

On top of this our defence spent the entire game battering the ball up the park and still have absolutely no composure on the ball

Sounds like both teams' performance. You're never going to get decent passing football on a pitch as bad as that.

[Travolta]

froggybinos, on 14 January 2012 - 18:52, said:

I agree about the stone wall penalty but I don't remember these loads of Rovers chances. They had the vast majority of possession but few clear cut chances, in fact whilst having a lot less of the ball we probably had the two biggest misses, especially smiths chance at the end of the first half.

Whilst I wouldn't necessarily say we deserved the win today, we Deserved it more than the point earlier in the season when Rovers frankly destroyed us at Forthbank but the game ended in a draw.

Really ? How many times did they fire the ball across the front of goal and wide ?
How many saves did Calum make ?
We were dire and if your happy with that kind of football and think it wont sink us .........your wrong .

[froggybinos]

Travolta, on 14 January 2012 - 19:14, said:

Really ? How many times did they fire the ball across the front of goal and wide ?
How many saves did Calum make ?
We were dire and if your happy with that kind of football and think it wont sink us .........your wrong .

The answer to the two questions is twice and four times. We missed 5 equally good chances. If you can't see that then id advice a quick jaunt to the opticians.