[Archived] Rovers versus Manchester City, 25th April 8pm

[Andy]

Actually a decent first half, after a pretty dominant start by City.

Roberts could have had a penalty, but made too much of the challenge.

P.Jones and J.Jones have been immense for me, but Samba and Salgado have also been good.

Benjani and Dunn off, Formica and Kalinic/Rochina on - may as well go for it.

Interested to see/hear what happens after the match...

[American Rover12]

Missed the first bit of the match but that's probably for the best. A lot of pros, some cons, but we looked great ending that first half. Maybe no subs just yet, but maybe Formica on for J Jones or Emo if they get winded?

[Exiled in Toronto]

Benjani to score, 1-0

[imy9]

I would swop Kalinic for Roberts, man Mark Silva with JJ and play like we did for the last 20 minutes, no point defending a 0-0, attack best form of defence IMO.

[Grabbi Graeme]

I feared the worst after the first minutes of this game, 0-0 at half time looked like a no go, but we have turned it around and had our own chances, I feel we will have to changes the strikers if we are to get a goal in the 2nd half.

[Stavros_BRFC]

an excellent last 20 minutes of the half!

if we keep that rhythm up i wouldnt be surprised if we actually win

[patrickvalery]

Right then people who wants to play a game?

Your the manager, so how would you approach the start of the next half?

As we did the first?

As we finished the first?

Some other way?

Who kick's off if it was me would dictate my start,

Us attack, them sit and see.

Few beers Maji?!!

First of all i'd have given a 5 minute team talk and had the boys back on the park moving, and keeping their concentration up. This is a prime example of a game where we will be vulnerable straight after the break. We can't afford 5-10 mins to get back in our stride.

Other than that i'd continue to try and frustrate. Keep the crowd happy and we can pull off a shock.

We debate playing styles of Kean and Sam all the time. But all i'd want from us from here on in is this level of commitment. If we had shown these levels of fight weeks ago we might not be in this mess.

[Oklahoma]

Come on, Rovers!!!!! We need to be patient as they will give all they have in the first minutes of the second half...

Defend well and attack even better!!

[Majiball]

You're

We were thinking about sending out search parties.

What?

If you were Steve Kean how would tell the players to start the second half??? Defensively as we did the first, or more open and attacking as we finished playing in the later stages of the first half?

[Stavros_BRFC]

excellent save by robbo

[Exiled_Rover]

Sadly I still see City nicking a goal at some point. We really, really need to score.

[DE.]

Roberts, you @#/?.

[Presty On Tour]

Jason ###### roberts grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Exiled_Rover]

That's why Roberts is terrible.

[mode_m]

excellent play,shame roberts missed it but Olsson just about saved it.

[bubblerrovers]

Roberts is a disgrace to donkeys

[Grabbi Graeme]

Roberts, thats why Big Sam didn't pick you, that was a bad miss

[Majiball]

Few beers Maji?!!

Only a couple, but I was trying to write it quickly and simplistically as I also had to leg it to the shop and back at half-time. Makes me laugh that when I've tried to do that I appear ###### online, quality.

We've had 3 good chances now and haven't taken one of them and even got two off target. Tell Kalinic to warm-up.

[DE.]

Really disappointed with Olsson's performance so far, seems to constantly make the wrong choice

[Mc Love]

Great first half by our standards. Roberts showing again why he couldnt score in a brothel. Easy chance he should have taken. Should have been pen in first half for rovers

[Majiball]

Awful set piece that fell straight into Hart's hands. One attacker should always attack the GK.

[American Rover12]

Time for Olsen to come off for Formica and Roberts for Niko. They're not getting any better as this game goes on.

[patrickvalery]

Its no good having a pop at Roberts. Its because of his and Benjani's physical approach that we have a glimmer of hope in this match. If the bloke could finish he'd be worth a small fortune.

[Exiled_Rover]

Really disappointed with Olsson's performance so far, seems to constantly make the wrong choice

He's causing them all sorts of problems.

[DE.]

Without Pedersen on the pitch our set pieces are really lacking.

He's causing them all sorts of problems.

Yes, but then he's solving the problems he's causing by making the wrong choice whilst in possession. He's been better the last ten minutes, mind.