[Archived] Last Game: Aston Villa (H) Saturday 29th April, Kick off 15.00

[RoverCanada]

Ehh, kinda remarkable we still have something to play for on Sunday all things considered. And we've got TWO potential escapes... hardly ideal, but that's how this whole damn season has been. I was also hoping Barnsley could knick one late against Burton but that's just getting greedy (I'm not going to count on Bristol City getting pumped 6-0 haha...). Remarkable result at Birmingham v Huddersfield, ugh.

Aston Villa really didn't come to play today. I was nervous we were going to get stuck with a 0-0 after failing to capitalize on the excellent opening 20 mins or so, but Graham did what I had the feeling he would do: look out of shape and useless all game until one key moment (thought his missed left foot swing was that moment wasted!)

3 at the back seemed to work nicely. Lenihan brought the energy, Mulgrew the ball composure, and Ward the escape valve. Considering the injuries we've had at the back all year (partly due to Coyle choosing to rely on damn old CBs...), Ward's injury at the start of the year was a bigger blow than we all may have thought. Not convinced by either Nyambe or Williams as wingbacks, but it worked out today.

Gallagher's a funny one. You'd expect a tall guy like him to be dominant in the air but his main asset is straightahead speed.

I'd say Bennett for MOTM. Put himself about all game.

[roverstdt]

Jesus the footballing gods really can't just make life a little easier hahaha. We win and now it is down to 3 teams. Bristol City have had a better run of form recently and with Brum not being prolific in front of goals it is a game that anyone can win. Forest vs Ipswich is all up in the air. Forest have good great strikers in Britt, Velios, McCormack. Going to Brenftord next week away is a tough tough game they are as solid as it can get. Can we win? Of course I always believed that our team on its day have good players when focused and motivated. The one thing I am struggling to decide is to go to the game or not. I want to be there to cheer the team on but my heart and emotions will struggle to deal with relegation should we go down. Even from the Premier League it was such a tough feeling to deal with. 

[philipl]

With apologies to our poster- just seen this on an American twitter thread:

 

I think Mercer is on the Aspberger's spectrum. He has many very unusual beliefs/obsessions and not really connected to people.

 

[Mike Graham]

Just think back to all those balls ups by Steele this season.  He should be ashamed at all the goals and points he has literally given away.

[Tom]

Right, another week and another half chance it is. Would have been confident if Brum didn't win today but ah well.

Could do with Brighton stuffing Bristol 5-0 tonight to make It that any win next week would see us safe.

[Gumbi]

We could do with Bristol City getting hammered by at least 5 goals tonight so that they have to get at least a point next week to guarantee survival. Then we just have to hope we can beat Brentford.

Sadly, I can't see anything but a Forest win against an Ipswich side with nothing to play for.

[G Somerset Rover]

Given Forest have scored more we're effectively -2 behind them with one to play. You'd imagine Ipswich will pull a Huddersfield against Forest, so I think our best bet would be Bristol City beating Brum and us winning too. Still an extremely tall order given the respective fixtures but at least we've taken it to the last day.

[otto man]

Just now, Mike E said:

Forest losing and us getting a draw is my only hope

My only hope is a win! We can do this,. Chin up lad!

[lraC]

Just now, preston blue said:

Just think back to all those balls ups by Steele this season.  He should be ashamed at all the goals and points he has literally given away.

I keep on referring back to this, but imagine if Duffy hadn't scored just one of those THREE own goals.

[JacknOry]

I cant see us getting more than a point and even that is a stretch. This would mean Forest would have to lose at home which is also unlikely in my opinion. Brum probably safe lose win or draw.

[philipl]

Well at least we won't be playing Accy Stanley nest season... they lost 1-4 at home and blew their chance of the last play off slot.

[TurkishDelightFan]

Bring on the Stanley!

[lraC]

if Duffy had scored 2 own goals instead of 3 we would not be out of the drop zone. he did those on PURPOSE guys.!

[Mike E]

Just now, lraC said:

I keep on referring back to this, but imagine if Duffy hadn't scored just one of those THREE own goals.

Nah, evened out by Mulgrew's single-handed butcher of Newcastle 

[lraC]

Just now, Mike E said:

Nah, evened out by Mulgrew's single-handed butcher of Newcastle 

Nah, if had even got two of them, not three we would now be out of the drop zone.

[otto man]

Just now, TurkishDelightFan said:

Bring on the Stanley!

Behave! You cheeky little Monkey!

[Pedro]

Ahhh, the days when we'd look at a fixture against Brentford as a Coca Cola cup game and a run out for the kids. Now, we live in hope to rag a win in a very tough fixture.  

Cheers the Walker trust and FU Venkys.

[roverandout]

16 minutes ago, otto man said:

Yeah, whatever next! Before you know he'll be singing "Barmy army" Fancy supporting your team like that, eh?

Strange you only show up when rovers win

[Tom]

Team for next week

raya

mahoney Mulgrew Bennett Williams

Joao Emnes Stokes Conway 

Gallagher Graham

 

CHARGE

[matt83]

So if forest or bham draw/lose and we win we're safe. Or if we draw and forest lose we're safe. Or if forest win and we better them by 2 goals we're safe.

 

[philipl]

Just now, matt83 said:

So if forest or bham draw/lose and we win we're safe. Or if we draw and forest lose we're safe. Or if forest win and we better them by 2 goals we're safe.

 

In other words, it is a VERY TOUGH ASK.

Chances of survival- about 20% max.

 

[matt83]

Wouldn't say as high as 20%. For one we need back to back wins. In all probability 

[Guest]

Just now, Tom said:

Could do with Brighton stuffing Bristol 5-0 tonight to make It that any win next week would see us safe.

Would it not have to be 7-0?

[Tom]

Just now, Phil T said:

Would it not have to be 7-0?

In real world maths yes 

[Derby Blue]

We could do with City losing tonight by enough to make them take the last game seriously. A low scoring defeat would see then ease off against Brum.