v Watford (h) - 26/4/2025

[Crozzy]

2 minutes ago, Michael123458 said:

Hope they do pal. Have to see. RTID

Just had a look at sheff utd tickets on their website and the upper tier is almost sold out for them so I can’t see where they would get more tickets for us sadly

[RoversTilliDie]

My Summer wish! can we hang on to Tyrys Dolan please.

[chaddyrovers]

What a great enjoyable afternoon for Rovers. That was a win that secured we take it to the last day(offered me that before the season started and I would have took it), yes not in our own hands but they will be plenty of twists and turns on Saturday.. 

on the game, its was nervous atmosphere and very passive performance from Rovers first half. Far too many long balls to Ohashi. 

Second half, we conceded and that was the spark the players needed and the fans we needed. Two very well worked goals and good movement and final ball plus good finishing by Cantwell and Dolan. 

I was surprised by Ismael to moved so quickly to back 5 in 5-3-2 formation and bringing on Sanderson and Forshaw, but it worked out and he proved he was right. 

Great scenes at full time to see the players and Ismael thanking the fans today. Whatever happened ay the half time of the Sheffield Wednesday game, what a great turned around from Ismael and the players. 13 points from 5 games. 

Cantwell's best game in a Rovers shirt. deserved man of the match

COYB!!!🔵⚪

 

Edited 21 hours ago by chaddyrovers

[chaddyrovers]

 

 

[chaddyrovers]

 

 

 

[levi]

9 minutes ago, Crozzy said:

Just had a look at sheff utd tickets on their website and the upper tier is almost sold out for them so I can’t see where they would get more tickets for us sadly

When i looked to see when they was going on open sale it said we've got an initial allocation of 2000

 

Only blocks 2 and 3 was onsale so i'd say there's another 1000 available to ask for

[Neal]

Wanted to come on and say fair play to Val. 4 wins on the spin is never easy in this league so it's only fair I give credit when it's due because I always give criticism when it's due. To win from behind is something we never do so that's really positive and lifts confidence going into this last must win game. 

 

To win 5 on the bounce with the 5th being at Sheffield Utd, a ground we hardly get anything from I think will be a stretch to far but at least there's something to play for. 

 

My thoughts on the remaining fixtures...

 

I don't think Bristol will win any of their remaining games, I think they'll get beat off Leeds and draw with Preston. 

 

Cov and Boro is anyone's guess. Gut feeling says draw. 

 

Burnley will beat Millwall. 

 

Unfortunately I think we'll come up short against Sheffield United, have chances but end up with a draw. One of those games you're too desperate to win but just can't get over the line. 

 

Hopefully not. You never know. 

 

RTID

 

Edited 21 hours ago by Neal

[Michael123458]

10 minutes ago, Crozzy said:

Just had a look at sheff utd tickets on their website and the upper tier is almost sold out for them so I can’t see where they would get more tickets for us sadly

If it makes any difference pal it will probobly be on tv infact I’d put my house on it it will be one of main games on. I know it’s not same but least you can see it. United I personally don’t think will give a rats arse about this game unless its a case of they win and we will be playing Blackburn again twice…… Coventry win and it’s curtains for all of us 

[Crozzy]

4 minutes ago, levi said:

When i looked to see when they was going on open sale it said we've got an initial allocation of 2000

 

Only blocks 2 and 3 was onsale so i'd say there's another 1000 available to ask for

Fingers crossed then. I thought we had whole lower tier 

[DE.]

Just to note, we will have to beat Sheff Utd to get into the playoffs. A draw isn't enough, as it would require Coventry to lose, and as they are playing Boro, that would mean Boro would go ahead of us by one point.

Edited 20 hours ago by DE.

[Michael123458]

2 minutes ago, DE. said:

Just to note, we will have to beat Sheff Utd to get into the playoffs. A draw isn't enough, as it would require Coventry to lose, and they as they are playing Boro, that would mean Boro would go ahead of us by one point.

I’m just thinking like many how mad is it our season is still alive and kicking to a certain extent in game number 46. It means the buzz of the season will carry right through next week at work instead of thinking last game nowt to play for no promotion/relegation battle were just safe were rovers and we don’t do things by half. 

[simongarnerisgod]

buckley and jrc being left out of the squad is maybe a pointer to their departure???

i lost my interest in buckley ages ago,lots of talent,zero application

jrc,despite a good season under tommason,has never really impressed me,one paced and often disinterested

certainly not to bothered about those two departing

[M_B]

That dead rubber against Millwall has just received mouth to mouth.

[roversfan99]

Another really good win, first half we were shite, second half much better and once we went 2-1 up Watford didnt look like really scoring. Take it to the final day, very much a long shot but see what happens.

Fair play to Ismael, deserved his criticism for a shocking first 7 (?) games but we have been much better in the last 4 and he deserves praise. Overall his points return isnt very good and we probably wont make the top 6 and at a normal club youd be thinking, well at least we have seen much more positives signs going into next season. Here, with the club built so shoddily, maybe not so much. Dolan leaving, Tronstad/Travis/Brittain all at risk of going without funds to replace them.

Performance wise, Cantwell finally showed up and looked so much better. Dolan has really come on and it is criminal that he will definitely leave. We need attacking reinforcements as we all know, Hedges again poor and should be let go. Ohashi struggled but nice ball for the first.

Tronstad excellent again, deserved player of the season as most beside @RevidgeBlue will agree. Hyam and Batth also very good again.

[Crozzy]

I’m in Dublin today with the mrs. Was keeping tabs on the game while in a temple bar. Great turnaround by the lads and then soon after full time the band playing live music played Wild Rover. Gotta love that for a coincidence 

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Cheap tickets on Preston saw over 19,000 in attendance,why couldn't Rovers have done the same as a thank you to the fans?...this season average Ewood attendance the highest since we dropped out of the top flight btw!

Zero foresight whatsoever at Ewood.

Edited 8 hours ago by SIMON GARNERS 194

[DE.]

6 minutes ago, simongarnerisgod said:

buckley and jrc being left out of the squad is maybe a pointer to their departure???

i lost my interest in buckley ages ago,lots of talent,zero application

jrc,despite a good season under tommason,has never really impressed me,one paced and often disinterested

certainly not to bothered about those two departing

JRC has natural talent, but I think the repeated injuries have done a number on him as a player. It's a shame. This season has been a really bad one for him.

Buckley, another one with natural talent, but he's some way short of his potential and unlikely to significantly improve at this point. I think he's a reasonable backup player, as he does occasionally bring something unique out of his locker, but it seems unlikely that he'll ever become a first team player in a team looking to challenge for the top six. With that said, if he had realised his potential we would probably have sold him by now for something like £7m to plug a hole in the finances, so... whatever,

[B16Rover]

Finishing the season with 4 (or 5) wins on the bounce is the frustrating suckerpunch in my view.  If we had nicked a draw in the barren spell we'd all be a bit more reassured. Similarly, the players driving the performance (Cantwell, Dolan, Brittain) I half expect to be clawing at the door to leave setting us back to square one next year - despite anything Gestede says. 

All of that said, even as negative I am, I can't help but enjoy the games as of late.  Not sure what happened at Sheff Weds nor how it happened but I'm very glad it did!

[Bbrovers2288]

1 hour ago, RoversTilliDie said:

We'll be lucky to hang on to Dolan in the Summer, Clubs will be after him. His best Season for Rovers.

Steady, he is unlikely to get a team that’s higher up than us in the league imo. If I was assessing his rovers career it would be a B-

[aletheia]

33 minutes ago, simongarnerisgod said:

buckley and jrc being left out of the squad is maybe a pointer to their departure??

They will be back in if we get to the playoffs? 😉

[M_B]

13 minutes ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

Steady, he is unlikely to get a team that’s higher up than us in the league imo. If I was assessing his rovers career it would be a B-

With an A for effort

[...]

47 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Cheap tickets on Preston saw over 19,000 in attendance,why couldn't Rovers have done the same as a thank you to the fans...this season average Ewood attendance the highest since we dropped out of the top flight!

Zero foresight whatsoever at Ewood.

They've missed lots of opportunities for milestones, poignant games etc 🙄  can't expect anything else really

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

First half was a non event. It reminded me of an end of season game between two mid table teams. Lots of huff and puff but absolutely no cutting edge in either team.  It took a Watford goal to give us a kick up the arse. Then Watford foolishly decided to play for time with 40 minutes still left on the clock. Big mistake on their part. Rovers got back into the game and began to dominate. Eventually the cracks appeared and Cantwell got on the end of a good move to open our account with a really well taken shot.

It was all Rovers at this point and it was no surprise when another sparkling move led to Cantwell crossing low and hard from the right for Dolan to pop up with a crisp finish. After that we shut up shop by bringing Sanderson and Forshaw on. Not exactly what I would have done but it seemed to work. Later on Dennis and Kargbo were brought on. That left enough time for Kargbo to nearly rap the game up on two occasions and for Dennis to get another totally un- necessary booking by fouling somebody on the half way line ! He’s had more bookings than significant touches of the ball. His attitude leaves a lot to be desired.

Scores -

Toth 6, had next to nothing to do. Made a Pears like balls up of the cross for their goal.

Back 4, everyone played their part, 7 each. Baath was unlucky not to score.

Travis 6, not in the game first half. Improved in the second half.

Tronstad 7,  the player we’ve come to expect this season.

Dolan 7, worked hard throughout, scored the winner.

Hedges 6, hardly in the game. Kargbo needs to play in his place at Sheffield.

Ohashi 6, never stopped working and put their back 4 under pressure at times but he’s not a natural No 9.

Cantwell 7, blew at bit hot a cold but he scored a really good opening goal and made the second with a clever inside ball.

Subs Forshaw and Sanderson 6. Both did ok, Forshaw had a good shooting chance that ended up like a back pass.

Dennis 5, did nothing apart from getting a pointless booking - again.

Kargbo 7, looked a real threat and he was unlucky with the run of the ball.

 

Edited 19 hours ago by Tyrone Shoelaces

[Rover down South]

Humble pie time for me. Wasn’t Ismael’s biggest fan and was incredibly critical of him. However, he has overseen some great results in recent weeks and more importantly, it seems like he’s bonded with the players. Kudos to him.

Who knows what next weekend will bring, but regardless of the result, this squad of players, who we all predicted would be involved in a relegation scrap this season have done the shirt, club and supporters proud. My favourite season since the Hughes era. 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️🔵⚪️

[simongarnerisgod]

6 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Kargbo 7, looked a real threat and he was unlucky with the run of the ball.

he`s all pace and forward movement  that lad,if ismael can get him firing he can be a full backs worst nightmare next season