Bristol Rovers (H) League One, 21 Jan 3pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

Makris on for Oztumer, 77 minutes

Walsall 3 Bristol Rovers 1 (82 minutes .... still time to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory :roll: )

You've been reading too many of my posts Welshie, :oops: Calm down and give us the scorer of our fourth goal soon! :lol: :lol:

There won't be time ... we now have a goal kick, and that will use at least 6 minutes. :wink:

[Welsh_Saddler]

Late goal at the Ricoh ... Coventry City 0 Fleetwood Town 1 (88 min)

Full time at the Banks's and it's a 3-1 win.

(Which has more than compensated for the financial disaster that was Liverpool FC earlier on!!!) :D

[BathSaddler]

That will do. UTS.

[chunkster]

fantastic win. can we start believing :D

[Darth Vader]

Fantastic result again, delighted

[wednesburysaddler]

just got back in tp thaw myself out

same team as predicted and guess what same result bar another goal

looking a very good side at the moment playing with confidence and pace especially when we go a goal up

only 2 of the last 7 goals been scored by a forward which although is ok id like to see a matty fryatt type figure to come in to bolster the side

baky is an ok player but a special player will take us higher up the league. baky seems to trip over his own legs far too often.

anway a good performance good result and now if we can get 3/4 points away will be a good haul for January.

[boringteacher]

Good win, good 2nd half performance against a decent team.

The formation suits our personnel perfectly, it gives width when we have no out and out wingers if we played a midfield 4/5. Edwards was comfortably MoM.

Pity it took so long to get to this, but they are currently a top 6 side. Progress :D

[The Bosted Slab]

The work rate and closing down of the opposition has improved of late and there aren't so many holes in midfield and defence.

There were a few outstanding performances today which include O'Connell, McCarthy, Edwards and Osbourne.

In fairness all played well today, although Oztumer, especially first half, seemed to ignore the best passing options and stifled our play a little.

Bakayoko was usually outmuscled by Clarke, but didn't give up trying.

The most pleasing aspect of our recent games is that we are making fewer basic errors in possession and the opposition are having to work harder for their rewards.

[JonnyOwen]

Okay first half, Bristol probably shaded it. Got the goal at the best time though thanks to a cracking volley from O'Connell who was very, very calm and composed on the ball - fantastic player so far.

Second half we stepped it up, Flo (who was fantastic) started to dictate it more and Osbourne just marauded around tackling Rovers all over the pitch. Deserved victory with Oztumer, Flo and Osbourne putting in some cracking performances. Edwards was very good in the tackle and took his goal well, but I do feel we are much more dangerous down the right with McCarthy and his direct running.

Baka huffed and puffed but didn't really provide the end product - today showed just how raw he still is. He will go on and be a very good striker but he still quite clearly had a lot to learn. Jackson was neat and tidy when he came on and took his goal very well.

Full credit to Whitney, a very good performance in a game I feel that we would have lost a month ago.

[Pheasey_Saddler]

Good game to win that. Bristol looked a decent side with a few tidy players but lacked real quality in both boxes.

Pretty even first half with both sides having short spells of dominance. Our first game came at the perfect time though and really opened the game up for the second half.

Second half was set up perfectly for us to counter attack. Jackson scored a lovely lob and Edwards (my MoM) added a nice 3rd. Our 2 further changes in quick succession after that disrupted our flow and, in my opinion, instead of possibly ending 4 or 5 nil, it allowed them to grab one back.

Good performance though and IF we can keep our key players fit, we still have a squeak of a chance of making the play-offs.

[Walsallone]

Another very good performance against a useful team. The midfield has real quality with our best players in there and our goalie made 2 important saves in the first half. Well done everyone.

[scott_powell]

I can smell that humble pie. Long may this continue.

[Ancient Moaner]

I can smell that humble pie. Long may this continue.

Me too Scott, but I don't care a jot if we keep on winning like this!! :D :D :D
Pity we couldn't have brought in a class striker, play off's would have become a possibility, however very few teams without a goal machine ever 'make the grade'.

Looking forward to next weeks visit to Bury, pity they've improved considerably recently!

[Wragbyred]

Just seen the highlights, people say we will miss Etheridge.....

Really?

[JonnyOwen]

Just seen the highlights, people say we will miss Etheridge.....

Really?

Made a mistake when we were 3 nil up but it was him who kept us in the game first half. We will definitely miss him.

[chunkster]

I can smell that humble pie. Long may this continue.

Me too Scott, but I don't care a jot if we keep on winning like this!! :D :D :D
Pity we couldn't have brought in a class striker, play off's would have become a possibility, however very few teams without a goal machine ever 'make the grade'.

Looking forward to next weeks visit to Bury, pity they've improved considerably recently!

We still might bring in a goal machine yet AM :wink:

[coop63]

Another determined performance and a lot of quality all over the pitch...

Has JW finally found his preferred starting line up free from injuries etc??

O'Connel was superb in defence and going forward and his goal was striker quality - after just 2 games he looks like a really good addition...

Long may this form continue and credit where its due to JW and the back room staff... UTS

[kshammer]

O'Connell was outstanding today. Head and shoulders the best player on the park.

And to think it's only his second game.

[PT]

Another great performance and win.

Loved the way O'Connell moved ahead of our back line when we were in possession. Gave us an extra man in midfield at times which allowed us to get forward in bigger numbers than we have for years. Even Chambers found himself deep in their box in open play a couple of times.

O'Connor was immense at the back, Osbourne, Flo could also be considered men of the match.

Lovely.

[Well-bRed]

O'Connell was outstanding today. Head and shoulders the best player on the park.

And to think it's only his second game.

Indeed, and to think a fair few people slated the manager for not signing an experienced defender after Toner was sent packing!
Well done Eoghan and well done Jon Whitney!

[Guest]

Just seen the highlights, people say we will miss Etheridge.....

Really?

Made a mistake when we were 3 nil up but it was him who kept us in the game first half. We will definitely miss him.

Super saves.

https://youtu.be/FyEeDcb6Oy0

[Exile]

Cracking win. How did Edwards get that third without the ref blowing on him? :D

[Whitters]

Thanks Guest!
Close to a colour clash with their goalies kit?

[saddla]

Cracking win. How did Edwards get that third without the ref blowing on him? :D

The Ref obviously believed that all in wrestling was part of the game. He let that sort of stuff go on all the game from both sides.

[PT]

Cracking win. How did Edwards get that third without the ref blowing on him? :D

I was expecting a whistle at the time too even though it was clear that their man slipped over.

Took it well all the same.

Ref was probably a 7 out of 10 which makes him the best we've had for months. By some distance.

[Cowshed]

Good ref yesterday correctly booking their player for walking off with the ball stopping us taking a quick throw in

A month ago I would have been concerned with a ref who allowed the physicality because we would have got bullied out of it but with o Connell at the back osbourne in the middle and Baka upfront we can now deal with this

Does anyone else get out their seat when McCarthy goes on one of those runs down the right wing - love it -

[Barren Flak]

Really enjoyed yesterday's performance. Probably more than against Sheff Utd. First time we've put together an even better performance on the back of a good one. Thought we controlled a good 60 minutes of that game, surprised that the stats had us fairly equal, and really the only difference being we took our chances.

There's definitely an element of keeping feet firmly on the ground and not getting too carried away. We were really gifted a third that killed the game yesterday. Big O and Flo make such a difference in the middle, they bring out the best in everyone, but we know their physical frailties. Baka was the only disappointment for me yesterday, not much intelligent running, was impressed that Whitney seemed to agree with his earlier than usual substitution.

Not going to jump on the bandwagon that our new loan centre-back being a world beater, had a fantastic first half, but has to share some of the blame for conceding too, Taylor did him completely.

Let's see how we do at a resurgent Bury next week. C+, and I really like the fact Whitney has vanished from the pre-match warm up. Finally hope he's letting the coaches coach, while he examines opposition team sheet, likely subs, Racing Post form etc...

[SWS11]

Cracking win. How did Edwards get that third without the ref blowing on him? :D

Because there was no offence. Their player mis-controlled the ball and Edwards nicked it. Their player threw himself across in front of Edwards to try to stop him getting through but Edwards evaded his lunge and went on to score. Simple as that.
Very good win against a decent side. Great stuff, lads! :D
Now I'll be interested to see how our new found control and confidence holds up away from home (where we have been reasonable before, this season).
GET IN! :D

[Gripper]

Hopefully we can kick on and deliver something against Bury now.

Some great performances on sat, notably O'Connell and Edwards - McCarthy has been so consistent of late he's slipping through the net of stand-outs as his standards are so high.

[philthesaddler]

Thought we played well - having missed the previous 3 home games due to holiday and work commitments, the noticeable difference is that we've actually started trying to stop crosses coming in to the box - why it took Whitney 4 months of the season to notice this, I don't know.

The Midfield quartet had excellent games - as did McCarthy and Edwards. Baka struggled.

Oh and Neil Etheridge enjoyed a pizza in Pizza Express with his girlfriend afterwards.