Paullow

We've had a great run, and it looks like the ultimate objective will be achieved this season (although still a little bit more work to do there), but while there are some hard workers and cult hero's in the side, realistically how many XI signings do you think we need in the summer to be a solid 8/9/10 side, one that won't have any real danger of relegation throughout the season, like say a Wolves or Leicester type season? Obviously Trippier and Wilson coming back will help, but I do think there's a lot of work needed in the summer. We did so well to win those 6 games, and will probably save the season, but a lot of the players are still pretty limited.

Get in!

It was coming.

It's just annoying. You see them at home to a struggler who are like 17/2 or something, and you just assume it'll probably be a routine 2-0. It then gets to 0-0 after about 77 mins and you're thinking hold on a minute, and that becomes one of your main focuses on GSS in the time remaining, and then boom, 96th minute winner. I guess in some ways they fight until the end and probably have to give a bit of credit, but still annoying all the same, ha. Interesting set of fixtures remaining. Oxford away next is huge - I think if they win there then they will be very likely to make the POs. They've got midtable Cambridge and Shrewsbury at home who apart from a 'scalp', have nothing really to play for, they also have Plymouth away and Rotherham home, and it's too early to say what those sides will be playing for at that stage - Plymouth play Wycombe before they play Sunderland, and if they don't win that one, then their auto hopes will be all but gone. They end their campaign at Morecombe who could be safe (unlikely), already down, or still fighting at that stage. Had they not won today then they would have been 4 points behind Sheff Wed in 5th and that gap would have been hard to overcome, and they would probably have been battling with Oxford and Wycombe for that final slot. Disappointing.

Fuck sake. It seems to happen all the time that. Crewe the other week, Burton the week before. Grim.

Any particularly reason why you missed Spennymoor out, or just forgot? Certainly far more local than York. They drew 1-1 with 2nd place Brackley which helps Gateshead a bit after they too dropped points today.

He had a couple of shots in the first half - the first the keeper kind of scooped it clear low down, and the second was a save at a decent height for him after a burst through, and available on the official highlights - https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12575714/carlisle-1-0-bristol-rovers-league-two-highlights He was demanding the ball a lot in the first half and looked lively, but was less involved in the second half. He did create a very good chance with pretty much the last kick of the match, but nobody could convert his low cross. He also had a wild shot that flew out of the stadium, haha. The 'Mad Mistake' from the Sunderland thread was also there and did a vlog for the match. All in all a decent day. I was hoping Rovers would win, but obviously nothing like as invested in the result as our Gas friends on here. We also won £185 from a £15 combined accumulator thanks to Mansfield's 90+5 minute winner (another result which won't go down too well with our visitors on here).

At the ground now. Rovers warming up in front of me. Elliot starts.

So is anybody else actually making the journey west along the A69? Lovely day, no Newcastle match on, a big match for Rovers, and a glimpse of young Elliot? I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be setting off soon, put some bets on, grab a Nando's or something, and hopefully watch a decent match between 2 in form sides. Both managers have Newcastle links as well. I'll be sitting in the main East Stand WBCP.

I am still going to the Carlisle vs Rovers match on Saturday, but a massive shame Elliot won't be involved. I saw on the gaschat forum a week or so ago that someone heard he won't be involved for Scotland U21's, and that England talk the other day fuelled the hope, but seems to still be included - Scotland U21s play tomorrow on BBC Scotland, so will be good to at least watch him there, assuming he plays. Not sure who I want to win the match now that Anderson won't be there - I will be in the home end, and do like Carlisle, and 3 months ago it wouldn't even be a question, but I have been following Rovers progress since Elliot joined, and it's obviously now a much bigger game for the away side since Carlisle have won 5 of their last 6 games and are all but safe. It's been a good few years since I went to Brunton, and will be my first match of any sort since Covid. The last match I went to was the dour 0-0 with Oxford in the FA Cup, just prior to the first lockdown.

Think we could maybe do with a change of title to something like 'Dan Ashworth and stuff'.

Are all you watching on streams, or do you subscribe to La Liga TV / Premier Sports? Nights like this you wish it was back on Sky Sports, or even BT.

I live pretty much exactly between the two cities and do keep an eye on Carlisle's results, so may well pop over - I've not been to Brunton for a good few years. Carlisle are also in great form, but the game isn't as important from their POV as it would have been a few weeks ago. Was he not meant to be missing this game due to the Scotland U21 call up?

It's been an even worse couple of days for Watford and Burnley. They'll be especially pig sick.

FFS

Yep, using their man advantage. Can't believe we had like 25 minutes yesterday with an extra man, but ended up falling behind in that period.

Calm down fella. Some think it's a bit stupid you banging on about winning 4-0, but just have a bit more tact. If we can beat Norwich, Palace (matches where we will be favourites), draw Everton, Leicester and Wolves, and then anything else from the other 4 will be a bonus, before heading down to Burnley on ca. 40 points for a stress free final day, then I will be pretty happy.

I'd 'take a draw', simply because it will be a better result for us than it is for them. Looking at their upcoming fixtures, this will be the only one where they're considered the betting favourites for the foreseeable future, and only one point from these two 'must win' home games will be a disaster.

Awful day for Everton, them losing and Leeds and Watford both win.

But then Leeds with a last second equaliser.

Norwich equalise.

Doesn't help them today, obviously, but I was hoping it would have been someone more influential than Kenny with Thursday in mind.

Wolves!

0-2 Watford. Certainly shakes things up down there.