Top scorers out, Macca wants in: 100 up for Blues v Rovers

Last updated : 25 October 2008 By Shrimpers24


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Brist_Badge.png
v http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Southend_United_FC.png


BLUES

Macca wants a game; "It's been frustrating for me and no player really likes to be coming on for just 10 of 15 minutes at the end of games. The team is doing well and I'm keeping my feelings to myself." Well, your not actually Maccas, but I'm sure Tilly gets the point.

As for the Blues boss, he played the Lord knowing he was not 100% fit; "If you have a slight knock it isn't always the most sensible thing to play as there are people that are fitter that could perhaps do a better job. But when you are on a good run you are frightened to be out of the side so I can understand that."

Says more about Tilly than Barnard I think, anyway more pre-match quotes available on www.southendunited.co.uk, as for TLG the third of five tough games in two weeks, (why, football league?), with our deadly duo out, we'll pick the side.

Same as Scunthorpe with Walker in for Barnard. Easy. Prefer the Frenchman though.

Rovers doing well at the Memorial but we showed great heart in Lincolnshire and I'm going for a 2-1 win, where we get those two goals is anyone's guess but the back four and midfield will probably have to weigh in somewhere, Revell still having a bit to do to win over more than a few Shrimpers. The winner on Saturday would help.

The clocks go back when you get home, grab that extra hour, you may need it!

Remember the F.A. Cup First Round draw is live on ITV1 on Sunday October 26 at 13.00. Ball 42!

OPPOSITION

Playing with a new found confidence Paul Trollope's men will be a tough test for the Blues, after the last one, especially at the Memorial Stadium. Three points on Saturday will take them to the edge of the play-off zone, while defeat could see the Blues out.

10Walsall 12303121123186534201718+3
11Stockport County 1213268330105462161318+3
12Bristol Rovers 133121381421213454252117+4
13Hartlepool United 12321191320458525242117+3
14Northampton Town 12330115114812444191716+2

Ryan Green could return for Bristol Rovers after being out with a hamstring injury with coach Paul Trollope reporting no fresh injury problems. Defenders Danny Coles (knee) and Steve Elliott (calf) remain sidelined.

Manager Trollope is urging his Bristol Rovers players to prove they have put their Memorial Stadium jitters firmly behind them as they bid for their third home win in a row against the Blues. Only a fortnight ago, the Pirates had a dismal record of just one win from their last 14 outings at the Memorial Stadium.

But back-to-back home triumphs against Leyton Orient and Oldham have dispelled the gloom and Trollope believes his side will face the Shrimpers tomorrow with their confidence renewed by a six-game unbeaten run.

"You could see that sometimes at home confidence was lacking and there was a bit of anxiety, but hopefully we are through that stage now," said Bristol Rovers boss Trollope.

"Confidence is now showing in people's individual performances and collectively things are improving. We were disappointed with so many draws last season and as it wore on, the atmosphere around the whole ground wasn't what it should be. We started this season by losing at home to Carlisle and also had a disappointing result against Walsall, so to turn it around has been good. Our home form will determine our season because we feel we have players and a method to get results away from home, which has already been proved. The issue is making sure our home form is right because if we can continue how we have been playing in the last few games, we can really make it a difficult place to come."

After their impressive 2-0 victory over the Latics in midweek, Trollope hopes Bristol Rovers can maintain their form against another top six side this weekend.

"We disappointed ourselves earlier in the season against teams we were expected to beat, and that is sometimes the way." he admitted.

"But our level was raised against Oldham because they really attacked us and I think that helped us. Hopefully Southend will do the same. They didn't start the season brilliantly but have had some good results since and are up there in the final play-off spot. They've had some good wins recently, so this is another test for us. There was a good tempo to the game on Tuesday. We produced some good attacking play, defended well when we had to, got a little slice of luck when we needed it and it was a good win. We want more of the same. We don't want to sit back and think we can just turn up to reproduce it. We want to do it again and again. With the form we are in and the belief that has come back into us as a group, we are confident of winning."

Bristol Rovers are expected to field the same side that started against Oldham, although defender Ryan Green could be added to the bench after recovering from a recurrence of his hamstring injury.

"He has had a tough run of injuries and even though he is back training with the rest of the lads, it's important we continue his rehabilitation so there."

Rickie Lambert's spectacular 11th goal of the season helped see off high-flying visitors Oldham. The striker let fly from 35 yards with his right foot to open the scoring with a superb effort after 15 minutes. Clarkey and Captain Adam beware but the midfield will have to be on their guard as well.

Chris Lines doubled the advantage with a far-post volley after Stuart Campbell's corner was flicked on.

Probable Bristol Rovers Starting X1: Phillips, Pipe, Hinton, Anthony, Lescott, Lines, Campbell, Disley, Hughes, Lambert, Duffy.

Meanwhile midfielder Chris Lines believes Bristol Rovers' new-found defensive resilience can be the bedrock of a push for the play-offs.

After shipping 15 goals in five games last month, the Pirates have conceded only twice in their last five outings - with one of those an unlucky own goal. And Lines, who scored the final goal in Tuesday's impressive 2-0 win over Oldham, believes that bodes well ahead of a visit from Southend at the weekend

"Since we changed our formation, we've defended as well as we have for probably two seasons and if we can carry on keeping it tight at the back, we'll be right in the mix," said Lines.

"When we play the top teams, we seem to come up trumps - and that happened again on Tuesday. We've proved that we can mix it with the best and the fact Oldham are likely to end up in the top six this season bodes well for us. It was a massive win for us and Paul Trollope made that clear in the dressing room afterwards. Oldham are up where they are for a reason and I think we saw why, because they were good going forward. But the fact we got two goals and kept a clean sheet against one of the most attacking sides in the league was fantastic for us."

Lines grabbed his second goal of the season against the Latics after Rickie Lambert had nodded down a Stuart Campbell corner - and hopes he has ended any doubts director of football Lennie Lawrence had about his ability to finish.

"Lennie was a bit sceptical about putting me in that position from corners because he wasn't sure whether I could peel off and volley the ball in," explained Lines. "I told him I could do it - and I proved a point! It was a tap-in, but you still have to put them away."

He believes Lambert's spectacular 35-yarder against Oldham reflects the growing confidence in a side who have now gone six games without defeat.

"It was an unbelievable strike and the fact he even tried shooting from that distance just shows the sort of confidence he has at the moment. Even in training, he's on fire." said Lines.

"That can only be good news for us because he's got 11 already, so hopefully he can keep it going - and we have people in other positions who can score as well. There's a good emphasis on attacking play now with Rickie and Darryl Duffy in the side, and Jo Kuffour is looking sharp when he comes on - so we are going to get goals. Southend will have seen that result and it will worry them." (Well, after a draw at Scunthorpe Chris mate we might be up for it!)

"I've said before we need to make other teams fear coming to the Memorial Stadium," added the Bristol Rovers midfielder.

PREVIOUSLY

Played 99: Won 42 Drawn 22 Lost 35.

With nearly a century of games some cracking results at home but not too good away. What is nice for those who've had to run for that last train from Bristol Parkway we are playing Rovers on a Saturday for the first time for four years, since MarkyG, (mark of 7 for Swanny last week in the News of the Screw), equalised in a 1-1 draw on March 6 04. He scored a sensational winner in the LDV South Final Leg 1 on Feb. 15 05 that put us on the way to Cardiff for the second succesive year, Dudfield grabbed the first.

No big wins away from Roots Hall with the last Saturday victory was Tes Bramble's goal in a 1-0 victory on Nov. 9 02.

The Pirates, sounds nicer than the Gas, were seconds from a double last season when Leon Clarke scored in the last minute at the Memorial on Oct. 12 07 but this was followed by the horrible 0-1 defeat on New Year's Day this year, our darkest hour as we sunk to 11th. Only two defeats after that until Tranmere in April but we were already then in the play-offs!

At Bristol Rvs. (48)At Southend Utd. (51)
ResultsTotal%ResultsTotal%
Bristol Rvs.2756.25Southend Utd.3160.78
Southend Utd.1122.92Bristol Rvs.815.69
Draws1020.83Draws1223.53
GoalsTotalAv.pgGoalsTotalAv.pg
Bristol Rvs.931.94Southend Utd.1022.00
Southend Utd.551.15Bristol Rvs.521.02
On Neutral Ground (0)Overall (99 matches)
ResultsTotal%ResultsTotal%
Bristol Rvs.00.00Bristol Rvs.3535.35
Southend Utd.00.00Southend Utd.4242.42
Draws00.00Draws2222.22
GoalsTotalAv.pgGoalsTotalAv.pg
Bristol Rvs.00.00Bristol Rvs.1451.46
Southend Utd.00.00Southend Utd.1571.59
Records
Highest Aggregate9Southend Utd. 6 - 3Bristol Rvs.1964/1965
Highest Bristol Rvs. score:5Bristol Rvs. 5 - 1Southend Utd.1926/1927
Highest Southend Utd. score:6Southend Utd. 6 - 3Bristol Rvs.1964/1965
SeasonDateHomeScoreAwayCompetition
2007/2008Tue 01 JanSouthend Utd.0 - 1Bristol Rvs.League One
Tue 02 OctBristol Rvs.1 - 1Southend Utd.League One
2004/2005Fri 01 AprSouthend Utd.2 - 0Bristol Rvs.League Two
Tue 08 MarSouthend Utd.2 - 2Bristol Rvs.(Associate Members)
Southend won 4-3 on aggregate
Tue 15 FebBristol Rvs.1 - 2Southend Utd.(Associate Members)
Fri 27 AugBristol Rvs.2 - 1Southend Utd.League Two
2003/2004Sat 06 MarBristol Rvs.1 - 1Southend Utd.League Division Three
Sat 20 DecSouthend Utd.0 - 1Bristol Rvs.League Division Three
Tue 14 OctSouthend Utd.2 - 1Bristol Rvs.(Associate Members)
after extra time, 90 minutes 1-1
2002/2003Sat 08 FebSouthend Utd.2 - 2Bristol Rvs.League Division Three
Sat 09 NovBristol Rvs.0 - 1Southend Utd.League Division Three
2001/2002Tue 26 FebSouthend Utd.2 - 1Bristol Rvs.League Division Three
Tue 18 SepBristol Rvs.2 - 1Southend Utd.League Division Three
2000/2001Tue 30 JanSouthend Utd.1 - 0Bristol Rvs.(Associate Members)
1997/1998Fri 27 MarBristol Rvs.2 - 0Southend Utd.League Division Two
Sat 22 NovSouthend Utd.1 - 1Bristol Rvs.League Division Two
1992/1993Wed 14 AprSouthend Utd.3 - 0Bristol Rvs.League Division One
Mon 28 DecBristol Rvs.0 - 2Southend Utd.League Division One
1991/1992Wed 01 AprBristol Rvs.4 - 1Southend Utd.Second Division
Sat 14 SepSouthend Utd.2 - 0Bristol Rvs.Second Division
1988/1989Mon 01 MayBristol Rvs.1 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division
Tue 08 NovSouthend Utd.2 - 2Bristol Rvs.Third Division
1987/1988Sat 13 FebBristol Rvs.0 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division
Mon 28 DecSouthend Utd.4 - 2Bristol Rvs.Third Division
1983/1984Tue 03 AprSouthend Utd.1 - 2Bristol Rvs.(Associate Members)
Mon 09 JanSouthend Utd.1 - 2Bristol Rvs.Third Division
Sat 03 SepBristol Rvs.2 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division
1982/1983Sat 19 MarBristol Rvs.2 - 2Southend Utd.Third Division
Fri 05 NovSouthend Utd.1 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division
1981/1982Sat 27 FebBristol Rvs.2 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division
Fri 09 OctSouthend Utd.1 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division
1973/1974Fri 19 AprSouthend Utd.0 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division
Sat 08 DecBristol Rvs.4 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division
1972/1973Sat 31 MarBristol Rvs.1 - 2Southend Utd.Third Division
Fri 24 NovSouthend Utd.0 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division
1965/1966Sat 05 MarBristol Rvs.3 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division
Sat 12 FebSouthend Utd.2 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division
1964/1965Sat 17 AprBristol Rvs.2 - 2Southend Utd.Third Division
Sat 24 OctSouthend Utd.6 - 3Bristol Rvs.Third Division
1963/1964Sat 18 JanSouthend Utd.3 - 4Bristol Rvs.Third Division
Sat 14 SepBristol Rvs.3 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division
1962/1963Sat 16 MarBristol Rvs.1 - 2Southend Utd.Third Division
Sat 27 OctSouthend Utd.3 - 2Bristol Rvs.Third Division
1952/1953Sat 04 AprSouthend Utd.2 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 15 NovBristol Rvs.2 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1951/1952Sat 15 MarBristol Rvs.2 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 02 FebSouthend Utd.2 - 1Bristol Rvs.F.A. Cup
Sat 27 OctSouthend Utd.2 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1950/1951Sat 10 MarSouthend Utd.1 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 21 OctBristol Rvs.4 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1949/1950Sat 31 DecBristol Rvs.1 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 03 SepSouthend Utd.3 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1948/1949Sat 19 MarBristol Rvs.0 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 23 OctSouthend Utd.0 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1947/1948Sat 03 AprSouthend Utd.1 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 15 NovBristol Rvs.1 - 2Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1946/1947Sat 08 FebSouthend Utd.2 - 3Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 05 OctBristol Rvs.1 - 3Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1938/1939Sat 14 JanSouthend Utd.3 - 2Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 10 SepBristol Rvs.4 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1937/1938Sat 05 FebBristol Rvs.2 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 25 SepSouthend Utd.1 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1936/1937Sat 13 FebSouthend Utd.2 - 3Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 10 OctBristol Rvs.1 - 2Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1935/1936Sat 25 JanSouthend Utd.1 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 21 SepBristol Rvs.3 - 2Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1934/1935Sat 19 JanBristol Rvs.2 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 08 SepSouthend Utd.5 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1933/1934Sat 06 JanSouthend Utd.2 - 2Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 02 SepBristol Rvs.3 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1932/1933Wed 07 SepBristol Rvs.3 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Mon 29 AugSouthend Utd.2 - 2Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1931/1932Sat 23 AprBristol Rvs.0 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 09 JanSouthend Utd.4 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1930/1931Wed 28 JanBristol Rvs.2 - 3Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 20 SepSouthend Utd.4 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1929/1930Sat 29 MarSouthend Utd.6 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 23 NovBristol Rvs.4 - 2Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1928/1929Sat 23 MarBristol Rvs.4 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 10 NovSouthend Utd.1 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1927/1928Sat 31 MarBristol Rvs.1 - 3Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 19 NovSouthend Utd.2 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1926/1927Mon 27 DecSouthend Utd.2 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 25 DecBristol Rvs.5 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1925/1926Sat 17 AprBristol Rvs.2 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 05 DecSouthend Utd.3 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1924/1925Sat 07 FebBristol Rvs.1 - 3Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 04 OctSouthend Utd.2 - 1Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1923/1924Sat 29 SepSouthend Utd.1 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 22 SepBristol Rvs.3 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1922/1923Sat 14 OctSouthend Utd.0 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
Sat 07 OctBristol Rvs.2 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
1921/1922Sat 06 MayBristol Rvs.1 - 0Southend Utd.Third Division (South)
Sat 29 AprSouthend Utd.3 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division (South)
1920/1921Sat 02 AprSouthend Utd.1 - 0Bristol Rvs.Third Division
Sat 26 MarBristol Rvs.2 - 1Southend Utd.Third Division
1914/1915Sat 23 JanSouthend Utd.3 - 0Bristol Rvs.F.A. Cup
Sat 16 JanBristol Rvs.0 - 0Southend Utd.F.A. Cup

Also: 1992/93 Wed 16 Sep Bristol Rvs. 3 - 0 Southend Utd. AIP

REF

The man in the middle is Karl Evans from Manchester. He is in his second season and has refereed neither team before.

FIXTURES

Friday, 24 October 2008
Tranmere v Crewe, 19:45. (Result to watch, a home win places the Blues out of the play-off zone, for 24 hours anyway!)

Saturday, 25 October 2008
(all 15.00)
Bristol Rovers v Southend, Colchester v Carlisle, Hartlepool v Brighton, Hereford v Stockport, Leeds v Walsall, Leicester v Northampton, MK Dons v Cheltenham, Peterborough v Huddersfield, Scunthorpe v Millwall, Swindon v Oldham, Yeovil v Leyton Orient.

BET

Bristol Rovers (6/4) Draw (12/5) Southend (15/8)

Bet of the Day: I'll keep trying! Stockport are 13/8 at Hereford; great away record for County, The Bulls have had their home win on Tuesday.

Borient 5/4!
For relegation. Try a double with the Farmers. Those odds are with Corals who have the Blues at 9/2 for promotion, best on offer.

For a full update on all the footy odds go to www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-one.

WEATHER

Good news, quite warm at 13c's; Bad news, possible light rain in time for kick-off. Shouldn't be as bad as Yeovil, possibly. (Any terraced seats left?)

GROUND

The club moved to the stadium in 1996 and two years later bought the ground from the then owners Bristol Rugby Club. Although the Memorial Ground has seen some changes since the Football Club took up residence, it still has the feel of a rugby ground about it.

However that is all about to change as the Club are embarking on a total re-development of the stadium, which will see a new ground hopefully ready in 2011. (Read www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDY4&id=413224 for latest info.)

Away supporters are housed in an open terrace on one side of the Uplands Stand. This area is open to the elements so you might get wet if it rains. The open terrace makes it difficult for away fans to really generate some noise. Up to 1,100 away supporters can be accommodated in this area. If the weather is poor then it may be a better bet to head for one of the seats that are made available to away fans in the XXXX South Stand at one end of the ground. Recommend are the huge Cornish pasties (£2) that are sold at the ground, huge and tasty, plus they even do vegetarian ones which makes a change.
They can still do a good rendition of their club anthem 'Goodnight Irene', when the occasion stirs.

Why the gasheads? The term comes from where the old
Eastville stadium in Bristol was sited. Next to a (sometimes smelly) gas works! In fact it was rumoured that if Rovers were losing at half time, the gas would be turned up, to put off the opposition!

TRANSPORT

For all the information on getting to the game with times, prices and maps, go to Last Call for Bristol: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW4&id=413404

PUB & PIES

It's got to be the Highfield Vaults at the top of St. Michael's Hill, good student grub on offer, but for a full choice closer to the ground go to Last Orders in Bristol: www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW8&id=413411

HISTORY

The club was formed following a meeting at the Eastville Restaurant in Bristol in September 1883. They initially went by the name Black Arabs F.C., the name coming from the Arabs rugby team and the predominantly black kits in which they played. This name only lasted for the 1883-84 season, and in a bid to draw more fans from the local area the club was renamed Eastville Rovers in 1884.

The club played only friendly games until the 1887-88 season, when they took part in the Gloucestershire Cup for the first time. They first joined a league in 1892, when they became a founder member of the Bristol and District League, which three years later was renamed the Western League. In 1897 Eastville Rovers joined the Birmingham and District League, and for two seasons played in both this league and the Western League. At the beginning of the 1897-98 season, the team turned professional and changed their name to Bristol Eastville Rovers, and on 17 February 1899 the name was officially changed to Bristol Rovers.

In 1899 Bristol Rovers joined the newly-formed Southern League, where they remained until 1920. For the 1920-21 season, the Southern League teams were moved into the new Football League Third Division, which became the Football League Third Division South the following season. They remained in this division for over 30 years, before winning the league, and promotion in the 1952-53 season.

Promotion has been won by the team on three other occasions, in 1973-74 from the Third Division to the Second Division, again in 1989-90 as Division Three champions and also in 2006-07 to the Football League One. The team have been relegated four times in their history - in 1961-62, 1980-81, 1992-93 and most recently at the end of the 2000-01 season, when the team were relegated to the fourth level of league football for the first time in their history.

The only major cup competition won by Bristol Rovers is the 1972 Watney Cup, when Sheffield United were beaten in the final. The club also won the Division Three (South) Cup in 1934-35, as well as winning or sharing the Gloucestershire Cup on 32 occasions. The team have never played in European competition, the closest they came was when they missed out on reaching the international stage of the Anglo-Italian Cup in the 1992-93 season on a coin toss held over the phone with West Ham United. They have twice reached the final of the Football League Trophy, in 1989-90 and 2006-07, but finished runners-up on both occasions.

(Thanks to the usual suspects for their help with this article.)