Cheltenham Town v Bristol Rovers.Match Day Thread.

Did Malcolm Allison get enough games in to make a tally ?

Sounds as if Rovers were the better team and thoroughly deserved the 3 points.Cheltenham are one of the worse FCs in the division, but you can only beat what's infront of you.

Hopefully Jordan Rossitter got through unscathed.

So it's now down to any 3 from 6, Cambridge and below for the drop to join Carlisle .. realistically I would say that Fleetwood were more than likely to go from that group

Apparently Jordan Rossitter was very good and came through his 50 minutes or so unscathed. Although we'll have to see how he is tomorrow and Monday too.

I very much hope JR is going to get and stay fit,because he'll be absolutely vital for Rovers next season.That's assuming Matt is clever enough to off him a new contract.

We'll be lucky to sign a better midfielder.

Well done and a big brave up to you, spot on 1-3, you should have bought that ticket....

Bristol Rovers player ratings vs Cheltenham Town..By Daniel Hargraves.

Matt Cox - 7
A surprise inclusion having not played since January but the goalkeeper had one of those performances where he didn't have to do much but everything he was forced into doing he did well. Although straight at him, the Brentford loanee made an important catch in the final action of the first half and did well coming for crosses and aerial balls. Missing out on the clean sheet is a real shame.

Jack Hunt - 7
Great to see the right-back back in the starting line up and it's so evident that he adds more to Rovers' attacking capabilities with the positions he puts himself in, particularly for crossing the ball. On another day the defender could well have come away with an assist.

James Wilson (off for Connor Taylor 83') - 8
The centre-back has had a string of decent performances lately despite results but this was easily his best in a long while. It seemed as though everything that came his way he got a touch on to clear away as the Gas' penalty area was hardly scathed. Admittedly, Cheltenham were pretty toothless in the final third but Wilson can't be discredited. So frustrating to see him miss out on a clean sheet though.

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Elkan Baggott - 9 (above)
A goal as a defender always needs to be celebrated and Baggott was agonisingly close to having a clean sheet to go with it. However, the Ipswich Town was practically faultless back at his former loan club. It didn't go to plan for the defender at Cheltenham last season but this was easily the 21-year-old's best performances in a Rovers shirt, and there have been some good ones.
Like Wilson, the towering defender seemed to win everything that came his way as well as his individual duels. Away for a couple of games with a calf injury, that was an outstanding way to return to action. That tricky first few matches for the Gas seem a long time ago now.

Harvey Vale - 8
Defensively superb. Again, Cheltenham were poor but you can only beat what's in front of you and, going into the game, confidence was low amongst the team and the Robins are fighting for their lives.
Sticking to the Chelsea loanee's performance though, slotting in at left-back the 20-year-old won numerous duels but saved his best bit of defending for the final moments, denying ex-Rovers man Matty Taylor with a goal line clearance. He certainly would've made for an unpopular goal scorer amongst the travelling supporters.
An assist as well, putting in the corner that was headed in by Baggott for number three.

Jordan Rossiter (off for Kamil Conteh 51') - 8
As far as returns to action after 16 months go, the midfielder was outstanding. You wouldn't have blamed Rossiter had he played slightly cautious having faced such a lengthy spell out but there was an enjoyable enthusiasm to his game which saw him win a decent amount of duels and kept things ticking over nicely in the middle.
At the time of writing, we're not 100 per cent sure whether it was a knock that forced him off given that the medical staff had to go on to give the midfielder treatment but it also felt as though there was some precaution involved. Hopefully he's available for the remaining matches.

Grant Ward (off for Brandon Aguilera 22') - N/A
The guy cannot catch a break. Having to come off injured following an excellent start to the game. There was always that risk starting him but it was seemingly one worth taking. Hoping it's not serious.

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Luke Thomas - 9 (above)
Two assists back at the club where he played as a youngster, the winger was absolutely electric and was pivotal in attack for the Gas. Having said in the build-up to the game that he feels his tally at that point wasn't enough, that's an excellent afternoon's work for the 25-year-old.

Antony Evans - 7
Lively and composed on the ball as always as he looked to keep Rovers ticking in the middle of the park. Frustrating to see him miss another penalty which could have proven costly but the Gas maintained their attacking mojo in the second half.

Scott Sinclair - 8
Ran back the years with another energetic display on the left flank, scoring the opening, and arguably most crucial goal, before contributing to keep his team free-flowing and dominant. Should have had a second but still an outstanding display from the veteran who played as though he was ten years younger.

Chris Martin - 6
The striker held the ball up well as he always does but didn't seem to have the sniff of goal you'd usually hope to see him get. Luckily Rovers still had enough fire power to score three goals.

Substitutes:
Brandon Aguilera (on 22') - 8
Again, disappointing to see Grant Ward forced off but the Nottingham Forest loanee came on and caused havoc in the final third. The goal was an excellent finish but his all-round midfield play was superb, getting stuck into the battle against a physical side. Much better from the Costa Rican.

Kamil Conteh (on 51') - 6
A tidy cameo from the bench to keep things in tact for the Gas. Hopefully nothing to be concerned by regarding the head injury.

Connor Taylor (on 83') - N/A
Came on late for the injured Wilson and couldn't hold onto the clean sheet but still won a couple of battles.

Nice to see he listens to the "experts":

The stick I was getting on Tuesday, I was trying to do the right thing for the club and for everyone else who’s indicated they want to see this and that so I thought, ‘okay if I’m going to get some stick I may as well put what I think is the best team out there.’

"So it’s not going to be like that for the last few games and if we do have to make substitutions as the games go on, so be it. I’m going to put what I feel is the best group of players on that pitch from the start."

You think we need a keeper?

Cox will be gone I assume,so yes.
Southwood is rated by N'ham fans.

Jed Ward will need competition.
Two good GKs.

I'm not convinced Jed is good enough yet.