Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Here you can chat about everything and anything related to ITFC and other football issues. This forum also hosts the now Internationally famous TB.com ITFC match previews which contain insightful pre-match thoughts, previous highlights, news links relating to Town, form guides and other bits and pieces. Feel free to discuss meet ups/travel plans in here as well.

Moderators: marko69, Bluemike, Charnwood

How we going to start?

Town Win
8
53%
Rovers Win
4
27%
Penalties
3
20%
 
Total votes: 15

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Frosty
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Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Frosty » Sun Aug 30, 2020 7:33 am

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Image Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers FCImage


English Football League Cup

Saturday 5th September 2020 – 15:00

Portman Road



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Pre-Match Thoughts - Bluemike


Not As We Know It................

The start of any new Football season has always been one of the things I and Thousand's of others look forward to the most, that first Sunny Saturday in August as we make our way to the Ground after an unbearable Three month absence has us all feeling like a kid on Christmas morning, arriving at the ground proudly wearing the club's new Shirt, bursting with anticipation and dare I say it expectation of the Nine months ahead, believing this time around it will be our turn to revel in the glory of a successful campaign, planning our trips to away grounds old and new and looking forward in general to meeting up with friends and the whole Football family, yes indeed a wonderful time of the year for us followers of ITFC.

But of course this is no ordinary year, this is 2020 and a Black cloud has descended over the entire globe, these are unprecedented times for the entire population, not just in the UK but the world over, uncertain times for us all, tough and worrying times have come and still not gone, none of us know when things will, if ever, return to some kind of normal, we can only hope and pray it happens.

By a twist of fate Town have been handed an opening fixture against a Bristol Rovers side that were to be our next opponents back in March before the surge of Covid19 engulfed us all, more frustrating is the fact it will be played in an empty Portman Road, games behind closed doors look like being the norm for a few weeks yet, October has been suggested as a possible date for a return to stadiums for a limited number of fans, time will tell on that one. In the meantime we all have to follow the fortunes of our beloved Town via Online streams, radio broadcasts, TV etc etc, it hardly fills me with excitement but it is what it is.

As for Town they have had yet another fairly quiet off season where transfer dealings are concerned, out have gone the likes of Luke Garbutt, Will Norris and Will keane and coming in we have to say welcome to just Three new arrivals so far, Oli Hawkins, Stephen ward and David Cornell. There is no doubt there will have to be a few more outgoings from what is an already huge squad before Paul Lambert can bring in any more new faces but getting players out of the building is no easy task. While Town have a squad that should certainly be good enough to compete at the top end of league One it is fair to say last seasons demoralising collapse and subsequent Eleventh place finish suggests otherwise. I still think that was a team under performing by some distance, others would disagree, I guess time will tell.

Trying to second guess who will be Paul Lambert's starting Eleven is nigh on impossible, especially after his rotation nonsense last time out which was attributed by many as one of the main reasons we failed so miserably, he really has to find a settled formation and know by and large what his best Eleven is, do that and I believe we have a great chance of getting out of this poor league we find ourselves in. This season is crucial and promotion looks ever more important to Town given the ridiculous decision to introduce a salary cap which will have us playing with both hands tied behind our backs before very much longer, it really is a massive blow to the bigger clubs at this level and escaping it has to be a priority and for that reason many Town fans have little interest or desire in these Carabao cup and EFL Trophy games, many see them as an unwanted burden on the team and would not be adverse to instant exists from both, however should defeat occur nor will it stop the perpetual moaning and negativity so it's a lose lose situation for Lambert and the boys already.

My idea of our best Eleven for what looks like a preferred 4-3-3 formation would be something like this :-
Holy, KVY, Woolfenden, Chambers, Ward, Downes, Bishop, Huws, Lankester, Edwards, Norwood.
Of course that won't be what we start with as the likes of Alan Judge, Cole Skuse, Jon Nolan, Kayden Jackson etc etc will be very much in the thoughts of PL, at CB we all know Chambers will play, for me I have been so impressed with what I have seen of young Corrie Ndaba and maybe in games like this he would get a chance, that is if he was regarded as part of the squad, more on that another day. Then we still have players like Dozzell, Nydam, Sears, Hawkins, Cornell, Donacien, Wilson, El Mizouni, Dobra, etc etc etc, how on earth can anyone say this squad cannot compete at this level, it's ridiculous.

I can't pretend to know a lot about the Bristol Rovers squad for the season ahead but it didn't go unnoticed that a couple of days ago One time Town target Jonson Clark-Harris departed for pastures new when signing for Peterborough Utd, at the time of writing they looked thin on the ground in the Striker department so hopefully we have enough about us at the back to keep them at bay. Quite how seriously both teams take this game is anyone's guess but I firmly believe it is crucial to get off to a winning start no matter the opponents or competition and for that reason I take Town to win this game and progress through to the draw for the Second round, 2-0 win is my guess.

Nobody knows what this season will pan out like but we have to stick together and be united, when we are finally allowed back into stadiums our fabulous support of last season needs to crank it up even more, Portman road needs to be a fortress and not a nemesis, we failed badly at home and that cannot be allowed to happen again, strangely an empty stadium may just help the players in the early weeks as the level of expectation seemed too much for them to handle at times so it could be a blessing to get us off on the right foot, we have a fair few home games early doors and winning those will breed confidence, our away support is always fantastic and gets behind the team, sadly I cannot see away fans being permitted to attend for the entire season, as someone who goes to virtually every game that is torture and hard to take, I hope I am wrong but we are where we are right now.

The most important thing is we all stay safe and well and try to enjoy it the best we can, we've all been through hell the last few months and putting a defeat into perspective is vital, it's not life or death, we get the chance to move on to the next game and go again, for many who have lost loved ones they haven't had that chance, Covid saw to that, it would do us all good to remember that when moaning about a stray pass or missed open goal. Enjoy the season. COYB'S.



The Opposition – Bristol Rovers FC


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In September 1883, in a meeting organised by school teacher Bill Somerton at the Eastville Restaurant on Stapleton Road in Bristol, the foundation was laid for the team that would go on to be known as Bristol Rovers. The area was at the time a rugby stronghold, and this led the fledgling club to be named after local rugby side The Arabs – their all-black kits leading to the football club being known as Black Arabs F.C. A gold sash was later added to the black shirts, and the black and gold colour scheme went on to become a recurrent theme in the team's away kits in the 21st century.

The Black Arabs played their home games on Purdown in Bristol, but found fixtures hard to come by in their early days due to a dearth of association football teams in the Bristol area. During that first season the team came to be known by the nickname The Purdown Poachers, after the location of their home pitch, and despite the fact they only played there for a single season the moniker stuck for some time.

In November 1884 the name of the club was changed to Eastville Rovers, giving them an identity in their own right, rather than being named after a rugby club. The change in name to one based on a geographical location came about in an effort to broaden the appeal of the club and to draw players from a wider area.

It wasn't until 14 January 1888 that Eastville Rovers took part in a formal competition for the first time.

The following season, on 6 April 1889, Rovers won their first ever trophy by beating Warmley in the final of the second running of the Gloucestershire Cup.

Eastville Rovers continued to play mainly friendly matches for the next few years, as well as taking part in the Gloucestershire Cup each year. In 1890, Rovers again reached the final of this competition, losing 7–2 to Clifton Association in a game that was refereed by noted cricketer W. G. Grace.

Rovers moved to their fourth home in 1891, having negotiated a fee of £8 a year to allow them to play at the Schoolmasters Cricket Ground, Horfield.

1892 was a major landmark in the history of the club, with Eastville Rovers joining an organised league for the first time. Rovers became a founding member of the Bristol & District League (later to become the Western Football League.

The 1893–94 season was a poor one, with Rovers finishing 11th out of 12 teams, with only Mangotsfield F.C. below them in the league. Things improved in 1894–95 however with a 6th-place finish. This season saw Rovers move to their fifth home, locating themselves at a ground referred to sometimes as Rudgeway and at other times as Ridgeway in the Fishponds area of the city. On 22 September 1894 the first meeting of the two teams that went on to become Bristol Rovers and Bristol City took place. Bristol South End beat Eastville Rovers 2–1 at St. John's Lane in Bedminster.

5 October 1895 saw the first appearance in the FA Cup. During the 1896–97 season, Rovers purchased the Eastville ground from Bristol Harlequins rugby club on 26 March 1897 and on 3 April played their first game there against Aston Villa. This would remain their home for almost 100 years.

During the last few years of the 19th century, Eastville Rovers had gradually become known as Bristol Eastville Rovers, and on 7 February 1899 the club officially changed its name to Bristol Rovers.

On 17 November 1900 Rovers faced Weymouth in an FA Cup qualifying match. With the score 5–1 at half time, Rovers went on to score ten goals in the second half, recording a 15–1 victory, a club record for the biggest win in a competitive first team match that still stands today.

Only six league seasons were played during this decade due to World War I. 1909–10 marked the beginning of a disappointing run of league performances, with the team never finishing better than 13th in the Southern League in the six seasons before the war Although one season of league football was played after the outbreak of war, the 1914–15 would be the last season of competitive football played by Rovers until 1919.

On 18 May 1920 a meeting was held between representatives of the Southern League and The Football League and it was decided to move all of the Southern League teams into the new third division of the Football League, which up to this point had consisted of two divisions.


Another noteworthy player to appear for Rovers in this decade was Ronnie Dix (born 5 September 1912). He scored his first goal at an age of 15 Years, 180 days, making him the youngest goalscorer in Football League history, a record that still stands today. He remained the only 15-year-old to play for Rovers for almost 77 years, when Scott Sinclair made his debut aged 15 years, 275 days in December 2004.

Bristol Rovers' manager David McLean resigned on 17 September 1930. His replacement, Captain Albert Prince-Cox brought many changes to the club. One of his first actions as manager was to take the club on a mid-season tour of The Netherlands, and on 16 November 1930 Rovers beat the Dutch national team 3–2, just 24 hours after beating Coventry City 1–0 in the league.

One of the innovations introduced by Albert Prince-Cox was the blue and white quartered shirts, which are still worn today. These were first used during the 1931–32 season, Prince-Cox believed that they made the players look larger and more intimidating.

The sequence of events that eventually resulted in Bristol Rovers leaving the city and playing their home games in Bath during the 1980s began in 1932, when Rovers agreed a lease of Eastville Stadium to the Bristol Greyhound Racing Association that included a clause stating that if Rovers were to sell the stadium then the greyhound association would have first refusal, and that the price would not exceed £13,000. In 1934 the lease was amended to allow the Bristol Greyhound Racing Association to buy the stadium whenever they wished to purchase it, providing that they gave two months notice in writing to the football club. The purchase price was guaranteed to be not less than £8,000 and not more than £13,000. In 1939, Rovers wrote to the greyhound company informing them that they were prepared to sell the stadium, the greyhound company replying with an offer of £20,000 for the freehold.

On 13 April 1935, Rovers played Watford in the final of the Division 3 (South) Cup at The Old Den. The match was played at a neutral venue because both clubs had refused to take part in a coin toss to decide home advantage. Rovers won the match 3–2, winning their only national trophy in the period between World War I and World War II.

During a match with Luton Town on 13 April 1936, Rovers suffered the biggest defeat in their history, losing 12–0. 10 of the goals were scored by Joe Payne, which is still the league record for the most goals scored by a single player in a match. Rovers finished bottom of the league in the 1938–39 season, and were forced to apply for re-election to the league when competitive football resumed after the war.

The 1950s was the most successful decade in the history of Bristol Rovers. The club reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup twice, achieved their highest ever placing in the football pyramid, won a divisional title.

During the second world war, the Bristol Greyhound Racing Association had invested money into Bristol Rovers, and as a result the Greyhound Association had taken control of the football club's accounts and board of directors. In 1950, an FA commission, after examining the club's books, fined Bristol Rovers £250 and ordered the greyhound company to relinquish its controlling interest in the football club and banned club secretary Charles Ferrari from football club management.

In the 1950–51 season Bristol Rovers reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time. This season also saw the adoption of Goodnight Irene as a favorite song of Bristol Rovers fans. The song was sung at the Rovers fans by supporters of Plymouth Argyle before a match at Eastville, because a version of it was in the charts at the time, and again to taunt the Rovers fans after Argyle had taken the lead. Rovers went on to win the game 3–1 and replied to the Plymouth taunts by singing Goodnight Argyle. The song remained popular with the Rovers fans, and over the years became the anthem of the supporters.

The first league title to be won by Bristol Rovers since the 1904–05 Southern League championship was the 1952–53 Division 3 (South) title. This was the first time Rovers had won promotion since joining the Football League in 1920.

The highest ever league placing by Rovers was achieved in both the 1955–56 and 1958–59 seasons, when the team finished in sixth place in the second tier of league football. In 1955–56, Rovers only missed out on promotion to the top flight by four points.

For the 1962–63 season, Rovers abandoned their now familiar blue and white quarters in favour of blue pinstripes. Also in this season, the club signed goalkeeper Esmond Million from Middlesbrough for £5,000. In April 1963, The People newspaper ran a story alleging that Million had accepted a bribe to lose the match against Bradford (Park Avenue) on 20 April. During the game he had allowed a backpass to slip past him and allowed a cross to go, enabling Bradford to score twice. Unfortunately for Million, Rovers also scored twice so the game ended 2–2 and Million did not receive the money he had been offered to lose the game. Million and his accomplice, Keith Williams, were fined £50 each by Doncaster Magistrates' Court, and banned from football for life by The FA.

In July 1972, Rovers appointed Don Megson as their new manager. His first task as manager was to guide the team through the Watney Cup, where the team beat Sheffield United in the final in a match that was drawn 0–0 at full time. A penalty shoot-out was held to decide the winners, and Rovers won 7–6, meaning that Megson had won a trophy after only three matches as manager.

For the 1973–74 season, Rovers had switched back to their blue and white quartered shirts, which they have worn ever since. This coincided with a promotion-winning season, with second place in division 3 earning them a second spell in the second division. Rovers remained in the Second Division for the remainder of the decade.

The 1980–81 season was probably the worst in the club's history. Rovers won just five league games during the season, and only four home wins in all competitions. The team was relegated at the end of the season, finishing in last place, seven points below the other relegated team, Bristol City. The club had also failed to agree an extension to the lease on their stadium, which had had its capacity reduced from 30,000 to 12,500 due to new safety laws, causing fears that they would have to find a new home. On 17 August 1980, a fire started in the South Grandstand in Eastville Stadium, destroying the administrative offices and changing rooms. As a result, Rovers were forced to play five games at Ashton Gate, three in the league and two in the League Cup. This location was not popular with the fans however, who considered this to be enemy territory, and all five games were poorly attended.

During the 1981–82 season, with the lease on Eastville coming to an end, Rovers were offered deals to groundshare by both Bristol City and Bath City, however a five-year extension to their existing lease was agreed and Rovers would remain at Eastville until 1986. Before the lease was agreed, the Rovers chairman, Martin Flook, had made an offer of £450,000 to buy Ashton Gate Stadium from Bristol City, who were on the verge of bankruptcy at the time. However, when City reformed as Bristol City (1982) plc, this bid was rejected.

Unlike Bristol City, who had suffered three consecutive relegations in the early 80s, Rovers stabilised in the Third Division.

The last game to be played at Eastville was on 26 April 1986, when Rovers drew 1–1 with Chesterfield in front of just 3,576 spectators. The following season Rovers moved to Bath City's Twerton Park ground, where they would remain for ten years.

Success in the league was achieved by Gerry Francis in his third season as Bristol Rovers manager. The team won the 1989–90 third division championship, clinching promotion on 2 May 1990 with a 3–0 victory over local rivals Bristol City, who finished second and were also promoted.

The following season Rovers suffered a second fire at their ground. Ten years after the fire at Eastville, the main stand at Twerton Park was damaged on 16 September 1990 in what was later found to be an arson attack. Seven Bristol City fans were later tried and convicted of the crime.

The first two seasons back in the Second Division saw Rovers finish a credible 13th place, their highest in the league since the 1950s. In the 1990–91 season the side were outsiders for play-off place before petering out in mid-table. Gerry Francis left for QPR and was succeeded by Martin Dobson, who left following a dismal start to 1991–92. Dennis Rofe brought a turnaround in form to finish mid-table.

Rovers' third season in the second tier of the league resulted in relegation. Dennis Rofe was sacked following another awful start, and veteran manager Malcolm Allison was appointed in an effort to turn things round, without much success. John Ward in turn replaced Allison near the end of the season, but little improvement followed. At the end of the 1992–93 season, Rovers were bottom of the division, now known as Division One due to the creation of the FA Premier League.

A second appearance at Wembley was earned at the end of the 1994–95 season, in the Second Division play-off final. Rovers lost by the same scoreline as their only other game to be played there – 2–1. This time the opponents were Huddersfield Town, and the attendance of 59,175 is the second highest ever at a Bristol Rovers game. Also during this season, Rovers faced their landlords, Bath City, in the first round of the FA Cup. Rovers won the game 5–0, and unusually for a game involving a league team, there was no fan segregation. The following season Rovers failed to make a serious challenge for the play-offs, resulting in the sacking of John Ward and his replacement by former player Ian Holloway.

Rovers' return to Bristol was at the beginning of the 1996–97 season. Bristol Rugby Club were experiencing financial difficulties, and offered Rovers the opportunity to buy half of the Memorial Ground (now called The Memorial Stadium) for £2.3 million. The stadium was not ready for league football however, and the first game of the season was played at Twerton Park. On 17 April 1998, Bristol Rugby Club were placed in receivership, invoking a clause in the tenancy agreement allowing Rovers to buy the other half of the Memorial Ground for £100,000. Rovers now owned their own stadium for the first time since 1939.

Until the end of the 2000–01 season, Bristol Rovers had been the only team in the Football League never to have played in the first or the fourth levels of the league. This record ended when the team were relegated to Division 3 for the 2001–02 season. Holloway resigned at the halfway point of the season, and Garry Thompson took over for the rest of the campaign, but was unable to prevent relegation. Gerry Francis returned to the club and oversaw a good start that saw them top the division at the end of August; results soon faded however, and it became clear that Rovers were not going to get out of the division at the first attempt. Francis resigned due to personal issues in December with the side in 20th place, leading to Garry Thompson being reinstated as manager. Despite masterminding a cup upset against Premier League opponents Derby County, Rovers' League form remained poor, and the club hit its lowest ebb, finishing second bottom of the whole League and only surviving due to a truly awful season by bottom-placed Halifax Town.

With the League introducing two relegation places from Division Three the next season it was obvious that Rovers would have to improve quickly, and Thompson was duly sacked and replaced by former player Ray Graydon. While Graydon had experienced promotion success twice with Walsall, he failed to significantly improve Rovers' form, and the next two seasons were also spent fighting relegation to the Conference. Soon, Graydon was gone, and Ian Atkins took the hotseat. A slight improvement resulted, resulting in Rovers hovering in mid-table; this was far from what the board and fans wanted however, and after just over a season in charge Atkins was dismissed, and in his place the club appointed Paul Trollope as player-manager, aided by director of football Lennie Lawrence. Trollope's first season in full charge (2005–06) saw the club briefly contend for the play-offs, but eventually resulted in another mid-table (12th place) finish.

Improvements were needed and they came during the 2006–07 season, when Rovers reached the final of the Football League Trophy for the second time in the club's history. The team were beaten 3–2 by Doncaster Rovers after extra time.

The team also managed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing 6th in the final table (the last play-off spot awarded to a team) where they played 3rd placed and tie favourites Lincoln City. Rovers qualified for the final at the new Wembley Stadium after a 7–4 aggregate win over Lincoln. In the final at Wembley Stadium they faced Shrewsbury Town. Bristol Rovers won by three goals to one in what was a thrilling match. The game was marked though, by the home match atmosphere created by the huge Rovers' support and their almost endless singing of their signature song "Goodnight Irene". Rovers also became only the second team, behind Chelsea to have played at both Millennium Stadium and Wembley Stadium in the same season.

2007–08 saw Rovers survive in League One as they finished 16th, with the prospect of relegation never really finding its way around the club, however, top 6 was always a bit ambitious and it proved to be a transitional season for the club, just to find their feet amongst the division.

A fine start to the 2009–10 season pushed Rovers into 3rd place in the table at the start of October. Rovers maintained a very consistent level of performance throughout the remainder of the season, never falling out of the top 10 positions.

Rovers' started the 2010–11 season poorly, and they were in the relegation zone from the first weeks of the campaign. Paul Trollope resigned near the end of 2010, and a few weeks later was replaced by Dave Penney. Under the new manager Rovers proceeded to lose 9 of the next 13 games, and Penney's tenure as manager was brought to an end after barely two months, with the club bottom of the table and looking completely doomed. Stuart Campbell took over as caretaker manager for the rest of the season, and despite steering the side to a creditable 16 points from 12 games, Campbell was unable to prevent relegation, the club's horrid mid-season run ultimately proving too much to recover from.

While Campbell was favourite to be installed as full-time manager, the board instead chose to appoint Paul Buckle, manager of that season's losing League Two play-off finalists, Torquay United. Buckle failed to repeat the success he had brought to Torquay, and only exacerbated the situation when he fell out with fan favourite Campbell, leading to his dismissal in January 2012 with the club in the lower reaches of League Two. He was replaced by Mark McGhee, who improved the club's fortunes and steered them to safety and a 13th-place finish.

McGhee heavily invested in the squad in the post-season, and Rovers were considered among the favourites for promotion to League One. However, the club made a dire start, and were near the bottom of the table from the earliest weeks of the season. By December 2012 it was clear that Rovers were in perhaps the biggest danger of dropping out of the Football League they had ever been, which resulted in McGhee being sacked and former manager John Ward returning to the club. The club's form greatly improved in the weeks that followed, and another safe finish was achieved, this time 14th.

2013–14 looked to be repeating the pattern of the previous two seasons, with mediocre initial form followed by a climb into mid-table by early spring. However, a terrible run of form then set in, resulting in Ward being "moved upstairs" to the role director of football (a role he was ultimately sacked from days after the season ended) and replaced by his assistant Darrell Clarke. A win in a vital six-pointer against Wycombe Wanderers in the penultimate match appeared to have secured Rovers's League status and condemned Wycombe to relegation. Rovers only required a draw in their final league match, at home to Mansfield, but were defeated 1 – 0 while both Wycombe and Northampton Town won their own final matches. It meant that Rovers' 94 year consecutive stay in the Football League was over, finishing behind Wycombe only on goal difference.

Despite overseeing the club's relegation into the Conference Premier, Clarke remained in charge. An indifferent start to the season, with Rovers picking up just one point from their first three games and third defeat in seven in their away fixture with part-timers Braintree Town, saw calls for the manager to be sacked. What followed was an incredible run of just two defeats in 39 league games as Rovers came agonisingly close to making an immediate return to the Football League, finishing as runners-up to Barnet. They were promoted back to League Two after winning the Playoff Final against Grimsby Town on Penalties.

Rovers achieved promotion in their first season back in League Two when they finished 3rd in the 2015-16 season. They retained their status in League 1 the following season finishing in a respectable 10th position, and next season in 13th.

In February 2016 it was announced that a 92% stake in the club had been bought by the Jordanian al-Qadi family and that Wael al-Qadi, a member of the Jordan Football Association, would become the president. The club is now owned by Dwane Sports Ltd with 92.6% of the shares with Bristol Rovers Supporters Club owning the remaining 7.4%.


Last season Rovers finished in 14th place in League 1



The Manager – Ben Garner



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Match Referee – Will Finnie



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IPSWICH TOWN 1 BRISTOL ROVERS 0

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Frosty » Sun Aug 30, 2020 7:41 am

Welcome to the New Season everyone, Hope you had a bit of a break over the summer.

Once again, not football as we knew it, but better than no Football IMO.

Thanks as always to Bluemike who has done a fantastic write up this week, and will no doubt keep delivering them throughout the coming season.

Also, 'ol what's his face that does the Caption Contest (The Don Cup), thanks for doing your part in the Previews again.

Please don't forget the Prediction League either, Charnwood and Mike do a fantastic competition, and I would highly recommend getting involved this season if you are aren't already.

COYB's!! and stay safe.


cheers Dave

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by marko69 » Sun Aug 30, 2020 1:06 pm

That’s not Ben Garner. That’s Judd Trump with a beard.

Faultless opening thoughts, Bluemike. 👏👏👏
Expertly written as usual.
Although I have a confession that I just know no one on here would admit........ Peterborough United? At 50 years old, I had no idea they were “United”. Thought they were just Peterborough (the posh) FC. 🤷‍♂️

Smack bang on the fence with the result. 100% with you that winning does breed confidence and a win would be great....... but kind of 100% wanting the cup to go away and for Paul to make the league top priority. So it’s a two way thing. At FT, it’ll be either, (1) “Aw great, 2-0, superb, couple great goals by Mikes all time favourite player, Freddie Sears......” or it’ll be, (2) “out the pointless cup, onwards and upwards.”

The Don Cup has been engraved with current champs name on it, (AylesburyBlue) but I’ve yet to pick it up as it’s an appointment system in the shop. So I will start the comp for the Wigan game preview and I’ll post a pic to Frosty to have that put in there. 👍

Great preview and I’ll say 3-1 ITFC.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by arana peligrosa » Sun Aug 30, 2020 4:40 pm

Never known a League Cup fixture played on a Saturday particularly one in the formative rounds. Voted for us to progress but we'll most likely be eliminated even before the damn thing is even underway. If the team were to reach the last eight it would be a great achievement but you know how it's going to be.

Expect to field a reserve team, experimental that kind of thing. You would argue this "competition" is horseshit but the more things you're involved in over a season the better it is for morale. Guess primary focus will be the League and everything else to go by the wayside. We may progress from this one but can't envisage the team venturing much further thereafter.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by marko69 » Sun Aug 30, 2020 5:10 pm

saint jude wrote:
Sun Aug 30, 2020 4:40 pm
.....but we'll most likely be eliminated even before the damn thing is even underway.
That possible, Saint? Just trawled through the betfair app. Certainly no option there for Ipswich Town to be knocked out before kick-off. ✅

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by number 9 » Sun Aug 30, 2020 5:15 pm

I wouldn't be bothered if we're eliminated from both competitions. Even if we win, we won't last long and it will just be an injury risk for players. Do the cups have replays this year, or does if go to penalties in the first match?

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Frosty » Sun Aug 30, 2020 10:21 pm

Anyone know the ref for this one by any chance?

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by marko69 » Sun Aug 30, 2020 11:03 pm

Frosty wrote:
Sun Aug 30, 2020 10:21 pm
Anyone know the ref for this one by any chance?
Guide Dogs UK will have that information to all clubs before the weekend, Frosty.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Tangfastic » Mon Aug 31, 2020 1:17 pm

Thanks for the preview, gents. It’s like a bit of normality.

I’m hearing more of ‘judge Lambert after 10 games’ from some, which is reasonable. TBH... If after 10 games we’re mid-table BUT starting to put some performances together - I wouldn’t be too alarmed. You can make up ground if you can get on a run and push into the top six or top two with a bit of momentum. Where did our great start get us anyway?
I just think that if we’re mid-table after 10 games, Lambert will be under a lot of pressure from fans. As Mike says, it might benefit the team playing without fans from the start.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by marko69 » Mon Aug 31, 2020 1:30 pm

Yep, but also, after 5, if 3 draws, 2 defeats, (3pts) ...... there will be major unrest. And no doubt Lambo will be hearing things.

🙏 he and his preferred team have a very convincing season.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by number 9 » Mon Aug 31, 2020 3:55 pm

tangfastic wrote:
Mon Aug 31, 2020 1:17 pm
Thanks for the preview, gents. It’s like a bit of normality.

I’m hearing more of ‘judge Lambert after 10 games’ from some, which is reasonable. TBH... If after 10 games we’re mid-table BUT starting to put some performances together - I wouldn’t be too alarmed. You can make up ground if you can get on a run and push into the top six or top two with a bit of momentum. Where did our great start get us anyway?
I just think that if we’re mid-table after 10 games, Lambert will be under a lot of pressure from fans. As Mike says, it might benefit the team playing without fans from the start.
I know it's a bit off topic considering the thread, but I had to respond. In my opinion, the only way Lambert would leave or be fired is if we're in the relegation zone the second half of the season. I think Evans would accept another mid-table finish, and Lambert would be happy to continue with his 're-building takes time' stance.

I can see the match ending as a boring draw and then us getting knocked out on penalties. In case you didn't know, the Carabao Cup will be one leg this time round. (I guess I should have figured that out from the poll!) :lol:

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by hallamblue » Mon Aug 31, 2020 9:31 pm

Great pre match notes Mike. Thank you.

All I will say is I couldn’t given a flying one about ANY cup games this season. For me, they simply don’t matter snd for the sake our promotion chances I hope we exit all cup games very quickly. Lambert doesn’t need any help in
f lucking this season up .

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by arana peligrosa » Tue Sep 01, 2020 12:00 am

Tried finding the senior match official through a number of opposition forums but to no avail. Imagine a name has been selected but not disclosed as yet. Don't think it'll make much difference on the day, Pierluigi Collina or John Smith in the middle can't see it aiding our efforts to any great extent.

This opposition were after all the last team we were due to face off with before the virus took hold back in the Spring, canceled all fixtures. (It were to be an) Away game in the West of England, they had already beat us at Portman Road the December before.

A third league team winning the competition is nothing new, QPR and Swindon did it back in the 60's, believe the former went on to win the League with it. Can we do it in 2020 ? Simple answer No, won't be enough interest invested by the players and manager to provide a fighting chance. We don't do well in Cup competition anymore, stands to reason the team will go by the wayside in if not this the immediate rounds thereafter.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Frosty » Thu Sep 03, 2020 7:49 am

cheers Saint, it's Will Finnie.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by derick_ipsw » Thu Sep 03, 2020 7:54 am

Is Will Finnie a Nazi? (See photo)

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by marko69 » Thu Sep 03, 2020 10:58 am

Big question is will "Will" be a "Fannie"?

Judging by that photo; free flowing football may be absent.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by nicscreamer » Thu Sep 03, 2020 10:59 am

derick_ipsw wrote:
Thu Sep 03, 2020 7:54 am
Is Will Finnie a Nazi? (See photo)
I see him as more of an STEPS fan

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Tangfastic » Thu Sep 03, 2020 12:26 pm

I would have thought this game would mean much more than the other pre-season games. Personally, I couldn’t care less about the cups, but as BR are League One rivals and we haven’t started the league yet, there should be an edge to it. And we should be playing the best eleven possible and I would have thought BR would be doing the same. I’d like to think this would be like a free-hit League game for us.
The big thing is will be the fitness of certain players- KVY, Norwood ... and maybe Downes will pick up a last-minute ‘injury’ in
training.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by arana peligrosa » Thu Sep 03, 2020 1:58 pm

f**king hell he's just a kid. I realize it's a game of largely insignificance but couldn't they find someone a bit more experienced. Guess they chalked up it's two teams going to make little impact in a p*ss-pot competition and just threw in the first amateur that came to hand. No disrespect, but seriously.

Kind of looking forward to this in a strange sense, yes it's largely immaterial to most but will provide an indication of what to expect for the months ahead and we got some new additions on board since before although don't know if they'll be eligible to play for this particular event.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by marko69 » Thu Sep 03, 2020 2:16 pm

A kid? Is he? You got an iPad, Saint? Zoom in on his face. He's not that young. Looks like he might have some experience ----> experience at being extremely poor no doubt. But, we'll find out.
Edit: He's 26.
And he's card happy. Bet on for 4 yellows or more.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by patthegimp » Fri Sep 04, 2020 11:06 am

Injuries already piling up. Downes-head not right. Going going GONE

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Bluemike » Fri Sep 04, 2020 11:13 am

what injuries do we have Pat ?

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Bluemike » Fri Sep 04, 2020 11:18 am

Just seen it, no KVY, Norwood or Jackson, all injured, others with mild knocks, Kenlock, Edwards, Donacien etc, bloody ridiculous, five sodding months off and still loads of injuries, wtf is wrong with us.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Tangfastic » Fri Sep 04, 2020 11:26 am

Can see Drinan up-front and a makeshift RB.

Pretty amazing that Huws and Bishop aren’t among the injured..... yet.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Bluemike » Fri Sep 04, 2020 11:46 am

Well I'm led to believe Sears is the dogs bollox up front so time to see it maybe. Personally I'd like to see Hawkins start.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Dubai Blue » Fri Sep 04, 2020 11:47 am

Bluemike wrote:
Fri Sep 04, 2020 11:18 am
Just seen it, no KVY, Norwood or Jackson, all injured, others with mild knocks, Kenlock, Edwards, Donation etc, bloody ridiculous, five sodding months off and still loads of injuries, wtf is wrong with us.
I think the 5 months off is the reason BM. I get it to be honest it's hard to ramp up to full fitness so quickly after such a long break. Some minor knocks and sprains to be expected. I would imagine the other teams are seeing the same. I'm happy Lambert is playing it safe. Pushing players into playing with minor knocks at this point might be unwise IMO.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Bluemike » Fri Sep 04, 2020 12:59 pm

yes fair point if he has his sights firmly on the Wigan game.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Dubai Blue » Fri Sep 04, 2020 1:04 pm

I very much hope that he does :-)

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Tangfastic » Fri Sep 04, 2020 1:21 pm

With Downes out .... what would the midfield be?

I’d go for Huws, Bishop and Dozzell. It’s time Huws and Bishop put their injuries behind them and get tested. It’s still early days and no-one is 100% fit, but they’ve got to give that bit extra. Bishop has to run at defences or there’s no point he’s in the team and Huws has to get back to being that box to box midfielder, making bursts. There’s no real Downes replacement, but maybe Huws is the closest. As for Dozzell.... not convinced he’s tough enough, but if we don’t give him a run we’ll never know. And he’s prepared to drop deep and look for the ball, which Lambo seems to want and Skuse can’t do.

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Re: Ipswich Town vs Bristol Rovers (EFLC) Preview & Matchday Thread - Season Opener

Post by Dubai Blue » Fri Sep 04, 2020 1:30 pm

Maybe it's going to be 4-4-2. We seem to be short of attacking options. Presumably Watkins & Sears to start. So you could add Judge to that trio for me or maybe go Skuse, Huws, Bishop, Dozzell. Or swap Judge for Dozzell.

Rovers play 3-4-3 formation apparently so not sure how we should counter that.
Last edited by Dubai Blue on Fri Sep 04, 2020 1:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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