Bristol Rovers match report part two - player ratings

Davies 7: characteristically sound and at least a couple of excellent double-saves, which prevented Rovers getting a bigger win. We MUST secure him on a contract for a couple more seasons. Stendel says he is the best keeper in the division, so do his fellow professionals and I think the same could well be true in the Championship. Give him the deal he deserves and we need.

Jordan Williams 6: still learning defensively, but very quick and sharp going forwards. No major errors. A good squad player for next season.

Pinnock 8: just seems to get everything in the air and looks so assured on the deck. Another one we need to offer a proper Championship contract to hold him for at least next season. It will be a huge let-down for Ethan if he thought that a move to some team like Brentford, Birmingham, or Wednesday was a step up, as he is Premiership quality and I am sure that he would show that at Oakwell next season. If he does move, I would think it best to be after one season with us establishing himself with Championship credentials and then, maybe going to a Premiership club, as Alfie Mawson ultimately did.

Lindsay 7: very solid in the air and another one we need to try to secure on a longer contract. His sending off was correct for two professional fouls and means that he will miss the first match of next season, whichever club that is for and I hope it will be us. The central pairing of Pinnock and Lindsay has been such a strength in our success that it would be hard to know how we could be stronger if one of them departed. Jackson would be a competent replacement, but, if Lindsay does go as touted in some media, we would need to bring in Championship quality cover.

Pinillos 6: did ok down the left. No significant errors and good work-rate.

Bahre 7: I thought that he was one player who came to the fore after we had gone down to ten men, especially during the time most others had gone off the boil. He played as a more forward midfielder in the 441, just behind Woodrow and he was the one player who showed signs of being able to control the game whilst we had ten men. I was surprised that he was substituted, but Green, his replacement, had clear instructions and carried them out pretty well.

McGeehan 7: did a good sound job in central midfield, getting the blocks and tackles in and picking some great passes as well. He is a strong and muscular presence in centre midfield and I would like to see him on a longer contract, as I think he will be a big plus for us in the Championship.

Mowatt 7: did his usual stuff, tackling back, being the dynamo, but not much end-product today, Definitely Championship quality, so I am glad he is with us on a longer contract and hope that his Championship credentials come to the fore next season.

Thiam 6: did ok and looked dangerous once the likes of McGeehan and Mowatt started finding him with their passes. Played a part in our goal, otherwise his finishing was a bit erratic. A good squad player at Championship level, I would think.

Woodrow 6: I rate him as a seriously good all-round footballer, who will show well at Championship level next season, but this was not one of his better days. He did some good link-up play, but he rarely today got into positions to score and his shots, when they did come, were a bit wild.

Moore 6: I am pleased that he scored his first goal and got his first start since his injury. He is not back to full match-sharpness yet, however, and we should get the best of him next season, no doubt. I wasn’t all that surprised that he was one to make way for the switch to 441 after the break. Better days ahead for Kieffer and it’s just great to see him back and scoring again.

Subs:

Cavare 6: I do rate him, but as a full-back, or wing-back. He is so hard to knock off the ball and always seems to come away from a skirmish with two, or three opponents still with the ball at his feet. Please, Daniel, don’t play him in central defence again, assuming that is where he was told to play. I would definitely want him around for the Championship season, as he is so hard to beat and so much of a threat going forwards.

Fryers 5: did not get that much into the game down the left side.

Green 6: a good little cameo, I thought, when coming on for Bahre. It made sense to bring him on for his pace, but I would have had him on at half-time for Thiam down the left. Going to 441, our best option was to defend with two ranks of four, but have quick players who could spring counter-attacks against the ageing Tony Craig. It nearly worked out for Jordan more than once and I do like his direct style. Definitely one for the future in the Championship, but needs further time to be brought on gradually.

So there it is – the conclusion to a just brilliant season from a young and talented squad of players and charismatic managerial team. We will need to keep hold of the core of the team over the summer and bring in quality players to supplement the squad as well. If we can do what Daniel wants, I think that he and the core squad will see us safely through the next twelve months.


Come on, you Championship Reds!

 

Davies is leaving

 

Davies showing all the signs of having his head turned. Maybe the wales camp have told him he needs to be at a bigger club or something. I don’t know but that’s the feeling I get.

 

I thought no player was better than a 6 yesterday. The effort was there but skill was sorely lacking.