MATCHWATCH : Bristol Rovers (a)

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday April 26, 12.30pm
Where : Memorial Stadium, Filton Avenue, Horfield, BS7 0AQ
Capacity : 12,011

Presuming the club is still allowed to play on Saturday then it’ll be time for the last home game of the season for Bristol Rovers and, thank god, the last away league game of the season for Reading. On the telly too, if you have a Sky subscription, so a chance for the fans to demonstrate inflatable day to a wider audience in the 10 minutes leading up to kick off (and beyond).

Of course whether Reading have a future or not is still to be decided so this could also be the last ever away league game for the club so let’s hope the players come up with something memorable - in a good way.

The Pirates have struggled all season so they will also be very determined to win this game as a) it’s their last home game and b) it’s an early kick off in the division and so they’ll want to put the screws in on Burton who kick off at 3pm at home to Cambridge. Defeat could well put them as good as down given their final game is a trip to Blackpool.

Eight games ago Bristol Rovers beat Bolton at home 3-2 but since then they’ve managed a 1-1 draw at Wrexham but lost the other 7 games. However we know from experience this doesn’t mean a nailed on win and with the aforementioned circumstances there is going to be quite a challenge ahead for Reading.

Most Rovers goals have come from former Orient star, Ruel Sotiriou (6) and, yet another former Reading player, Chris Martin (5). In addition Romaine Sawyers arrived in the January window and the club also have that right Royal pain in the arse Scott Sinclair still in their ranks so despite form Reading will likely be under the cosh in this one.

Injuries still mean no Dean, Dorsett or Elliott so Noel will no doubt just tweak the line up with usual decision over Wareham starting or not. Personally after Mansfield I’d keep the same starting XI and hope for something similar though Rovers will be more basic, physical and in your face than Mansfield who tried to play an open fast passing game.

The other game of note in the league
Leyton Orient v Wycombe Wanderers (also a 12.30 ko)

Referee

Simon Mather

Previously

26 Oct 24 > Reading 1-0 Bristol Rovers
13 Feb 24 > Fleetwood Town 1-1 Reading
05-Aug-23 > Reading 0-1 Peterborough United

Historically

Forty one previous seasons with the Gas so this will be the 42nd visit to play in the league against the blue half of Bristol. Of those 42 previous visits Reading have had 9 victories to Rovers’ 20 so a bit of a challenge all round.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the game
2. NOW app/Sky red button
3. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
4. Ring/text a mate for updates
5. Use an RoyalTV subscription
6. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Stranded]

Hopefully a routine 2-0 away win like last season.

[WestYorksRoyal]

I back us to get the job done here and take it down to the final day.

[Mr Angry]

Having spoken to my Bristol Rovers supporting mate, he says that they don't play a high press, and leave lots of space all around the park.

They don't ever play to shut up shop or flood the midfield, hoping to catch opponents on the break.

Their biggest goal threat is from set pieces.

[WestYorksRoyal]

You expect a team in their position to start a home game quickly. It may be a case of riding out the first 25 minutes and then letting our superior quality show.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Dorsett nearest to returning according to Chronicle, Elliott being reviewed "game by game".

Abrefa hamstring issue so looks like out for season.

[Snowflake Royal]

Abrefa hamstring issue so looks like out for season.

That poor guy, every time he starts to look like making a position his own, he's out.

[Stranded]

Abrefa hamstring issue so looks like out for season.

That poor guy, every time he starts to look like making a position his own, he's out.

Unfortunately, he and Dorsett seem to be made of something quite fragile.

[Snowflake Royal]

Abrefa hamstring issue so looks like out for season.

That poor guy, every time he starts to look like making a position his own, he's out.

Unfortunately, he and Dorsett seem to be made of something quite fragile.

Yeah... much as I hate to say it, I wouldn’t be having either central to any future team planning sadly.

Dorsett hasn’t impressed me much when he has been fit this season either.

[stealthpapes]

Last season, Dorsett was one of the stand out performers.
He only got his first appearances right at the end of the losing run, I thought he immediately made us stronger at the back.
He got injured vs Fleetwood in Feb, coincident with a wobble in form.

He was poor early season, Wrexham picked him off for example.
It doesn't feel like injury prone, more one big injury and he's been out pretty much since before Christmas.
Think he may have tried to come back too soon at some point this season.

[Sutekh]

Last season, Dorsett was one of the stand out performers.
He only got his first appearances right at the end of the losing run, I thought he immediately made us stronger at the back.
He got injured vs Fleetwood in Feb, coincident with a wobble in form.

He was poor early season, Wrexham picked him off for example.
It doesn't feel like injury prone, more one big injury and he's been out pretty much since before Christmas.
Think he may have tried to come back too soon at some point this season.

Dorsett started this season as a regular, played in all league games until crocked at Bolton in mid September. He next appeared as a half time substitute at Stevenage in November, started the next league game at Peterborough and was in the league starting line up every time until disappearing when the team went to Charlton on 4 January. Was back though as a HT sub for the Stockport visit but I believe has been missing ever since so “coming back too soon” may indeed have caused a real serious issue.

[Snowflake Royal]

Last season, Dorsett was one of the stand out performers.
He only got his first appearances right at the end of the losing run, I thought he immediately made us stronger at the back.
He got injured vs Fleetwood in Feb, coincident with a wobble in form.

He was poor early season, Wrexham picked him off for example.
It doesn't feel like injury prone, more one big injury and he's been out pretty much since before Christmas.
Think he may have tried to come back too soon at some point this season.

Dorsett started this season as a regular, played in all league games until crocked at Bolton in mid September. He next appeared as a half time substitute at Stevenage in November, started the next league game at Peterborough and was in the league starting line up every time until disappearing when the team went to Charlton on 4 January. Was back though as a HT sub for the Stockport visit but I believe has been missing ever since so “coming back too soon” may indeed have caused a real serious issue.

So that's at least 3 injuries right?

[stealthpapes]

Neither of us seem to be arguing against him having three extended spells outside of the squad, we're suggesting he came back before he was ready and made the second injury a longer term one. He lasted 6 minutes in his last game (vs Leyton O)

[Snowflake Royal]

In any case, I thought his performances were poor.

Seemed to dawdle towards the ball a lot and get beaten by someone 10 yards further from it, poor passing, beaten too easily a lot.

[Royal_jimmy]

This will be an interesting one. Bristol Rovers need 3 points so will have to come at us and that could play into our hands. As long as our defence holds firm I fancy us to pick them off.

[The Royal Forester]

Let's hope for a repeat of when we wanted, was it 7/8? goals to get into the Watney Cup. Knock up a high score twice and who knows, even if Leyton Orient win both their games. Doubtful, but be nice to have an amazing turn round, wouldn't it?

[windermereROYAL]

Let's hope for a repeat of when we wanted, was it 7/8? goals to get into the Watney Cup. Knock up a high score twice and who knows, even if Leyton Orient win both their games. Doubtful, but be nice to have an amazing turn round, wouldn't it?

8-0 Southport at home. we lost 6-2 away to them in the same season.

[Sutekh]

Being reported in Bristol that strikers Chris Martin and Promise Omochere will both miss the game as will midfielder Isaac Hutchinson due to concussion protocol. In addition Ruel Sotiriou will face a late fitness test on an ankle injury sustained v Stevenage on Monday.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

No one back for Sat, Craig apparently nearest and has a chance for next week.

[tidus_mi2]

I wonder if there's going to be any push for chasing as many goals as possible or if the team have accepted if we win both games and still lose out on G/D, thems the breaks.