1) When did you become a Rovers fan and why?
I was born and raised in the Somerset before moving to London at 18. I`ve been in Bristol now for over 5 years and knew I was coming here 2 years before that I did so I had two choices, red or blue. So I made the sensible choice around 7 years ago. 🙂
2) What is your favourite Rovers moment of all time/most treasured memory?
In my relatively short Rovers lifetime I don`t have the vast amount of options that many of our lifetime fans do, but Andy William`s winner down at Southampton was just a bit special. Quite symbolic really if you think about it, look at where we and they are now?.
3) If you could bring back a former Rovers player into this team who would it be and why?
Again I can only really select from 7 years of experience and therefore would have to go for Muzzy Carayol. Unplayable on his day?
4) Early day but what’s Your opinion on Darrell Clarke so far?
He seems to have a good knowledge of the league we find ourselves in, has made some signings that others with knowledge have rated and in the last few weeks I have found myself quite optimistic. We won`t get back up by thinking about what ifs, DC was dropped in at the deep end last season and from the sort of character he seems to be I think he`ll be determined to bounce straight back.
5) I would normally ask best and worst moments of last season, but I think the worse is obvious, any good moments for you last season?
I had to organise a stag do for a bunch of Arsenal fans in Bristol last season and arranged a trip to the Mem so they could enjoy a game of footy. We turned up, the Gas turned up and we beat Plymouth convincingly. From that moment on I was convinced we were safe. Was also nice (although I didn`t make the game) to go and beat our great friends at Wycombe. Again I thought we were safe.
6) Transfers have already been made, but anyone else you would like to come in?>/b>
In the last few days it seems Mr Smith is on his way (and good luck to him, 100% committed professional and I hope he has a fantastic career) so we`re going to need a new full back but I would quite like to see Jamie Cureton come back. Has great experience, and despite his flaws he will guarantee goals. That is a fact. I don`t think it will happen but I would like to see a striker in that mould that has a bit of an older, wiser head. Pace is one thing we have lacked and I understand that but we need to have a balance and a wiser head never hurt anyone.
7) Any players you would happily drive to his new club?
I already did my time with that when I took Akinde away so it`s someone else`s turn!
8) Favourite current player?
Was delighted when Lee Brown signed a new contract, you could see that he was one of the players that did graft and was genuinely distraught when we went down. I`m expecting big things from Brunty this season, he should score goals in this league. I hope he can stay injury free as he can be a real asset for us.
9) Any players that have been let go this summer that you would have liked to stay?
Always have had a soft spot for Matt Harrold, even before he signed for us. If we`d have had pace and the ability to whip in a decent ball on the flanks last season he would have kept us up. He was isolated and ineffective because of the way we played. Many were surprised when Crawley signed him, don`t be surprised when you see him amongst the goals in the coming season. He was a grafter and a top bloke and I would have liked him to stay. I wish him success in his career, just don`t score against us. 🙂
10) Who was your first footballing hero and who are your favourite all time player/s?
First footballing hero was Stuart Pearce. He is exactly what England are missing now, passion and pride. What a player he was. All time player, Paul Scholes. He played the game like he was being controlled from above, he saw the space and exploited it before you knew it was even there. Fantastic player.
11) In your opinion who was to blame for relegation last season?
I`m not one for casting blame on an individual, but I blame it all on?.. To be fair it has to lie with the board and John Ward. I think the sensible decision would have been to replace JW a long time before he actually was. He also could have admitted that things weren`t going his way and done what was in the interest of the club as a whole. I don`t think anyone actually believed we would go down and I think that this is the main reason we did. I firmly believe DC would have saved us if he`d had an extra 2-3 months, it was a strange decision to leave it so late, especially when we could all see what was happening.
12) Opinion on the board?
I think we find it easy to criticise them. JW kept us up the season before last and was therefore absolved of any blame until the last minute. We forget that the board are Gasheads as well and without their investment there wouldn`t be a Bristol Rovers. Some people say that is the case now, but I think that going down may be the start of our rise from the ashes. I think we need to accept what has happened and look forward to a positive season on and off the pitch. But as I said earlier, I`m an optimist. 🙂
13) And finally, What are your expectations for the new season
I`m excited and can`t wait for it to start. We will even win some away games, but I don`t think it will be easy (a lot of other teams will see us as favourites and will make it hard for us as I`m sure you`re aware). I do think DC is the right man for the job, I think the players we have retained will be eager and ready to fight for the club and the fans and I think the new signings (especially Gosling from what I have been told by Exeter City fans) will become part of something that might just turn out to be great this season. I think we`ll make the playoffs at least and dare I say it we`ll not be here long. UTG KTF
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