Bristol Rovers 0 - 3 Derby County

It looked very onside from where I was sat, but then again Gayles bundled in goal looked like a handball.
Swings/Roundabouts!


We did play well yesterday. Very controlled. My Rovers supporting friends are not responding to my texts. Very petty of them 🤣

I think our future central midfield under Warne would consist of a defensive central pairing of :

.....................Adams..............Smith..............................
....................(Fornah)...........(Thompson)....................

............................Floating no.10..........................


With Fapetu developing from the Academy and showing positive signs along with, possibly, Darren Robinson, could well be considered for next season.
Depending on whether or not they are strong/athletic for the Championship.

That midfield would mean either returning to 4 at the back or dipensing with NML and AN Other wide player, which isn't likely. Personally I would prefer to start out with a back four and switch to a back three when the game situation seems to warrant a change.

Considering 5-3-2 or 3-4-3 are his favoured positions, IMO they'll likely be what we see the team start with for the majority of matches and switching to 4-3-3.

In the Championship he'd likely want to set up not to lose ( no surprises ) which is why I'd imagined a double defensive unit in midfield. With an attacking midfielder ahead and two CFs.

If Gayle continues to show the quality that he is (not just in terms of goals but movement too) then a front three of :

...................................N M-L........................................................................
......................Gayle........................Brown...................................................

could well be considered for next season. Gayle's experience educating Brown, N M-L no doubt keen to test himself at the Championship level once more. In an ideal world C B-T settles down and adjusts to the training requirements.


......N M-L.........................................................................C B-T.................................................
.....................................Gayle or Brown..........................................................

Not quite how i intend it to look!

It would be a massive step up for Brown to play at League 1 level so it would be a real surprise if he was first choice in the Championship. Gateshead are in the fifth tier after all. I hope it does give him the confidence to kick on and at least be in consideration for the match-day squad next season. If we were to get promoted I think we would need an upgrade in striker quality as the number one priority.

Yep we need to be thinking about purchasing to improve our striking. Brown might be the future. But not yet.

Most definitely (regards upgrade) , but he could well play a bit part next season. I'm thinking Dean Sturridge MKII, loaned to lowly Torquay scoring 5 goals in 10 matches and returning reborn.

Sturridge had made his debut in the first team for us a good couple of years before he was loaned to Torquay so he was a more fully-developed player by then. It certainly kick-started his career though.

Gayle has started a conversation up the A50.

https://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/312418/dwight-gayle