After 7 matches Barrow were at the pinnacle of League 2, but they then fell to 17th by game 21 and around that point Stephen Clemence, who had previously been in charge at Gillingham and had a similar experience of a good start followed by a decline, was forced to leave the club.
The new manager's presence has steadied their fortunes in the space of days and perhaps his presence, rather than his ability to make much change in those few days, has sharpened his squad into greater endeavour or confidence or just luck!
So yesterday they saw off Grimsby by a convincing 3-0 under Andy Whing (ex NL Solihull Moors). Interestingly they did it without having much time on the ball (27% possession). Having read reports and comments on the game it seems that Grimsby failed to capitalise on their possession, so not unlike Rovers yesterday.
So we can probably expect route 1 stuff from the start and I hope we can cope. Our hopes could depend on Crew, Street and Ennis rejecting the ponderous in favour of a more aggressive attacking pattern. Crew in particular, seems to be creating a productive role for himself (with comparisons even to Whiteman!) and TSL is strenuously striving to keep the sheets clean.
It's another match that we can watch and I am looking forward to that.
1-2 to us (Street/Sharp/Ennis)
DPL v Barrow
posted on 26/1/25
Donaldo, I have not made a final decision to stop Rovers+. and thank you for your kind comment; much will depend on how we play for the rest of the season.
However, the Wednesday game against Barrow has another problem although it is at an ideal time for a Left Coast retiree - I'll be watching a MetOpera performance of Aida. This will be followed by a meal at a lovely Italian restaurant. What more can an Opera lover, and great fan of Italian food and wine want! Of course I love food and wine from most European countries (England is catching up), but Pauline thinks I have some Italian blood as I wave my arms around a lot, and my relatively short legs and long arms makes me an ideal fit for driving a 1980s Ferrari. Not that I've ever owned a Ferrari, but have enjoyed driving a couple of them.
Because I will not be watching, the Rovers will probably play more exiting footie, and so I'll say 1-3 to the Rovers. I'll think a bit more about who will score.
posted on 26/1/25
It’s quite a long time since I saw Aida at the Arena di Verona on a warm Italian evening, but it would certainly rank well above watching Rovers play Barrow.
As for Italian cars I was very keen in the late 60s on owning a Fiat, a 124 I think it was, but my budget only stretched to a Mini and now, when I could afford something similar but modern, the desire has gone!
posted on 27/1/25
Yes opera in Verona on a warm evening will be quite a contrast to watching Rovers at Barrow on a wet Wednesday evening. Opera too full of sx and violence for my liking. A Good Italian restaurant with nice wine and lively atmosphere a very different matter. Barrow may have the new manager bounce but there were signs of improvement from Rovers. I'll stick to my 4 points from the 2 games so I'll go 1-1 Molyneux, Ironside. Aida is the only opera I've ever been to. Was grateful for the large subtitles displayed above the stage in Edinburgh.
posted on 27/1/25
You put it into context humorously as always Nookie. The subtitles above the stage are pretty standard in modern staging (here at any rate) I think. My regular opera-going is now at the cinema and about once every 2 years at most. (The open air ones with bring-your-own food and drink were great fun.)
posted on 29/1/25
Looks like the weather might be kind to us tonight but the pitch is poor. Hope GM gets his tactics right and we come away with at least something from the game.Im hopeful but not confident.
posted on 29/1/25
I'll go with Ennis to score; if he does not start, whoever starts of Sharp and Ironside. If none of those, Molyneux.
My recent Opera experiences have been at a cinema, the "Live in HD" transmissions from the Met. We used to have season subscriptions to Portland Opera, but with tickets starting at $60 and the "Live in HD" costs us $21, it is easy to choose!
My only open air experiences were Aida in Rome and Nabucco in an ancient theatre in Athens. We have been once to Verona, but not when an Opera was on, although we did go to the top of the arena. Of course, Pauline wanted a photo on the so-called Juliet balcony - a great invention of a tourism promoter!
posted on 29/1/25
I'm going for a 2-1 win for Rovers - reckless I know. Sjarp with the first, if starting. Otherwise, Street.
posted on 29/1/25
Barrow 1-2 Rovers
Ironside to score ⚽
posted on 29/1/25
Micky got the score right again and we are indebted to Olowu who you would never have imagined we would be calling “faultless”, but he will take a lot of replacing when/if he goes (hopefully not before this window closes).
The Barrow corners were rather frightening to watch and fortunately we managed to limit them in the second phase of the second half and until their goalkeeper let in the third goal.
It was a competent performance against a somewhat disjointed team probably trying to comply with the new manager’s strategies, so far from being “bounced”, it was probably good that we met them before he’d got his plans embedded.
We can hope that Crew, Street and Ennis who have shown useful talent will settle in as well as Kelly. What is good about them all is that they are predominantly enterprising and will probably improve as they acclimatise to the L2 rough and tumble environment.
posted on 30/1/25
Olowu has been the most improved player this season. His transfer value probably reflects this. Must admit I didn't think he'd make the grade but GM has done a great job with him. The young new loaners look exciting too. So things looking up. That was a big result for us . Hopefully we can continue this good run a draw away from the chasing pack over the next few weeks. I suspect Walsall will have a bad patch at some point but Bradford looks dangerous at the moment. I think we're probably better than the rest at the moment.