Some good points Donaldo. I don't think the current system or way of playing is what McSheffrey really wants Rovers to play but at least he's realised that he needs a system that's effective with the players he's got. In most games the 5 3 2 is going to mean less possession and fewer scoring chances but less chance of losing. Though I was pleased with how he changed the system in the second half against Wimbledon enabling us to come back to draw. Saturday is yet another banana skin. It's one we could win now but I'm inclined to think another draw is likely. So 1-1 Rowe Martin.

I meant to say 3 5 2 but actually it's 5 3 2 we've been playing

I always thought Matty Blair was a very good attacking wing back not utilised enough by Rovers. Alfie May also had the potential to be a classic No10 forward.

When Cheltenham were still in League 2 I jokingly called them the "Rovers' Retirement Home", but I was sorry when Matty Blair left to join them and I agree with Nookie about Matty. Alfie May has certainly improved his goals-per-game this season, and we could use him now. Andy Williams was a big disappointment to me, especially after watching the video of his 20+ goal season before he joined us. Let us keep them in check on Saturday - both May and Williams scored at the game in Doncaster.
I'm hoping for a win, but will once again say 2-2. Odubeko to score if he starts, otherwise Griffiths. If neither starts, Martin.

Talking of ex Rovers players got me reminiscing. I know most of us are of a certain demographic so who can remember Alfie Hale, Albert "Yogi" Broadbent and Colin Booth?

Expecting a draw at best but will predict a 2-1 win. Griffiths with the first.

1-1 Rowe to score

Cheltenham 1-1 Rovers
Odubeko to score ⚽
I bet Alfie scores for them.😕

The team with May best win!

I stopped watching at half time. After Mitchell's poor positioning for the free kick, I thought this is not going to be Rovers' day. Leaving about 3/4 of the goal open meant May only had to get it over the wall to score. Maybe Jones will get the next game.
Also I do not like any ref that throws yellow cards around like confetti at a wedding. Clayton's first card - did he say something to the ref?

I think McSheffrey got his initial set up wrong. He should have used the 3 5 2 that in most matches has worked for us. it was all downhill from then. Ref dire but we didn't help ourselves. The good news all our rivals lost too.

Nookie - perhaps you could coach Rovers into using their imagination a bit more positively. We took effort and enthusiasm for granted in the majority of the team when Alfie played for us; now there are more who don’t show that kind of spirit. Perhaps that is what a “technical player” is.

We had a greater percentage of possession in that game than for a long time. It seemed to make matters worse rather than better! Let's hope Anderson is fit to play in the remaining matches. Does Sinclair know what he's doing? Or is it the inexperience and level of ability that's to blame! Draw away and win at home would probably have been enough to keep us up so why mess with a set up that's proved effective away other than last time out.

Interesting Michael Duff's thoughts on why Alfie May didn't make it at Rovers. He says they played him on the wing. Not sure that's correct but if we are to play two up front then perhaps an Aiden Barlow partnership with Griffiths might have the same effect as on Alfie at Cheltenham.

You have to question the character of an experienced player who gets sent off for a “leading elbow” after one yellow card. Clayton has let us down there. There are others in the team whose concentration levels seem to waiver far too regularly and yet others who seem to feel that 51% effort is OK.

The goal from open play in the first half was the result of the defence leaving one side of the penalty area completely clear of defenders. The “wall” that failed to stop Alfie’s relatively average free kick just stood still. The purpose of the wall is to guard that side of the goal and instead of jumping and heading the ball over the bar, they just stood still and watched it which meant that all Alfie and to do was aim just over their heads into the unprotected side of the goal. The second half goal from the corner saw that side of the goal well populated with Rovers defenders and none of them rose high enough to head the ball away before it got to the scorer who seemed unchallenged.

People can blame the manager if they like, but what about the set-piece coach and the fundamental failings of the players concerned. Either they are unfit, lacking in intelligence or just incompetent, but they are not forgivable.

This team on this display is not worthy of dedicated support from us long-suffering and largely tolerant followers. They don’t try, and fail in the fundamentals. They seem like mercenaries who do not care; it is very disappointing.

Is it realistic to imagine that a team that gets thrashed by a lower mid-table side is worthy of a place in this League?

It's difficult to know what's going on but the team weren't up for it for some reason. I think we agree the individual skills and motivation are lacking but coaching must take some of the blame. I know we need loanees but the ones most likely to want to put the most effort in at the moment are those players contracted for next year. Frustrating but we'll all keep supporting what ever happens. Clayton has previous red card form and shouldn't be first choice just yet anyway.

At least we're not alone. Man U seem to have similar issues to us! 😂

I'd have a "Roman" formation, . A phalanx of 5 3 2. Williams, Knoyle, Anderson, Olowu, Younger as back 5, Smith, Rowe, Galbraith as midfield and Barlow, Griffiths as strike force.

I gave up Latin in 1955 and I would guess that very few of the current Rovers squad will have studied it, but it got me on to Wikipedia to broaden my knowledge. Possibly these “technical” players would be better at it than at football.

It worked well for both the Romans and the Spartans

Donaldo, I'm not feeling as old as normal if you gave up Latin in 1955 - I did not start it at DGS until 1956. Of course, you may have been involved with a Catholic school. As I was good at Latin, I had to drop Geography and take Greek - a very strange forced choice. At least when we went to Greece, my wife was surprised that I could at least read street names, etc.
I kept up more with Latin, and often said about some NW wines "Vinum bonum, sed non valde complexum".

My involvement in catholic education was only marginal in that I knew quite a few girls at the convent school! Like you though, I was at DGS for 7 years to ‘59 and cannot even remember who attempted to teach me Latin all those years ago, although Harry Pickles was my form master in one of my 6th from years who I assume was still the senior classics master in your day too.

Living on the wrong side of town I attended PJGS from 59.Where, sadly, everything was Greek to me.

Though I did score 2 goals playing on the left wing for PJGS first team against DGS.

I went to DGS between Autumn 1977 and Spring 1982. It was very much a rugby school in those days. No football, I'm afraid.