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Along the right Lines

Lines lights up the winter gloom for Gas, says Jon Jerrome

Posted: 02nd December 2009 19:50

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Along the right Lines

Lines: lifting the gloom

Despite featuring in a midfield possessing considerable league experience, Chris Lines has established himself as the shining light in the middle of the park with his invaluable goals proving to be the catalyst for an upturn in fortunes for the club.

Bristol Rovers FanZoner Jon Jerrome
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So Christmas is nearly upon us as wish-lists get prepared up and down the nation.

And I suspect one particular list in BS7 is likely to be headed with the words 'cleansheet'. After all, 25 goals conceded in the last nine games represents little reason for festive cheer as our defensive frailties continue to be exposed.

Despite the on-loan signing of Colchester's Pat Baldwin, the side's back-line looks as shaky as ever as goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen continues to endure a torrid time between the posts. With experienced keeper Rhys Evans waiting in the wings, a change is surely imminent.

Last week's defeat to high-flying Charlton proved to be the latest defensive capitulation in a game where the referee took the centre stage for all the wrong reasons.

After facing a two-goal deficit in the early stages, the character of Paul Trollope's men was once again evident as the side levelled things up on the hour mark courtesy of goal-machines Jeff Hughes and Chris Lines.

As memories of September's infamous 3-2 victory at Southampton crept into the minds of the travelling support, strikes from Nicky Bailey and Akpo Sodje proved decisive as the Gas slumped to another away day defeat. Worryingly, the side's ability to obtain three points seemingly relies on finding the net on at least two occasions, which is rarely a foundation for success.

Unassailable

However, our two victories preceding the clash at The Valley demonstrated we have the ability to do just that. And what a difference eight minutes can make!

With the scoreline at 1-2 with the clock ticking down, Carlisle looked to be sailing in an unassailable position as storm clouds gathered over the Memorial Stadium (quite literally). And the prospect of seven successive defeats proved too much for sections of the home support as discontent spread rapidly around the terraces.

Minutes later and our famous anthem, Goodnight Irene, reverberated around Horfield as goals from Jeff Hughes and Chris Lines snatched a 3-2 victory which looked about as likely as Thierry Henry being granted the freedom of Dublin.

While the Frenchman's antics failed to influence FIFA, Gillingham defender Matt Fry appeared to embrace the handball culture engulfing football a week later by attempting to claw the ball away from the touchline as the prospect of a rare draw appeared to be on the cards.

The resulting penalty was dispatched which typical aplomb from Jeff Hughes to secure our second successive hard-fought victory in tricky conditions.

Despite the unconvincing nature of the performances in both home encounters, real positives have to be taken from our ability to secure the ugly victories which epitomise wintertime football.

Composure

And as positives go, the performances of fit-again Lines have served to put a smile on the faces of Gasheads' throughout recent weeks. While opinions on the terraces were initially mixed following his graduation from the club's youth set-up, the midfielder's composure on the ball, coupled with his recent rich vein of goal-scoring form, has answered the critics and reinforced his growing reputation as one of the leading prospects in League One.

Despite featuring in a midfield possessing considerable league experience, Lines has established himself as the shining light in the middle of the park with his invaluable goals proving to be the catalyst for an upturn in fortunes for the club.

Fans will be eager to witness the Bristolian's progression in years to come as a new contract seemingly awaits for the talented youngster.

The coming weeks promise excitement in abundance as the local rivalry with Swindon is resumed once again. Furthermore with January fast approaching, speculation is sure to resume regarding the much needed transfer activity which will ultimately determine our ability to keep in touch with the play-off chasing pack. With recent additions failing to make the desired impact, pressure will be on Paul Trollope to recruit the quality required to make it a 2010 to remember. Watch this space

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