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Whisper it quietly...

Can rampant Rovers reach the play-offs, wonders Jon Jerrome?

Posted: 08th March 2010 12:00

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Whisper it quietly...

Hughes: icing on the cake

Whisper it quietly, but talk of a late surge on the play-offs has resurfaced following events over the weekend which will inevitably evoke memories of Wembley glory back in 2007.

Bristol Rovers FanZoner Jon Jerrome
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Whilst it was no surprise to see red and white surround the County Ground on Saturday, it was those in blue and white quarters who managed to send the unlikeliest of shockwaves throughout League One with London bus syndrome hitting Swindon for four.

After failing to find the net in over 650 minutes of football on the road, three goals arrived in a devastating 20-minute spell which managed to well and truly rock the Robins. The second-half strike from Jeff Hughes proved to be the icing on the cake for the delirious travelling support with the derby day spoils travelling back to Bristol in style.

In truth, the prospect of recording such a comprehensive victory looked as likely as Wayne Bridge getting a tattoo of John Terry prior to kick-off, given the opposition's impeccable recent home form.

With striking duo Charlie Austin and Billy Paynter terrorising the best of defences this campaign, the afternoon promised to be a busy one for Danny Coles and Steve Elliott, who managed to succeed where others have failed in stopping the dynamic duo.

From an attacking perspective, the cutting edge which appeared to have gone AWOL over recent months was rediscovered to lethal effect. And the result caped a fantastic day for Gasheads with Doncaster's stunning victory at Ashton Gate making it a Rovers double act to remember.

It's also fair to say that the victory came in complete contrast to that which saw Stockport defeated days previously in an encounter which will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

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The lack of quality on show by both sides produced a dire encounter which surely ranks alongside the worst witnessed since the club's return to the city. Arguably the highlight of the evening was the fans' comparison of the linesman to EastEnders Phil Mitchell which brought rare smiles to faces. Then again, staying home and watching the soap was probably a more attractive proposition than watching the football which was about as sexy as Pat Butcher in a Bristol City shirt.

On the flipside, the performance (or lack of) yielded the 11th home win of the campaign which stands on par with the entire number of home victories recorded at the Memorial Stadium last season.

Despite the fact it was an entirely unconvincing three points, the result once again demonstrated the side's ability to dig deep and obtain the ugly victories which typify longer term success. Indeed it's a measure in itself of how far the management team have taken the club that victory to further cement a place in the top ten of League One resulted in wholesale disappointment.

Having led the side for nearly five years, Paul Trollope has achieved continued, albeit unspectacular, progression throughout his reign which can be a source of frustration given the fickle nature of the game. After all, familiarity has the tendency to breed contempt and in an industry where management change is often the fashionable move to appease inpatient supporters, the grass is rarely greener on the other side.

Certainly the Country Ground hammering demonstrates that the journey is far from over for the management duo who continue to bounce back when faced with relative adversity.

And whisper it quietly, but talk of a late surge on the play-offs has resurfaced following events over the weekend which will inevitably evoke memories of Wembley glory back in 2007. Whilst the renewed hope will ultimately come from the heart over the head, back-to-back victories in the coming weeks have the potential to keep the season alive against all odds.

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Comments (1)

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Doug Shields (Bristol Rovers fan) says...

The play-offs are within reach, there is no doubt about that. Now Heffernan has signed til May we have a first eleven and bench strong enough and capable enough to gain points from our remaining matches. Hopefully we will be securely in the top six by the time Norwich come to town, but the MK Dons game early next month will be the big one. be great to mirror the trip to Hartlepool three years ago at Elland Road in May.

Posted 16:43 10th March 2010
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