And now for the answers provided by Andy:
How long have you supported Bristol Rovers?
My brother first took me when I was 10, that was 46 years ago!
Where did you finish last season?
We finished in 15th place, 4 points above the drop zone.
We struggled all season but turned things around just after Christmas when Graham Coughlan took temporary charge.
It wasn’t pretty but we managed to grind out enough result to pull ourselves away from trouble.
What do you think of your Manager?
Saved us from certain relegation last season and was given a 3-year deal in the summer.
Graham is a rookie manager and does seem to be making mistakes, very defensive approach and our midfield is poor. This is mainly due to summer recruitment of which midfield wise was non-existent!
Graham doesn’t seem to have the nous to change games to suit the situation if plan A doesn’t work there is no plan B let alone C I’m afraid.
But he certainly seems to have everyone playing for the shirt, you can’t fault the lack of effort.
Who Are The League One Managers? No.5: Graham Coughlan (Bristol Rovers)
What are your hopes and expectations for the 2019/20 season?
A comfortable mid-table would suit me fine, no squeaky bum time like last year come the end of April.
One(s) to watch?
Only 1 really, Johnson Clarke Harris – the man is a beast scores all sorts of goals mainly out of nothing.
Although he’s still not fully fit after a summer operation. Unfortunately, because of Rovers lack of funds and reportedly losing £3 million a season, he will be sold in January. (please no!)
Which teams you think will finish in the top six?
Ipswich Town & Sunderland for automatic promotion, then Portsmouth, Peterborough United, Doncaster Rovers & Lincoln City.
Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom three?
Bolton Wanderers, Southend United & AFC Wimbledon.
What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?
You have done brilliantly to get yourselves into league one after languishing in the conference (much like we did), I think a lot depends on who is your next manager is and whether he can keep the momentum going?
What do you think the score will be?
Hoping for a rare Rovers goal or 2 as we are yet to score away from home this season.
Heart says 2 – 1 Gas win, but dreading another 2 – 0 defeat as all three of our away games have been this season.
Random fact about your Club?
We are “The Gas” and mighty proud of it! A term used by the dark side (Bristol City) as an insult in the 60’s I believe? Because of our stadium at Eastville being close to the gasworks.
Our nickname is actually the Pirates but we prefer to be known as The Gas.
If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?
To be perfectly honest I don’t know much about your players? But can we steal the whole of your midfield as ours is – no comment!
What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Bristol Rovers Supporter?
Probably May 1990 when we beat City 3-0 to pip them to the title and book our place in what is now the championship.
Every time we lose to those inbreds!
Who would you say is your most underrated player?
That’s tricky? Currently, we have Josh Hare at right wingback he looks a really good prospect, more in an attacking sense than defending though as our midfield play so narrow our wingbacks are very important to us.
Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?
Yes, we do, no comment.
Which was your favourite match involving Bristol Rovers?
It has to be Lee Brown scoring in the 93rd minute in front of the home terrace to get us promoted on the last game of the season, (sorry Accrington!).
Which was your least favourite match involving Bristol Rovers?
Every time we lose, although I should be used to it by now!
Do you have a Former Players Association at Bristol Rovers?
Yes, we do. They do some great work within the community.
What’s the best thing about Bristol?
Travelling there on a Saturday on the train and then having a good few beers before the game, as I live in Cardiff and have done for the last 20 years.
If you were in our position, who would you replace the Cowley’s with?
Ian Holloway.
Will Bristol City ever make it to the Premier League?
Unfortunately, I think they will at some point, they have already chucked tens of millions away trying to get there but not yet (hehe).
I hate to admit it, but they are miles ahead of us in terms of everything really, Boo!
Do you ever play “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” over your tannoy at the ground?
Sweet Caroline is blasted out every single home game, very tedious!
Your crowds are down by some 13% this season, what do you see as the principal reason?
Broken promises and lack of investment by our owners, they have been in charge for 3 years now and we are no nearer to getting a new ground as they promised when the takeover was announced.
Also, I hate to admit it but the football on offer has been very poor over the last couple of years.
After the Al-Qadis’ took over the club there was the talk of you either moving or redeveloping the Memorial Stadium. Has there been any progress? What is your preference?
No progress whatsoever, we are back to square one after the collapse of the UWE new stadium.
6 weeks ago, our owner announced a possible new site at the old fruit market in Bristol and stated that we would be in the new stadium within 2 years, total pie in the sky again! Nearly 7 weeks later no further update, the lack of information we receive from our owners/board is quite staggering and massively frustrating.
We have to get a new ground as the Memorial Stadium is just not fit for purpose, it has to be the worst ground in League One, embarrassing. If we do not move forward soon, with the losses that we have been incurring every year I fear we could be another Bury I’m afraid.
Still mustn’t grumble UTG (Up The Gas!)
Page One: The answers provided by Tom!
"The football under Graham hasn't been great, so the fans are grumbling a bit."https://t.co/tWZIg9f455@GasCastPodcast#ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps #BristolRovers
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) September 14, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/VitalLincolnCity/posts/2403601826342715
