you’re going to lose.

Emmanuel Adebayor’s goal in the second or third minute was a nice shot but was hard to swallow and it went in off of Robbo, who really did all he could to save the bending laser strike. Ireland’s 90+2 strike was just a result of the Rovers trying to push off and leaving the back weak.

For most of the first half, Rovers were the better side. We dominated the run of play and kept the ball in the Citeh half for most of the opening 45. However coming out of the gates in the second half, Sparky clearly made some changes. Citeh were the dominating side, with Rovers literally just running around trying to catch them.

A more accurate review later on, with some pics and a link to highlights.

Here’s how we’re looking: Robinson, Brown, Jacobsen, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Khizanishvili, Warnock, Olsson, Diouf, Hoilett, van Heerden, Doran, Nzonzi, Andrews, Pedersen, McCarthy, Roberts, Di Santo.

Look at that list and remember who’s out and doubtful and try and build a solid starting XI. Our midfield can’t even be completed let alone compete. Very worried about what we could see if Nelson and Samba don’t make the cut.

Citeh will be probably fielding a 1-0-9 formation, with a team looking like this according to SkySports:
Given, Richards, Dunne, Toure, Bridge; Wright-Phillips, Barry, Ireland, Bellamy; Robinho, Tevez.

Let me just say, I am looking forward to a win. But if we draw or even lose I can not say I’ll be surprised. I just hope the boys are ready to get the season going the right way.

Now the invitation. I invite all Rovers fan in the NYC area to make the trek into the NYC and come watch the game with me and a bunch of other Rovers fans at Nevada Smiths. We’ll be there a little before kick off and through out the match so please come by if you are able to.

Hopefully the next post will be a victory review. Until then, come on new season AND UP THE ROVERS!

Excited for the league to start this weekend? Can’t wait to sit down and turn on your Rovers, after waking up early to make sure you catch them on TV? Well, you wont be turning on Fox Soccer Channel, at least not till after September.

Setanta isn’t showing us much love either, with only 2 matches being shown in August, and only one of those 2 is live. To quote the wise words of Mr. Rodney Dangerfield, “I get no respect!”

However, a new option has emerged. Just a few days ago, The Offside’s very own Daryl wrote a piece talking about ESPN showing 2 premier league matches a week on ESPN2. Read that blog here. That would be exciting stuff indeed, and would offer more chances to watch our Rovers.

In this edition of “Did I Miss Something?!” I play the fool as I clearly have missed the official signing of Nikola Kalinic. I had referenced it a few posts ago, but it wasn’t until I checked my fantasy team that I realized he had been officially signed. (Click the picture for full size)

Now that’s all well and good. Celebrate a new striker right? Yeah, hold the champagne, because he hasn’t been given a squad number. Curious.

Last but not least at all, Rovers are facing a small injury scare. Big Sam was quoted as saying “Unfortunately I think from our point of view that the game was over when Gally, Ryan and Chris got injuries, and they are looking pretty serious as well for next week.” AKA all three are doubtful. Awesome…not. Basically no midfield, a weakened defense, and a strike force that can’t score goals? I went from kinda hopefully optimistic to straight up afraid of this game against Citeh this weekend.

I won’t be talking about the friendlies for two reasons.
1. They’re friendlies.
2. We lost or tied them.

So, coming up this week you can look forward to a preview and some big hype leading up to the kickoff of the 09-10 season. As always, UP THE ROVERS!

Rovers can confirm that Roque Santa Cruz has this afternoon completed a transfer to Manchester City for an undisclosed fee.

Finally the end of the Roque saga and the beginning of the “Who the hell are we gonna buy with this loot / I can’t believe Man Citeh really paid that much for a broken striker” age can begin.

Very exciting. Happy Trails Roque!

Now I will be a little sad to see the threat that is Roque go. I will not be upset one bit to see him go though. He had a stellar first season with us, but MH seemed to blow too much smoke up his arse and ever since then, his interviews and reports begging for a move to a “bigger club” have been a prick and a prick to the side one too many times.

I am definitely looking forward to the funds we would have if this sale goes through, a huge summer for the club could be in the works.

Is anyone else going to be sad about this Roque departure? Any strikers you would love to (realistically) see at the club? Let me know. UP THE ROVERS!!

Legally I don’t think I am allowed to post the fixtures however, you can find them by clicking this link.

Seeing as I don’t want to get into trouble for posting them in more detail, let’s move into vague date chat.

Soooo, how’s everyone feeling about October 17th this year? Excited? Anxious? Angry? And what about March 27th 2010? Anyone have any thoughts?

I know you do, so comment below. Do it.

John Williams: Taking Names and Cutting Wages – Setanta (but how much longer will they be around?)

Signing number 2!! Nikos Giannakopoulos from Asteras Tripolis. Try saying that Three times fast. – SkySports (Post on him coming soon.)

Zurab to Gala? – Mirror

VILLANUEVA SAD IT’S ALL ROVER (I swear I didn’t write that, it was too good to change) – Daily Star

Hunting Zigic?? – SkySports

Everybody (well, two places off the top of my search) seems to be linking us to Tal Ben-Haim. Reports say him and his old Gaffer, our very own big Sam, worked well together so Sam is lining up a bid. We’ll see.

Greeks table Derbyshire bid. Or so SkySports says. The end of the article is probably the most correct thing about it, saying Sam will probably need some time sizing up the squad before a decision.

We shall see…..

This past weekend though, Rovers were not to be denied. Having the lion’s share of chances and controlling most of the game, the lads went on to beat Portsmouth decisively 2-nil. The win also left Big Sam heaping praise all over the squad.

Samba played up front again and cause all sorts of problems for the back row for Pompey. A goal from MGP calmly cleaning up the spill David James left and a Benni Mac spot kick were all the lads needed. Pompey even had a chance with a PK themselves courtesy of league 3 superstar Keith Andrews but failed to hit the target to sum up their afternoon.

From here we have Chelsea next, and I don’t relaly expect anything form the game, but I don’t mind. Right now I’m happy we’ve hit 40 and I’m gonna enjoy it.

UP THE ROVERS!

“We should have sealed the game, at 2-0 it was finished. But we showed a lack of experience, we should have kept the ball and finished the game off.”

Rovers stay in the drop zone but remain unbeaten under Big Sam. The gaffer was quite dissapointed after the match being quoted as saying,

“I feel like I’ve had all my Christmas presents taken from the bottom of the tree on Christmas morning”

(I swear I didn’t make that up.) He also added,

“Generally in the course of the three games we have now thrown away at least two points, probably four, and I thought that those three points were going to come here today and put us on a level playing field almost with some of the people slightly above us.

So, some good things to take away, like the blooming partnership on Benni and Jason. RAM perhaps? But, Rovers back line collapses again and that’s never a good thing. Also, Nelson out v Blythe for picking up his 5th yellow. Highlights after the jump.