Let's talk about the Barrow game

[selby]

  A big game with a lot hanging on the result for both sides, and while we have been on a run of wins nobody foresaw just a few weeks ago, most of the teams above us between us and the promised land of the playoffs are at least being inconsistent, and at most distinctly average over the same period letting us at least flirt with having a chance of ending  up in the play offs.
 We have built pressure on the teams above us, and pressure on ourselves to win every game, because basically that is what we have to do and are in the position now of seeing the finishing line and getting excited and there is still a lot to do and three teams in front of us who will be hell bent on ruining our party.
  Barrow especially will have ambitions of their own to get back on track and winning ways having been mostly up in a play off position,  and now are under a little pressure to cross the line as their loss of form has allowed the pack to tighten up.
  A mate at half time gave a plausible reason as to why the change in fortune I had not thought of, the fact we have three very good loan players at this level who were not overused the first half of the season, and the number of players of our own who have  missed quite a few games in the first half of the season for one reason or another, hence our squad is fitter at this time of the year and not overcooked while  some small squads in our division could have run out of steam.
  Games like this have always been known as a six pointer, and it probably is and could turn into a tense affair, certainly the terraces and our backing could make the difference, the game deserves a big game atmosphere, and we need to be loud and proud and create an atmosphere our players can feed off.
  Barrow have had a great season, and have shown over the season that they have the skills and team to be a top side in this division, and that is who we need to know what we are up against, a good team well run who play above their perceived  by many level, any underestimating and we will be asking for trouble, at this time of the year form doesn't count that much, what team handles the situation is the most important.
  Our side at least have goals in it which gives you every chance in a game, a far cry from some forwards of the recent past, we just need to go for it, it will not be easy, but there is a goal to aim for now that is attainable rather than a dream and different pressure, how we handle that will work for or against us, enjoy the moment, what do you think, please have your say.

[Ryaldinhio]

Did everyone notice Barrow could only name 6 subs today? So obviously some issues there.

And to add to that their CB No5 got a straight red so he will be out for 3 games, including the ones against Crawley and us.

[Chris Black come back]

Poor away record. No win or clean sheet in their last eight away league games, shipping a load of goals.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Huge. The next big test.

[Ryaldinhio]

Looking at todays highlights they are susceptible to a quick ball over the top which we seem to have become really good at!

Awful foul by that lad Ray, he has had yellows in last couple of games too so consistently fouling. Looked intentional to me, that wasn't the natural way to play that ball and didn't consider pulling out.

[Pliskin]

Just need to find a way to win, don't care how. A 1-0 off Ironside's arse in the last minute will do.

[Alan Southstand]

A 1-0 off Ironside's arse in the last minute will do.

That’s the last thing anyone’s ticker needs!

GM & Co will have a plan, I’m sure. The one thing that doesn’t need to happen is we get overconfident! I’m sure Grant will keep their feet on the ground (mostly).

Tuesday night will be very interesting.

[dknward2]

Just need to find a way to win, don't care how. A 1-0 off Ironside's arse in the last minute will do.

Make it the 1st minute of the game and I'll be much happier, however I'm sure Grant won't be happy with just 1 goal scored, he wasn't happy with 4 yesterday he thought we should have scored more

[wilts rover]

Amazing to think that depending on Tuesday's result we could go into the Barrow game with a place in the play-offs in our own hands.

[i_ateallthepies]

I just hope the example of that foul by Ray isn't their chosen method of dealing with the threat we pose, if it is it will need a strong ref to handle it.  The last thing we need at this stage is losing ANY of our first-choice players to injury.

[selby]

  I watched Liverpool and Arsenal today and both look tired and running out of steam really. A friend said at the game yesterday our side is in many cases just starting their season and it got me thinking.
  We have had long term injuries all season, quite a few coming back in the last couple of months. Add the three loan players who didn't have many minutes up to coming here, and we are a quite fresh fit side compared to most. does anyone else think the situation could have had an influence in our upturn in form?

[ScillyRover]

Probably been mentioned in a post somewhere previously but interesting to note Barrow have not won away since 22 December. If we stick to what we are good at, it will be another loss for them next Saturday

[Thorney]

Barrow will be more worried by this fixture than us right niw and rightly so. They are a team that have been on a slip recently and have an awful away record while we are doing what we have done.

Same tactics as against accrington and get a early goal and think it will be a comfortable afternoon.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Barrow's away form, as you say, is poor. 3 points from their past 8 away games.

But then again, their form overall ain't great, stretching back to Xmas. 24 points from the past 20 games.

Barrow have won just 7 away games all season, only one of which was against a side in the current top 11. We have won 13 home games including 7 against sides currently in the top 11.

And yet, weirdly, they are the same price as us to win on Satdi. Both teams are 8/5 with Bet365. That seems very strange odds.

[dknward2]

I'm guessing barrow have stayed down south after Gillingham and playing Crawley on Tuesday save the 7 hour journey back and then back again. Hopefully it will be a long hard game on Tuesday then another fairly long journey across to Donny I'm guessing on Friday ready for the game Saturday, play like we have been doing and we could be out of sight by 20 past 3.

Think this will be the game that will sort the goal difference out

[Nudga]

Tickets look like they are selling better than the Walsall game already.
3 blocks sold in South Stand and another two blocks should sell tomorrow.

[drfchound]

Do we know yet whether any promotions are being offered for potential ticket sales.

[les@donr]

Come Saturday Barrow will be both physically and mentally knackered, the last team they will want to play is us.

[les@donr]

Lambs to the slaughter comes to mind.

[CantleyRed]

A brilliant quote from the Barrow forum about us:

"Seem to have come to life since Billy waters joined them"

[les@donr]

He’s done nowt.

[CantleyRed]

Barrow's away form, as you say, is poor. 3 points from their past 8 away games.

But then again, their form overall ain't great, stretching back to Xmas. 24 points from the past 20 games.

Barrow have won just 7 away games all season, only one of which was against a side in the current top 11. We have won 13 home games including 7 against sides currently in the top 11.

And yet, weirdly, they are the same price as us to win on Satdi. Both teams are 8/5 with Bet365. That seems very strange odds.

Bet365 are also offering 18/1 on promotion, which seems decent value.

[colincramb]

Lambs to the slaughter comes to mind.

Let’s not get carried away. This will be another tough game. We will certainly need to do more than just turn up to win

[idler2]

Lambs to the slaughter comes to mind.

Let’s not get carried away. This will be another tough game. We will certainly need to do more than just turn up to win

Exactly. I’m sure that Grant and Cliff will be keeping the players very grounded. Overconfidence can lead to disaster.

[roversdude]

Unfortunately a lot of our fans seem to think it’s a foregone conclusion that we turn up and take the points, I’m sure Grant and Cliff are keeping the players grounded. This will be a tough game

[Colin C No.3]

Unfortunately then, 3-0 for Rovers.

[Nudga]

5 blocks now sold out in south stand. Tickets sales going really well. The club should be all over this.

[Ian Nimmo]

Yes it looks like there are only about 100 left for the south stand and 1200 in total (although option to release a couple of more blocks in the west stand and possibly north stand if need.
Thus all goes well for a good atmosphere generated by SS

[Nudga]

588 left in SS

[ForsolongaRover]

Putting together all the above form it would not be unreasonable to assume that they would lose their 2 remaining away games - here and at Crawley except for the fact that Crawley are exceptionally fragile at home! But playing Mansfield  in their last home game with Mansfield already virtually assured of promotion would be another match which might not run to form. What would be more likely is that they would beat Bradford at home.

So optimistically, 3 points there = 70 and one or two from the rest? Thus, max 71 or 72.

Crawley would no longer be the focus.

Always assuming we get 9 additional points…