Hard to Beat

I'm personally very pleased to use the track name of one of my all-time favourite songs as a title to one of my blog entries, but never did I think this one could be used to describe my beloved Bristol Rovers!

But, the Hard-Fi song couldn't be more fitting at this moment in time and it completely epitomises the resilient nature of the team under Mark McGhee. In fact, the Scotsman used the phrase himself when interviewed post-match after seeing his charges record a hard fought draw with 7th placed Oxford United yesterday afternoon.

In what wasn't exactly a spectacular game, 0-0 was a fair scoreline and perfectly translates what happened out on the pitch - both sides cancelling each other out. Oxford are a good side, as their league position suggests, and it was always going to be a game that would test the progress we've so far made under McGhee, so the fact we've come out of the challenge undefeated is pleasing. The pitch wasn't conducive to slick, one touch passing football and we had to accommodate a certain formation in order to compete in the game. MM revealed that he had the intention of starting both Eliot Richards and Mustapha Carayol to operate the wide berths of a 4-4-2, but elected to change formations to a more compact 4-4-2, deploying Andy Dorman and Lee Brown on the wings after seeing the state of the pitch upon arrival at the ground. A wise move.

That did limit our attacking options but certainly ensured our defence was resolute and stood firm to the pressure the promotion-chasing side were to heap on us, which was important considering they were playing with 3 attackers. The reliable James Constable was part of their three-pronged attack alongside ex-Gas Scott Rendell and Algerian forward Mehdi Kerrouche, so it was a potentially potent front-line, but thankfully Cian Bolger and Tom Parkes delivered another outstanding defensive performance to ensure we didn't concede. Another major factor in ensuring our visitors drew a blank was Michael Poke, yet again, who made a number of good saves and catches throughout the game. After suffering a number of goals being conceded with Scott Bevan between the sticks, you really do appreciate having a strong, vocal and sound goalkeeper as the last man. I'm certainly more confident with Pokey in goal.

They couldn't break us down and although they had a couple of chances, we did too. Lee Brown and Chris Zebroski, who returned to the side, went close with strikes in and around the penalty area, but they just couldn't direct them on target and break the deadlock. I witnessed what appeared to me like a stonewall penalty appeal waved away by the otherwise good referee Phil Gibbs, when Danny Woodards marauded in to the Oxford penalty area before being scythed down by former Rovers keeper Ryan Clarke. The ref inexplicably awarded a corner, suggesting he felt Clarke got a touch on the ball, but it looked to me and the rest of the Blackthorn End that Woody got their first and therefore a spot-kick should have been given.

But, at the end of the day, neither side could complain with a point. We were hard to beat, as we have been under monsieur McGhee from his first game in charge, and it's a part of our game I'm delighted to see is becoming prevalent. On better pitches and with a full strength, fully fit squad, I think we can be a force to be reckoned with. If we can finish top 12 this season we can be very pleased considering where we were in the New Year and given a full summer to strengthen the squad and train the players, I genuinely believe Mark McGhee can guide us to automatic promotion. That's quite a way off at the moment and there's still plenty to do this season before we can consider next year, but that is the firm belief of many Gasheads at this very moment having witnessed the improvement in the side under MM and Shaun North.

I think it's only right I end this entry as I started it... by referencing another song I like in conjunction with what's going on at Rovers, so let's continue to Move On Up (Curtis Mayfield) in performance levels and league position and ensure we are Ready 2 Go (Martin Solveig featuring Kele) next season. Was that too cheesy?