After match interviews

[highweekgull]

I thought it was refreshing for Martin Ling to come out and say the defence need to do better. The fans were thinking it but good for the manager to get straight to the point.

Also he didn't victimise anyone and actually used it to turn Oastler's negative into a positive by saying the lad had owned up to being at fault for one of the goals.

I like that - rather than what we have become used to which was "we were fabulous", "the players all worked hard", "we didn't get the rub of the green", "another official would have given us that goal/penalty/free kick..." "it is all someone's else fault" "I'm better than this and will be managing at a higher level soon"

Ummm not sure who I am thinking about above...

[Gullscorer]

Can't imagine who....

[Dave]

Agreed, was refreshing us football fan's are not stupid we can see what has gone wrong or right as the case may be, niether us fan's or player's need patronising.

We may have different opinion's on which defender was at fault, the one we all agree on however is the entire defence including the keeper despite the number of save's he made were way off where they should be as a unit, so thanks for the honesty Lingy,the good thing that was only game one,they will get better.

[Regiment]

yep, he's been quick to identify the problems, and with Shaun, will be working hard to put them right. another box ticked for ML.

[Gullscorer]

They will get better and better; certainly enough to show Bristol Rovers how it should be done!

[Richinns]

They will get better and better; certainly enough to show Bristol Rovers how it should be done!

I am not so sure about that - think we will get turned over there unfortunetly. Hope I am wrong.

[Gullscorer]

I was referring to the season as a whole, rather than next Saturday's match. The Gulls may well lose on Saturday unless they tighten up their defence. But I'm sure they're working on that. And judging by the AFC Wimbledon game, Rovers may have similar problems. I'll stick my neck out and forecast a 2-2 draw Saturday.

[crazyfool]

Nice to hear some refreshing honesty. You've got to admire that in a manager. With Buckle it became tiresome hearing him come out with the nonsense he did sometimes. In fact it got to the point where I lost complete interest in his appraisals of a match, because sometimes they just wouldn't reflect the truth.