Lawrence hopes Bristol Rovers can home in on a good start
Lennie Lawrence is hoping the fact Bristol Rovers will play their two opening games of the season at home will help them make a winning start to the new campaign.
The Pirates will entertain Leyton Orient in the curtain-raiser to the 2009-10 season on Saturday, August 8, and then face Aldershot in the Carling Cup – a match expected to take place on August 11.
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Paul Trollope's side have then been handed away games at Stockport (August 15) and another Tuesday night trip to Hartlepool (August 18).
"I believe the first three league games of the season can be important, because if you can get off to a good start, it can give you some early momentum," said Lawrence, Bristol Rovers' director of football.
"You'd look to get two out of three of them at home. We've got two out of three of them away instead.
"But the fact we start at home to Leyton Orient and then play Aldershot at the Memorial Stadium in the Carling Cup gives us a chance to get a couple of decent results on the board.
"Our first away game is at Stockport – and you don't know what sort of side they are going to have after they went into administration late last season."
Rovers will face two of the three clubs relegated from the Championship last season in successive games when they travel to Southampton (September 29) and Norwich City (October 3) before facing Leeds United at home on October 10.
Their Christmas fixtures see them facing Walsall on Boxing Day before travelling to Millwall on December 28. They kick off 2010 at Huddersfield (January 2).
Rovers' final home game of the season is against Norwich on May 1 and they finish off at Leeds a week later.
"What a finish that is!" said Lawrence. "It would be a great end to the season if all three clubs have something to play for. One thing you can say about our fixture list for next season is that it's certainly going to be interesting."
7 Comments
by steve, Bristol
Thursday, June 18 2009, 3:30PM
“one good thing its better to play at hartlepool in the summer than in the winter”
by Parrot, north somerset
Thursday, June 18 2009, 1:18PM
“We need Ricky to stay but i think its inevitable that he will end up going at the last minute for far less than he is worth. Probably around £600k, although if he does stay i think we will be challenging for a play off spot. Deperately need a new keeper to challenge Phillips and maybe a no nonsence pacy midfielder to play off and behind Lambert. I Have faith in Trolls !”
by Darren, Horfield
Thursday, June 18 2009, 12:44PM
“Lets face it. Lambert wont get 25 plus goals again. It was an excellent season dont get me wrong, but we cant rely on lambert to do that again? What if he gets a bad injury in the 1st couple of games and hes out for 4-5 months? Duffy and kuffour aint the same, so they need to sign another striker. Phillips has had it easy with no competition for his place for years so he needs that needs to change! Danny coles gets injured doing his laces up. I think it will maybe take 2-3 seasons before we are truly a promotion side, I hope they prove me wrong.”
by Steve, Bristol
Thursday, June 18 2009, 12:16PM
“Darren Horfield,
I don't agree at all. We weren't that far off being a very good side last season. With a couple of good additions and retaining Rickie I think that we will be there or thereabouts next season.”
by Darren, Horfield
Thursday, June 18 2009, 12:07PM
“Rovers have no chance of getting promoted, team of average players, trollope needs to sign quality and has no money to do so. He needs to sign a new keeper, a centre back, decent wingers, good midfielder and another striker. until that happens we better get used to league 1”
by Goodnight irene, Bristol
Thursday, June 18 2009, 10:54AM
“I fancy a promotion season this year. We will keep hold of Lambert, make another couple of decent signing then boom......Championship here we come”
by dan, downend
Thursday, June 18 2009, 10:46AM
“lets hope for some attacking football from the negative trollope as last season most games were very boring.”