Bristol Rovers Chris Lines wants improvement on the road
CHRIS Lines says Bristol Rovers will head to Oldham this weekend intent on improving their away form.
The Pirates have to look back to their 3-0 victory against Yeovil at Huish Park on March 20 for their last three points on the road.
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Bristol Rovers Chris Lines wants improvement on the road
And midfielder Lines, pictured, knows Rovers cannot afford a repeat of last season's record on opposition soil, when only three of the sides who finished in the bottom four suffered more than their 15 away defeats.
"Oldham have made a good start and won a few games already, so it's going to be a tough game and we are going to have to perform.
"We need to get our away record going a bit better this season."
Rovers head into the game on the back of a below-par display when they were thumped 4-0 at home by Southampton on Saturday.
And Lines says the side have to respond like they did after their 6-1 Carling Cup mauling at Oxford last month.
"We took a heavy defeat at Oxford a few weeks ago but then bounced straight back by beating Yeovil, and that's what we have to do again," said Lines. "We need to go to Oldham and get a result.
"It's the second time Southampton have done that to us because they won 5-1 at our place towards the end of last season.
"I think they are the best team in the division – but we still should have done better defensively.
"When you are sloppy against teams like that, they are going to punish you."
Rovers hope striker John Akinde, signed on loan from Bristol City last week, will be available after recovering from a hip flexor problem, which ruled him out of the Saints clash.
"I've not seen much of him playing, but he's a big lad who will give us something a bit different up top," said Lines.
"It's good for the other strikers too because having extra competition will keep everyone on their toes.
"The result last weekend means nobody's place is safe, so people have to play well to stay in the team.
"We have a free week to concentrate on training and we'll work on putting things right."
8 Comments
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by MisterX, Chris Lines Watch CCTV Van
Friday, September 03 2010, 11:09AM
“We ll said Chris!
I do trust you will be the first player to set a better example in our team after your little whine? If you intend to do so then here's a few helpful tips for you young man:- Maybe you should be avoiding certain "ahem" establishments and imbibing of their liquid delights until all hours of the early morning? You might actually feel up for a match once you get on the pitch this Saturday for a change instead of looking like a rabbit in the proverbial car headlights as you have done of late.
So stick to early nights in the run up to games and plenty of water, still I'm sure our fitness coach has told you all this yet you still continue to ignore his expert advice. Hope you don't mind a mere fan telling you the same also. Chin chin!”
by Downend Gas, Downend
Thursday, September 02 2010, 10:16PM
“Same old blah blah from a Rovers player making promises before a game. Our midfield are a bunch of lightweights, with Lines the main culprit. Campbell makes about 6 tackles to every one of Lines and we wonder why the back 4 is under pressure. What has happened to Hughes, is the baby keeping him awake. If the next 2 games end up as defeats Trollope MUST go.”
by ben dover, brockenhurst
Thursday, September 02 2010, 9:15PM
“Lines,cut the crap we get enough from codswollope and stumpy the chairman.what is required is effort and commitment on the pitch but you dross can,t deliver lets face it you would,nt get a game on the downs sunday mornig.”
by gas65, whitchurch
Thursday, September 02 2010, 6:18PM
“Chris lines wants us to improve on our away form.Following last sat against the saints we are a long way off sorting our home form out so not much hope in the away form.
Being a half full glass and not a half empty glass sort of bloke i always try to find positives.However i cant remember a season after only a few games have i felt so depressed and worried about the season ahead.I really hope i am proved wrong but i think everything in and around the club at present is negative”
by clive, bristol
Thursday, September 02 2010, 3:43PM
“yes chris all the rovers supporters would love to see
all round better display? we pay to watch and i am sorry to say your not performing”