Before the Reading home match with Bristol Rovers on Saturday, 20th January, 2001, the official Bristol Rovers website contacted www.1871.cx and asked our views on various topics. They published the replies on their site in the days leading up to the match. Here's what I said:
How would you describe you club's form in general this season?
Patchy. We were brilliant at home for a few months, but since November (and in most away games) have not played particularly well. Despite that, we still managed a couple of big home wins in December whilst playing poorly, and some team is going to get absolutely destroyed on a trip to Reading this season. I hope it's you!
What has been the high point, or best result, so far this season so far?
The single high point was the end of the home game against local rivals Oxford United, when we had scored two late goals to gain a 4-3 win in front of our biggest crowd of the season, and therefore went to the top of the table. However, the best result might be the 5-1 win at home to Swansea, a team who had only conceded three goals all season before that game.
What has been the low point, or worst result, so far this season so far?
Definitely the last home game, when we were 4-0 down to Millwall after 50 minutes (it ended 4-3, but the result was never in doubt). It was an important game in terms of both league position and our hatred of the Millwall manager, but we totally failed to perform until it was too late.
Who is your club's most important player?
Midfielder Darren Caskey - he has the ability to create goalscoring chances with long or short passes, and manages to score a lot of goals by getting on the end of moves. He also rivals David Beckham in the free-kick taking stakes.
Where do you think your team will finish up this season?
We have the best squad in the division, and (after allowing for our long-term injuries) just about the best team. If we were fielding the right eleven and those players were performing to their true level, we should finish top. However, we have already failed to pick up a lot of points that we should have gained, and I think we're probably looking at second to fourth.
What do you think of your team's home and away kit?
The home kit is good insofar as it does consist of our historical colours of blue and white hoops. However, the current version of the shirt with blue sleeves does not look right. I don't like the away kit (mostly orange) at all. We also have a third kit of mostly yellow - it's supposed to be similar to the home kit from the 1979 Division 4 championship season, but it's actually nothing like it!
How do you view Bristol Rovers FC? Big club? Small club? Good side? Average side?
Small club with a poor side and no forwards any more! But with a strangely high proportion of fans going to away matches (a legacy of Twerton, perhaps?).
What have Bristol Rovers and your team got in common?
Squatters (indulging in egg-chasing). We should get together and see what we can do to get rid of this infestation.
Who is the best Bristol Rovers player you have ever seen - past or present?
Well, it has to be Jamie Cureton! What a bargain! The only player to score more than one hat-trick at Madejski Stadium (he's got three now).
Have you ever seen your side play Bristol Rovers before? If so what was the most memorable match and the least memorable match against them?
I've seen a lot of games between the two sides. The worst should be our home game from a couple of years ago, of course, but I have erased it from my memory. The most memorable was our win at Elm Park in 1984/85 when Mark White scored a late header to make it 3-2 - we had been both 1-0 and 2-1 down earlier in the match. I also rather enjoyed the trip to the Memorial Ground for the FA Youth Cup 2nd round earlier this season when we won 6-0.
What is the furthest distance you have travelled to watch your team play?
About 500 miles one way (pre-season tour to Holland) but that's only because they haven't played any further away from where I live than that!
Other than your team, what other sides' results do you look out for each Saturday?
Only results that affect Reading in some way, whether it be League position or future opponents.
Which other teams in football do you like or have a soft spot for?
None. I'm a Reading fan, end of story.
Which other teams in football do you dislike?
All of them. I'm a Reading fan, end of story. (But I especially dislike Bournemouth because I lived there for a few years.)
What is the best terrace chant you have ever heard?
Well, this season we've had an opportunity to sing "Stand up if you're 5-0 up" which I rather enjoyed. My favourite Reading chant starts off with "Steve McMahon" but then degenerates into something I can't print. It's short and to the point, though.
What is the best or most memorable away ground you have ever been to?
I think the best away ground I've seen Reading play at is Elland Road - we've been there four times in my era, and on the last occasion we beat Leeds in the League Cup.
What is the worst or least memorable away ground you have ever been to?
I have to say that all three Bristol Rovers grounds I've been to are pretty awful. The worst, though, would be Northampton's old ground (after the fire had removed their main stand). Only two sides open, and the view from the away terrace seriously obstructed by some Meccano version of a replacement stand. Let's face it, it even made Aldershot's look OK.
What is the best or most memorable match you have ever been to?
When we played at home to Plymouth in 1985/86. We were top, they were second and after 65 minutes they were 3-0 up. By the final whistle, we'd won 4-3.
What is the worst or least memorable match you have ever been to?
Our recent managers have included Terry Bullivant and Tommy Burns, so there have been a large number of games that deserve to be called "worst". The absolute worst was a 3-0 defeat away to Oxford in March 1998, although there was a silver lining because Bullivant resigned a couple of days later.
Would you be happy with a draw against us?
No. I am never happy to lose two points.
What is your prediction for the game against us?
Reading 3 Bristol Rovers 1. We have the ability to score goals in bunches without appearing to try very hard, but are almost equally incapable of keeping a clean sheet.
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