fan1
bring in stan terrnant
Ash Gloucester gas
Why look any further than Cheltenham, bring back John Ward
Cee Jay
Atkins might not be the worst manager in the world but watching the football felt like it. His results were not that bad when you analyse them (apart from Chester). A lot of people are saying bring back Osamn, I'm not fully convinced, he might do ok. Dennis Wise will not come to Rovers - why would he! Why on earth are we being linked to Alex Inglethorpe and John Still. What's going on. My choice Kenny Jackett or Steve Tilson - we are potentially a bigger club than Swansea or Southend.
SMC, BS4
I admit toi being gald to see the back of him, but he can't be slagged off for things he never did. For example, can Craig Watts let us know which 'passionate Bristolians' Atkins got rid of? As for people calling for Russell Osman, his appointment would see more of the dire long ball that some allege we saw from an Atkins team.
Dan
Glad Atkins is gone, but we got to ask why so many managers fail here. Problems higher up and in my opnion things are not gonig to change until Dunford goes.
Geoff
Two teams over the past couple of seasons playing football as it should be played have taken the Rovers apart and both managed by up and coming young managers with Bristol connections. Firstly Keith Curle when at Mansfield and Leroy Rosseigner with Torquay. Either of these I feel would do a good job for the gas especially with probably a better squad than they have been used to working with
Big Bad Brucey
Great email from Peter, Tony Adams, what a great player, always played with a big heart, The only trouble is.. Dunford couldn't pick his nose, let alone pick a good manager.He dosen't even know how to get out of the boardroom without help. Knowing our luck he'll go and pick Keegan,He's another manager who always blames everything else. Trollope has the potential, and its still early in the season,and the Pirates were unlucky against Bury.
Keep up the good work boys, Master Trollope will get us to the playoffs....at least.
Peter
I was very much opposed to his appointment in the first place, based upon his reputation for negative, defensive football. He even had the cheek to complain about the state of pitch at the Memorial Stadium on occasions although the ball spent more time in the clouds than on the grass during his tenure. The Club have done right in getting rid of Atkins now there must be a change at boardroom level. If there is no one with lots of money at the helm , lets at least have someone with real vision and ambition to turn things around Most of the present boardroom members have been on the board since 1980's so some fresh blood would not go amiss. Perhaps some thought should be given to approaching someone like Tony Adams, who I have been told has a property in the West Country and who because of his background would command a great deal of respect from players. Heis articulate, has great experience at all levels of the game and he realises that to be a great coach you don't have to stick rigidly to the FA coaching manual which so many managers/coaches rely upon to little effect. Some of the best managers of the past Clough, Shankley, Paisley did not talk about 4-4-2, 5-3-2 formations, they simply preached good passing and movement off the ball. After all, it is a simple game made overly complicated by so called gurus who have never won anything in their life. Wake up Rovers board. The potential is enormous, excellent premiership standard training ground facilities shortly.Concentrate on getting the right man in charge even if we have to offload some fringe players to finance him, and then we might see some real progress. Wish it could have been Gary Johnson- he is a positive character who believes in good football.
Mark Hallett
Atkins had to go, the club was going backwards. Unfortunately the club have been going down hill since Holloway left and will go nowhere until Dunford is removed. The board need to start thing big get some ambition and apoint Kevin Keegan or Dave Bassett as Manager.
laura
watching us on saturday we already started to look like a better and more positive team, but we have to remember its a long way to go before we will be back to the standard that all loyal gas heads deserve!
bring in a attacking positive manager and lets see what we can get from this season!
Joe D
The board at Rovers has to take most of the blame for the predicament of the club. The appointment of Atkins was just one of many wretched decisions going right back to the sacking of Ian Holloway. If Dunford can't find Rovers a decent manager he should make way for someone who can.
Big Bad Brucey
I am one of the old school when the Pirates where at Eastville. In those days the Chaiman & the Board preferred to get bigger gate receipts at the top of the old Third Division, sooner than having smaller gate receipts at the bottom of the old second division.
Do I sense a "shift in policy" at long long last, because why the hell they brought Atkins from Oxford Utd in the first place, leaves a lot of fans baffled.
Which Bob J.'s comments make a very strong foundation to tell the Chaiman & Board "To stop living in a dreamworld", and get Pirates promoted.
Mark Johnson
Glad he left Oxford, we were always so negative when he was here. good to see Rovers have seen the light, all the best for the rest of the season
Paul Wilson
I'll start going again after a break of 9 months. How this guy ever got a job in football is beyond me. This is a happy news day
rich oufc fan
unfortunatly your problem lies with your chairman and board,like us,no ambition and unwilling to make money available,which in turn results in having managers like the desperatly negative ian atkins.until you employ a decent manager and give him the cash to do the job you'll stay in this wretched division,but dont worry oxford will always keep you company while firoz kassam is at the helm.good luck.
Geoff Larsen
Thank goodness he has gone - he should not have been appointed in the first place. Several oxford supporters warned us what a disaster it would be.
bob j from bristol
Perhaps we should look at the full picture: (Holloway, Thompson, Graydon, Francis, Bater & Atkins)all previous manages sack for not producing results.... can they all be wrong?
claire webster
i think it was the right choice afetr many disappointing results. Rovers now have a chance to win promotion!
dave in brislington
ian atkins has been treated awfully .over the past few seasons the manager has been changed several times,the players have been changed several times, but the real reason why rovers are where they are still remains. THE CHAIRMAN AND THE BOARD!
Dan is a Legend
Finally solved half of the problem just get rid of Dunford then its problem solved!(almost).Trollope has already done a better job than Atkins in the one day he's been in charge by bringing Haldane and Williams back and telling Louis where he can go(didn't rate him at all).I'd like to see Osman and Broadhurst reunited as manager and assistant as I enjoyed watching Rovers play the ball on the deck for the few games they were there,which quite frankly kept us in the football league.All the best to the boys tommorow C'mon gasheads let pull together and get behind the boys.
Ian
For to many years now we have been a club that has underachieved. And for the size of Bristol this is just not good enough. Please Rovers take your time and get the right man for the job
You have to speculate to accumulate.
Mark G
Good decision- A manager should know his players and adapt a playing style that utilises the strength and skills within his team. Atkins did the opposite( putting Ryan Williams on the transfer). Hopefully now players will get a chance to show their ability and build their confidence again
Michael Britton
It's sad that the Rovers have yet again not found the manager to progress the team in the way they deserve. I do not feel that Mr Dunford's choices of Manager in the past have been at all succesful - he needs to get a level of consent and concensus from his fan base before making the next decision.
Danny G
if we get Dennis Wise I will start following the rugby!
Robson
I`m a lifelong Gashead and am glad hes gone but lets look forward now and forget him. So who is going to want to join us? Especially when they look into it and see what Dunford is like. Quite frankly why would Denis Wise want anything to do with us? He has no links to the rovers (i think) and would be a good catch to any team in Div 1 or 2, so i cannot see him coming. We need to keep a handle and reality and quite frankly we`ll be lucky to get anyone in this position and playing like this. Lets just hope someone wants to help. Perhaps if we string together some good results we`d be better placed, so lets make a start on saturday - c`mon the gas
Donut Boy
I am glad he is gone but if nothing else changes or gets worse i dont see what the point is in sacking him. Good to see Paul Trollope in charge and he has done some great changes bringing back haldane trying to get williams back and getting rid of jefferson louis. Come on gas fans get behind the club you all adore. Up the gas!
Kegas
Get real Rovers fans, the real cancer in the club is DUNFORD. He loaned out Ryan Williams, Atkins was as shocked as you were. The reason Jefferson Louis was at Rovers he was cheap and on a monthly contract, Dunford had loaned out to other clubs any cover for the forwards.
The partnership of Agogo and Walker is one the best in the division we should have let Atkins have more time. As for the morons who turned their backs at Chester they haven't a clue whats going on.I have heard nothing but abuse to both the manager and the players for years at home, no wonder they were scared to lose.
Danny D
I was never too enthusiastic over Atkins' appointment but I believe he would have lifted us out of this division - I don't think it is too difficult to do given the lack of quality in league 2. However, Atkins made some strange decisions and as they did not work out he must suffer the consequences. But the board must aslo be accountable to some negative decisions themselves - what were they playing at by relieving the club of a managerial assistant!? And why was a player-coach who would have been an integral part of the playing team not sanctioned?
Whoever we bring in, the board must give their full support. Dennis Wise and Ray Wilkins would be great, personally I would favour Steve Claridge, but could we afford him. Remember we could not keep hold of players like Matt Somner who went to Aldershot!
Derrick Grail
I think he stifled some of the players skills and let one of our most influential players, go out on loan (Ryan Wiliams).
I would like to see Russell Osmman in charge.
Seano
No Money, No Coaches, Nowhere Near Promotion. The Board are just using all the tricks in the book like we need your support, weve brung back the loaned out players, sack the manager. the board are just trying get the attendances back up, but seriously, what is the point?
Stuart
That Chester City fan obviously needs help !!
Blame the player .. who`s players were they ?
They didn`t want to know ... now theres a surprise as Atkins had the motivational skills of Homer Simpson.
He was tactically poor, scared witless of losing and this communicated to the players and stifled what little talent there was available. I have no idea what part the board played in the loan transfer fiasco`s therefore will reserve judgement but all I can say is ... Ryan Williams or Jefferson Louis .. difficult choice eh. Shearer .. what a find ... only Dracula is more frightened of crosses.
The only time in the last 3 seasons I have enjoyed going to watch was the short spell under Osman.
In summary the only way to get this club going in the right direction is replacement of the board as well as the Manager.
The best we can hope for until this takes place is to watch an occasional good, exciting game.
Is Harold Jarman still around ? !!!
Grumpy Git
He his all mouth and no action. His big claim when he left Oxford was that he left us in 3rd spot, which is true, but we'd only picked up six points from 10 games before he left. He claims to know a good player when he sees one, so why did he let Sam Ricketts go to a non-league club? He now plays for Swansea and recently did a good job for Wales in keeping Shaun Wright-Phillips at bay. Atkins plays hoof-ball, I feel sorry for any club that appoints him
Dave
I'd rather watch the Mango's.... Perhaps soon they will be the next big Bristol club! Why don't Rovers bring in Martyn Grimshaw; don't let him go to Newport County - let him take the Gas to where they belong!
Andy H
He deserved to go. Rather than playing to Rovers strengths, he constantly worried about what the opposition were going to do. He has had the time, and nothing has improved results wise.
Rigzz
Let's see if the Board has any real ambition to get us out of this league, how about appointing Denis Wise & Ray Wilkins. Giving Osman the job would be the easy way out and the wrong option.
Lincoln_Gas
Never liked Atkins since Northampton dumped us out of the play offs
Dave
I think the board sacked him because he cost too much money! They're trying to save as much money as possible.
roger stephens
the club has no money not much of a future how can they afford to sack the manager,what happened to the millions they got for players like ellington, roberts,. and the rest.they have not spent a penny on players,what do they expect.
roger stephens
the club has no money not much of a future how can they afford to sack the manager,what happened to the millions they got for players like ellington, roberts,. and the rest.they have not spent a penny on players,what do they expect.
chester city fan
don't blame Ian Atkins... after watching rovers on saturday against us BLAME THE PLAYERS they didn't want to know....Atkins has a good record in lower league, he nearly saved us (chairman sent us down) Look at your board.....GOOD LOOK IAN ATKINS.
Brian Spearing
We have been in decline for a number of years and each time we get rid of the manager(Holloway, Thompson, Graydon, Francis, Bater & Atkins). Perhaps the Board and fans need to show more patience and perhaps there is a more underlying problem? Atkins has been successful at most lower league clubs he has been at, why has he not been given the 2yrs? Changing now does not allow the new manager to change anything with the new transfer window so the board could have waited until Christmas.
jake lambert
i think atkins was awful and i also think russael osman should be gafer
RAS
I think Ian Atkins,would have got it right here given the support of the club. That includes fans, players and board. However I don't think he had any of it. The Players didn't seem to want or couldn't to play the way he wanted, the fans didn't want to watch the way he wanted the players to play, the board didn't want to watch the crowd go down.
Also I don't think his attitude at the end was doing him any good, all he seemed to be doing was blaming everyone else when things went wrong.
Therefore he had to go, so its best he goes now rather than later, at least now there is time for someone to come in and try to get a run together after Xmas to attempt the play offs.
With regard to the board, I'm sure that if some rich russian came in they would sell, until that time I don't see anyone else with a cheque book willing to take over.
As for replacements DON'T get anyone who has been here before, it never works. We need someone who can motivate the players, recognise their limitations, get them playing and doing what they are good at. The phrase silk purse and sows ears springs to mind. If the players don't know how to play 352 (which they obviuously don't) don't keep playing it, go back to what they can do 442. In the meantime my son and I will carry on going to the Mem and supporting the team and hopefully have a win to cheer on Saturday against Darlington.
Paul Sw
Thank the heavens Atkins has gone. He was the worst manager ever and the 4-0 defeat just reinforced that he was on his way ! What we need is a Big name like Dennis Wise, alright he is not the most experienced Manager but he will get the lads fired right up ! Perhaps we might actually see a few passes on the field now he has gone, and not watch it go skywards.
big al
I'm just so glad the board have acted now and given us half a chance to turn the season around. I fancy a young manager who isn't afraid to play 4-4-2 attacking football, sure we'll lose some games but we'd win more and it would be a damn sight more exciting! I firmly believe we have a good set of players at the club (and loaned out to others). We have good attacking wingers and potentially the best front two in the division. Lets get someone in who can utilise them! Please!
Fishponds Gas
Good riddance to the most negative and unpopular manager the club has ever had! Could never understand how it made more sense to defend a corner with everybody in their own penalty box! Far easier if you do what Chelsea do and keep 3 or 4 players on the half way line coz if stops the big defenders attacking the ball and gives the goalie a chance! Just one of Atkins crazy tactics. The man was a joke!
What Rovers should do now is let the fans vote for his replacement. Other clubs, notably Luton, have done this successfully and we can no longer trust Geoff Dunford’s judgement because his track record of managerial appointments is 100% failure since he head-hunted John Ward!
Glosgas
I can't believe we're going to take the 'cheap option' of having a 'Player Manager'. And I certainly hope it's not Trollope!. We need someone with experience and drive.
Dave B
As a Southend fan, I can only say how pleased we all are that Atkins went to Rovers!
Steve
It's about time, what's Atkins done for us apart from bringing in poor players on long term contracts, loaning out our best players and using tatics that just don't work. Hopefully now the attendances will pick up and so will the team!
Tom Blackmore
He was terrible he didnt do anything he is just a long ball merchant he didnt know how to manaage! Get us dennis wise!
Ross
Break the bank - show us your ambition Mr Dunford, Bring Ian Holloway back! if he isn't interested we'll settle for Osman with Jamie Shore as his number 2.
Pirate Gas
Great news, I did not buy a season ticket this season, as I could not watch another season of his style of football, it was gettint too depressing. Not been to any games this season, but I will be there on saturday, now he's gone.
Oz Gas
I moved to Australia to get away from him! I was just about to move to New Zealand which is a bit further!maybe now I can return home?
Major Gowen
I hope the comment from 'Gas4Life' ie "Now lets get Brian Tinnion onboard and go places" is a spoof. I can't imagine any true gashead would really want a failed city reject at the helm of our beloved club. Personally, if there's any truth in Dave Bassett coming on board, bring it on, he would be a real positive signing. Up the GAS!!!
Kegas
Having read most of the comments directed at Atkins, I feel the need to set the record straight. Ian Atkins did an excellent job at Northampton, when he took over they had been bottom of the fourth division seeking re-election on several occasions, eventually taking them to within a whisker of division 1. At Oxford he took over from a shambles under Mark Wright in the bottom regions of the league to going top of the division losing only one match in 26, through lack of support from the Chairmen to strengthen the squad to ensure promotion, he was headhunted by Rovers.
Last season only two promoted teams lost less matches than Rovers and I thought the foundations were there for the future this season. Having watched Rovers at Orient where they outplayed the O's, and again played very good football at home to Oxford who anybody with any sense could see we should have won by 2 or 3 the signs looked good. Why when it looked like we were starting to look like a team who could achieve something this season he is sacked after a 4-0 defeat is beyond me. I watched Aston Villa being thumped at West Ham last monday, then against Spurs only get a 1-1 draw after completely outplaying them, Villa didn't sack O'leary.
I know for a fact that a the loan of Ryan Williams to Aldershot was done by Dunford not Atkins the first he knew about it was late evening, also the loan of players like Clarke,Haldane and Edwards were done by Dunford to reduce the wage bill.
My conclusion is the root of the problem is Dunford until he replaced no Manager will be able to manage the team the way he wants, Rovers have been in decline for years we should have let Atkins carried on for the rest of this season.
I wish Ian Atkins well who I think given the right backing will be very good at the right club.
For a new manager possibly Kevin Broadhurst/ Russell Osman, but remember Dunford made Broadhurst redundant not Atkins to save money.
GET RID OF DUNFORD.
Mark Howkins
I am an Oxford fan and i knew what would happen when you signed Ian Atkins. Your results have not suprised me and your style of football reminded very much of Oxford under Atkins, slightly negative.Now you can look forward to the future. Please keep your hand off Brian Talbot though ! as i think we have cracked it as he is a superb manager. I would rather be top of the conference than bottom of CC league 2 !!
Brent Slocombe
I believe that Ian Atkins was the right man for Bristol Rovers, and that the people whom should be holding their collective hands up are the members of the Board. Mr Dunford is nothing more than a small minded business man whom has never been prepared to self assess his part in the decline in our Football club. I feel that until Mr Dunford is removed that Bristol rovers will always remain in the lower reaches of the football league and possibly non league. I would like to finish by wishing Ian Atkins all the very best for his future.
For the Sake of Bristol football.......
I say well done to both clubs for getting rid of rubbish management. Tinnion was a legend as a player but just couldn't cut it as a manager. Atkins had a half decent CV at lower league level but this time it just hasn't worked. But both clubs should look forward and appoint young new fresh managers with a desire to prove themselves and the club they work for. I think City are making the right choice if they go for Gary Johnson but I don't believe Rovers should go back to the Osman, Broadhurst era because things are never as good second time round (just ask Gerry Francis). I don't know what the future offers for both clubs but it has to be better than it currently is, we deserve at least a championship side and although I'm a Rovers fan it looks more likely to be City rather than Rovers. Having said that all Rovers fans want and need at the moment is to see the side winning, showing the same passion and commitment as the fans and end these past few years of utter rubbish.
YeovilGas
Good ridance Atkins,bring back Russell Osman, with Andy Tilson, as his assistant.
Best of luck to Paul & the lads tomorrow.
UP THE GAS !!!!!!!!
Donald Statham
I hope all those Rovers fans who have "outed" Atkin are happy now. I do feel that Atkins would have got it right and we could have finished in the playoffs. They were scoring goals so it was just a case of sorting the defence out. I will say to those negative fans "What is there to say that another manager will be able to do a better job on limited financial resources". I suggest that Rovers return to that good old fighting spirit from the 80s and early 90s, this goes for the fans, players and management. It has not been the same for several years since fans have outed players and managers. Also, i think Rovers fans have short memories. Some say they play negatively with more of the "long ball", didn't this provide success under Gerry Francis, nobody complained then.
Claire G
I am so relieved - good riddance!
gasman - Jon
I steered Bristol Rovers to the Premiership on Championship Manager 2004....am I qualified to apply???
Riggz
Having relieved Atkins from his current duties, it is time for Geoff Dunford to stand down, the club has to look inwardly and realise the mess we find ourselves in stems from within. Six managers in 5 years is a joke, is it any wonder the fans are deserting. The club statement shows how they are out of touch and in denial with our current plight, if they think the missing 2000+ fans will return overnight. As for the requests for Osman to return, this would be a shortsighted appointment, which will probably end in tears. This could be the season we finally lose league status.
Don Megsons Loyal 5,000 - Taiwan-Gashead
Russel Osman...he has the ability and expierience, and the man has charisma and passion as well, I hope the Chairman and board seriously do some homework before the next appointment.. .I am sure the falling attendances were the main reason for the push...and that is fair enough..my main concern is do the board 'actually' have the ability to make the right choice...and as for the appeal to get behind the team....I appeal to the board to get 'really' get behind the new manager....whoever that may be....yours Truly, a friend of Gerry Francis & Dennis Rofe...
no1pirate
okay so atkins is gone. who is there to take his place who has the right experience at managing a club that is in freefall. over the last few seasons its become an all together familiar story, get a new man in with all the promises of turning the club around saying lets go for promotion or at least he play off, but again the same outcome languishing at the wrong end of the table going nowhere.
Andrew
About Time. Atkins had the luxury to choose the current squad from scratch and could not motivate them. I hope that this time the board don't make another hasty decision but wait until the right person for the future of the club is found.
Dave Robinson
As an 'exile' living in York I would not like it if they followed York City into the conference, as it is really hard to get out again. Hope the loyal fans get behind the new boss and that the team climb the league.
Adam-Rovers 4 Life
Thank-god for that
Bring in the Osman get the ball on the ground and play some good football
i cheered when i heard the news.....
Bystander
'another sad day in the life off the gas, we dont need a manager we need an undertaker. we are in freefall.' You better call Vince McMahon at WWE HQ to see if he is available. Seriously though, Ian Holloway was on Sky Football League review last week, and he said the same thing the Rovers board said 'they need to get behind their team'. He also said the same about Bristol City. If only you hadn't sacked Danny Wilson, I think if you'd have stuck with him you'd have made it to the Championship. Anyway Atkins was all talk and not much action if you ask me. Good luck to both clubs though.
Twyford Gas
The most negative manager I have ever seen. Glad he has gone. His comments on Sat after the Chester debacle demonstrated that he really has lost the plot.
Peter Siddorn
I listin to Rovers away from home. It is depressing I also say I sick to death of this boring and defenceless footbal. I just hope that the board reach deep in there pockets and we can get a manager to take us up then table.
Dan Hole
About time Atkins packed his bags, his tatics were too negative, he had no passion for the club and he sent the best player (Ryan Williams) out on loan.Its about time this cub has some success after the 4 years of disappiontment.I hope the board think about their decision for the next manager, we need someone who is respected in the footballing world and has passion for the game and the club. Holloway come home!!???
Rob
He had to go the results werent going our way its the best thing thats happend this season
Mike Fisher
I think that ian atkins is a great manager and i thikn its a woeful decision to sack him at such an early stage in the season. i hope he goes on to manage a club and become ever succesfull. all the best ian
Dales Gas
Given the plumetting crowds this was inevitable. Please no Osman or untried ex-player though, we're too close to the drop zone. we need a good young manager coming up from the Conference (Inglethorpe?) or a proven quantity like Stan Ternant
Mike T
He had to go,some very negative football has been played over the last year,too many draws...why play for one point when you can play for 3.I,m hoping Harry Potter will take over!
OUFC Pete
It's good to see that you all finally woken up to atkins. When he left Oxford for Rovers you taunted us as though you had landed the best manager in the world and it would ruin our lives forever. well, youve learned the truth the hard way! i bet Atkins will now come out and blame the board but he wont give any actual information, it will just be something like "no one knows what it was really like for me but one day i will tell the whole story and they wont blame me anymore". what a laughable little man!
gashead_dan
watched rovers v oxford the other day and i agree with there chants: 'borin borin atkins' and they would shout 'hoof' evry time rovers cleared it. his style of football has had and ian holloway affect.
Jez
Osman AND Broadhurst would get my vote...
Gas4Life
Atkins was ok,Im deeply shocked!
Now lets get Brian Tinnion onboard and go places.
Paul Ware
Not sorry to hear of the news but this will push us further into debt. Both Atkin's and Graydon brought in the odd decent player but for each good, there were 3 bad. Atkin's kept saying that changes were needed and his hands were tied, on thw whole, it was the majority of the players that he brought in that bombed. What was he playing at last season wasting more money by loaning in players and not playing them? Sending Clarke out on loan but bringing in a keeper with only a little more experience? To be fair to the board, they have backed Atkins and Graydon as best they can. They offered to sell the club a few years back but no rich Russians were interested. Maybe Osman and Trollope double act? Give youth a chance and at the very least, lets show some passion on the pitch!
Phil J
I'm a City fan, and I'm appalled at the direction our clubs are going. With both clubs managerless and at the bottom of their divisions we must be football's laughing stock. Both of the club's boards are continually harping on about sleeping giants etc. Maybe we are finally finding our true position in the League. I'm depressed. Think I'll start watching the Mangoes.
Dan Cox
good news folks! can we have a popular manager now?
Alan
Good ridance Atkins,bring back Russell Osman.
paul baker
well what next sack dunford and apoint god
anon
thank god for that! perhaps we can finally look down at a rovers match!
owen gole
another sad day in the life off the gas, we dont need a manager we need an undertaker. we are in freefall.
Heart of Gas
Over the moon! Atkins was far too negative. It's no wonder people have been staying away. Come on Dunford - get it right this time!
Craig M
I'm a City fan, but I have to say that Rovers have done the right thing in sacking Atkins. He's done nothing positive for Bristol football, other than give us City fans something to take our minds of our own sorry position. I hope that the gas get a decent manager in to replace him and start making some progress again. Now they just need to get shot of their chairman and things might start looking up for them. Good luck to all supporters of football in Bristol.
Claire
Well I think it is about time, I think John Anderson should be given the job, Rovers have the potential to do well and have some good players, but unfortunately only the fans seem to have confidence in the team and that is fast losing ground as well.
Ben - Orlando Gas
Get Russell Osman back in, the best run we've had in the past 3-4 years is when he was there for a couple months
Keynsham Gashead
The team that Atkins is playing now are virtually all players that have been brought in by him following Graydon's departure. Don't keep knocking the board who have allowed Atkins to have one of the biggest squads in League Two. Rovers have underachieved for far too lonmg and Atkins has had 18 motnhs to get things right - and we end up getting stuffed 4-0 by Chester. Bring back the Osman / Broadhurst management team who can engender the team spirit which is needed to get Rovers goping again.
Gareth
The board should go to Bath and plead with Andy Tilson to come home.
jc
what next for the gas, another waste of space like atkins, must get someone with holloway style who loves the club, bye the way ill be back saturday, well you never come and see me when im bad RUSS COME ON BACK
sara
Why can't rovers ever stick with a manager? This season is my last before i move away, doesn't look like it will be memerable
Fred
Scotland under Walter Smith & Man City under Pearce have shown the footballing world if you have a manager whose got a real passion and determination the players will work for him regardless of the clubs resources. We need that fiery spirit in our next boss
Chris
I once spoke to Ian Atkins during a match against Grimsby, and I have ot say he didn't seem to concerned about the future of the club. I am shocked he got sacked, but quite possibly pleased as well.
Steve Cox
Good,but the board need to take a look at themselves and ask why have we had 5 years of failure..they are the one constant factor.
London Gas
Rovers seem to always quick to sack the manager instead of looking at those who are making the appointments. Graydon and Atkins were headhunted, Rovers have ended up having to pay them off. Its about time the people upstarirs took some responsibility for the state the Club finds itself.
John Moore
The board ran the club not Atkins. Promotion would mean higher wages etc.
Sack the coach, force the manager to loan good players and what do you get. Most people can see that managers and players have been changed ... has to be the board!!!
Matt
This is a step in the right direction.What worries me, we are right back where we started. "The next appointment is important" say the board last time. Very mixed tonight
GAK101
Peter Reid? Do me a favour. Expensive and a disaster - ask previous club fans. only one man for the job - Chalkie White. Won't cost anythng, has the Rovers links, and the desire.
JimW
He brought in some decent players at first like Craig Disley and then made them to nervous to cross the half way line. If he wasn't so afraid of losing, he might have produced a decent attacking team. However, when you prefer Matt Somner to Ryan Williams what chance do you have. I hope he learns from this experience and wish him well in his next job.
steve
As far as i can remember us gas heads enjoyed going to watch us play flowing football with always the belief we could score even if we were 4-0 down, with Atkins we never looked like scoring again if we were 1-0 up. I hated the tactics and the style of football, it wasnt what Bristol Rovers was about, he was killing the club. We need a Ian Holloway, John Ward a Dave Bassett some one who is passionate about the game and the club who can drag us out of this league, we have been down here 4 years too long and had too many journey men on a mission to top up their pension e.g Francis and Graydon. Personally i would like to see Russell Osman back in charge at least we looked like a league football side not a bit part downs league team, and played some proper football. We all know this club is skint but most of the teams that get promoted out of this league dont spend a penny, i belive we have the talent we just need the right direction, and get Ryan Clarke and Lewis Haldane back from Forest Green i could never understand why they went there in the first place.
GlosGas
After 45 years supporting the club I was ready to give up on them, they were boring even when winning under Atkins, who often seemed to resent players who can play a bit (eg Ryan Williams) The feeling of relief is overwhelming.
Matt, High Wycombe
Thank god for that! Dunno who would be best to get in now? Who would want to come? Come on Gasheads lets get behind the team!
Jeremy Marchant Forde
I remember him as an Ipswich player and then a Cambridge and Northampton manager. He was pants all the way through. It amazes me that clubs keep giving him a go. He clearly is not a good manager.
Bamber Gashead
Loaning out Ryan Williams was the last straw. The results speak for themselves. Peter Reid may like the job, but it won't be easy without any money. Let's get back to basics and bring the youth players through the ranks again.
Sandman
The board have obiously freaked out at plummeting attendances hence the "please come back and support us again as everything will be ok from now on" plea. Gasheads have been suffering for too long and we need someone to come in with a three-year plan to turn the club around, preferably someone young and ambitious. If they have the plan then give them the three years. 7 managers (including caretakers) since 2001 tells its own sorry story!
Alex
How about john ward. he was unfairly booted out for holloway, although holloway did well and never should have been sacked. he has got cheltenham playing well with no budget and no fans and had the gas playing a lot better football back then than we see with cluless atkins. Was there a player revolt? A players meeting was called by John Anderson on Tue and now hes assistant manager. I think perhaps he should learn to kick a football in the direction of some of his own players before he moves into management!
sam bracey
i think this is good because i think atkins tactics were too negative and we might start playing some attackin football now
Matt B
This job is proving to be the hardest in football - experienced managers have come and gone with no success, and with a city the size of Bristol, it's a disgrace that we are struggling in the backwaters of the football league. Our player budgets and crowds are near the highest in the division, but we have never recovered from letting Ian Holloway go. Anyone fancy this poisoned chalice?
Dave
Atkins has been pushed out by the board over the last couple of months. I am glad Atkins has been sacked but I beleave he has been treated poorly by the board.
Daniel ball
This time lets get someone decent at the club.
Sarah
Good move! Let's gat back to playing football in a formation we all understand. Up the Rovers!
M
Bit of a surprise. After all, it's not a bad start, just a normal one!
Rich
About time too, that man was killing the Gas. I have never known such negative play. I am really looking forward to seeing some play on the green stuff.
Timoteo
He was rubbish, Glad they sacked him. Bobby Robson should become our new manager.
dave camm
There have obviously been major problems at the club for some time which are not solely down to the manager, the board need to look at themselves!
Rich
The Rovers fans have stayed loyal to the club for the past few years of Mediocrity it's about time the board found the correct manager to move the club forward.
Bobsyurunkle
Bring back Holloway!!
Tony Davis
I think the real reason he was sacked was because he failed Soccer AM's crossbar challenge!
Dave Warminster Gas
At last, I didnt think the board would have the guts to do the right thing. They have thankfully. Lets hope they get the next appointment right. They have to take some of the responsibility for our current situation.
Shane Thresher
I guess we're keeping him as an employee to make him Director of Comedy.
Rob C
Russel Osman please, did a great job for a few games and played football the right way.
But we'll end up signing someone with a lot of lower league experience, e.g. Graydon, Atkins or Tinnion!!
Whoever it is we need someone who will build a team, not a bunch of thirty year old journeymen with 'Experience'
Chris
Great news! The man's a hypocritical wimp, how did he get into management?! As a Yeovil fan maybe we will now see Rovers up with us in League 1 ad have some more great derbys (minus the teacup throwing Atkins)
mark richards
thank god! Maybe we will get someone in to get them playing football for a change. Bring back Russel Osman!
phil jones
the right decision he was a negative manager had to many excuses and sent two of our better players out on loan
GOAT
let's get a young manager in, maybe out of non-league...or even Tony Ricketts from the Youth setup.
Tim
Well at least there is time to turn our season around. i don't think he will be missed too much!
Stu, Bristol
This is a great move for the club. Our players have got the talent, but Atkins tactics are destroying the team. This could spell promotion instead of conference football.
Delighted Gashead
At last the Fruitcake has gone!!
Sam
I think Gary Johnson would be a great manager for Bristol Rovers.
mitchell fox
Good job, hopefully we can get a manager who will bring in the youth players. remember the past, ellington and roberts? both premiership strikers.
mitchell fox
Fair play to Atkins giving it a shot but i do think that we need a manager to bring in the youth players, Rovers used to always bring in the youth, remember ellington, cureton, roberts, stewart, nigel martyn, bobby zamora?? Rovers don't seem to bring any decent youth players in anymore.
Ryan Westmacott
Please do not let them appoint Brian Rubbish Tinnion...... i would rather have my toe nails pulled out without an anaesthetic!!!
Ian , BS6
Inevitable really, although I thought he might have hung on until Christmas...
As for a replacement?
Can we have Olly back?! ;p
Seriously though, I'd prefer someone with no city connections.
alex heath
he needed to go it was gradually getting worse
Woody
Good riddance to probably the biggest fuitcake in football.
DARREN GOULD
GOOD RIDDANCE! THANK GOD THE BOARD COULD SEE TROUBLE BREWING! BRING BACK OSMAN AND BROADHURST
dan
Atkins said he had no money but the players he has brought in on free's have been poor. Other clubs in this division do well without spending so i suppose the board are right in what they have done.
Adam Bushell
i stood up for him on live radio, i backed him up in front of all my mates, im a complete pillock. get russell osman in!
Simon Phillips
Now let's see the board walk too...
Daniel Knight
To be honest, Bristol Rovers have been going backwards ever since the day they got rid of Ian Holloway, I don't think Atkins was a bad manager, but without support from the board, and any time we have a good player on our books we offload him as quickly as possible for a fee, what chance has any manager got. 19th in thead sad sight but nothing more than our club deserves, Holloway was the way forward, yours, a very very frustrated Rovers fan.
barry wilde
finally he has gone he made us the laughing stock of the divison and a boring team goodbye atkins the next manager should be david pleat a man who can work on a shoe string budget
Mark
About time we got a big name in, I think a former premiership player looking for a first job in football management should create some excitement. Le Saux should give up commentating and manager us.
Len Muscat
He had plenty of time to prove himself, but I can t help thinking that he didn't get the support from the board in the transfer market - like previous managers!!!
Smart
He was lucky to last this long
Craig Watts
After watching him get rid of all the passionate bristolian players, for players like jefferson Louis who dont have commitement or passion to play for our club, Im over the moon, i know he hasn't got loads of money but commitment and passion is half the battle, I'm sorry to say he didnt have it. I just hope we dont do what city did and cheap out on our next manager, we shall see, long live the Gas!!!!
Dickon
All the more reason to watch the rugby!!
