Chaka Khan Trophy

[The Red Baron]

If we win tonight then we are in the last 16 and at that stage it becomes an open draw. So we could face a long trek in the next round. Norwich B away, anyone? 

[The Red Baron]

Also worth noting that although most of the Last 32 games are played tonight there is one next Tuesday, another on 21st December and the final one is on 10th January, which I believe is the date of the next round.

Wolves B beat Sunderland B last night on penalties.

[The Red Baron]

DF seems to like it though.

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-v-blackpool-darren-ferguson-is-fan-of-much-maligned-cup-1-8275246

I think he's used the competition pretty well but I'd not want to see a Cup run distract us from our main aim. If we get to, say, the last eight, will he start to field more of the senior players? I hope not.

[Dr Fundlekrotch]

Nice piece in the Leeds Post, that.  Now there's a stat I hadn't spotted. If its been mentioned before, I haven't seen it:

"And Rovers have also scored the most goals in the top four division of English football – 42 – a statistic enriched by a member of his staff yesterday who told the Scot his team are the highest scorers in European football"

[swintonrover]

Whilst we are the highest scorers in England, we aren't in Europe. That's based on the Ladbrokes tweet which names some of the major clubs (barca, Real etc). Monaco have scored 49.

[NickDRFC]

Christ that's some going - 16 games so more than 3 a game. Interestingly their top scorer is Falcao with 7 goals, or just over 14% of their goals. Compare that with PSG (Cavani, 14 of their 30, almost 47%), or even us where I thought we were sharing the goals around very well - Marquis, with 10, has just under 24% of our total.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

Least we're top though, unlike Monaco!

[The Red Baron]

Back o/t, the draw for the last 16 is on Thursday morning on SSN.

[ravenrover]

oK people what is the weather like in sunny Donny? bit of a foggy day down here in Nottingham, don't want a wasted journey

[glosterred]

Well, currently it's not sunny that's for sure. And if you're going tonight I suggest you wrap up warm.

COYR

[drfchound]

Was quite foggy the last time i looked out of my office window.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Just seen the team line up and with Keegan and Middleton starting I'm not expecting much slick passing and loads of movement.

Strong bench though!

[silent majority]

Looks like Blackpool will be picking up another fine as they've made 10 changes.

[Superspy]

Depends how many of them play in their next league game doesn't it?

[Filo]

Looks like Blackpool will be picking up another fine as they've made 10 changes.

I think we may get a fine as well with 9 changes

[The Red Baron]

Looks like Blackpool will be picking up another fine as they've made 10 changes.

I think we may get a fine as well with 9 changes

We have got a strong bench which might get us off the hook. Blackpool have only five on theirs and two are kids.

[The Red Baron]

Just been told we have five of our most regular starters in the starting Xi. Much thumbing of rule books!

Marosi, Mason, Evina, Williams and Wright.

[Dutch Uncle]

Just been told we have five of our most regular starters in the starting Xi. Much thumbing of rule books!

Marosi, Mason, Evina, Williams and Wright.

I presume that is most regular starters over all competitions, not just the league?

[IDM]

I think it is 5 starters from the preceding and following fixtures?

[Dutch Uncle]

I think it is 5 from

- starting the last match or
- starting the next match or
- from the 11 most frequent starters

only I am not sure if it is starters, or played some part of the match in all of the above, and if the third one is across all competitions or just league games?

[drfchound]

I wonder if the competition organisers know?
Didnt Bradford get fined even though they allegedly stuck to the rules for the kick off but changed the keeper after three minutes.

[Muttley]

Crowd of 1500 and all 4 stands open.

Are the club really that thick?

[Superspy]

I wonder if the competition organisers know?
Didnt Bradford get fined even though they allegedly stuck to the rules for the kick off but changed the keeper after three minutes.

They were fined because it wasn't "in the spirit of the rules" or some bullshit.

[dknward2]

Crowd of 1500 and all 4 stands open.

Are the club really that thick?

This is down to IRWT it was one of things that fans couldnt sit in there season ticket so rovers agreed to keep all stands open so the club are now losing loads of money to keep fans happy

[drfchound]

Yes, i know that but they did adhere to the competition rules to start the game.
It seems like they can change the rules whenever they want to.
I wonder whether it isnt within the spirit of the game to knock the winner in with your hand but not let on to the ref and have the goal allowed.

(In response to Suerspy's post)

[German Rover]

Well thank god that's over. Can we never mention this shit house experiment again?

[The Red Baron]

How I feel about going out of the competition.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PScJmev83Ls

[Superspy]

Yes, i know that but they did adhere to the competition rules to start the game.
It seems like they can change the rules whenever they want to.
I wonder whether it isnt within the spirit of the game to knock the winner in with your hand but not let on to the ref and have the goal allowed.

(In response to Suerspy's post)

Not disagreeing with you in the slightest mate, I was just saying I thought that's what happened

[Bentley Bullet]

My mate just asked me if I'm upset at being out of the chaka Khan trophy. He said "I feel for you".
I said.......
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXp96Um-TAs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXp96Um-TAs</a>

[steve@dcfd]

Whether we like this competition or not what tonight showed. That We do not have one player in midfield who is anywhere near the first team four.
Keegan is going backwards Middleton strolls about in midfield he can't tackle as no pace his passing is poor.
Calder should be allowed to go back in the window and get a better player.
Beestin and Longbottom are not ready for the first team bench.

Then Evina and Garrett showed tonight that Mason a fill in left back as no pressure on his postion.

Therefore looking at the team tonight we have Williams or Mandeville to come off the bench and make a the difference.

Marosi was poor tonight and he should never be our first team keeper.

Let's see what happens in the January window.