Let's talk about the Swindon Town game

[selby]

  After  again what looks like a step up in form from the MK Dons game in the game last night against Everton we now head full pelt onto the game on Saturday against Swindon Town, unbeaten in four games in the league, with the divisions top scorer in Jake Young, and who must be full of confidence after last weekends 6-0 win against Crawley Town.
   Have we turned a corner seems to be from postings on this forum a major topic with the fans, as well as the point I have made for some time, can we overcome sides that play scrap in your face football designed to stop us playing as word has got around we can't counter that style of football.
   With Everton and MK Dons having the confidence to take us on at our game we still don't have the answer to that question, nor do I personally know what style of play Swindon's normal approach to  games is, but you can bet their manager has an inkling to what looks like our weakness is, and will employ methods Everton and MK Dons didn't resort to if he has any sense.
   The quick turn around we have to overcome could also come into Grants thinking, will he bring anyone back in, Wood is probably a starter after his rest in midweek, our midfield put a lot of effort in last night, and the team as a whole looked leggy at the end of the game, so substitutes and any  small changes, and hopefully some better news fitness wise would come in handy as far as our squad is concerned.
   Our support last night getting behind the team is something else that we need to build on, the South Stand were brilliant and the rest of the crowd fed off their energy, and as an old fogey it pleased me as much as our teams display, we could not ask for more of them last night, not quite good enough but put everything in the game and left nothing on the pitch exactly what we have craved for over a long period, we got our club back last evening and need to build on it.
  So the big test, can we build on it?
  Will the effort expended last night effect our game Saturday?
  Have we picked up any more injuries?
  Are we capable now of playing and improving on the standard of play we set in the second half at MK Dons and v Everton?
  Can we really overcome in your faces physical play?
  A massive question, is our support getting more confident about the future, and will lost supporters come back into the fold?
   Can we at last get a win? the most important question
  Lot's to discuss about this important game, please have your say all comments welcome.

[Butchers Red]

Regarding the "get in our faces" high press situation - it's been clear enough in both the Mk game and last night that Grant's got them mixing it up to get round that - 2 up top gives us the channel balls we lacked early on in the season - it's not rocket science.

In both games it only took 2 or 3 of those longer balls and the high press soon backed off 5 or 10 yards which changed both games in our favour early on.

Lawlor has been excellent in his distribution and positivity in trying to get us up the pitch as quick as possible also - none of the ditherings of Mitchell last season for sure.

[andyst79]

Should the team that started last night start again Saturday?

[BillyStubbsTears]

Regarding the "get in our faces" high press situation - it's been clear enough in both the Mk game and last night that Grant's got them mixing it up to get round that - 2 up top gives us the channel balls we lacked early on in the season - it's not rocket science.

In both games it only took 2 or 3 of those longer balls and the high press soon backed off 5 or 10 yards which changed both games in our favour early on.

Lawlor has been excellent in his distribution and positivity in trying to get us up the pitch as quick as possible also - none of the ditherings of Mitchell last season for sure.

Ironside's physicality is key to that. If he can absolutely dominate a recent England International like he did last night, he's got to demand that of himself every week. If he can do that, no team is going to dare hard press us.

[selby]

  I agree BR with that analysis, and the midfield have looked more composed on the ball themselves, and the tempo and pace of our play going forward from back to front has started to push the oppositions defence back, and on occasions made them turn to face their own goal.
  It is more attractive to watch, the players can express themselves and use their skills.
  Time will tell if we have actually turned a corner and are now moving forward, but it is going to be interesting to watch.
  Also we need again to take the two cup competitions we are in seriously, something we have not always done in the past.  They create interest especially if successful as last night showed if getting lucky and a big club draw.
  Lincoln are once again cashing in, there is no reason we cannot replicate what they do and take some of the financial sting off our owners. 

[steve@dcfd]

We don’t have any other midfield players available apart from 16 year old Smith. Close and Biggins still injured and Bailey having to play right back. Nixon wil not be ready either. The only change we can make is to bring in Wood if Grant wants to. We will be left with a young bench again apart from Wood. We need those injured players back to play their part and allow us to change in games for equivalent players. It would be good if we could bring in another midfield player but can’t see that happening.

[selby]

  Andyst79, that is a big question, my experience is that when a team has played at the top of their game and intensity, it is hard to replicate.
  Olowu for nearly every part of the game played well against a top team, but could he have done better with the first goal, got closer to his man, stayed goal side, put in a block instead of staying on his feet, add that to his big mistakes in the last few games and a question could be asked, add that sitter of a header six yards out in the first few minutes and we need players better in both penalty areas than he showed.
  It was nice to blood and give a few minutes to the two youngsters at the end, but we need some experience on the bench on Saturday, I would be minded to start the same team but watch closely for any fall off Faulkner and Wood would come into my thinking depending on the tactics employed by Swindon especially if more physical.

[swain_drfc]

Big question for me for Saturday is whether the lads will have recovered in time. We were dead on our feet at the end and with only 2 days rest it is going to be tough. I doubt they will be doing much in terms of physical training today and tomorrow and it will be mostly tactical but let’s hope their legs and bodies have recovered.

[sedwardsdrfc]

I think the physical effects of the Everton game will tell unfortunately. Hopefully we can start well and with the confidence we should take get ourselves in a good position.

I would start with the same team but have a clear plan of what to do on 60min with what subs we have.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Why hasn't Griffith's been included? He's not injured is he so why not even a sub? I understand we don't want him but he's here and our player so use him.

We need Biggins, close, Hurst etc back quickly for sure.

[Chris Black come back]

Not sure he has match fit is he?

[ncRover]

Why hasn't Griffith's been included? He's not injured is he so why not even a sub? I understand we don't want him but he's here and our player so use him.

We need Biggins, close, Hurst etc back quickly for sure.

Would you pack rotten food in your picnic box?

[Chris Black come back]

Not available:

Anderson
Taylor
Close
Biggins
Nixon
Lavery
Hurst
Miller
Sterry
Ravenhill

[Silkscarf]

Not available:

Anderson
Taylor
Close
Biggins
Nixon
Lavery
Hurst
Miller
Sterry
Ravenhill

We just need an injured goalie for the full 11. Are all goalies fit now?

[steve@dcfd]

Why hasn't Griffith's been included? He's not injured is he so why not even a sub? I understand we don't want him but he's here and our player so use him.

We need Biggins, close, Hurst etc back quickly for sure.

He was injured I not sure if he’s still injured

[DearneValleyRover]

Ironside benefited from having Faal alongside him

[Chris Black come back]

Unbeaten in their 3 away games this season over 90 minutes - all tough fixtures. Peterborough, Forest Green and Wrexham.

[monkeytennis]

Will be a tough game (aren’t they all) but if the boys can show some of the grit and determination we saw last night I’ll be happy.

Just worried that they haven’t had enough recovery time and also that the atmosphere might not be as good - wouldn’t it be amazing if we had a full ground every time.

[roversdude]

Really hoping Tommy Rowe can start, Grant said he was struggling with a dead leg, if fit same starting 11 for me

[ForsolongaRover]

Unbeaten in their 3 away games this season over 90 minutes - all tough fixtures. Peterborough, Forest Green and Wrexham.

In appraising Swindon’s performances there are some crumbs of comfort. The Wrexham defence only stopped 1 of Swindon’s 6 shots on target and they beat Forest Green only after Rovers had a man sent off. Crawley were thrashed, yes, but they only drew with Crewe at home.

Having said that they probably deserved to win at Peterborough considering that Peterborough only made 2 changes from the previous league game. All you might say is that they could not shoot straight on that occasion - 24 shots - 9 on target, but only 1 goal.

Whilst it would be bold to forecast a solid win, will ST be better than Everton?

[Barmby Rover]

What Swindon are like is almost irrelevant, it is dependent on which Rovers team turns up, is it the hesitant one, backing off the opposition until it is too late to avoid the shot or ,even worse, a cross into the box that the goalie is afraid of? Or is it the one with forwards and midfield all pressing Swindon's backs and midfield to make mistakes and then having the forwards to score? I'm hoping for the latter, but unfortunately getting a mix of the two and ending up with another two points lost.

[steve@dcfd]

Our performance wil rely on is our team going to be ready after the game on Wednesday. We will not have Nixon available to release Bailey to midfield. Therefore we will have three midfield players available if Tommy is fit. We do have a 16 year old. We could bring Wood back in that would allow Maxwell or Senior to cover midfield at a push if Tommy is not available.

[Bezza]

It's a tough one Saturday just hope we can get the points and get some injuries cleared up ,

[drfchound]

Unbeaten in their 3 away games this season over 90 minutes - all tough fixtures. Peterborough, Forest Green and Wrexham.

In appraising Swindon’s performances there are some crumbs of comfort. The Wrexham defence only stopped 1 of Swindon’s 6 shots on target and they beat Forest Green only after Rovers had a man sent off. Crawley were thrashed, yes, but they only drew with Crewe at home.

Having said that they probably deserved to win at Peterborough considering that Peterborough only made 2 changes from the previous league game. All you might say is that they could not shoot straight on that occasion - 24 shots - 9 on target, but only 1 goal.

Whilst it would be bold to forecast a solid win, will ST be better than Everton?

It is worth mentioning that shots on target are only counted if they are saved by the keeper.
Shots that are on target but blocked by defender are not included in the count, even ones that are cleared off the line.

[ForsolongaRover]

Unbeaten in their 3 away games this season over 90 minutes - all tough fixtures. Peterborough, Forest Green and Wrexham.

In appraising Swindon’s performances there are some crumbs of comfort. The Wrexham defence only stopped 1 of Swindon’s 6 shots on target and they beat Forest Green only after Rovers had a man sent off. Crawley were thrashed, yes, but they only drew with Crewe at home.

Having said that they probably deserved to win at Peterborough considering that Peterborough only made 2 changes from the previous league game. All you might say is that they could not shoot straight on that occasion - 24 shots - 9 on target, but only 1 goal.

Whilst it would be bold to forecast a solid win, will ST be better than Everton?

It is worth mentioning that shots on target are only counted if they are saved by the keeper.
Shots that are on target but blocked by defender are not included in the count, even ones that are cleared off the line.

Is a “blocked shot” only so described if it is on target? Unless it is blocked on the goal-line it must be a difficult decision to pick the ones which are and are not. Does it have to go past the goalkeeper? If not, what constitutes a “block”?

[BillyStubbsTears]

Nothing officially constitutes a "block".

A "shot on target" is a non-penalty effort that us either saved by the keeper or goes in. Everything else is classed as not being on target, even if it is punched off the line by a defender. It's all a bit silly really.

[steve@dcfd]

Radio Sheffield interview Anderson and Biggins will be available tomorrow.
Smith won’t be felt his groin.
New signing if it happens will be to late.

[ncRover]

Radio Sheffield interview Anderson and Biggins will be available tomorrow.
Smith won’t be felt his groin.
New signing if it happens will be to late.

Smith?

[ravenrover]

The young lad

[Alan Southstand]

Straughan-Brown?