Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on March 14, 2026, 07:45:42 pm
-
Games coming thick and fast at the moment as we travel over the Pennines and up the M6 to Bolton, and the first thing to do is make sure the game is on and if they can field a team.
The game against Blackpool was a torrid affair, not a lot of class, but lot's of effort and physical effort went into the game by the players while Bolton were coming back from a two goal deficit at Rotherham, a game they dominated the ball in, but couldn't quite get the win their third place in the division needed to try avoiding the play offs and getting one of the two top spots.
Kenny who came on as substitute in the second half proved the key to unlock Rotherham with two assists for their goals that rescued a point, so is likely to come into the reckoning for a start against us, and is an indication that they have players in their squad that can make a difference.
Both sides for very different reasons therefore will, like we did today, take a good result over a fantastic performance and we can expect Bolton to come at us from the off.
We ourselves are a better side playing on the front foot in open games, and we pushed them in the game at home, and as a watch this could be one of the best of the season.
Hopefully a game to look forward to, and a test of where we are at as a team with an altered line up, and a simpler game plan, lots to discuss and talk about, and looking better going forward that we can consolidate our place in this division, and show we can go toe to toe with the better sides, please have your say.
-
They have an immense home record in the league and have lost only once at home all season. This will be very tough.
-
As much as I would love to see a Rovers win here, I can't see how they can compete with Bolton, we have some quality players, but not enough to make our chances turn into goals, and our defensive frailties will be shown up, in just the same way Cardiff did that. Go on Grant, prove me wrong, please!
-
This is where Grant shows why he his THE best manager to have in this situation.
‘Dig in’ & grind out a point.
-
Our defence is far better where it needs to be in our own area, The two central defenders are not as easy on the eye, but are first and foremost good defenders of space in the area and crosses.
The best of their game centres within the goal line and about thirty yards up field and plus our keeper is a good handler and catcher of the ball, all the things that have been missing since the end of last season.
Positionally in that area they are far better at closing players down and following the runs into the box and blocking off, and because of that the full backs have less area to try and cover and not continually having two men coming at them especially down the left where Senior is having the best period of form since joining the club.
It isn't a fluke, get the ball and give it to someone who can play or at least out of the danger area.
-
Looks like Blackett-Taylor their danger man at the moment went off injured yesterday.
Need to beware of Dalby big striker very good at attacking crosses in to the box.
-
They have an immense home record in the league and have lost only once at home all season. This will be very tough.
Blackpool got a point there a few weeks ago & they are dogger!
-
Just don't play Lee.....
-
So I have a fess up. Tuesday is my birthday and I’m going to the game. They very very rarely win on my birthday (or so it seems). One for the stattos - how many times have we won on paddy’s day?
I will be 48 and rovers have ruined so many birthdays. We have been live on sky (Chester rings a bell) and been beat. I’ve taken family for my birthday - we have been beat.
Law of averages - hope I’m wrong this time
-
So I have a fess up. Tuesday is my birthday and I’m going to the game. They very very rarely win on my birthday (or so it seems). One for the stattos - how many times have we won on paddy’s day?
I will be 48 and rovers have ruined so many birthdays. We have been live on sky (Chester rings a bell) and been beat. I’ve taken family for my birthday - we have been beat.
Law of averages - hope I’m wrong this time
All runs come to an end scooter.
Have faith.
-
Just don't play Lee.....
Why?
-
They have gone 12 games without a defeat, perfect time for their luck to run out.
-
Drysdale alert Drysdale alert. One for the Rate the Ref boys !
-
I think Darren Drysdale is a decent referee...... there, I've said it.
-
Middleton out, Clifton in, let Lee drift wide off Hanlon as a left-sided 10. Other than that, not much wrong with what we did at the weekend. No more brain farts in defence, and a bit more luck / judgement in front of goal and we can give these a game.
-
We've conceded 4 or more goals in 6 games this season. I hope I'm wrong but I can see this being number 7.
-
I think Darren Drysdale is a decent referee...... there, I've said it.
Entitled to your opinion of course . It's what we are all here for after all
This is ( hopefully )his scores on Rate the Ref for his last handling of us v Barnsley a few Months back in Nov 25
https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=295500.msg1426959#msg1426959 (https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=295500.msg1426959#msg1426959)
Unfortunately I've gone WIN on PvO B4 seeing he was Reffing , and I've never edited my selection so stuck with WIN
-
Glad to see you’ve lifted yourselves away from the drop zone guys so at least if we do win tomorrow, as we surely should, I won’t feel guilty for sending you down. In fairness despite our lofty position we are just so erratic. We’ve drawn 14 games almost all of which we should have won comfortably but our failure to convert chances and continual gifting of goals at the back has cost us an automatic place. So we’ll have to make do with the play offs and it’s now about securing 3rd or 4th place. We need the points tomorrow to keep confidence high but no games a given for us. All season we’ve been slow first half as showed again in our last two against Wycombe and Rotherham, two down in both at half time but we are incredibly fit and have a strong bench so second halves we’ve been excellent. We have two injury misses in Blackett-Taylor and CH Eoin Toal but neither should affect too much with plenty of cover. Up front Kenny and Dalby are forging a good partnership and are just getting into a stride. Despite missing Blackett-Taylor we’re still dangerous out wide with Gale, Cissoko and Apter on the wings and our young left wing back Conway also potent gown that side. We’re not the best defensively and if you get at us we do leave spaces behind as Millers exploited on Saturday. I think it’ll be a really good game with both teams needing the points. Hard to say who needs them most and a draw would probably suit you more than us but let’s hope it’s a good game and the best team wins. Safe journey for those going over which sadly won’t include me as i’m just recovering from a heart op and can’t drive so it’s TV. ☹️
-
Cheers Frankie, for me this is one of those free hit games. What we have done brilliantly well since xmas is beat the teams around us or in the lower reaches of the league. This has given us a bit of breathing space again. What we haven't done well is take something from the teams at the top reaches of the league. We've played okay (Cardiff aside) but just not been able to take anything. For me Bolton are one of those sides that play great football but just haven't been able to score the goals that make them a top 2 contender everything else is great.
This is a game that if we are all honest not many will be expecting us to come back from with anything other than a battling defeat, Football however has a habit of throwing up surprises so fingers crossed this is one of those games we either find a way to sneek or grab a point from. Anythings a bonus.
-
Thanks for the summary, Frankie, and I hope you don’t get too much excitement so you get better sooner ;)
All the best.
-
Blackett-Taylor out for Bolton...
https://the72.co.uk/2026/03/16/bolton-wanderers-corey-blackett-taylor-injury/
-
Frankie great update thank you and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Agree with Wing Commander this is a game we don’t really expect anything from this season so can go there and just play, we either steal something or lose by 3 or 4 again tbh our goal difference is so bad I can’t see it coming into play. Looking forward to this especially as I used to work on Lostock Lane
-
Glad to see you’ve lifted yourselves away from the drop zone guys so at least if we do win tomorrow, as we surely should, I won’t feel guilty for sending you down. In fairness despite our lofty position we are just so erratic. We’ve drawn 14 games almost all of which we should have won comfortably but our failure to convert chances and continual gifting of goals at the back has cost us an automatic place. So we’ll have to make do with the play offs and it’s now about securing 3rd or 4th place. We need the points tomorrow to keep confidence high but no games a given for us. All season we’ve been slow first half as showed again in our last two against Wycombe and Rotherham, two down in both at half time but we are incredibly fit and have a strong bench so second halves we’ve been excellent. We have two injury misses in Blackett-Taylor and CH Eoin Toal but neither should affect too much with plenty of cover. Up front Kenny and Dalby are forging a good partnership and are just getting into a stride. Despite missing Blackett-Taylor we’re still dangerous out wide with Gale, Cissoko and Apter on the wings and our young left wing back Conway also potent gown that side. We’re not the best defensively and if you get at us we do leave spaces behind as Millers exploited on Saturday. I think it’ll be a really good game with both teams needing the points. Hard to say who needs them most and a draw would probably suit you more than us but let’s hope it’s a good game and the best team wins. Safe journey for those going over which sadly won’t include me as i’m just recovering from a heart op and can’t drive so it’s TV. ☹️
Get well soon, Frankie.
-
Get well soon Frankie, one of the draws you ‘should have won’ was certainly not at our place, that was one of a few games we didn’t win, but should have.
-
1-2.
-
It was a hard physical game at the weekend, following a hard game in mid week against Luton and we had to work hard in both games to come out of them with anything.
Fitness could well determine the out come of this game for both sides.
-
Cheers for your good wishes guys, still at least a month off driving but hoping to be fit for the play offs if we get there. I’ve been impressed by some of Donny’s performances recently and think you’re definitely a step above some of those beneath you. On that basis we can’t take the game tomorrow lightly because the leagues so even this year that anyone can beat anyone. We’re on a good unbeaten run but whilst we’ve played well we haven’t taken advantage and had we not scored so many late, late goals this season would be mid table. We have good players but to be honest I couldn’t write here now what our first team is because Schuey changes it every week, either being clever or to keep players happy but for me it disrupts. I think we may be missing one or two with injury and niggles tomorrow as well as CBT and Toal so that may be a problem but hopefully not key players and we can give you a good game. If I were Grant I’d be looking to attack us early on and for the first half, get a lead then shut up shop but remember we don’t stop coming until the final whistle.
-
Can anyone recommend where to park for tonight’s game?
-
Jamie O'Connor has replaced Darren Drysdale
Drysdale alert Drysdale alert. One for the Rate the Ref boys !
-
Anyone know what kit we’re wearing please?
-
I
Can anyone recommend where to park for tonight’s game?
I think there is a big car park at the ground for about 8 quid
-
Can anyone recommend where to park for tonight’s game?
Just park on the retail park you have 5 hours and nobody will bother you. It can sometimes take a while to get off but I don’t expect much of a crowd tonight so you’ll be fine getting away.
-
Timmy starting ! No Zander at all, not even the bench.
-
Or Hanlan.
-
Don’t understand Middleton playing with no one to cross to. If it’s Haks up he should have played Lee or Gibson instead and gone with a fluid front 3 IMO. Let’s see.
-
Could be a back 5, Gotts in the middle with 3 false 9s up front. Let them decide who's the most false!!
-
Or Hanlan.
Timmy starting ! No Zander at all, not even the bench.
Could this be an illness thing.
Otherwise it’s an odd decision to leave them out altogether.
-
Zander is ill Ricky from free press has confirmed it, says he will ask about hanlan after the game guess it maybe the same illness
-
Get the feeling we may play pretty direct tonight. Long, quick balls in behind in to Hakeeb. Him peeling off the inside left channel with Sterry and Gotts (even TLT) firing balls in behind.
-
Zander is ill Ricky from free press has confirmed it, says he will ask about hanlan after the game guess it maybe the same illness
He did say in the presser that some players picked up a few small knocks after the weekend, probably just letting them rest for the weekend
-
Being a bit bitter and twisted, apart from them getting away with neshing out of a match with us, was it not them who messed up a 2-0 lead v Birmingham which then resulted in us being relegated on the last day of a championship season.
-
Hanlan possibly being rested
-
FU%%@#G cookie thing again WTF is going on!
Well played lads, we created the best two chances of the night and should be coming away with 3 points. Gibbo, phhhwwwhhh, that is a chance to get you back on track, you can’t be missing those.
Molly was good tonight, showing what he did in league 2. Gotts played really well too, but I am going for Pearson as MOM, won everything in the air.
-
Good performance, could easily have won with a bit more luck/class. Great ground and a good old paper ticket!
-
Get in Barnsley you absolute beauties… big favour that . Just hope they have an off day against us
-
Gibson showing why he’s not been picked lately. Best chance of the night and totally blew it!
Not a cool head!
Other than that, more than deserved point. Robbie Gotts was my motm. Defence looked very solid and TLT didn’t have that much to do.
-
Gotts again superb tonight!
-
Good point, 2 massive positives Gotts was superb and nice not to concede
-
Pearson and Byrne were excellent. Great result but Gibson should have won it
-
Gibson showing why he’s not been picked lately. Best chance of the night and totally blew it!
Not a cool head!
Other than that, more than deserved point. Robbie Gotts was my motm. Defence looked very solid and TLT didn’t have that much to do.
Gibson having the best chance is a load of b*llocks.
Haks had the best chance when he failed to stay onside just before he was subbed. He was looking along the line in acres of space.
Hold his run and he was 1v1 with the keeper.
Gibson had the initial shot blocked and then on the follow up had defenders throwing themselves at him. Chance it would of been blocked if on target.
Plenty of players had chances to hit the target but failed.
Gibson gets the stick because he is disliked right now and it was late on.
-
Gibson showing why he’s not been picked lately. Best chance of the night and totally blew it!
Not a cool head!
Other than that, more than deserved point. Robbie Gotts was my motm. Defence looked very solid and TLT didn’t have that much to do.
Gibson having the best chance is a load of b*llocks.
Haks had the best chance when he failed to stay onside just before he was subbed. He was looking along the line in acres of space.
Hold his run and he was 1v1 with the keeper.
Gibson had the initial shot blocked and then on the follow up had defenders throwing themselves at him. Chance it would of been blocked if on target.
Plenty of players had chances to hit the target but failed.
Gibson gets the stick because he is disliked right now and it was late on.
Totally agree with that.
Also Pearson for MOM again for me, close run by Gotts.
But would maybe give it to Byrne for that yellow in 96th minute then getting back to make the final block......the whole point of taking the yellow was to get back!!!!
-
Playing Haks at no.9 was the only disappointment in what was an impressive team performance. He kept running, but his energy seemed drained by the effort of all those yards he put in and clearly lacked the technique required of a leader of the line.A strange decision by McCann.
-
Playing Haks at no.9 was the only disappointment in what was an impressive team performance. He kept running, but his energy seemed drained by the effort of all those yards he put in and clearly lacked the technique required of a leader of the line.A strange decision by McCann.
Maybe BUT hanlan out and put Billy on for 15mins and he had his socked rolled down and limping round at the end so maybe he didnt have much choice?
-
Excellent effort from the lads tonight, they all put in a massive shift and worked as a unit, GM must be well chuffed with that effort.
WE missed Hanlan up top, he would have been a very good foil tonight with how the game panned out, of the few chances we had on the break his involvement could have been key in possibly securing all the points. Id have liked to have seen BS get on 15 mins earlier but the effort was there from Haks and he ran himself into the ground for the cause.
The defence deserve all the plaudits along with Gotts in front who was excellent. Byrne and Pearson look a very leggy and unwieldy pair but they put in a massive effort and stopped their fancied forwards getting any joy out of them, very agricultural but in a game like this it was exactly what we needed.
We had our half chances and with a bit more composure we could have nicked it.
Still, if somebody had offered us a point before hand we would have snapped their hand off, keeps us moving forward with good momentum, the confidence must be good and our grit and determination won us the point. Excellent.
-
Well done tonight guys the point was the least you deserved and Gotts was easily MoM for me a real terriers performance and I just wish we had someone like him. Anyway good luck for the rest of the season I think you’re far too good to go down and the way we’re going we’ll probably see you again next year, we were absolutely bobbins again tonight.
-
A well earned point, now onto the Dingles, will they keep wobbling and give us 3 points.
-
Well done tonight guys the point was the least you deserved and Gotts was easily MoM for me a real terriers performance and I just wish we had someone like him. Anyway good luck for the rest of the season I think you’re far too good to go down and the way we’re going we’ll probably see you again next year, we were absolutely bobbins again tonight.
Bolton look a side just lacking a couple of players to really make the top grade.
Our massive effort off the ball tonight managed to stop you playing you're game and we maintained it right up to the end, those extra time mins were hard to watch and it looked like one mistake could let you in but we battled hard for the deserved point.
-
Robbie Gotts was superb again tonight, my MOM.
Byrne also had a great game and I loved the way he took one for the team at the end.
Fair play to Haks, we worked his socks off, especially second half.
-
Not a bad result. Bus broke down on way and had to wait for replacement. So not the usual routine prior to the game.
-
That was a good point away from home. Bolton missing some exceptional players but still carries a threat. We were pretty robust out of possession but they kept us at arm’s length generally when we had the ball. They will feel unlucky that they didn’t win but we had a glorious chance at the end to win it. A point a game between now and May will be plenty. Keep plodding on boys.
-
Zander is ill Ricky from free press has confirmed it, says he will ask about hanlan after the game guess it maybe the same illness
Hanlan tight hamstring but should be back for Saturday!
-
That was a good point away from home. Bolton missing some exceptional players but still carries a threat. We were pretty robust out of possession but they kept us at arm’s length generally when we had the ball. They will feel unlucky that they didn’t win but we had a glorious chance at the end to win it. A point a game between now and May will be plenty. Keep plodding on boys.
Just curious, Gaz. Why would they feel unlucky that they didn't win? They hardly created anything in front of goal.
TLT had a relatively easy night.
-
Not a bad result. Bus broke down on way and had to wait for replacement. So not the usual routine prior to the game.
That’s the third time in 2 years, perhaps they might start looking elsewhere
-
Arguably the most resiliant and intelligent performance of the entire season last night. Byrne's yellow card at the end of the game exemplifies it, he knew Bolton are the late late show specialists and stopped it happening from the other end of the pitch. Loved that.
-
Not a bad result. Bus broke down on way and had to wait for replacement. So not the usual routine prior to the game.
Expand on breaking down?
-
That was a good point away from home. Bolton missing some exceptional players but still carries a threat. We were pretty robust out of possession but they kept us at arm’s length generally when we had the ball. They will feel unlucky that they didn’t win but we had a glorious chance at the end to win it. A point a game between now and May will be plenty. Keep plodding on boys.
Just curious, Gaz. Why would they feel unlucky that they didn't win? They hardly created anything in front of goal.
TLT had a relatively easy night.
Interesting you think they created nothing when they had 23 shots, lots of them from in the box. I agree they weren’t opening up as such and we defended the box well but they had a couple of really good moment in each half that with a bit more composure they should have scored.
We had moments ourself undoubtedly, but they created more. Not listened to Schumacher’s interview but I’d be surprised if he didn’t think they did enough for more than a point.
Take nothing away from us, it was a strong effort for 98 minutes against a good team.
-
They can have as many shots as they like if that’s how effective they are! But for a Gibson brain fart, Bolton would have had nothing to show for their endeavours.
Timmy made one really good save all night. I hope Saturday is the same.
-
Bolton have lost one game at home they have a strong side who have at the moment failed to get anywhere near the top two even with a top 5 wage bill according to statistics.They have drawn 15 games this season so last night result wasn't unexpected. They may have had 23 shots yet Timmy had one good save to make. It was a good point and everyone supporting Rovers would have accepted that before the game. If Hak had stayed on side and Gibson had controlled his finish we might have taken 3points. We look forward to Barnsley and hope we can get the same result or better.
-
This is where Grant shows why he his THE best manager to have in this situation.
‘Dig in’ & grind out a point.
I rest my point.
Now let’s get 3 on Saturday.
-
The best 1pt we've earned all season, great gritty performance. Haks didn't achieve much in the No.9 role but he ran his blood to water and was totally spent before he came off, credit to him.
BTW, does anyone know what riled the Bolton coach who was yellow carded? Refused the handshake from McCann at the end and then was on the pitch still trying to pick an argument with anyone he could. Baffling.
-
Not a bad result. Bus broke down on way and had to wait for replacement. So not the usual routine prior to the game.
Expand on breaking down?
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25946160.doncaster-rovers-nightmare-journey-bolton-wanderers/
Doesn't help to prepare the players for a tough away match.
-
Not a bad result. Bus broke down on way and had to wait for replacement. So not the usual routine prior to the game.
Expand on breaking down?
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25946160.doncaster-rovers-nightmare-journey-bolton-wanderers/
Doesn't help to prepare the players for a tough away match.
Perhaps this is the way forward. I thought we were excellent the first 15 minutes (of both halves tbf), a real ‘get at them’ mode.
Superb point. Played as a team with a plan, solid as. Gibbo will learn a lot from his chance composure wise. He did everything right initially, great position and to get off 2 shots in the area was good.
He did have a keeper and two players protecting their goal with the guy he’d just beaten on his heels. 9 points needed.
-
Gibbo will learn a lot from his chance composure wise. He did everything right initially, great position and to get off 2 shots in the area was good.
He did have a keeper and two players protecting their goal with the guy he’d just beaten on his heels.
Gibson is 28 and spent most of his career in the 3rd or 4th tier. I doubt he'll learn anything from last night that he didn't already know. He has bags of ability, but lacks what it takes to be consistent at a higher level.
-
The best 1pt we've earned all season, great gritty performance. Haks didn't achieve much in the No.9 role but he ran his blood to water and was totally spent before he came off, credit to him.
BTW, does anyone know what riled the Bolton coach who was yellow carded? Refused the handshake from McCann at the end and then was on the pitch still trying to pick an argument with anyone he could. Baffling.
Not sure what went off but looked more like he was taking issue with cliff not grant.
-
The best 1pt we've earned all season, great gritty performance. Haks didn't achieve much in the No.9 role but he ran his blood to water and was totally spent before he came off, credit to him.
BTW, does anyone know what riled the Bolton coach who was yellow carded? Refused the handshake from McCann at the end and then was on the pitch still trying to pick an argument with anyone he could. Baffling.
Not sure what went off but looked more like he was taking issue with cliff not grant.
Looked like Cliff was ready to deck him before he slithered off
-
Schumacher was still moaning on the pitch at full time. What a Kitson. Probably got mardies on with the result.
-
I thought to a man they were superb. Everyone put a shift in & fully deserved a point. Definitely look more solid at the back with Byrne & Pearson, Senior gets better everytime i see him as does Gotts. I thought Mols was a bit disappointing attacking wise but did an hell of a lot of tracking back. Haks did as well as can be expected playing as a 9 & ran his socks off.
-
Not a bad result. Bus broke down on way and had to wait for replacement. So not the usual routine prior to the game.
Expand on breaking down?
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/25946160.doncaster-rovers-nightmare-journey-bolton-wanderers/
Doesn't help to prepare the players for a tough away match.
I wonder what the outcome would have been if we hadn’t turned up to play?
-
It’s tough to get a clean sheet at the Toughsheet.
Well done Rovers.
:)
-
Not a bad result. Bus broke down on way and had to wait for replacement. So not the usual routine prior to the game.
Expand on breaking down?
The coach is one of the oldest on the fleet and is due to replaced, they have just ordered 3 new mercedes coaches hopefully we will get one of those as a new team coach or one of the newer iriza coaches that the Sheffield Steelers use.
The lads were sat at the side of the M62 and had a replacement bus that is nicknamed by grant and the lads as the vengabus
-
The best 1pt we've earned all season, great gritty performance. Haks didn't achieve much in the No.9 role but he ran his blood to water and was totally spent before he came off, credit to him.
BTW, does anyone know what riled the Bolton coach who was yellow carded? Refused the handshake from McCann at the end and then was on the pitch still trying to pick an argument with anyone he could. Baffling.
Not sure what went off but looked more like he was taking issue with cliff not grant.
Looked like Cliff was ready to deck him before he slithered off
Was it the same coach who the Ref stopped the game to go over and give a talking too? Might have been linked to it,I read Grants lips at one point when he refused to shake hands, OH F00k off :whistle: :laugh:
-
Schumacher quoted after yesterday’s game saying “You can’t expect promotion if you can’t beat Rotherham, Doncaster and Port Vale”. Granted he’s right but, disrespectful to say the least and probably the reason they didn’t beat any of us. He should feel lucky we’ve not taken all 6 points from them. Enjoy your time there Steven, it’s probably the last big gig you will get.
-
Schumacher quoted after yesterday’s game saying “You can’t expect promotion if you can’t beat Rotherham, Doncaster and Port Vale”. Granted he’s right but, disrespectful to say the least and probably the reason they didn’t beat any of us. He should feel lucky we’ve not taken all 6 points from them. Enjoy your time there Steven, it’s probably the last big gig you will get.
He’s an arrogant Kitson feeling the heat. Bolton fans not happy with him and some had said his comments were disrespectful.