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Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: les@donr on February 16, 2017, 11:30:50 am

Title: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 16, 2017, 11:30:50 am
Here are the key fixtures for this Saturday: What would be realistically the best results for us?

Doncaster vs Luton

Barnet vs Portsmouth

Exeter vs Stevenage

Grimsby vs Mansfield

Hartlepool vs Plymouth

Wycombe vs Carlisle
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: The Red Baron on February 16, 2017, 11:44:00 am
Five home wins and an away win for Stevenage please.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: drfchound on February 16, 2017, 12:07:51 pm
mmm, i would be amazed if all those happened.
I will settle for a win for us TBH.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: idler on February 16, 2017, 12:46:44 pm
If we win some of the others will slip up.
Win your games and let the rest worry.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Copps is Magic on February 16, 2017, 12:50:16 pm
I feel like Luton is inevitably the end of our home record. Come back starts against Accrington when we've got a settled defense.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: The Red Baron on February 16, 2017, 01:28:11 pm
I feel like Luton is inevitably the end of our home record. Come back starts against Accrington when we've got a settled defense.

We may find out more today but Butler will almost certainly play on Saturday and Baudry could do too. That would give us a much stronger defence.

To be honest, it's the other end that bothers me far more.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: The Red Baron on February 16, 2017, 01:55:36 pm
Latest from Paul Goodwin. Baudry trained today and if no reaction will be ok for Saturday. Butler should be fine.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 16, 2017, 02:00:11 pm
Any news on Mandeville? Front two not quite firing at moment and two Alfs lack game time.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: The Red Baron on February 16, 2017, 03:29:23 pm
I don't think he's due back yet. Another couple of weeks maybe. I agree we could do with him back.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Chris Black come back on February 16, 2017, 03:58:53 pm
Maybe McSheffrey has a moment to shine.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Syme on February 16, 2017, 04:03:13 pm
I'd be happy to see Carlisle win. Let the top three pull away from the pack.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Copps is Magic on February 16, 2017, 04:29:55 pm
Or hobble back on at 70% to ensure he doesn't get an injury recurrence.

The destabilisng effect of all these injuries is they rarely come back fully at it.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: not on facebook on February 16, 2017, 04:32:35 pm
I feel like Luton is inevitably the end of our home record. Come back starts against Accrington when we've got a settled defense.

Them donkey lashers blackpool will put the spanner into rovers solid home record this season,for sole
reason they are a bogey team this season
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Bristol Red Rover on February 16, 2017, 04:46:56 pm
Any news on Mandeville? Front two not quite firing at moment and two Alfs lack game time.

Given Luton aren't that big at the back, I'd stay with AW as starting with a view to bringing Alfie May on around 70 mins depending how it's going.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: The Red Baron on February 16, 2017, 04:47:18 pm
Said Donkey Lashers were the last team to win at the Keepmoat in the League.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 16, 2017, 06:23:30 pm
Luton haven't faced a top 7 side since Jan. 2 when they lost away to Pompey. The sides they've faced since have been mid to lower league teams. It will be big test for them to play us on our patch.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 17, 2017, 02:06:42 am
My prediction for Sat. is: HDDADH
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: DonnyBazR0ver on February 17, 2017, 08:26:11 am
It's getting to the time of the season when it's difficult to call these fixtures. Anything can happen in football as we know, where unfancied teams pull off results as they fight for survival or push for play off spots.

On paper, our game with Luton should be a ding dong encounter. Whether both managers would take a point, I don't know but the pleasing thing for us is we are likely to be at full strength. If we play as well as we did v Portsmouth in both defence and attack, we should win. That was a very disciplined performance when we didn't give the ball away too much or concede needless fouls.

One thing is for sure, if we don't take our chances, Luton will grow in confidence and come on strong. With that in mind, is it time for Alfie May to be let off the leash? Or, is Williams mentally tough enough to rise to the occasion?

Tough call. 
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 17, 2017, 03:00:36 pm
I would put Williams on the bench and start with Marquis and May,  I would also find a central midfield role for McSheffrey, but who would you replace? Copps?
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: drfchound on February 17, 2017, 03:41:43 pm
Williams isnt playing too badly but he really does need a goal.
If he gets one he will probably score quite a few in a bit of a burst.
Him and marquis play well together and it was Willo who set up the best chance of the game at Carlisle that JM blazed over the bar.
I would still start with Willo and perhaps give May a chance around 70 mins if we need something different.

Leave Copps out ?

No chance.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: The Red Baron on February 17, 2017, 04:48:50 pm
McSheffrey isn't fit enough to play 90 minutes yet.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Campsall rover on February 17, 2017, 05:34:13 pm
I feel like Luton is inevitably the end of our home record. Come back starts against Accrington when we've got a settled defense.
CIM you have been unbelievably negative this last week or so.
You are usually very positive about all that concerns Rovers. I am really curios about why this sudden change on this forum.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Copps is Magic on February 17, 2017, 05:56:44 pm
I was, in part, joking on the matchday thread. Caricaturing an over reaction.

We've got a brilliant team but even a brilliant team can get complacent. I didn't like what I heard after the Newport game, frankly. Fergie came out, sent the players out for interviews (and also on twitter) to say 'brilliant point'. No offense but Newport are the worst team in the league and we're the best, the difference in quality, points, everything should be self-evident.

The mantra up until that point had been (even when we'd won quite comfortably) 'we need to do better'. I don't understand why that changed? At the worst part of the season as well. If we start drawing a number of games now we'll be dragged back into a promotion scrap.

Football is illogical, works on swings, peaks and troughs. We're having a blip. I went to the away fixture against Luton and they looked very good (although we stopped playing after 30 minutes). It will be tough to overcome our injury situation and blip in form in one game.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 17, 2017, 07:32:36 pm
I think some changes are needed for Saturday, we might have hit a rut over the past three games, and a change of personnel might freshen up the side and help us back to winning ways.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: ravenrover on February 17, 2017, 07:37:59 pm
The only change I could see was if McSheffry is actually fit and he could come in instead of Wiliams. Harsh on Williams as I don't think he has done too bad, but like everyone says he needs a goal
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Donnywolf on February 17, 2017, 07:53:12 pm
Its not long ago we were seen by some as invincible / 100 Pointers / Champions already

Now cos we drew twice and lost one (to a Top 3 team) we have suddenly according to some become " a bit dodgy" and true we may even lose tomorrow v Luton but really we will still get auto promo imo and as for the Question posed in the OP I am with Idler - I am not bothered what happens elsewhere

Let the others worry what we are doing (although they probably wont - they will have awarded us auto promo and be grappling for the other 2 Autos - again imo)
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 17, 2017, 09:35:42 pm
The only change I could see was if McSheffry is actually fit and he could come in instead of Wiliams. Harsh on Williams as I don't think he has done too bad, but like everyone says he needs a goal

What about May instead of Williams? If Williams is low on confidence a rest on the bench might do him some good, and come on as a "super" sub.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: drfchound on February 17, 2017, 10:29:57 pm
I was, in part, joking on the matchday thread. Caricaturing an over reaction.

We've got a brilliant team but even a brilliant team can get complacent. I didn't like what I heard after the Newport game, frankly. Fergie came out, sent the players out for interviews (and also on twitter) to say 'brilliant point'. No offense but Newport are the worst team in the league and we're the best, the difference in quality, points, everything should be self-evident.

The mantra up until that point had been (even when we'd won quite comfortably) 'we need to do better'. I don't understand why that changed? At the worst part of the season as well. If we start drawing a number of games now we'll be dragged back into a promotion scrap.

Football is illogical, works on swings, peaks and troughs. We're having a blip. I went to the away fixture against Luton and they looked very good (although we stopped playing after 30 minutes). It will be tough to overcome our injury situation and blip in form in one game.




Copps, the Newport team we played against isn't the same Newport team that had settled at the bottom of the division.
They are virtually a different set of players and are one of only two teams in the division who are unbeaten in the last five matches.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: BobG on February 17, 2017, 11:16:28 pm
Hear hear Hound. Newport are most definitely not the worst team in the league. Theya are limited, especially in attack, but they are well organised, determined, physical, decent stature, fit, and, most impoprtant of all, growing in confidence. If they'd beaten us a week back it would have been no disgrace. Disappointing, yes. But given how we played not a disgrace.

Cheers

BobG
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Copps is Magic on February 17, 2017, 11:41:57 pm
If the bottom of the league club isn't the worst in the league what other measure are you using?
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: idler on February 17, 2017, 11:51:07 pm
They have improved dramatically over the last 6 games.
I remember us being the worst side in the championship at Christmas before going on that run starting at Forest.
The teams that we played for the rest of that season got a rude awakening.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: BobG on February 17, 2017, 11:53:13 pm
Changes to playing staff, ability, talent, motivation, results. You know, the sort of stuff that those with an interest  keep abreast of - rather than displaying their ignorance.

Cheers

BobG
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Copps is Magic on February 18, 2017, 12:10:00 am
Aah right, ok, fair do's. Let's hope those things don't mean them still being bottom at the end of the season then or we might be having a discussion about ignorance being bliss (literally).

Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 18, 2017, 03:47:32 am
Be nice if Hartlepool and Wycombe could do us a favour and beat Plymouth and Carlisle respectively.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: idler on February 18, 2017, 08:23:10 am
Aah right, ok, fair do's. Let's hope those things don't mean them still being bottom at the end of the season then or we might be having a discussion about ignorance being bliss (literally).


With Westley as manager, I would be happy to see him go down.
One of their fans said that it isn't pretty but at least they now have a team that do try unlike the ones they got rid of.
They will work for 90 minutes and upset a few teams, they don't need too many points to go up a couple of places.

Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Campsall rover on February 18, 2017, 08:54:20 am
Well I for one think that was a very hard earned point at Newport.
Impossible to play our normal game on that pitch and against such a physical team.
I don't think many teams will go there and get 3 points.
Having said that I don't like Westley's arrogance and the style of football he usually get his teams to play, so I hope they go down.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: ravenrover on February 18, 2017, 09:37:02 am
The only change I could see was if McSheffry is actually fit and he could come in instead of Wiliams. Harsh on Williams as I don't think he has done too bad, but like everyone says he needs a goal

What about May instead of Williams? If Williams is low on confidence a rest on the bench might do him some good, and come on as a "super" sub.
I just get the feeling DF would favour McSheffry, just to prove that he is actually a good signing despite the injury. We don't really know how May will perform in this league yet whereas McSheffry is proven. JMHO
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 18, 2017, 02:35:19 pm
We need to start May at some point, this might be a good game to throw him into the fray, where is Beestin these days?
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: IDM on February 18, 2017, 02:57:40 pm
The only change I could see was if McSheffry is actually fit and he could come in instead of Wiliams. Harsh on Williams as I don't think he has done too bad, but like everyone says he needs a goal

Williams will struggle to get that goal most fans think he needs, if he isn't on the pitch!!
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: i_ateallthepies on February 18, 2017, 05:42:48 pm
His chances would be barely any worse IDM
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 18, 2017, 07:15:12 pm
Thankfully most results went our way, as you were, except with Carlisle's result. Gap with Luton still 11 points. Interestingly they play Plymouth next week.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: drfchound on February 18, 2017, 07:47:39 pm
Also Les, the gap is still eleven points with one less game to play.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: idler on February 18, 2017, 08:04:10 pm
I was saying the same hound. Every game played is 3 points the chasing pack can't get.
Hopefully we can get a win next Saturday to calm a few nerves.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Pancho Regan on February 18, 2017, 09:58:45 pm
If the bottom of the league club isn't the worst in the league what other measure are you using?

That's a rather naive statement.... do you take any account of personnel changes and recent form?
Or are you limited to the measure that the team at the bottom of the league is de facto the worst team in the league?
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: i_ateallthepies on February 19, 2017, 08:48:00 pm
Either you subscribe to the notion that only after 46 games can you say who is the worst team in the league, or you submit to Pancho's logic.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: balbyrover on February 19, 2017, 10:22:30 pm
We need to start May at some point, this might be a good game to throw him into the fray, where is Beestin these days?

Fergie mentioned that Beestin is more of a attacking midfielder rather than a striker. I think he was signed with a view to being a good prospect rather than a immediate starter.

May on the other hand,whilst he isn't experienced at this level.  He can't really be described as a young lad. A lot to learn probably still but I think he will see much more first team action than Beestin this season.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 21, 2017, 03:29:48 am
We need to start May at some point, this might be a good game to throw him into the fray, where is Beestin these days?

Fergie mentioned that Beestin is more of a attacking midfielder rather than a striker. I think he was signed with a view to being a good prospect rather than a immediate starter.

May on the other hand,whilst he isn't experienced at this level.  He can't really be described as a young lad. A lot to learn probably still but I think he will see much more first team action than Beestin this season.

Thanks for your insight on Beestin, will he go out on loan this season? He must be behind Copps and McSheff and Grant if the latter signs on permanently in the Summer, gives Beestin limited options to first team football with Rovers in the foreseeable future.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: balbyrover on February 21, 2017, 09:53:39 am
We need to start May at some point, this might be a good game to throw him into the fray, where is Beestin these days?

Fergie mentioned that Beestin is more of a attacking midfielder rather than a striker. I think he was signed with a view to being a good prospect rather than a immediate starter.

May on the other hand,whilst he isn't experienced at this level.  He can't really be described as a young lad. A lot to learn probably still but I think he will see much more first team action than Beestin this season.

Thanks for your insight on Beestin, will he go out on loan this season? He must be behind Copps and McSheff and Grant if the latter signs on permanently in the Summer, gives Beestin limited options to first team football with Rovers in the foreseeable future.

I don't know how much Fergie rates him to be honest. He might be a bit part player on the bench for a season or so, likely to feature in the cup games I would've thought.
I do hope that if we do loan him that he goes out to a football league side where he will get games.
No disrespect to the likes of Frickley etc but I feel that if a player is going to be a big player for us in years to come they need better experience at a higher level.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: The Red Baron on February 21, 2017, 11:34:51 am
The new loan rules make it difficult for a club like ours to send players to fellow League sides. If Beestin was to go to, say, Hartlepool on loan he would have to go for half a season at least.

I agree that Beestin should be playing at a higher level than Frickley. I have a feeling both he and Longbottom will be loaned out before long, hopefully to National League sides.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: Dutch Uncle on February 21, 2017, 12:37:19 pm

I don't know how much Fergie rates him to be honest. He might be a bit part player on the bench for a season or so, likely to feature in the cup games I would've thought.


Enough to give him a contract until 2019. That says plenty IMHO.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 21, 2017, 09:41:13 pm
We need to start May at some point, this might be a good game to throw him into the fray, where is Beestin these days?

Fergie mentioned that Beestin is more of a attacking midfielder rather than a striker. I think he was signed with a view to being a good prospect rather than a immediate starter.

May on the other hand,whilst he isn't experienced at this level.  He can't really be described as a young lad. A lot to learn probably still but I think he will see much more first team action than Beestin this season.

Thanks for your insight on Beestin, will he go out on loan this season? He must be behind Copps and McSheff and Grant if the latter signs on permanently in the Summer, gives Beestin limited options to first team football with Rovers in the foreseeable future.

I don't know how much Fergie rates him to be honest. He might be a bit part player on the bench for a season or so, likely to feature in the cup games I would've thought.
I do hope that if we do loan him that he goes out to a football league side where he will get games.
No disrespect to the likes of Frickley etc but I feel that if a player is going to be a big player for us in years to come they need better experience at a higher level.

There are local sides in the National Prem. York, North Ferriby and Guisley, the latter has done well of late. Beestin could be sent to any of these to give him some football experience.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: ballysbackin on February 21, 2017, 10:30:17 pm
York lost again tonight, I thought that they were to get out of the bottom few with the game in hand but sadly NO.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: balbyrover on February 22, 2017, 03:51:45 pm
York lost again tonight, I thought that they were to get out of the bottom few with the game in hand but sadly NO.

York are in massive trouble. A crying shame to be honest.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 22, 2017, 04:27:38 pm
Be good if we could help York out with a couple of loan players, but Guisley might be the better option, they have a fighting chance of staying up.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: RoversAlias on February 22, 2017, 04:32:14 pm
Plus there's the DRFC connection with Lockwood and Penney in charge now.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 22, 2017, 04:33:49 pm
Plus there's the DRFC connection with Lockwood and Penney in charge now.

Guisley, it is then.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: The Red Baron on February 22, 2017, 04:37:53 pm
It all depends whether the teams in question want what we've got.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 22, 2017, 05:01:42 pm
It all depends whether the teams in question want what we've got.

True. However, given York's situation, you would think they would be happy for some extra firepower in the shape of Beestin, could resurrect their slim chances of staying up.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: balbyrover on February 22, 2017, 07:43:58 pm
It all depends whether the teams in question want what we've got.

Very true. But I'd be concerned if a team at that level don't see any of our young lads as a improvement to their team.
All our lads should be pushing on to be a important player at conference level at the very least by now if they're to be a success in a future DRFC side.
Title: Re: Saturday Afternoon's key fixtures
Post by: les@donr on February 22, 2017, 09:32:01 pm
Halifax are doing well in National North, another local side we could send lads to, another option would be Harrogate.