2 out

[scawsby steve]

2 big players out on Saturday according to GM. We'll have to assume one is Whiteman, and the other could be Marquis, as he took a whack against Barnsley.

I was feeling optimistic about this game, and I'm still looking forward to the trip, but 2 key players missing is a big blow, especially with our abysmal goal scoring form at the present; 3 goals in our last 6 league games.

Let's just hope we get a huge overdue chunk of luck on Saturday.

[Retdon1]

Yeah not good news but they have their main man up front James Collins out too.

[scawsby steve]

Might be a blessing in disguise.

Gives them time to recover and refresh ahead of more winnable games against Bristol Rovers and Walsall.

It's definitely not a blessing in disguise. What about those of us who are paying a lot of money to get down there? As for winnable games, they're all winnable and they're all matches that can be lost; it's what happens on the day.

The desirable thing is to have your best players available for each game.

[Donnywolf]

I suggested on Lets talk about the Luton Game than GM might be playing it crafty and including Collins ? Or has he said its 2 of "ours" ?

[scawsby steve]

I suggested on Lets talk about the Luton Game than GM might be playing it crafty and including Collins ? Or has he said its 2 of "ours" ?

It's definitely 2 of ours Wolfie.

[Dutch Uncle]

I suggested on Lets talk about the Luton Game than GM might be playing it crafty and including Collins ? Or has he said its 2 of "ours" ?

If you listen to the iFollow interview GM says 'we' will be missing two big players, which will entail two changes 

[scawsby steve]

Might be a blessing in disguise.

Gives them time to recover and refresh ahead of more winnable games against Bristol Rovers and Walsall.

It's definitely not a blessing in disguise. What about those of us who are paying a lot of money to get down there? As for winnable games, they're all winnable and they're all matches that can be lost; it's what happens on the day.

The desirable thing is to have your best players available for each game.

I get what you're saying but injuries are part and parcel of football, just as decisions/incidents are on a matchday that can affect the result.

Out of the next three games, if you had to write one off and prioritise two then I suspect most folk would scratch the Luton one and focus on getting the six points on home soil against Walsall and Bristol Rovers.

Even with the best players available Luton is still, on paper, going to be the toughest game as it's in their environment and they're top of the league so losing there won't be as devastating as losing one of the home games as the expectations are different!

It will be devastating to those of us that are there. You're only giving consideration to home fans.

Anyway, with our poor form, just 4 points out of 18, we really should be looking to win all of the 3 mentioned games.

[NickDRFC]

Might be a blessing in disguise.

Gives them time to recover and refresh ahead of more winnable games against Bristol Rovers and Walsall.

It's definitely not a blessing in disguise. What about those of us who are paying a lot of money to get down there? As for winnable games, they're all winnable and they're all matches that can be lost; it's what happens on the day.

The desirable thing is to have your best players available for each game.

I get what you're saying but injuries are part and parcel of football, just as decisions/incidents are on a matchday that can affect the result.

Out of the next three games, if you had to write one off and prioritise two then I suspect most folk would scratch the Luton one and focus on getting the six points on home soil against Walsall and Bristol Rovers.

Even with the best players available Luton is still, on paper, going to be the toughest game as it's in their environment and they're top of the league so losing there won't be as devastating as losing one of the home games as the expectations are different!

It will be devastating to those of us that are there. You're only giving consideration to home fans.

Anyway, with our poor form, just 4 points out of 18, we really should be looking to win all of the 3 mentioned games.

Devastating?! I’m not saying it would be for the best if Whiteman and Marquis are out, but if they are and it allows them to come back a week later, fully refreshed and ready to push for the play offs, and we’ve just lost a game we expected to anyway...bigger picture.

All hypothetical but I’m not going to feel sorry for the travelling fan (and I’m one of them going to Luton) if our first XI aren’t fully fit. I’m certainly not going to sit there feeling devastated if a couple of our players aren’t fit to play.

[scawsby steve]

Might be a blessing in disguise.

Gives them time to recover and refresh ahead of more winnable games against Bristol Rovers and Walsall.

It's definitely not a blessing in disguise. What about those of us who are paying a lot of money to get down there? As for winnable games, they're all winnable and they're all matches that can be lost; it's what happens on the day.

The desirable thing is to have your best players available for each game.

I get what you're saying but injuries are part and parcel of football, just as decisions/incidents are on a matchday that can affect the result.

Out of the next three games, if you had to write one off and prioritise two then I suspect most folk would scratch the Luton one and focus on getting the six points on home soil against Walsall and Bristol Rovers.

Even with the best players available Luton is still, on paper, going to be the toughest game as it's in their environment and they're top of the league so losing there won't be as devastating as losing one of the home games as the expectations are different!

It will be devastating to those of us that are there. You're only giving consideration to home fans.

Anyway, with our poor form, just 4 points out of 18, we really should be looking to win all of the 3 mentioned games.

Devastating?! I’m not saying it would be for the best if Whiteman and Marquis are out, but if they are and it allows them to come back a week later, fully refreshed and ready to push for the play offs, and we’ve just lost a game we expected to anyway...bigger picture.

All hypothetical but I’m not going to feel sorry for the travelling fan (and I’m one of them going to Luton) if our first XI aren’t fully fit. I’m certainly not going to sit there feeling devastated if a couple of our players aren’t fit to play.

It wasn't my choice of word Nick, it was Rigo's; I was merely replying to him. All defeats are devastating, in football terms that is. Especially at this time. We can't really afford to lose many more if we want that top 6 spot.

[NickDRFC]

Behave. All defeats are not devastating - that’s just hyperbole.

[dickos1]

I’d much rather they missed Luton than the two home games next week

[RoversAlias]

Yeah, I often disagree with Rigo but he's right here. If Whiteman and Marquis do miss Luton but are then rested and fit for Bristol Rovers and Walsall, I'll be pleased. 6 points off those two home games are vital, anything we get on Saturday, frankly, is a bonus.

I'm not going to the game but it would not be "devastating" to lose those two players, as a paying fan. You're paying to go support and watch Rovers, not just certain players. Are the likes of Coppinger, Kane, Wilks, Blair and Butler not worth the ticket price or something!?

Losing a football game isn't devastating, either. Every team loses its share of games each season, and I guarantee you that all of the top sides chasing promotion from League 1 will lose between now and May. That includes our Play Off rivals and yes, even Luton too!

[Bessie Red]

It's Whiteman & Kane I reckon!

[since-1969]

I can not be see McCann treating the Luton game with chance and manipulation. To leave players ( your best players) for this a very important game just to keep them back for other games just doesn't run true here. If you have an advantage, all be it a single point , you play  your best eleven and let Luton worry about you , If 2 players are missing it can only be injuries . Luton are up for any team on their patch so it’s more than likely mind games to perhaps not give too much away prior to the game . Yet why admit to having anyone injured or perhaps missing if your not saying who it is . Gamesmanship does seem to be McCanns style by not throwing away any advantage that can be gotten from keeping your cards close. So resting players just isn’t a tactical idea , let’s face it our form has dipped and he’ll want get it back quickly including Marquis.

[goalkick]

Whiteman and Kane. Whiteman has a boot on, Kane groin problem.be interesting who replaces them.

[phil old leake]

If they’re both out I really don’t fancy our chances.  2 very important players   I don’t think we’ve the depth to replace them both

[scawsby steve]

Whiteman and Kane. Whiteman has a boot on, Kane groin problem.be interesting who replaces them.

Blair, Crawford, and Rowe in midfield, Lewis at right back?

Just a suggestion.

[steve@dcfd]

We don’t have players good enough to replace both.  Rowe, Crawford it’s who plays in the wWhiteman role. GM believes he has the players to cover I hope he magic one up at least

[GazLaz]

If they’re both out I really don’t fancy our chances.  2 very important players   I don’t think we’ve the depth to replace them both

I’d play Mason in the holding role.

[RedJ]

If they’re both out I really don’t fancy our chances.  2 very important players   I don’t think we’ve the depth to replace them both

I’d play Mason in the holding role.

Think we'll struggle to do that now...

[steve@dcfd]

If they’re both out I really don’t fancy our chances.  2 very important players   I don’t think we’ve the depth to replace them both

I’d play Mason in the holding role.

That suggestion shows what a good utility player he was. His actions have and pleading guilty have left holes in the team and left the club with no other recourse.

[Colemans Left Hook]

Might be a blessing in disguise.

Gives them time to recover and refresh ahead of more winnable games against Bristol Rovers and Walsall.

It's definitely not a blessing in disguise. What about those of us who are paying a lot of money to get down there? As for winnable games, they're all winnable and they're all matches that can be lost; it's what happens on the day.

The desirable thing is to have your best players available for each game.

I get what you're saying but injuries are part and parcel of football, just as decisions/incidents are on a matchday that can affect the result.

Out of the next three games, if you had to write one off and prioritise two then I suspect most folk would scratch the Luton one and focus on getting the six points on home soil against Walsall and Bristol Rovers.

Even with the best players available Luton is still, on paper, going to be the toughest game as it's in their environment and they're top of the league so losing there won't be as devastating as losing one of the home games as the expectations are different!

as i have consistently posted I am not all that worried about Luton -- for reasons stated as for coventry a threat there is one team we all underestimate Burton
i simple terms coventry won at peterbrew   then Burton won at Coventry was it last saturday -- i would be more afraid of them as play off contenders -- yes they do bore you to death  but they need to be considered remember they made the last 4 of the league cup or whatever it is called .

Luton away as you all recall was SOD's last chance saloon game years ago -- lose that and he was going to get sacked -- Rovers took a first half lead and the match was a draw and SOD's job was saved --  and the rest is history

think that old xblackurn striker scored for Rovers- they were unlucky not to win for some reason