Incredible game for the purists

[CJK]

What a game yesterday, I've only just got chance to sit down and look at all the match reaction from the game. Any neutral, football purist and fan of both teams participating yesterday could simply not agree that two teams of like minded players and management met in a brilliant game of football.

Firstly let's just set some perspective here, Swansea are probably a little ahead in terms of development and investment and are certainly the 'bigger' club of the two. I think most of us would of taken a point before the game so gaining that, all be it in sickening circumstances was a good result really.

I thought Swansea looked a lot like us last season, brilliant in the first two thirds of the field but lacked up front - whether that was down to our defence, who knows. Beattie struggled by himself, this was probably a combination of Muzzy not letting Dyer out his back pocket and JOC keeping Cotteril reasonable quiet too. I have to mention Joe Allen, in the first half he looked like a seasoned pro who has played in the second tier for years; however Wilson did a great job on him in the second half and nullified him completely - but he still remains a massive prospect, one of the best talents I've seen this season.

On to Rovers, I thought we matched Swansea everywhere and at last the defence seemed capable of looking solid in the face of an onslought of pressure. Thomas reminds me of a younger Darren Moore, a huge unit and very commanding, Hird was brilliant considering he hasn't featured regularly and obviously the full backs were immense - Muzzy is an absolutely inspired signing. Like my dad said in the pub last night, SOD/ROK see a player with maybe 50% of what they need and through careful education as well as coaching they eventually give players like Muzzy the other 50% they need.

A sickening end after we all thought we'd defended well enough for the win, unfortunatley Copps has the chance to kill it off and missed - you would have backed him all the way after his exploits so far this season in front of goal. I haven't seen a replay yet but it looked a little offside from where I was and seemed as though arms and hands were involved.

All in all I couldn't help but smile on the way home; how could I not, I had just witnessed total football played at a break neck speed of a tempo for 94 minutes. Where England so lacked on Wednesday night Rovers and the Swans showed exactly how it should be done - come on Fabio, watch these teams and see what we are treated to on a weekly basis.

Finally a note to the floating fans we need to capture who went yesterday - you will not see better football than that in the Premier League, nor will you see it at Elland Road, DingleyDell, Hillsborough or Bramall Lane. Get your football fix at the Keepmoat and show JR how much we want this football culture to remain.

[bigdonnyboy]

CJK, how refreshing to read a great report, very accurate and perceptive. All of our players worked hard through the whole 94mins and I for one am proud of them all. I am fed up with the moaning gits on here complaining about personel choice and tactics for this game. SOD was spot on and we were so unlucky with that late equaliser.

[CJK]

I thank you. Inane ramblings really, thought I'd share it.

[DadsleyRover]

Good report and generally I agree and that contains many comments that I spoke of when I walked away from the game. Swansea are a fantastic football side but we had the edge on goal chances. I thought James O'Connor first half was poor to his standards but was better in the second half. Mustapha was fantastic never gave up and matched everything that was thrown at him.
I was dissappointed at the end but not too much as Swansea contributed to a great football match.

[DadsleyRover]

Good report and generally I agree and that contains many comments that I spoke of when I walked away from the game. Swansea are a fantastic football side but we had the edge on goal chances. I thought James O'Connor first half was poor to his standards but was better in the second half. Mustapha was fantastic never gave up and matched everything that was thrown at him.
I was dissappointed at the end but not too much as Swansea contributed to a great football match.

[hoolahoop]

I agree with both of Dadsley'y posts, merit in both I thought.
Very interesting report CJK and I would go along with most of your observations, thank you.