That was fun

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Ok it was a friendly but I enjoyed that. Putting the fun back in to football.

If you didn't leave that ground tonight with a smile and a warm glow, there's something wrong with you.

We may have found a new cult hero.
We may have found a new local hero.
We may have discovered a converted hero.
We may have rediscovered an atmosphere.

Thoughts?

[BillyStubbsTears]

Thoughts?

It's a shit chant.

[Copps is Magic]

Echo everything you say Baz. It seemed like a new team, with new ideas and a new crowd with a different attitude. It seems like the players are already really appreciating the upturn in atmosphere and it is making the Keepmoat a much more enjoyable place to play.

[DonnyNoel]

Agreed. Felt more than a pre-season friendly last night, felt like we showed a lot of promise even missing 2/3/4 possible starters. Obviously we all probably still have one or two concerns but we've got the shapings of a much better core of players than last year and it seems everyone who's come in (including Middleton who looked sublime in a slightly more advanced role last night) has something to contribute.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Would have no problems if Middleton and Evina retained their pre-season roles. Get out there and enjoy your football is my message.

Bring it on.

[glosterred]

Would have no problems if Middleton and Evina retained their pre-season roles. Get out there and enjoy your football is my message.

Bring it on.

And we are one defeat away from doom and despondency 😉

COYR

[the vicar]

Ok it was a friendly but I enjoyed that. Putting the fun back in to football.

If you didn't leave that ground tonight with a smile and a warm glow, there's something wrong with you.

We may have found a new cult hero.
We may have found a new local hero.
We may have discovered a converted hero.
                                                                                       We may have rediscovered an atmosphere.

Thoughts?

that was cos it was an empty stadium mmmm some people

[Sammy Chung was King]

It was encouraging beating a good side like Sunderland, but the motivation of teams to win once the real football starts will be a lot harder.
Really good we are unbeaten so far, the kids have had some time on the pitch, the spirit of the squad seems together, note when we had injuries no moaning they just got on with it.
The adaptability of players to play different positions seems better somehow, the younger players are getting confidence, N'Guessen another good signing, it looks very promising.

The one disappointment is how many have attended the home games, i wasn't expecting ten or twelve thousand, but even at a tenner and fiver for kids, still not that many came to the games, it highlights the lack of money in the area, and general apathy for friendlies.

[Alan Southstand]

I think there's more to it than that, Sammy. The season tickets havn't exactly gone like hot cakes and I tend to think there are other issues, e.g. P1ss1ng off South Stand STH's (I'll wager that there are fewer STH's in the South Stand than there were last season and I don't think they've all migrated to another stand), last season's mid-table mediocre position, last season's pathetic home form, sticking with a manager who, so far, has (arguably) under-performed, etc, etc.

It will take time for people to start coming back and the Board are going to have to stick their necks out a bit. We've had some good solid-looking signings during the summer, but we havn't really made a statement of intent yet. There's been one or two whisperings in dark corners, but no-one is brave enough to commit to what our clear aims are for next season and beyond.

We've heard about sustainability an awful lot, but that doesn't paint a picture of progression and promotion up the league. I suppose it depends on what is meant by sustainability! You can put any description to it you want, really - whatever suits a particular argument. People want to hear positive things and see the back-up to those positive statements.

We have a great youth set-up right now and this seems to be bearing fruit, but its not going to put another 5,000 on the home gate for next season or swell the STH's to 5 or 6,000! Performances at home particularly will bring em back over the short term and then we have to keep them (which, going on our past few years experience is proving very hard to achieve).

I think we should all support the team through pre-season, look how many Forest and Sunderland brought - great to see. But how many people on this board tell us that pre-season means nothing and they're not going to bother until it kicks off proper? And that's from people who are, or would like to think they are, real supporters.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

The only talking will be on the pitch and from PD. I don't think you will get anyone coming out saying we're going to do this or that.

That's how it should be in my opinion and performances and results will sell tickets.

[IDM]

It will take time for people to start coming back and the Board are going to have to stick their necks out a bit. We've had some good solid-looking signings during the summer, but we havn't really made a statement of intent yet. There's been one or two whisperings in dark corners, but no-one is brave enough to commit to what our clear aims are for next season and beyond.

What the hell do you want Alan?  We have signed 6 "solid" players all with experience and all with good League 1 and/or Championship level experience.  We have seen at least 2 of the youth players, Middleton and Lund, looking very likely to be a regular part of the first team squad.

What about that is NOT a statement of intent??

We do not NEED the club to say we are aiming for promotion - aiming for promotion (from League 1) should be a GIVEN that does not need explaining.

I think we should all support the team through pre-season, look how many Forest and Sunderland brought - great to see. But how many people on this board tell us that pre-season means nothing and they're not going to bother until it kicks off proper? And that's from people who are, or would like to think they are, real supporters.

Easy tiger! Let's not get into this "real supporters" thing over pre season friendlies!!  So if I don't watch every second of DRFC on the pitch then I'm not a real supporter?  I went to the 'Boro match but not the others, what does that make me, eh?

Pre season friendlies are by default rarely entertaining, but competitive fixtures are more likely to be..

Good entertaining performances, plenty of goals, and wins - at home - that is what will bring fans back.  You don't need the manager or board to make "statements of intent", just play good football!!

[bpoolrover]

Only the premier league will put 5 or 6k regularly on attendances

[Alan Southstand]

Wind your neck in!

I was referring to other people who are obviously staying away. Its not what I want - I've already gone on record to say we have made some solid signings!!

Read, inwardly digest, engage brain and then comment.

I'll accept your apology for snapping!

[IDM]

Sorry Alan but you raised the point about not making a statement of intent, despite making the solid signings?  And you raised the points on pre-season attendances vs "real supporters".

I disagree with you, and offered why in my post above, no need to apologise for having disagreements.  If I have misinterpreted your meaning, fine, I'm sorry - but I can only go by what I have read.

[The Red Baron]

I don't think we want to go back to the days of "Destination Championship," do we?

[graingrover]

We love you Rovers we do oh Rovers we love you .

[PDX_Rover]

Going4it. Humble Pie. A week of signings. Thank feck those Christmas cracker novelties are a thing of the past.

[drfchound]

Well I find it insulting that I am not classed by Alan to bea real supporter just because I don't go to friendly games.
I am a season ticket holder and have been for many years and started watching the Rovers over 52 years ago as a ten year old boy.
I Am on holiday right now but even if I wasn't I still wouldn't go to a friendly match.
I prefer to watch competitive games.
Also I don't think too many people will be pi55ed off about the unreserved seats in the south stand.
If you get there early enough you will have plenty of choices of seats.

[les@donr]

I think the last time the CEO put out a statement of intent it backfired on him. So it's probably wise for him and the Board to keep quiet. However, the signings made so far shows we are looking for a promotion spot without nowt being said.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I think the same will apply if and when we achieve promotion. I don't think you will get much from the board in terms of media appearances or patting themselves on the back.

They just do things differently. You rarely see owners or chairman in the news unless there's something controversial going on.     

[PDX_Rover]

Which is how it should be IMO.

[dickos1]

We go back to the point of managing expectations, people were moaning about the performance against boro, the favourites to be promoted out of the league above.
And now we've beaten a premier league side, there's still unhappy people...
If your sat on your sofa tonight unhappy, then your in for a long old season

[Copps is Magic]

I am still amazed people know season ticket sales when nothing official has been released. (and the pre-season isn't even over)

[bpoolrover]

There is no point them saying what the ambitions or target of the board is,soon as they do that and the team are below that lvl half the fans will be calling for pd out again

[BobG]

I'm not in favour, at all, of 'stating our ambitions.' if that is anything beyond a general approach for the season ahead.  The whole cluib looked foolish and cheesy when we've tried giving more details before. I agree though that it would not be good policy for supporters to sit there in an total vacuum. What would be the point? So some sort of general approach could be outlined. I think we've had that already, plentifully, this last cpoule of months. And tbh, if we can't draw our own conclusions from what we've  seen in front of our own eyes recently, we wouldn't show up very well would we? 

BobG

[Retdon1]

We go back to the point of managing expectations, people were moaning about the performance against boro, the favourites to be promoted out of the league above.
And now we've beaten a premier league side, there's still unhappy people...
If your sat on your sofa tonight unhappy, then your in for a long old season

How anyone can moan about our performances in pre season so far is beyond me, matched and out played at times a mid table prem side and 2 sides looking to be around the top 6 in the championship.