Clean Sheets

[selby]

  Aren't they nice to see, the whole team working and trusting each other even when under pressure.
  The work rate in the last two games has been outstanding and we have not let two decent sides get behind us or run at us without a challenge, with  the full backs and keeper looking much more settled with two stoppers down the centre.
 

[GazLaz]

Pretty obvious why we look more solid. Pearson has been good in the last 4 games.

[Filo]

We’ve looked solid since McGrath was dropped, and I would look at getting Byrne when his contract runs out, he’s been rock solid since he came in

[Danmckay456]

More competition for places if we had more competition up front from the start of the season I dare say we would be comfortable top half but fair play to the players who have come in since January and also the ones who have come into the team
Gotts senior Hanlan

[mpc123]

Well done rovers again. A win over Port Vale who are not a turnover now, may see us right.

[roversdude]

We need to get Senior on a longer contract

[RoversInSpain]

Byrne and Pearson getting praise, rightfully so, however Senior has been fabulous and Sterry baring one slice yesterday was back to his best. To me, as a collective they deserve credit and not individually. Not swopping and changing the 4 over the last couple of games also helps, as communication and understanding will improve.
The more learned on here can probably also point to improvement in midfield which will benefit too. So it’s not just dropping one player that’s improved us.

[andyst79]

Senior has been fantastic. I've always been a big advocator for Maxwell but unfortunately he hasn't really got going this season. Senior is 1st choice left back now for me , solid defensively and is getting forward well also

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Senior has kicked on, I really had questions around him and probably do if we want a promotion push, but that's not where we are. He's a player who is showing a real determination and clearly learning well from mistakes.

One thing I would say is none of this should be a slight on McGrath who has all the attributes to really kick on, he's still a very young centre half and he'll be learning plenty.  I do agree Byrne and Pearson have really shored it up and found form. The big thing for me is they're playing to their strengths and not trying to be too fancy. Is it pretty? No but it's working for us at the moment. I doubt it's how we want to continue playing.

[Ian Nimmo]

Pretty obvious why we look more solid. Pearson has been good in the last 4 games.

Absolutely, I still can’t understand when you bring in an experienced centre back, he is sidelined in favour of younger somewhat inexperienced players.
Makes absolutely no sense to me at all, yes I understand Pearson has made some mistakes but overall they have not cost us any games, and his overall performance has made up for any such mistakes.
He is a capable “stopper” at this level and should have played more games.

[RugbyRover]

Came back from holiday and was surprised to see McGrath had been benched.

McCann stuck by him through some pretty torrid performances. Any reason given for the change of heart?

It was pretty obvious the change was needed mind but McCann is so stubborn sometimes.

McGrath can have another try next year.

[Bessie Red]

Byrne and Pearson getting praise, rightfully so, however Senior has been fabulous and Sterry baring one slice yesterday was back to his best. To me, as a collective they deserve credit and not individually. Not swopping and changing the 4 over the last couple of games also helps, as communication and understanding will improve.
The more learned on here can probably also point to improvement in midfield which will benefit too. So it’s not just dropping one player that’s improved us.

Gotts,Senior & Pearson together with the loan signing of Byrne has transformed our season from close to relegation form to Play Off form in 3 months. McGrath had to be dropped, Maxwell's injury has been pounced on by Senior & Gotts has clearly taken advantage of Broadbents loss of form.

[Chris Black come back]

Reminder of the absolute meltdown of large numbers of people on here when Byrne was signed. People writing him off without seeing him even play for us.

[andyst79]

Senior has kicked on, I really had questions around him and probably do if we want a promotion push, but that's not where we are. He's a player who is showing a real determination and clearly learning well from mistakes.

One thing I would say is none of this should be a slight on McGrath who has all the attributes to really kick on, he's still a very young centre half and he'll be learning plenty.  I do agree Byrne and Pearson have really shored it up and found form. The big thing for me is they're playing to their strengths and not trying to be too fancy. Is it pretty? No but it's working for us at the moment. I doubt it's how we want to continue playing.

Byrne & Pearson are nothing fancy , just experienced and do the basics well. Heading it and clearing it basically, which is exactly what you need in this division, Jones & McCombe a prime example.

[GazLaz]

Came back from holiday and was surprised to see McGrath had been benched.

McCann stuck by him through some pretty torrid performances. Any reason given for the change of heart?

It was pretty obvious the change was needed mind but McCann is so stubborn sometimes.

McGrath can have another try next year.

Very difficult to turn down a £500k bid for a player in the third division then drop him a couple of months into the season when he doesn’t look up to the level.

It happened in March out of necessity when we were circling around the trap door and mistakes really do become season defining.

I’ve been more critical about McGrath than most this season as I knew he was the main reason we were struggling defensively. Hopefully he can improve on what he’s done this season for next as we all want to see a young Donny lad in the team.

[i_ateallthepies]

I'm happy with Byrne's defending, very solid but he seems to have taken over McGrath's role of thumping long hollywood balls upfield to put the opposition back in possession.  Lost count of how many times it happened yesterday.

[Plumbster]

I know what you mean about the distribution from the back but I think we have just accepted that we do not have the personnel to play it through midfield. It’s not very attractive, and there are lots of aimless balls, but it is clearly proving effective. When we do get possession in the final third we have players that can make something happen, particularly Lee and Adelakun. Combine that with good defensive shape and discipline and we can hold our own in this division, and I would take yesterday over playing great football but getting picked off. You would like to think that we will build on this solid base and bring more guile into the midfield so that we can be challenging higher up the league and be more attractive to watch but the first step was to shore up and I think Grant has done that.

[GazLaz]

I know what you mean about the distribution from the back but I think we have just accepted that we do not have the personnel to play it through midfield. It’s not very attractive, and there are lots of aimless balls, but it is clearly proving effective. When we do get possession in the final third we have players that can make something happen, particularly Lee and Adelakun. Combine that with good defensive shape and discipline and we can hold our own in this division, and I would take yesterday over playing great football but getting picked off. You would like to think that we will build on this solid base and bring more guile into the midfield so that we can be challenging higher up the league and be more attractive to watch but the first step was to shore up and I think Grant has done that.

Having defenders that can play a bit is so important. They don’t have to be Maldini but capable of efficient ball progression. There will be a clamour to sign Byrne in the summer but is he the right one for us to progress? Maybe not. He’s proving a safe pair of hands short term but would we want to be starting a push at the playoffs next season with Pearson, Byrne, McGrath and Grehan as the four centre halves? Two into their 30s and only Grehan (the clear 4th choice) is comfortable on the ball. There’s a lack of pace there as well which limits how aggressively we can press IMO.

[Plumbster]

If we can stay up I don’t think we are in a bad position squad wise, with a core of our own players hardened to this league and most of them ‘can do a job’. We do need more class I think in all areas, don’t all teams, and if the budget allows I would like us to prioritise quality over quantity, say one marquee signing per summer, and a couple of Lee - type loan deals, as opposed to untried PL youngsters. Easier said than done of course. Hard to say which area of the team we should prioritise for the next ‘marquee’ signing- maybe we should be lead by who is available/affordable- cos I can see arguments for defence, midfield and attack. As ever our summer recruitment decisions will be pivotal.

[IDM]

After our first 6 league games this season no one would have been berated for saying the recruitment was excellent..

[selby]

  Before a ball was kicked this season and when Pearson was ignored and Faulkner and Flint were sent out I knew then the rest on our books were not good enough.
  And they won't be next season either if we play at this level.

[Donnybax]

  Before a ball was kicked this season and when Pearson was ignored and Faulkner and Flint were sent out I knew then the rest on our books were not good enough.
  And they won't be next season either if we play at this level.

but then O'Riordan is better than all of them?

[keith79]

  Before a ball was kicked this season and when Pearson was ignored and Faulkner and Flint were sent out I knew then the rest on our books were not good enough.
  And they won't be next season either if we play at this level.

but then O'Riordan is better than all of them?

is he getting much playing time?

[selby]

  Apart from Bailey and Pearson the other best central defenders have been O'Riordan and Byrne loan players with experience and just basic defenders first and foremost who don't do flashy or try to do things they can't do, as well as our own in Pearson who also fits that same profile.
  Bailey is important to us in mid field, a good all round footballer who is athletic and has ball flight judgment and a leap that belies his stature and has a good chance of extending his career in the game by moving back eventually to central defence in the future, but now is our best technical central midfield defender but easier to cover in the central defender position than his importance to us in a more forward mid field position.
  McGrath and Grehan are not for me especially at division 1 level I just don't see them as good enough, the game and opposition players too quick for them and are poor stoppers.
  Then you have a decision to make on Faulkner and Flint and I would like Byrne or similar on a permanent so would go with Pearson Byrne Faulkner Flint and would like another with experience and some pace.
  With Flint and Faulkner you have players who can cover the wider defenders which Grehan obviously can't and is not as adaptable or physically strong, and lacks basic pace, Flint is a cover for a central defensive mid field which is his best position and can play the wider back line positions, and Faulkner playing more games left than right side and the odd game at right wing/back.

[tommy toes]

Disagree about Byrne hitting long hopeless balls.
From what I could see he was deliberately putting them into both channels for Hanlon, Gibson or Middleton to try and pick up.

[selby]

  Whatever he does either long or short, he has certainly been a big improvement to our results and our defence in our own penalty area.

[adamtherover]

Big praise also to timmy, after a rough first half of the season, hes back in the side after clarkys injuries and has more than held his own. Including 2 quality saves in stoppage time in the last 2 games. With zander being on the bench on satdi, im guessing grant has told tLt the shirt is now his to lose. And he seems to be in no  mood to lose it..

[Iberian Red]

Sorry,but when i read selby's post i thought he was sp%%nkikg in a sock

[Ldr]

Sorry,but when i read selby's post i thought he was sp%%nkikg in a sock

I don’t think it’ll be the last time you get that impression from his posts