Lets talk about the Northampton game

[selby]

 The games come thick and fast in the next few weeks,the big question being can we at long last put a consistent run of results together, and get clear of  the other teams around us.
  I feel we owe Northampton one after going down to an early goal earlier in the season at their place.
  The star of the show that day was their goalkeeper making his debut, Ingham who missed today's  credible draw against  Blackburn.
  The bad guys that day were the officials who failed to see a clear push in the back on Marquis when he was clear through on goal in the box.
   After starting the season so badly they then went on a little winning run under their new manager (we have a habit  of getting teams out of a bad run) but results have leveled off recently.
   As a team we are playing better recently, but firepower in front of goal needs to improve for us to be consistent.
   Although we won at Bristol and played O.K. against Oldham Coppinger was missed in both games, will he be fit Tuesday?
  Hopefully we did not pick up any more injuries against Bristol, and I would keep any changes to a minimum, especially in Defence.
   What do you think?
   

[hoolahoop]

I think that's a pretty fair assessment.

[idler]

A second league win on the trot for the first time this season could boost confidence and relieve pressure. We would also be a game nearer to our injured players coming back and possibly strengthening a bit in the transfer window. We just need the team to give 100% and deliver.

[selby]

  I am surprised at the report that Coppinger was fit to play yesterday, I think the pitch factor was probably the factor in him not playing.
  Although we played O.K.( well in fact at times ) we still have a problem of not being that creative, or good at taking the chances we create in and around the oppositions box
  Rowes pick up in form, and him now surging into the box on the run in the last few games, and Marquis showing good form has masked over the fact that none of the other strikers ( although being O.K. outside the box ) have troubled the opposition goalkeepers or have missed good chances.
  Whiteman missed a chance from the edge of the box when he topped the ball when shooting, but at least he does get into those positions when played further forward, Rodney and the other mid fielders seem to look for a pass instead of getting in where they can do some damage, Rodney has the ability to get past a man and go for it, but has had it coached out of him. I would like to see him have a go, a bit of off field encouragement would not go amiss Fergie.
  Beestin has played well,there is no doubting he has an awareness of players around him but is learning on the job, as my friend said yesterday he has now played four matches and we cannot remember him having a shot at goal.
   Alfie is Alfie runs a lot, has missed chances and as yesterday when breaking away, and having a two on one just over the halfway line with Rowe inside him, was run down by the defender, and seemed totally unaware of Rowes presence inside him in the clear on goal.
  If we do want to make our mark in this division, we have to improve on this side of our game, as I am sure our management know, But there is no doubt that slowly we are improving, are definitely more streetwise and competitive, and are showing a team spirit and togetherness that is the basis of a decent side at this level.

[Alickismyhero]

Selby,
I try and get to the Northampton away games and I recall a game(2005/2007 season) where Donny totally out played Northampton but due to the brilliance of their keeper we lost on the night. Where have I heard that before? I think the GK was Mark Bunn who now plays for Villa who made 3 fantastic saves.

[selby]

  I was at that game, Bunn was brilliant that game as you say, Ingham missed the game on Saturday injured, and a goalkeeper called Cornell played, and was man of the match for Northampton,although a lot of their posters on their forum do not rate him.
   Lawlor was picked in The football league papers team of the week by the way, and Butler also selected, well merited recognition too for both players.

[graingrover]

 I don't think Kongolo has had anything coached OUT out of him but seems to lack confidence to take on the full back and run for the corner to get crosses in .. he invariably cut inside against Bristol . As for Whiteman ; his two goals ( plus a pen ) earlier this season show his capabilities of scoring from outside the box but apart from him no one seems to take those shots on ... like that b***** Oxford goal !

          The Northampton goalie has been getting stick from their fans so SHOOT ! The first choice Ingham ( ex trialist at Rovers ) is out injured but replacement Corner has saved two penalties recently .

[karldew]

The last time Doncaster played host to the Cobblers in league football was back in 2007, with Donny running out 2-0 winners, also on Boxing Day.

In fact, this will be the third time Donny will face Northampton at home on Boxing Day, winning both previous encounters without conceding a goal.

The Cobblers have won just once in their last eight visits to Doncaster(D2 L5), failing to net in half of those occasions.

Donny haven't drawn a league game on Boxing Day since 1992 versus Halifax Town (W8 D7).

[Donnywolf]

The last time Doncaster played host to the Cobblers in league football was back in 2007, with Donny running out 2-0 winners, also on Boxing Day.

I seem to remember loads of their Fans in BVB with White Doctors Coats ? Was it something to do with the bloke they had signed from Scotland who had seemed a rampant scorer and came on a Sub later in game . I recall Jeff Stelling singing his praises and saying the good doctor will see you now !

Wetherspoon Wetherson ? Deuchar What a memory ! Should have remembered it was a Beer !

[selby]

  That was because he was a practicing doctor in a local hospital if my memory is correct Wolfie.
  Ingam their first team goalkeeper may be fit, McGugan may have picked up an injury and be replaced  by Hoskins.
   Can we go two wins on the trot for the first time this season in the league?
   Will Coppinger return for us?
   Will there be any more changes through injury or pressonell?
   Being a holiday fixture, what size crowd can be expected?
   Not long now to find out, lets hope we do well again, we will need to take our chances  better than we did at Northampton where we were very wasteful, and gave a poor early goal away.

[selby]

  A great Christmas present of three points, a dominant performance without extending ourselves. With better finishing we could have won by more goals, but hey 6 points from 6 in four days is as much as we can ask.
  Northampton got exactly what they deserved, from the first moment showing absolutely no ambition to win a game of football, apart from a slip by Mason( who I thought had another good game) they did little to bother Lawlor except with a speculative shot in the second half.
  From my view the penalty was merited,although Marquis bought it by leaving his foot there to be caught.
   I would make Coppinger my man of the match, with Rowe close behind, and most of the others 7 out of 10, but we will have to find a way of improving in front of goal by the strikers, if we are to make an impression on better sides.
   

[selby]

   The total crowd  of 8032 was perhaps a little disappointing, but with only about 475 away fans, and problems with public transport at least it held up to our recent levels.
  Another win on Friday, and a cup run  would do our finances the world of good, at a preseason meeting it was stated that 7200 was our break even level, so we are there or thereabouts. lets hope we can keep it up or even improve on it.

[bobjimwilly]

man of the match poll now up --> https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=264666