Lets talk about the Walsall game

[Campsall rover]

That team is balanced. It has 2 defensive midfielders in ther to protect the back 4  Blair and Rowe can have licence to get on the front foot and attack.
I would give Copps a complete rest tonight and he will be fresh for Saturday.
Having said that if we win tonight and get no injuries why change it?  But he will because that’s what he does. And then he wonders why we get no consistency in performances. 

[Campsall rover]

Well you could have Copps on the bench I suppose but don’t bring him on unless we are desperate.

[The Red Baron]

We won't play Houghton and McCullough in midfield unless we abandon the diamond - which would be no bad thing IMO.

More likely to be 3-5-2:

Lawlor
McCullough Anderson Boyle
Blair Whiteman Houghton Kongolo Rowe
Beestin Marquis

3-5-2 means it is likely Copps will be on the bench.

[dickos1]

I agree
You can only play houghton and McCullough if you're playing 3-5-2
A 4-4-2 with those two in the middle would leave us very short going forward. And we'd end up being far too deep and inviting pressure onto ourselves. You can play them two but you need a coppinger, Rowe, whiteman in front of them

[The Red Baron]

We tried playing two holding men with three in front and Marquis up top on his own at Shrewsbury. Result? We got battered first half. Second half Beestin came on and we were much better.

Personally I would play 4-4-1-1 but it doesn't seem to be a formation that Ferguson likes. I think it would suit our personnel better though.

[ravenrover]

If Frenchy plays it will be part of a back 3

[selby]

  I know playing Baudry as a right full back is not every ones cup of tea but, when I have watched him  play he has always favoured the right back area to bring the ball out, is a better passer of the ball than Mason, gets far more distance with his clearances, and is far better in the air, and a far better all round player.
  As I posted, I do not expect my selections to play, but I cannot see peoples opposition when I have seen people suggest that Mason is a midfielder, and can play centre half, Alcock the same, and they are not in Baudry's class as a footballer or as a defender, and do not have the Attributes to  play in those positions.
   Alcock has lost too much pace after injury to now be considered anything but a back up substitute, and Mason should stick to the right back position but is not the finished article but is decent and is getting better with experience.
  I do agree with you Raven, if he starts it will be in a back three, which I do not like.

[RedJ]

I think it would suit our personnel better though.

Precisely why it won't be happening then.

[Campsall rover]

What he does need to do is find a formula and stick to it.
The players are confused and we are, as supporters.
If I was Tommy Rowe I would be having a word with the Gaffa. He must be the most frustrated footballer in league 1
Probably one of the most talented in this league and completely wasted. Matty Blair ( not as much ability ) but must feel the same.
I think if the complained to the manager that would create a sour relationship and they would not be here for long.
IMO I think DF is a very dogmatic manager and he would question anyone who questions him. Stubborn is probably the right word.

[dickos1]

Id love to know how you know the players are all confused.
Poor performances happen, we've played well this year and got nothing.

What's funny is, earlier this season we kept conceding late goals and this was down to the manager not coaching them properly we're now on a run of scoring late goals and it's because we're lucky no credit is given to the manager for changing the players or the shape.
We're also on a run of conceding goals from set pieces and crosses this is the fault of the manager and his coaching. We're also on a run of scoring goals from set pieces and from crosses but nowhere on this forum can you find any credit to the manager for this.

Just a couple of examples that sum up the negative posting on here

[IDM]

I would have thought that of the players who could have Fergie's ear, Rowe would be one of them..

[steve@dcfd]

If Baudry is fit enough to start then this would be my team
with the players we have

                               Lawlor

             Baudry      Anderson.      Boyle.       

     Blair.     Houghton.  McCullough.   Rowe

                             Whiteman

                   Marquis.             Beestin


Subs
Marosi
Mason
Garrett  or Alcock
Kongolo
Coppinger
May
Kiwomya

[GazLaz]

Lawlor

Baudry
Anderson
Boyle

Rowe
Houghton
Whiteman
Blair

Beestin
Marquis
Kiwomya

.... never going to happen though.

[Lytham Rover]

I would like to see a 4-2-3-1
Mason
Boyle
Anderson
Garrett

McCollough
Houghton

Beestin
Whitman
Rowe

Marquis

[IDM]

I can't see Baudry starting yet, much as I rate him highly!

[goalkick]

Good team bedale. Please no Rowe at fullback.

[dickos1]

                     Lawlor
       Anderson Boyle Baudry

Blair houghton McCullough Garrett
                Coppinger
           Beestin marquis

[Copps is Magic]

No Rowe! He's our best player.

[Jonathan]

If Baudry is fit enough to start then this would be my team
with the players we have

                               Lawlor

             Baudry      Anderson.      Boyle.       

     Blair.     Houghton.  McCullough.   Rowe

                             Whiteman

                   Marquis.             Beestin


Subs
Marosi
Mason
Garrett  or Alcock
Kongolo
Coppinger
May
Kiwomya

Everyone lambasts Ferguson for his selections yet few of us can agree on one! That said, I think I’d go with that too, Steve.

If Rowe has to cover Danny Andrew’s absence then I’d much rather see him deployed as a wing back than a full back. Likewise Blair - wing back yes, full back no.

I too would rest Copps. 3 games in 7 days is too much. 

[dickos1]

No Rowe! He's our best player.

Think he struggled this season even when playing in his preferred position
It would be a toss up between him and copps for me

[selby]

   Told you I didn't like three at the back, especially when the three only met each other two weeks ago, and yet again we change the line up.

[dickos1]

We changed the lineup cause we were shite ok sat, and nobody suggested beforehand he should keep the same side

[Metalmicky]

A reasonable (independent) assessment of the game here...

http://www.thefootballab.co.uk/2018/walsall-4-2-doncaster-rovers-six-things-super-saddlers-defeat-dithering-donny/

[ctay]

Can anyone who went comment on the relationship between the players on the park? I heard some were arguing, especially Whiteman and Marquis?

[Campsall rover]

A reasonable (independent) assessment of the game here...

http://www.thefootballab.co.uk/2018/walsall-4-2-doncaster-rovers-six-things-super-saddlers-defeat-dithering-donny/

A brilliant assesment from someone who knows about our team and our individual players.
I would give that report 10/10

[drfchound]

A reasonable (independent) assessment of the game here...

http://www.thefootballab.co.uk/2018/walsall-4-2-doncaster-rovers-six-things-super-saddlers-defeat-dithering-donny/

A brilliant assesment from someone who knows about our team and our individual players.
I would give that report 10/10

It’s a ten from hound as well.

[bobjimwilly]

man of the match poll now up: https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=265262.0