Let's talk about the Accrington Stanley game

[selby]

I can't remember not watching my beloved Doncaster Rovers live in a game on Boxing Day. Even earlier in March the norm word was that we would be back to normal at Christmas and the thought of not being at a match at this time was not in my head at all, now I am wondering about next year which is not a given at this moment in time.
 And what a time we are missing, surely a bigger crowd than normal would have been in attendance for this fixture given the form of both sides.
  Managed by John Coleman, my pick as the best manager in English football, that good at managing with very little he should be the England team manager as he is used to working with not very much.
  After last nights result we really need to bounce back with a win and start another little unbeaten run, easier said than done against another team like Shrewsbury who have made a habit of getting the better of us when we do play each other.
  Coleman makes a habit of combining loan players with players from the lower leagues other teams discard and build them into tight units hard to beat and capable of hurting sides when they attack.
 Sean McConville has impressed against us in the past and given us a hard time and Dion Charles and a young keeper on loan from Chelsea Nathan Baxter have begun to build a reputation playing under Coleman, and will come to the Keepmoat full of confidence.
  What side we turn out again is in the lap of the gods, last nights performance being decent apart from the threat on goal, which is how every Shrewsbury game for generations has gone, and not a new experience, they certainly have it on us.
  Somebody on another thread touched on what would we be like without Whiteman, what a great question, even though we lost to me he was head and shoulders the best player on the field last night and is probably irreplaceable in our team at the moment. We had enough of the game to have won JJ to me must have learnt a lot about the game last night finding it hard going against the Shrewsbury defence something he is not used to I thought.
  So how do you see it, were we tired?
  Would you make changes?
  Would you normally have been going to this game?
  Do you like me have a soft spot for Accrington and admire their manager?
  Can we get back to winning ways quickly?
  Lots to discuss about this game, Lot's to look forward to as  Doncaster Rovers supporters, I hope everyone has a great Christmas and everyone has a great and better New Year, keep safe,  enjoy life, and look forward to better times for our club and yourselves and families.

[wilts rover]

Always a tough game this one. Would love to think it would be us and Accrington in the top two spots come the end of the season.

Thanks for the reviews through the year Selby - whatever the result in the last game there's always the next one to look forward to.

[Campsall rover]

Always a tough game this one. Would love to think it would be us and Accrington in the top two spots come the end of the season.

Thanks for the reviews through the year Selby - whatever the result in the last game there's always the next one to look forward to.

I do not have a soft spot for Accrington but i do admire what they have achieved as a club under Coleman.
He is Mr Accrington Stanley and without that short spell at Rochdale would be far and away the longest serving manager at one club in any of the to 4 leagues. Possibly the top 7 leagues.
To have Accrington as a potential play off candidate coming into the Christmas period is a fantastic achievement. They have possibly the smallest budget in the entire EFL along with Morecambe who are also over achieving in League 2.

This will be a very tricky game again for us and i feel we need to be on our A game to get the 3 points.

I would bring back CJ at left back ( yes I am contradicting my previous opinion that he is not a left back ) but his improvement in that position is considerable and it now allows Reece James to play in a more advanced role in which he has been a revelation. Assists and goals coming from him.

Somewhat controversial i would bring back Joe Wright for Butts. As well as Butts has played i do think JW has more pace and adds a little extra to our build up play as is a better ball carrier.
My front 3 would be Taylor and James wide with Ferji central. JJ on the bench. Do not think playing both together last night really worked.

Need to get back on the horse quickly as some very testing fixtures coming up over the next few weeks.
No easy games in this league and so no such thing as an easy 3 points against anyone.

[Dutch Uncle]

Always a tough game this one. Would love to think it would be us and Accrington in the top two spots come the end of the season.

Thanks for the reviews through the year Selby - whatever the result in the last game there's always the next one to look forward to.

I don’t have a soft spot for Accrington but i do admire what they have achieved as a club under Coleman.
He is Mr Accrington Stanley and without that short spell at Rochdale would be far and away the longest serving manager at one club in any of the to 4 leagues. Possibly the top 7 leagues.
To have Accrington as a potential play off candidate coming into the Christmas period is a fantastic achievement. They have possibly the smallest budget in the entire EFL along with Morecambe who are also over achieving in League 2.

This will be a very tricky game again for us and i feel we need to be on are A game to get the 3 points.

I would bring back CJ at left back ( yes I am contradicting my previous opinion that he isn’t a left back ) but his improvement in that position is considerable and it now allows Reece James to play in a more advanced role in which he has been a revelation. Assists and goals coming from him.

Somewhat controversial i would bring back Joe Wright for Butts. As well as Butts has played i do think JW has more pace and adds a little extra to our build up play as is a better ball carrier.
My front 3 would be Taylor and James wide with Ferji central. JJ on the bench. Don’t think playing both together last night really worked.

Need to get back on the horse quickly as some very testing fixtures coming up over the next few weeks.
No easy games in this league and so no such thing as an easy 3 points against anyone.

On the Butts/Wright question I would wait one more game. Joe I think is on 4 yellows, as is Halliday. I also think next match is the cut off for suspensions for 5 yellows.

[Campsall rover]

Always a tough game this one. Would love to think it would be us and Accrington in the top two spots come the end of the season.

Thanks for the reviews through the year Selby - whatever the result in the last game there's always the next one to look forward to.

I don’t have a soft spot for Accrington but i do admire what they have achieved as a club under Coleman.
He is Mr Accrington Stanley and without that short spell at Rochdale would be far and away the longest serving manager at one club in any of the to 4 leagues. Possibly the top 7 leagues.
To have Accrington as a potential play off candidate coming into the Christmas period is a fantastic achievement. They have possibly the smallest budget in the entire EFL along with Morecambe who are also over achieving in League 2.

This will be a very tricky game again for us and i feel we need to be on are A game to get the 3 points.

I would bring back CJ at left back ( yes I am contradicting my previous opinion that he isn’t a left back ) but his improvement in that position is considerable and it now allows Reece James to play in a more advanced role in which he has been a revelation. Assists and goals coming from him.

Somewhat controversial i would bring back Joe Wright for Butts. As well as Butts has played i do think JW has more pace and adds a little extra to our build up play as is a better ball carrier.
My front 3 would be Taylor and James wide with Ferji central. JJ on the bench. Don’t think playing both together last night really worked.

Need to get back on the horse quickly as some very testing fixtures coming up over the next few weeks.
No easy games in this league and so no such thing as an easy 3 points against anyone.

On the Butts/Wright question I would wait one more game. Joe I think is on 4 yellows, as is Halliday. I also think next match is the cut off for suspensions for 5 yellows.

Good point forgot about the yellow cards.
Yes i am sure DM will have his eye on that.

[selby]

We need to pick the right team to win the game, Darren has shown in other games he is not against changing the team personnel to match up with the team and tactics to suit who we play.
 

[drfchound]

Always a tough game this one. Would love to think it would be us and Accrington in the top two spots come the end of the season.

Thanks for the reviews through the year Selby - whatever the result in the last game there's always the next one to look forward to.

I don’t have a soft spot for Accrington but i do admire what they have achieved as a club under Coleman.
He is Mr Accrington Stanley and without that short spell at Rochdale would be far and away the longest serving manager at one club in any of the to 4 leagues. Possibly the top 7 leagues.
To have Accrington as a potential play off candidate coming into the Christmas period is a fantastic achievement. They have possibly the smallest budget in the entire EFL along with Morecambe who are also over achieving in League 2.

This will be a very tricky game again for us and i feel we need to be on are A game to get the 3 points.

I would bring back CJ at left back ( yes I am contradicting my previous opinion that he isn’t a left back ) but his improvement in that position is considerable and it now allows Reece James to play in a more advanced role in which he has been a revelation. Assists and goals coming from him.

Somewhat controversial i would bring back Joe Wright for Butts. As well as Butts has played i do think JW has more pace and adds a little extra to our build up play as is a better ball carrier.
My front 3 would be Taylor and James wide with Ferji central. JJ on the bench. Don’t think playing both together last night really worked.

Need to get back on the horse quickly as some very testing fixtures coming up over the next few weeks.
No easy games in this league and so no such thing as an easy 3 points against anyone.

On the Butts/Wright question I would wait one more game. Joe I think is on 4 yellows, as is Halliday. I also think next match is the cut off for suspensions for 5 yellows.

I mentioned the yellow card situation in the last few days too Dutch.
Someone had suggested leaving a couple of players out to give them a rest and Whiteman was one of the suggested names.
I had it in my mind that Ben was also on four yellows so said that he should stay in the team and if he did get carded before and including the Accrington game then he would get his one game rest anyway.
If he didn’t get a booking then the manager still had the option to rest him if he felt the need to.

With regards to Accrington, they shouldn’t be underestimated at all.
They are in a good position in the table too and as things stand, should they win two of their three games in hand on Pompey then they would go top and would also go past Lincoln.

I think that Sims is going to be a very big miss for us as his skill and speed of movement and thought is not going to be easy to replace,

However, we too are in a good place right now and hopefully can kick on to be in the promotion mix if the league programme doesn’t get suspended.

[Alan Southstand]

I think we’ve already missed Sims, hound, as he could have made the difference v Shrewsbury. The next game will be even more difficult, as Accrington are also in a very strong position and with games in hand.

I’ve got an awful feeling about this one and can see us losing again. Fearing the worst but hoping for the best is all I’ve got at the moment. I just don’t think we have enough of a cutting edge right now.

Fingers and toes are crossed.

[Chris Black come back]

Their last five away games in League One are three wins (all clean sheets), one draw and one defeat. They have scored 11 goals in those five away games. In short, another tough game.

[selby]

  CBCB, we are a decent side but not that good that we can think any game is easy, on the flip side no team in this division should have an easy time of it against us.

[Chris Black come back]

We are a good side but we had one real chance at home on Tuesday night. Do that again and we are unlikely to be getting anything on Boxing Day.

[steve@dcfd]

We are playing a strong side with a good away record. But if we could create chances and take them we will be first or second in the League. Players going for goal must make the right decision whether to shoot or pass. Take Taylor who was put through on goal on Tuesday night shot and missed the goal. Yet JJ was right infront of goal if he had put in the right pass we could have scored. We might find this game better than Tuesday Accrington may want to attack, which we find better to play against. I would like to see John play at left back his height helps when we are defending free kicks and corners. Another good game I believe which any of three results is possible, let’s hope it’s a win.

[Campsall rover]

We are a good side but we had one real chance at home on Tuesday night. Do that again and we are unlikely to be getting anything on Boxing Day.

We still created enough to win the game imo. It was just one of those nights when you knew it was not to be.

You have to give Shrewsbury some credit. To win 1-0 in 3 consecutive away games at Hull, Lincoln and Rovers is not a fluke.

[scawsby steve]

We are a good side but we had one real chance at home on Tuesday night. Do that again and we are unlikely to be getting anything on Boxing Day.

We still created enough to win the game imo. It was just one of those nights when you knew it was not to be.

You have to give Shrewsbury some credit. To win 1-0 in 3 consecutive away games at Hull, Lincoln and Rovers is not a fluke.

Created enough? I can only remember their goalie being tested once. He could have brought his snap with him.

[steve@dcfd]

Hi SSteve from another Steve
Home TeamDoncasterAway TeamShrewsbury
Possession
Home67%Away33%
Shots
Home19
Shots on Target
Home3

We did create but out of the 19 shots only 3 were on target. So we need to ensure if we shoot we work the keeper. With 19 shots we should have scored.

[Campsall rover]

We are a good side but we had one real chance at home on Tuesday night. Do that again and we are unlikely to be getting anything on Boxing Day.

We still created enough to win the game imo. It was just one of those nights when you knew it was not to be.

You have to give Shrewsbury some credit. To win 1-0 in 3 consecutive away games at Hull, Lincoln and Rovers is not a fluke.

Created enough? I can only remember their goalie being tested once. He could have brought his snap with him.

We still created chances Steve we just didn’t hit the target.

[Lytham Rover]

We lacked a cutting edge
Not helped by playing a different formation and therefore not applying enough pressure by weight of possession
I hope that we will go back to 4-2-3-1

[BigH]

A horrible side this lot, and I mean that in a decent way. I'd be happy with a draw.

[drfchound]

Right lads, let’s get back to the football. ⚽️⚽️

[Juddy]

I had booked to go today East stand,meal, meet man of the man etc as it’s my 66 birthday but never mind I player pot of tea mince pie and a win will do. Come on boys

[Donnywolf]

Pot of Tea - Mince Pie - and a win

Hope you get all 3 as that sounds like a great Birthday so have a good one. I am on my last stop in the 60s and soon will start with a 7 (gulp) - how did that happen lol

[sha66y]

Just hope the Shrews game didn’t knock the confidence too much,

Today we will lose by 2 goals, unless we score first!

Cons
We seem unable to cross from wide
We are impotent at all set pieces
We are vulnerable at set pieces
We struggle when pressed

Pros
It’s Boxing Day and we need a win

[idler]

Pot of Tea - Mince Pie - and a win

Hope you get all 3 as that sounds like a great Birthday so have a good one. I am on my last stop in the 60s and soon will start with a 7 (gulp) - how did that happen lol

There is life after 70 John, it’s just a bit slower.
My two sessions at the gym almost killed me after two months off.

[Filo]

Nothing to talk about, game off

[Spud]

Mince pie & a brew if nowt else goes wrong then eh lads?

[drfchound]

Mince pie & a brew if nowt else goes wrong then eh lads?

Oh don’t worry spud.
The political threads will kick off a bit early.


2.30pm
Edit
They have already kicked off.

[Spud]

Mince pie & a brew if nowt else goes wrong then eh lads?

Oh don’t worry spud.
The political threads will kick off a bit early.


2.30pm
Edit
They have already kicked off.

Not very often I venture into off topic, for that reason lol

[drfchound]

Mince pie & a brew if nowt else goes wrong then eh lads?

Oh don’t worry spud.
The political threads will kick off a bit early.


2.30pm
Edit
They have already kicked off.

Not very often I venture into off topic, for that reason lol

I made the mistake of going in this morning mate.
I think I will exit though.
The clans are beginning to gang up on me.

[Filo]

Mince pie & a brew if nowt else goes wrong then eh lads?

Oh don’t worry spud.
The political threads will kick off a bit early.


2.30pm
Edit
They have already kicked off.

Not very often I venture into off topic, for that reason lol

I made the mistake of going in this morning mate.
I think I will exit though.
The clans are beginning to gang up on me.

You were one of the first contributors

[drfchound]

Mince pie & a brew if nowt else goes wrong then eh lads?

Oh don’t worry spud.
The political threads will kick off a bit early.


2.30pm
Edit
They have already kicked off.

Not very often I venture into off topic, for that reason lol

I made the mistake of going in this morning mate.
I think I will exit though.
The clans are beginning to gang up on me.

You were one of the first contributors

True, just making a statement of fact.
To be fair, you were the first of BSTs deputies to fire a bullet at me.