Let's talk about the Oxford United game

[Sammy Chung was King]

They have a rough run of fixtures after us, we will be seen as their best chance of three points in that run. How many times do sides drop points to those at the bottom it that same situation?. I think we can get something from this one.

[steve@dcfd]

Selby I hope you are right about strength of squad but I don’t see who we are going to have in extra apart from Galbraith Bogle and Williams

[GazLaz]

Probably two of our 11 would get in their 11. That’s says a lot.

I’ve had a good bet on them at 1.94 (20/21 ish) they are about 1.69 (4/6 ish) now. Got the value. If they win fair enough. If we win brilliant.

[normal rules]

I got 5/6 Oxford. But I’m now looking at a side punt of both teams to score at 8/11. (Sky bet)

[ColinDouglasHandshake]

They are expecting to take about 400 fans this evening.

One of them doesn't have far to go as he's in Loversall. Hope you enjoy the game Oxford fan in Loversall.

[Bailey Vickerage]

Gonna be a tough game tonight and can’t see anything other than a defeat. Can’t see there being too many changes with maybe Galbraith coming straight back in, Bogle and Ed Williams on the bench and I’ve got a feeling one of either John or Ro-Shaun Williams will be in the squad with McSheffrey saying there may be a surprise in the squad and all the other injured lads were mentioned in his press conference. Also looking forward to seeing Herbie Kane back at the keepmoat tonight (one of the best loans I’ve seen in a donny shirt), really surprised he’s still playing in league 1. Hopefully he gets a good reception.

Jones

Knoyle Anderson Rowe

Hasani Smith Galbraith Horton

Barlow

Dodoo Hiwula

[ColinDouglasHandshake]

Knoyle needs to seriously up his game tonight as he's been appalling recently. Poor concentration. Poor decision making. Poor positioning. We have a reason to expect better from him.

Hopefully Galbraith can provide some creativity as there isn't any in that midfield and the front lads have to make runs, work hard and get into dangerous areas.

If they don't. We will create nothing.

The way i see things. Can we not get a bloody penalty at home for once tonight too please Mr Ref?

Failing that. Just try and win free kicks so that we can get Rowe and Anderson in the box who are our most potent goal threats from crosses in the side.

[normal rules]

Herbie Kane is a level above this league. I fully expect him to dominate his part of the middle third tonight.

[steve@dcfd]

If we do play 3412 as suggested above Knoyle will be better at wing back but unless Ro Shaun is fit I can’t see who can play right of the back three.

[DonnyOsmond]

If we do play 3412 as suggested above Knoyle will be better at wing back but unless Ro Shaun is fit I can’t see who can play right of the back three.

That's how we played on Saturday.

[steve@dcfd]

If we do play 3412 as suggested above Knoyle will be better at wing back but unless Ro Shaun is fit I can’t see who can play right of the back three.

That's how we played on Saturday.

I appreciate that but Mansfield I believe played  a 442  were Oxford play mostly 433 so I just thought we may change to suit that.

[Sammy Chung was King]

The full backs are not getting tight enough onto their direct opponent, I’ve noticed this time and again. Far too many crosses are coming into the box. To get out of the bottom four, things like this need to stop happening.

 Everybody has to work hard for each other. I’ve had a go on rovers to win and both teams to score at 8/1. Unfortunately it’s early days in trying to tighten the defence so I don’t see a clean sheet.

[RugbyRover]

Jones

Knoyle Anderson Blythe Horton

Smith Galbraith Rowe Barlow

Dodoo Hiwula

one silk purse made

[Metalmicky]

Winds will be down to around 20 mph by KO with the rain is dying out... so unless the pitch is unplayable, it won't be called off.  The weather may actually be a leveller tonight.

[jmt23]

The weather might even up play a bit tonight, its going to be worse than Saturday, just got back from Liverpool where you can barely stand up or walk in the wind. If we get any of that it will be hard for any team to play good football.

[normal rules]

Jones

Knoyle Anderson Blythe Horton

Smith Galbraith Rowe Barlow

Dodoo Hiwula

one silk purse made

So basically a 4-4-0 setup?

[RugbyRover]

Jones

Knoyle Anderson Blythe Horton

Smith Galbraith Rowe Barlow

Dodoo Hiwula

one silk purse made

So basically a 4-4-0 setup?

 

blame Bailey Vickerage I just copied that team and tweaked it

[Batleyred]

Is Barlow out injured ?

[Bailey Vickerage]

Jones

Knoyle Anderson Blythe Horton

Smith Galbraith Rowe Barlow

Dodoo Hiwula

one silk purse made

So basically a 4-4-0 setup?

 

blame Bailey Vickerage I just copied that team and tweaked it

haha, might aswell play with no strikers, can’t see us going with a back 4 tbh.

[Rovers91]

We are going to get battered tonight I think sadly, 5-1 Oxford I will go for.

[RugbyRover]

Jones

Knoyle Anderson Blythe Horton

Smith Galbraith Rowe Barlow

Dodoo Hiwula

one silk purse made

So basically a 4-4-0 setup?

 

blame Bailey Vickerage I just copied that team and tweaked it

haha, might aswell play with no strikers, can’t see us going with a back 4 tbh.

Looks like you were right about the back 3. But at least I got Blythe in.

[Donnyjim]

0-1 already - games gone. Another games gone.

[PDX_Rover]

0-1 already - games gone.

That's the spirit Jim!

[Donnyjim]

0-1 already - games gone.

That's the spirit Jim!

Interest is certainly waning - not sure about anyone else?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Wasn't there tonight but sounds like we showed some spirit, bearing in mind we expect to fade in the second half.

Still some lack of quality and confidence at times but maybe there's some seeds of recovery?

Of course we're in a difficult spot but the season still has a long way to go.

[normal rules]

Gary mc rang the changes at half time and it made a big diff. Rovers were being cut wide open down the right side. Going 4 at the back changed things. Dodoo and hiwula made a diff when they came on, as did bogle. Who was pivotal in the lead up to the leveller.
Got lucky with two disallowed goals.Jones was good and bad. Some good saves but some bloopers. One of which could have easily been an og.
Hammer blow from Henry.
Didn’t expect to win.
Green shoots, but it won’t be enough for this season.
I’ll volunteer to take cukur back to whence he came . At my own expense.

[steve@dcfd]

Cukur as not worked out he will be going back I believe when there’s a break clause in his loan. The Kids 19 he’s played a poor side so no development just get off his back.

[ColinDouglasHandshake]

Cukur as not worked out he will be going back I believe when there’s a break clause in his loan. The Kids 19 he’s played a poor side so no development just get off his back.

Get off his back?!! The bloke is f**king absolutely clueless. The worst player i think i have ever seen play the game at all levels. I've just spent the best part of 6 hours including travelling and then sat in the freezing cold watching him lollop about like a donkey with his nice new hairdo and matching gloves and you say get off his back?!!

Send him back right now and McSheffery basically committed suicide first half with that line up and tactics.

Get off his back honestly. He's shit. End of.

Big improvement seconf half from the first, which i am still trying to convince myself was even played it was that non existent. If we don't improve quick though, even from that second half performance, we'll be down by the New Year.

Pleased for Horton. Showing the abysmal Hiwula how to actually strike a football properly. Cracking goal that i thought would give us a point but not to be in the end because our defence can't f**king concentrate or defend.

I can't now see this group of players getting out of this.

New manager needed as of yesterday.

Saturday is huge.

Credit to Oxford. They should have scored about 7 so they fully merited the win.

The ref needs a good kicking. Utterly inept.

Other than that. Roll on Saturday and really desperate now for 3 points.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

I hope that's the last we see of Cukur in a Rovers shirt. I can excuse not being good enough but lack of effort does me. Just half arses it about.

Have to pull a few fingers out his ring piece if he wants to make it in the big leagues going forward.

[drfchound]

I hope that's the last we see of Cukur in a Rovers shirt. I can excuse not being good enough but lack of effort does me. Just half arses it about.

Have to pull a few fingers out his ring piece if he wants to make it in the big leagues going forward.

This.
I was sat with two ex Rovers players tonight and they both said that they would like to see his stats after that first half performance.
Admittedly Cukur played with no support he just didn’t put much effort into his performance.
Lazy, not strong enough and not good enough when he eventually did get the ball.
There is little wonder that we improved in the second half when McSheff made changes.