Let's talk about the Shrewsbury Town game

[selby]

  A team that at one time looked to be in trouble the same as ourselves but in the second half of the season have pulkled themselves together organised their game and have pulled well clear of any danger.
  Yesterday they ran Sunderland close succumbing only to an injury time winner after pulling back from two goals down, so are a side to be admired  who have spirit organisation and resilience when the chips are down, a lot of what we have to instil in our club from now on.
  Yesterday was the first game I have come away thinking things are getting better. Some will say not, results being the end all of all things, which I agree with to a point, but we have reached rock bottom in the recent past in fact since Christmas, like many I agree we would have struggled to be a decent non league team.
  So what do we need to look for to give some hope of the future. I want to see a sign that our management team can make very average players better, yesterday the signs were there a plus.
I want to see hope in the future that players we have signed  are improving and give the club a future in Olowu, Griffiths, and Knoyle we have three young players who we can build on backed up by Faulkner and Jones that is a very good young base to build on who can go on to better things, add Rowe Bostock Anderson Williams Close and Clayton as experienced players I would venture its not a bad base to build on for next season if all stay that is.  We need a quality left back and strengthening up front in the striker department that has been our achilleas heal problem all season an old stager like Hilton at Luton up front who such as Griffiths who worked hard yesterday can learn from, if he adds goals to his game he will not be at our club long, he looks like he could be a very good player given game time.
  So some things are going right for me except results, we just are incapable of getting a few results on the bounce despite looking a better side.
  All the usual questions could be asked about this game and please have your say, but the die looks cast as far as relegation is concerned and where and what we do from here is a more important question probably that we can touch on for the remaining games, please have your say and express your thoughts.
  A player like MJ Williams who played for Bolton yesterday sitting in front of the back line organising everything would be a good start.

[Chris Black come back]

Let’s not.

Sooner this season and this team are history, the better. Would happily take second bottom and finish the season after yesterday.

[selby]

  If that is the total sum of your contribution well done very enlightening thanks a lot, probably suits your image.

[roversdude]

Decent performance yesterday and for me the same team to start with maybe Galbraith in for Barlow-hopefully the pressure is off now but we at least go down fighting

[Sammy Chung was King]

As for many months, we need to win this game.
Against Bolton, a good side, lack of concentration cost us a point, conceding straight after scoring.
Against Shrewsbury we should be going for the win and taking it to the next week.
Nothing to lose now. Go out and play some good football, play with freedom.

[drfchound]

Even if we won our last three, Gillingham only need three points from three games and Fleetwood four points from four games.
Oh, and Morecambe one point from three games.

[Chris the Rover]

I think we’re done for now. Thought we played ok for the most part yesterday - the midfield looks much better and we were creating chances, which in itself is a novelty. I suspect that even if we win on Monday it will be too little too late.

[Colemans Left Hook]

  If that is the total sum of your contribution well done very enlightening thanks a lot, probably suits your image.

Has Selby got a nice little earner here "on pay per clicks (that'a joke by the way; some of us appreciate the continuous hard work you put in on this site) in these dire times for Rovers we need to laugh

Talking of a laugh the last time we played at Shrewsbury one of their defenders slipped/fell over allowing Fej to score.   


It gets a mention all the time on radio sheffield

I have asked the question before was that Williams ??? Who fell over his boot laces to let Fej score. I havent had an answer yet.


Now for the good news we are on a hat-trick  here

Remember we beat them at home this season so that's two in a row.

After doing my bank manager a favour and drawing at home to Rotherham then beating them away they seem to have gone back to their form earlier in the season

[EasyforDennis]

Decent performance yesterday and for me the same team to start with maybe Galbraith in for Barlow-hopefully the pressure is off now but we at least go down fighting

You could pick anyone to replace Barlow and it would be an improvement.

[Colemans Left Hook]

ok here's   the goal we scored at the Shrews please try to keep a straight face !

was it Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPsR0rXgsXk

[normal rules]

Let’s build on the positives from yesterday please.
More shots on goal. More attacking play. More cohesion.
Please please don’t let this be a capitulation.
We need to finish this season with some sort of integrity. If that’s at all possible.

[scawsby steve]

First of all, I'd like to thank Brian for doing these threads throughout a very difficult season, and for trying to remain positive when some of us just couldn't.

I've got my ST for next season, and am quite looking forward to visiting some different grounds in League 2.

As regards the playing squad, I know it can't happen, but I'd be quite happy for the whole lot, apart from Tommy Rowe, to be cleared out.

[Campsall rover]

First of all, I'd like to thank Brian for doing these threads throughout a very difficult season, and for trying to remain positive when some of us just couldn't.

I've got my ST for next season, and am quite looking forward to visiting some different grounds in League 2.

As regards the playing squad, I know it can't happen, but I'd be quite happy for the whole lot, apart from Tommy Rowe, to be cleared out.

So you wouldn’t even keep Mitchell, Olowu, Clayton, Smith ( if we can get him)
Come on SS they are well worth keeping surely.
Imo so is Knoyle, Younger, Griffiths, Williams, and if they are 100% fit, Anderson, John, Close, Taylor Fej and Agard. ( anyone not fit by 30th June get rid. )
Don’t see us being able to keep Bostock, Galbraith and Martin.

Clear out, Jackson, Greaves, Gardener, Barlow, Dodoo, Mipo

I would keep Jones and Horton as squad players.

[Chris Black come back]

There are certainly some talented and promising players in the squad. The major issue though is that for the last 18 months whether older or newer, these are players who have become absolutely used to losing.

This season alone we have lost exactly 2/3 of our league games. Putting aside Crewe who are clearly a special case, we have lost 28 league games this season while Wimbledon, Fleetwood and Gillingham have all lost far fewer, at 20. Losing runs through this squad like Blackpool through a stick of rock.

And I don’t think the injured lads are exempt either. They were losing at a prodigious rate in the second half of last season also. They lost 10 of the last 15 games. Guess what. 2/3 again.

Something is very badly wrong if out of every three games we are losing two, consistently and for so long.

It’s impractical to get rid of everyone, I know. But I am not sure most of the current lot either know, care or are able to stop losing. It’s now so deeply engrained in them. Just think it through. 2/3 games are lost. It’s appalling and has been for 18 months now.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

Thank you for persevering doing these all season, Selby. I always read them but rarely comment as I've only been to a handful of games this season so my input wouldn't be as insightful as others.

Same team that started v Bolton for me other than Barlow. I can't recall the kids name from the youth team or if he even playa on the right but I'd give him a blast over anyone else. He's played in a few of the piss pot games for us and did okay, by all accounts.

[roversdude]

Echo all of these sentiments Selby thanks for wading through the treacle and keeping this going.
Someone wrote on another thread about the lack of draws we’ve had, totally agree if we could only have turned a few of the defeats into draws.
What amazes me, and Evatt alluded to it, is our inability to deal with crosses - this goes back to the DM era and has persisted through changes in managers, changes in coaches and changes in personnel - surely if opposition managers see this after watching a video, as a club we must be able to see it.
Sorry I’ve gone slightly off topic
Is anyone else going on Monday, I was hoping my tickets would get lost in the post but they arrived yesterday so looks like I’ll have to go lol

[selby]

  Thanks for the kudos guys, the enjoyment is others participating and for too long we have all had little to enthuse about, but what goes around comes around and hopefully better things are just around the corner. I know for a fact there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes by some good people to make the future of the club better.
  It's a pleasure to correspond with you all and I hope the thread is enjoyed and informative, others opinions are very interesting about the team it would not do for us all to think the same way.
  Colemans Left Hook, unfortunately the pay is terrible, round about the beggar pauper territory, but hopefully if people are good enough to stick with it I will look forward to kicking on next season and hopefully  happier times for a great little club and some of the best committed supporters there can possibly be.

[rover-n-out]

As above, thank you Selby for your continued summaries of upcoming games. Always interesting and informative posts. I look forward to (hopefully) more positivity wherever we are next season. Well done sir!!

[Campsall rover]

Yes I echo the above sentiments Brian. Keep the “let’s talk about” Threads going next season.
Always creates an interesting talking point.

[Campsall rover]

That 1st half was nothing short of embarrassing.

Absolutely pathetic. They should be ashamed. No fight, nothing. Total surrender.

[Campsall rover]

The players should personally give all those travelling Rovers fans their money back for the tickets and travelling expenses out of their own pockets.

Friday I was proud to be a Rovers fan, today I am ashamed.
How can we be so utterly disinterested in a 100% must win game.

I am now seriously questioning GM. This is not acceptable.

[Alan Southstand]

I’m questioning the whole shooting match - for me, it starts at the very top. The Board are simply not taking ANY responsibility for this utter shambles of a set-up.

[silent majority]

I’m questioning the whole shooting match - for me, it starts at the very top. The Board are simply not taking ANY responsibility for this utter shambles of a set-up.

How do you know they're not taking responsibility?

[steve@dcfd]

We’ve drawn but we are still relegated because of our goal difference if can even get six more points.
When will the board the hierarchy come out and accept they got it wrong it’s not just managers and players this debacle started last season. The rebuild needed more than what they did. But they will remain quiet as always

[Campsall rover]

Why did we wait till 3-0 down to decide to turn up.

That 2nd half showed the team has the ability. What is it mentally that we can’t  produce consistently.
We started the game as if we weren’t even interested.

[steve@dcfd]

I’m questioning the whole shooting match - for me, it starts at the very top. The Board are simply not taking ANY responsibility for this utter shambles of a set-up.

How do you know they're not taking responsibility?

Will wait with bated breath to hear what they believe their responsibilities have been since DM left .

[silent majority]

I’m questioning the whole shooting match - for me, it starts at the very top. The Board are simply not taking ANY responsibility for this utter shambles of a set-up.

How do you know they're not taking responsibility?

Will wait with bated breath to hear what they believe their responsibilities have been since DM left .

It was a question for Alan. He seems quite adamant that the board aren't taking responsibility, I'd like him him to tell me how he knows that.

[selby]

Nobody can say the manager didn't do his job at half time though.

[StocksArmy]

Id rather have been hit double figures and be out of our misery than come back and paper over cracks. Not a doubt in my mind that GM has given 100% every day so all the hate on the guy isnt fair. The club needs to make this change at the end of the season. If we dont make the change then L2 will be another tough watch. The list of players we want rid of needs to be a very long one.

[Campsall rover]

Nobody can say the manager didn't do his job at half time though.

Yes Brian. But what the hell did he say to them before kick off.  You can’t decide to only play for 45 mins.

What the f..k we’re we doing 1st half Brian.