Let's talk about the Crawley Town game

[selby]

  It is a team game, not everyone plays well all the time, the better players have less poor games that is their marker.
  Rowe, Clayton and Tomlin are our most gifted players with Close, in a young side with the rest of the team Williams, Mitchell, Knoyle and Taylor if he plays having very little experience at League football level.
 We are now a team to attract young talent with sale on value, in Olowu, Faulkner and Hurst three very promising young players, and Millar if he continues scoring goals will soon make a name for himself.
  I think some posters on here and other media outlets are missing what is being slowly built and transformed at the club by the management, and we are now in a different environment from the bring ready made players to the club that for a few years got us out of the malaise we had sunk into in the nineties until John Ryan came along, pushed the boat out and gave us the exciting period that he instigated.
  Unfortunately we now live in a different era, people like John have to be absolutely minted to go along his route and have money to throw away that people interested in the likes of Doncaster Rovers, indeed if there is anyone at all are very few and far between except at the top table.
  It is not just about the first team, it is about the very survival of the club heading into a recession that will catch more than football clubs out living off borrowed money. The management team and club look from the outside conservative in every respect, I think it is the right decision at the moment and we must have a playing side management that is willing to get out on the training pitch and improve and polish rough diamonds that initially cost little.
  That is why I back wholeheartedly Gary McSheffrey, he works with players and knows what he wants out of them, a Steve Evans, Darren Moore type collector of expensive numbers of players ready made could in the next couple of years cripple clubs.
   Be careful what you wish for, some very respected clubs will feel the heat far more than Doncaster Rovers over the next few years, and their management will not help them just move on to the next mugs. 

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Very well put Selby!

Seems my fellow posters above recognise the team was better balanced whilst also recognising there's still potential in some players yet to be seen.

I just wonder if Rowe had been fit and been on the bench yesterday, along with Tomlin,  what some folk would have said about team selection pre match.

The sum of the parts is more important than the individuals so I don't get this if Rowe's fit, he plays?

It's great we have benefited from Close' return as it looks like he can provide that missing ingredient in midfield. If that means we now perform better as a unit, let's see the potential grow and avoid thinking, who can we drop to accommodate Rowe. Of course, Rowe will get his chance again but he'll have to earn his place on current merit. He'll have to go some to displace Hurst at the mo.

[redarmi66]

  It is a team game, not everyone plays well all the time, the better players have less poor games that is their marker.
  Rowe, Clayton and Tomlin are our most gifted players with Close, in a young side with the rest of the team Williams, Mitchell, Knoyle and Taylor if he plays having very little experience at League football level.
 We are now a team to attract young talent with sale on value, in Olowu, Faulkner and Hurst three very promising young players, and Millar if he continues scoring goals will soon make a name for himself.
  I think some posters on here and other media outlets are missing what is being slowly built and transformed at the club by the management, and we are now in a different environment from the bring ready made players to the club that for a few years got us out of the malaise we had sunk into in the nineties until John Ryan came along, pushed the boat out and gave us the exciting period that he instigated.
  Unfortunately we now live in a different era, people like John have to be absolutely minted to go along his route and have money to throw away that people interested in the likes of Doncaster Rovers, indeed if there is anyone at all are very few and far between except at the top table.
  It is not just about the first team, it is about the very survival of the club heading into a recession that will catch more than football clubs out living off borrowed money. The management team and club look from the outside conservative in every respect, I think it is the right decision at the moment and we must have a playing side management that is willing to get out on the training pitch and improve and polish rough diamonds that initially cost little.
  That is why I back wholeheartedly Gary McSheffrey, he works with players and knows what he wants out of them, a Steve Evans, Darren Moore type collector of expensive numbers of players ready made could in the next couple of years cripple clubs.
   Be careful what you wish for, some very respected clubs will feel the heat far more than Doncaster Rovers over the next few years, and their management will not help them just move on to the next mugs. 

Great Post.

[Alan Southstand]

If Rowe is fit, he does play. How can you possibly question what he does for the team? He’s not an individual, he is an excellent member of the team and, more often than not, we are a much better team with him in it.

I do question how Molyneux is getting picked so readily, however, as his performances, to date, have been well short of what was expected. I also notice young Griffiths was doing some training pre match and it was good to see he’s shed a few pounds during his injury time-out. GM is going to have some big decisions to make over the next few weeks.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

If Rowe is fit, he does play. How can you possibly question what he does for the team? He’s not an individual, he is an excellent member of the team and, more often than not, we are a much better team with him in it.

I do question how Molyneux is getting picked so readily, however, as his performances, to date, have been well short of what was expected. I also notice young Griffiths was doing some training pre match and it was good to see he’s shed a few pounds during his injury time-out. GM is going to have some big decisions to make over the next few weeks.

Quite easily question what Rowe does for the team. How many folk question his ability to play left back?

Yes, we can question the likes of Molyneux but would you put Rowe on the right?

[Campsall rover]

Good assist for Molyneux yesterday. He linked play nicely but did give the ball away plenty. Once he hits form he can be explosive.

Would Hurst be as effective on the right?

That’s the question agree. If Rowe plays then Hurst has to go on the right side.
Think he would do ok as he has switched sides several times during games with Molyneux.

Hurst need to be allowed to wander also and play central off Miller. We saw yesterday how devastating he can be with his pace and dribbling ability down the middle.

[Alan Southstand]

Yes, we can question the likes of Molyneux but would you put Rowe on the right?

Ahead of an under-performing Molyneux? Yes, definately.

[ravenrover]

Just watched the highlights, the 2 attempted tackles, leading up to their goal! What were our players doing was it Clayton and Maxwell? Talk about powder puff, shocking.
However even the wife got excited about Hursts goal and Georgies finish for the third.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Just watched the highlights, the 2 attempted tackles, leading up to their goal! What were our players doing was it Clayton and Maxwell? Talk about powder puff, shocking.
However even the wife got excited about Hursts goal and Georgies finish for the third.

Totally agree. Several missed tackles including three from Maxwell who did actually get his foot on the ball at least once. As a former full back, you might get beat once, twice at a stretch but if you get a third chance to put someone into touch or on the deck, you do it  even if it means a yellow. Has to be stronger in those situations and I'm sure he can!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Yes, we can question the likes of Molyneux but would you put Rowe on the right?

Ahead of an under-performing Molyneux? Yes, definately.

Fair do's but McSheffrey would have to man manage that. Not sure how Rowe would feel playing on the right side. Alternatively, as suggested above, maybe Hurst could play right side to accommodate Rowe on the left?

If Hursts found his form where he is, don't  tinker with it.

[Campsall rover]

Yes, we can question the likes of Molyneux but would you put Rowe on the right?

Ahead of an under-performing Molyneux? Yes, definately.

Fair do's but McSheffrey would have to man manage that. Not sure how Rowe would feel playing on the right side. Alternatively, as suggested above, maybe Hurst could play right side to accommodate Rowe on the left?

If Hursts found his form where he is, don't  tinker with it.

Let Hurst have a free role when in possession in the opponents half. Makes him a difficult man to mark.
He can and is causing some damage to our opponents.

Get same from Molyneux and we are going to be a very potent attacking force especially with Close back in the team he has an eye for a pass to open up defences.
Tomlin on as a super sub for me. Use him sparingly and we will get the best out of him.

[ravenrover]

Why not leave him free as part of 2 up top. His pace and control would terrify defenders

[drfchound]

Yes, we can question the likes of Molyneux but would you put Rowe on the right?

Ahead of an under-performing Molyneux? Yes, definately.

Fair do's but McSheffrey would have to man manage that. Not sure how Rowe would feel playing on the right side. Alternatively, as suggested above, maybe Hurst could play right side to accommodate Rowe on the left?

If Hursts found his form where he is, don't  tinker with it.

Let Hurst have a free role when in possession in the opponents half. Makes him a difficult man to mark.
He can and is causing some damage to our opponents.

Get same from Molyneux and we are going to be a very potent attacking force especially with Close back in the team he has an eye for a pass to open up defences.
Tomlin on as a super sub for me. Use him sparingly and we will get the best out of him.

Tomlin was excellent when he came on yesterday.
The situation was perfect for him, winning the game and Crawley trying to get a goal back, leaving him with a bit more space.
The chip he tried from near where Copps got his third goal against Southend was outrageous.