Two years

[BillyStubbsTears]

Since there's been any sense of structure, discipline and purpose to our side.

Two years since there's been anything remotely enjoyable to watch.

[ChrisBx]

The footballing strategy of the club is seemingly 'make it up as we go'. Over the past four transfer windows we've managed to assemble two of the worst squads since our return to the football league, led by inexperienced coaches who are asked to work miracles.

I genuinely cannot remember when the club last made a decision relating to football that I thought was shrewd. Hiring Moore, perhaps? Everything else requires blind faith to get behind.

[i_ateallthepies]

The footballing strategy of the club is seemingly 'make it up as we go'. Over the past three transfer windows we've managed to assemble two of the worst squads since our return to the football league, led by inexperienced coaches who are asked to work miracles.

I genuinely cannot remember when the club last made a decision I thought was shrewd. Hiring Moore, perhaps? Everything else requires blind faith to get behind.

I hope you don't STILL think hiring Moore was shrewd, Chris.  This shit show was started by him.

[jmt23]

Turn over in managers, then turn over in players.

That over reliance on loans has cost us years in team/club development.

[colincramb]

How about another theory that the complete lack of interest from the second largest population base in South Yorkshire in its football club has resulted in what we now have? Our fan base is shocking for a town the size of this.

[roverstillidie91]

How about another theory that the complete lack of interest from the second largest population base in South Yorkshire in its football club has resulted in what we now have? Our fan base is shocking for a town the size of this.

You see fans from like Leeds, Newcastle clubs like that who follow their clubs no matter what. We only have to lose 1 game and we lose 30% of the crowd. We wouldn't be getting particularly great crowds even if we was doing well.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

How about another theory that the complete lack of interest from the second largest population base in South Yorkshire in its football club has resulted in what we now have? Our fan base is shocking for a town the size of this.

You see fans from like Leeds, Newcastle clubs like that who follow their clubs no matter what. We only have to lose 1 game and we lose 30% of the crowd. We wouldn't be getting particularly great crowds even if we was doing well.

Not sure I agree. Leeds were getting crowds of 15-16000 not that long ago with half the ground shut. Don't fall for their loyalty b*llocks.  Even 12 months ago Newcastle couldn't sell games out.  Every club is the same, success brings crowds as people frankly want success and the premier League.

[ravenrover]

Citeh another example can't sell games out and look what they've won

[Red wizard]

Cramb make a very good point. Had the town got behind us when we want  in the championship and we was getting big gates week in week out we may of kicked on as we would of had a bigger budget. Fact was by our 4th season we was down to 7 k home fans. Doncaster is huge and should have no problems getting 25k gates. Years of been rubbish ment most football match attending people chose Leeds Sheffield Wed an  Sheffield u. We have a hardcore following of about 5 k an  that will fall a  next year if things don't change we Will be scrapping to stay up imo. Writings been on the wall since McCann left with budget cuts every year.

[since-1969]

Bournemouth play with 11k in the Premiership!!

[ravenrover]

Struggle to get 25k in the EPS :-]]

[sedwardsdrfc]

On the playing structure it is concerning for to me that after every long break we get pumped. The selling point of DS was he’s a proper training ground coach.

With that type of time it should be perfect for him to set us up. Hopefully it’s just a case of players not been sharp enough after a break.

Also a case that too many of the players aren’t up to it. I personally don’t buy it. Man for man we’ve a decent L2 team as far as I can see. Yes some weak spots but not often I’d want to swap our team for the oppositions, at least on paper

[BigH]

A big part of our demise since Moore left is that we seem to have lost any idea of how to defend.

It makes me wonder a) whether the question has ever been asked of our managerial candidates as to how they would sort it; and b) whether we actually do any coaching of the defence.

[Padge_DRFC]

How about another theory that the complete lack of interest from the second largest population base in South Yorkshire in its football club has resulted in what we now have? Our fan base is shocking for a town the size of this.

You see fans from like Leeds, Newcastle clubs like that who follow their clubs no matter what. We only have to lose 1 game and we lose 30% of the crowd. We wouldn't be getting particularly great crowds even if we was doing well.

Not sure I agree. Leeds were getting crowds of 15-16000 not that long ago with half the ground shut. Don't fall for their loyalty b*llocks.  Even 12 months ago Newcastle couldn't sell games out.  Every club is the same, success brings crowds as people frankly want success and the premier League.

The more worrying this is that we charge 230 quid for a ST as well a tenner a game and crowds are dreadful.

Leeds charged a fortune even when they were crap.

[roverstillidie91]

Bournemouth play with 11k in the Premiership!!

they have t.v money from prem though, have done for what last 7 or 8 years so they can sustain it

[drfchound]

Since there's been any sense of structure, discipline and purpose to our side.

Two years since there's been anything remotely enjoyable to watch.

I don’t agree with much of what you post bst but this is hitting the nail right on the head.

[danumdon]

Looks like a failed marriage when it gets to a point when a fresh start for all concerned would be the best course of action.

If we're happy to be that small and innocuous self sustaining club that can do no more than occasionally threaten the top reaches of the bottom league of professional football then great lets fill our boots on this. But if we have any sort of ideas of reaching out above our current situation then sadly its not going to happen under this leadership.

The worst thing about all this is that we are barely now above where we would be if we went bust and had to start again, at this time we have no footballing profit in the bank so to speak, its got that bad under this regime.

There's only one way this can all be resolved, would we be happy going down that road?

If you don't do you'll never get, lets see some for sale signs.

[Donnyjim]

The footballing strategy of the club is seemingly 'make it up as we go'. Over the past four transfer windows we've managed to assemble two of the worst squads since our return to the football league, led by inexperienced coaches who are asked to work miracles.

I genuinely cannot remember when the club last made a decision relating to football that I thought was shrewd. Hiring Moore, perhaps? Everything else requires blind faith to get behind.

100% spot on. This is why we are where we are, and sadly will continue to fall.

[TommyC]

Saw a feature on TV this morning about Stevenage along with a lengthy section on Fatty Evans. Interview at home in his kitchen with his two dogs. He is clearly going to win the league with little old Stevenage this season which really does make you think doesn't it.

I get that he's poison but he knows how to get a club out of the lower leagues. Makes me think there's a time and a place for trying to be the nice principled soft and fluffy club we seem to have become. We're a pushover of a club with no stomach.

Shithouses. That's what this club has lacked for a year or two now. We need a shithouse on the board, a shithouse for a Manager and some shithouses in the playing squad.

[sedwardsdrfc]

While no one wants teams to go to the wall it is frustrating that so many teams are run so poorly and so wildly unsustainably. And yet most of them are above us. Not many get points deductions or relegations (ok a few in extremely gross overspending situations) and almost none go under completely.

Most of the unsustainable clubs when it goes tits have a bad year or two (at a higher level than L2) and then get back progressing after a couple of seasons.

I like that we are sustainable and it makes so much sense. But why aren’t we getting some sort of on the pitch benefit from it. And that’s not that it should give us loads of money to spend. It’s that our rivals should be struggling as a result of their unstable running.

[DonnyOsmond]

One positive, at least Meet The Owners should be interesting.

Looking forward to the questions about the service at the kiosks.

[Canadian Rover]

I had the game all set up well on ifollow today. Big screen TV and all set to enjoy the game.

Our dryer broke and I asked my Mrs if she wanted to head out and look for a new one. She assumed I meant after the game but when I said I was ready to go she said "that bad again?" I replied yes..and off we went shopping for a clothes dryer.

Things are that bad I guess.

[Cramby10]

Saw a feature on TV this morning about Stevenage along with a lengthy section on Fatty Evans. Interview at home in his kitchen with his two dogs. He is clearly going to win the league with little old Stevenage this season which really does make you think doesn't it.

I get that he's poison but he knows how to get a club out of the lower leagues. Makes me think there's a time and a place for trying to be the nice principled soft and fluffy club we seem to have become. We're a pushover of a club with no stomach.

Shithouses. That's what this club has lacked for a year or two now. We need a shithouse on the board, a shithouse for a Manager and some shithouses in the playing squad.

I think I’ve said it on here before that the footballing side of this club is in such a state that I would take Fatty Evans here with open arms in a heartbeat. Can’t believe it’s come to this but it’s just the sort of character we need at this moment in time. Even if only for a short time.

[normal rules]

The turnover of staff, and players at rovers, is like McDonald’s.
It’s not healthy.

[Sammy Chung was King]

The turnover of staff, and players at rovers, is like McDonald’s.
It’s not healthy.

Neither is the clubs kiosk food

[TommyC]

Saw a feature on TV this morning about Stevenage along with a lengthy section on Fatty Evans. Interview at home in his kitchen with his two dogs. He is clearly going to win the league with little old Stevenage this season which really does make you think doesn't it.

I get that he's poison but he knows how to get a club out of the lower leagues. Makes me think there's a time and a place for trying to be the nice principled soft and fluffy club we seem to have become. We're a pushover of a club with no stomach.

Shithouses. That's what this club has lacked for a year or two now. We need a shithouse on the board, a shithouse for a Manager and some shithouses in the playing squad.

I think I’ve said it on here before that the footballing side of this club is in such a state that I would take Fatty Evans here with open arms in a heartbeat. Can’t believe it’s come to this but it’s just the sort of character we need at this moment in time. Even if only for a short time.

He's the sort of Manager we've needed for quite some time. Imagine someone of his experience of the lower leagues being appointed at the time we appointed McSheffrey. Would anyone seriously have bet against him getting us that couple of points extra that were needed to retain our League 1 status?

But we don't make appointments of his ilk. Because we're a nice club and we recruit nice people.

[Upton Rover]

How about another theory that the complete lack of interest from the second largest population base in South Yorkshire in its football club has resulted in what we now have? Our fan base is shocking for a town the size of this.

City

[RugbyRover]

Saw a feature on TV this morning about Stevenage along with a lengthy section on Fatty Evans. Interview at home in his kitchen with his two dogs. He is clearly going to win the league with little old Stevenage this season which really does make you think doesn't it.

I get that he's poison but he knows how to get a club out of the lower leagues. Makes me think there's a time and a place for trying to be the nice principled soft and fluffy club we seem to have become. We're a pushover of a club with no stomach.

Shithouses. That's what this club has lacked for a year or two now. We need a shithouse on the board, a shithouse for a Manager and some shithouses in the playing squad.

Agreed.

This idea of trying to replicate the SOD era needs knocking on the head. He had a massive budget and was able to get players to suit his way of playing. With our current budget and the standard of players we recruit we'd be much better trying to replicate the Penny era.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Saw a feature on TV this morning about Stevenage along with a lengthy section on Fatty Evans. Interview at home in his kitchen with his two dogs. He is clearly going to win the league with little old Stevenage this season which really does make you think doesn't it.

I get that he's poison but he knows how to get a club out of the lower leagues. Makes me think there's a time and a place for trying to be the nice principled soft and fluffy club we seem to have become. We're a pushover of a club with no stomach.

Shithouses. That's what this club has lacked for a year or two now. We need a shithouse on the board, a shithouse for a Manager and some shithouses in the playing squad.

Agreed.

This idea of trying to replicate the SOD era needs knocking on the head. He had a massive budget and was able to get players to suit his way of playing. With our current budget and the standard of players we recruit we'd be much better trying to replicate the Penny era.

He also inherited a strong, settled squad built up over several years and only just missing out on the playoffs for two seasons.

As you say, theres no comparison. Whoever manages the club today has to build a squad from scratch.

[BigH]

Team 2 years ago:

Balcombe, Halliday, James, Anderson (c), Wright, Okenabirhie, Richards, John-Jules, Butler, Simoes, John.

Substitutes: Jones, Lokilo, Amos, Williams, Coppinger, Blythe, Ravenhill.

Team yesterday:

Mitchell, Anderson (c), Williams, Seaman, Maxwell, Nelson, Close, Biggins, Molyneux, Hurst, G Miller,

Substitutes: Jones, Olowu, Lakin, Brown, T Miller, Lavery, Barlow

Anyone from yesterday's team you'd have over the one from two years ago? No me neither.