Richard wood

[Prez]

Thought Senior was very good too.

[StocksArmy]

I think we are slowly turning a corner. From the Notts County performance to now there has been a big difference. McCann has found a system that will keep us in games, there are players who run hard on the pitch and the effort is clearly there. Just seems like a penny has dropped with the manager and players. We now have to look to be more of a goal threat. Once we crack that, we will need to go on a very good run to catch the front runners. Who knows but we are definitely improving in some areas.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I think we are slowly turning a corner. From the Notts County performance to now there has been a big difference. McCann has found a system that will keep us in games, there are players who run hard on the pitch and the effort is clearly there. Just seems like a penny has dropped with the manager and players. We now have to look to be more of a goal threat. Once we crack that, we will need to go on a very good run to catch the front runners. Who knows but we are definitely improving in some areas.

Don't think there's any doubt that the 4-3-3 was Problem No. 1.

We looked far stronger at the back and more able to hold the ball up front with 3-5-2 today.

[Canadian Rover]

Wood will captain us to promotion.

[drfchound]

Him and Tom were a great pairing in the second half.

[DearneValleyRover]

I think we always needed at least 8 if not more competitive games with so many new faces

[Iberian Red]

Carry on like we are and it wouldn’t surprise me to see GM either walking or being sacked.

If he stays, the only thing that could see us not relegated, is a good January ‘window’.

Was that a knee jerk,or just a jerk reaction?

Wood was solid today,so was Big Tom when he came on.
Towards the end Big Tom threw himself at an attempted shot,quickly followed by another player(can't remember who)
when the ball was cleared Tom had a big hug for him.
Two leaders at the back today

[ravenrover]

I think we are slowly turning a corner. From the Notts County performance to now there has been a big difference. McCann has found a system that will keep us in games, there are players who run hard on the pitch and the effort is clearly there. Just seems like a penny has dropped with the manager and players. We now have to look to be more of a goal threat. Once we crack that, we will need to go on a very good run to catch the front runners. Who knows but we are definitely improving in some areas.

Don't think there's any doubt that the 4-3-3 was Problem No. 1.

We looked far stronger at the back and more able to hold the ball up front with 3-5-2 today.

But we played the 2nd half with 4 at the back and still had good chances in the 2nd half with only 10 men?
Let's be right about this we morph from a 4 to a 3 at the back throughout the game we do not play a rigid 3 or a 4 at the back

[Chris Black come back]

Our ability to now play credibly with either 3 or 4 at the back is a major advantage between games and within games.

[Grumps]

Based on his performances for us (Millers) over many years, it's as plain as the nose on your face that Woody can't play in a back 4.  In a back 3 he's a diamond.

[ncRover]

Our ability to now play credibly with either 3 or 4 at the back is a major advantage between games and within games.

Plus our squad depth. Injuries throughout the season will affect other play off chasing sides such as Stockport and Mansfield more than it will us.

[Chris Black come back]

Remember a few weeks ago when everyone thought we'd make a "statement signing"?

There's still a future million+ asset in Josh Martin available for free.

Martin has signed short term deal with Portsmouth, until January.

[Colin C No.3]

Why did Grant sign Wood AND immediately give him the captains armband?

[karldew]

Why did Grant sign Wood AND immediately give him the captains armband?

Maybe because like many of us we thought it was a super signing for league 2, he’s been known as a sh*t house leader who scored goals too. Some Rotherham fans wanted him to sign a new deal in the championship!

Shame it’s not worked out for him BUT, like Anderson he can turn it around and possibly play an important part this season.

[Bailey Vickerage]

He was good in pre season and everyone said he was out signing of the season, a few bad games at the start and everything slated him saying he was sent to us to send us down lol.

He came back last week and was very good in the first half against Burton and think he will come into the side tonight with Olowu missing.

He’s also had to change styles of play completely since joining. At Rotherham he was always in the middle of a 3 and all he had to do was keep the ball as far away from their goal as possible. He came to us and went into a back 4 two leagues lower and was also asked to be decent on the ball. He was poor at the start of the season but a lot of them were.

[selby]

 Collin C No3, Grant probably thought that a player who had built his reputation over a long career on stopping the other teams from playing by being uncompromising in the physical aspects of the game, could head a ball clear, could find the halfway line with clearances, and was a hard b*****d could suddenly start spreading the ball around like Stones and other premiership defenders.
   He can't and none of the others we have can either.
  I can remember an interview on radio Sheffield some years ago in the closed season when Warnock had saved them from relegation, and the interviewer asked what was the main difference in his style of play to before he came to the club, He said Warnock said your not that good at the back but those up front are not bad, when you get the ball just get it forward and let them get the ball you don't need the ball near you, they went on a great run to stay up.

 

[Jimmydee]

I’ve just heard an appeal on radio Sheffield from a millers fan for Woody to be their new manager. Sorry millers, he’s playing for us tonight.

[selby]

 Sounded like he defended the old fashioned way that he has been good at for years and played very well tonight, just basically defending well.

[drfchound]

The commentary team praised him throughout the game.
Not bad that he got through 130 minutes of game time after such a long lay off.

[donnievic]

He was superb tonight tbf and hardly put a foot wrong,I actually didn’t think he was that bad early season,yes we know he isn’t quick but think it was more how easy teams got through the midfield and left him isolated at times but tonight was shown why he was signed

[roversdude]

Immense tonight as were Nixon, Senior and Bailey

[Campsall rover]

Also Ironside,& Faal we’re great tonight.
Close Westbrooke, Biggins we’re excellent also as were Maxwell, Bradbent & Molyneux when they came on as subs.
Jones was solid.
Did not need to collect any crosses except ones under is bar.
A very very good 2nd half and extra time.
The best from a Rovers team in years.
We won the physical battle and our football then won the game.
More tackles tonight than I have seen in the last 4 years put together.
Play to that standard every week and we are a top 3 team in this league.

[Thorney]

Wood with Bailey and Senior eitherside of him looks like the setup we should go with for the foreseeable future. Bailey and Senior can be woody's legs while he just does what he's good at.
Bailey and Senior are much less prone to errors like olowu. Anderson too slow and Bobby is just injured, but when fit may then allow Bailey to move into midfield

[Rovers91]

Would be more than happy with Bailey, Wood and Senior as our back 3.
Would then hopefully allow for Maxwell more game time on the left.

[roversdude]

Also Ironside,& Faal we’re great tonight.
Close Westbrooke, Biggins we’re excellent also as were Maxwell, Bradbent & Molyneux when they came on as subs.
Jones was solid.
Did not need to collect any crosses except ones under is bar.
A very very good 2nd half and extra time.
The best from a Rovers team in years.
We won the physical battle and our football then won the game.
More tackles tonight than I have seen in the last 4 years put together.
Play to that standard every week and we are a top 3 team in this league.

Agree with that except Biggins who I thought misplaced so many simple passes. Bringing Moly on was a game changer. He seems to be relishing playing under GM. Hopefully when fully fit Kyle will too

[NickDRFC]

Would be more than happy with Bailey, Wood and Senior as our back 3.
Would then hopefully allow for Maxwell more game time on the left.

Fully agree, it lets Wood just concentrate on defending and has two solid, reliable, quick enough players on either side. I’d keep Nixon and Maxwell as the wing backs as well - players suited to it playing in their proper position - with Close, Westbrooke in midfield and Moly given licence to float.

[Chris Black come back]

Tom always seems to come straight back in to the side though.

[NickDRFC]

Tom always seems to come straight back in to the side though.

We’ve not had the options we have right now at any stage since the early stages of the season. Anderson was also on the bench for the first couple of games. Let’s see but I’m hopeful they’ll get a chance.

[drfchound]

Also Ironside,& Faal we’re great tonight.
Close Westbrooke, Biggins we’re excellent also as were Maxwell, Bradbent & Molyneux when they came on as subs.
Jones was solid.
Did not need to collect any crosses except ones under is bar.
A very very good 2nd half and extra time.
The best from a Rovers team in years.
We won the physical battle and our football then won the game.
More tackles tonight than I have seen in the last 4 years put together.
Play to that standard every week and we are a top 3 team in this league.

Agree with that except Biggins who I thought misplaced so many simple passes. Bringing Moly on was a game changer. He seems to be relishing playing under GM. Hopefully when fully fit Kyle will too

Moly is like a new signing this season.
Superb going forward, good with both feet and not afraid to try something unusual.
He works his socks off for the team.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Wood with Bailey and Senior eitherside of him looks like the setup we should go with for the foreseeable future. Bailey and Senior can be woody's legs while he just does what he's good at.
Bailey and Senior are much less prone to errors like olowu. Anderson too slow and Bobby is just injured, but when fit may then allow Bailey to move into midfield

It's sometimes ironic how the best combinations are found through adversity really. Having hands forced through injuries can be a good thing.

I'm not sure McCann will stick to it as he might see the value of players in other positions, but it's great to have these options at our disposal.

Not too long ago, I can't recall which game, but Olowu was the only recognised centre half on the pitch and he had an exceptional game. I guess it shows the reliance on all team mates to be on their games for things to work well.