let's talk about the Stockport County game

[selby]

  After the disappointment of the Bradford City game being postponed we move on and look forward to pitting our wits against an even better side in Stockport who we pushed all the way in our away fixture at their place, one of our better performances and one we will have to repeat to gain anything from the game.
  After the good performance in the EFL cup game against Wigan, if fit I would expect mostly the same team to be turned out for this fixture, they deserve the shirt after that performance, and at least we went toe to toe with a good side.  Our second half performance was full of effort, no little skill and we showed we wanted to win the game, all we as supporters can ask for, we rode a bit of luck, but so did they at times, and apart from changes the management deem needed tactically specifically for this game the squad deserve his and our backing, and with the
two newcomers we played the game before who were cup tied added we could be as strong as a team as we have been this season.
   Now what we need is for them to back performances up, be more consistent, no more hit one miss one, stay out of trouble and give the cup games a go, and we can turn the season around  and against a good top team in the division followed by the cup game at Bradford would be a good time to start lifting our game more often.
 Stockport sit nicely on top of the league, where better to make our mark, have players who top performers at this level, and have the consistency we crave, and what every top side needs.
The big question is can we match them?  Well by all accounts we did in the away fixture, and we have performed well against good footballing teams except Notts County who played a style of play on the day we got nowhere near, we must not perform like that again.
  So two big games ( yes I include the Bradford game) in quick succession, two games that can change the complexion of the remainder of the season, two attractive games with us for once coming off a good result v Wigan that lifted the spirits especially of those that went to the game and should have given the players confidence, although our postponed game at Bradford would have confirmed or rubbished that theory.
  What do you think, we have promised a few times this season and then disappointed, but somehow (Probably hope rather than expectation) this time I have the feeling we have turned a corner.
  That's me done now its over to you, What do you think? Lots to discuss about this first game against Stockport, can we raise our game? can we get clear of a few teams and play with freedom? will the two lads who were cup tied play their part? they are two decent players and can't play V Bradford so chance for a little rotation, would you do that? lots of questions and discussion points, please have your say.
   

[vaya]

Stockport's game was also off on Saturday, so we go in on an equal footing in that respect.

[steve@dcfd]

We will see if any of the nearly there players will be available for the squad. Woods, Maxwell, Sterry, Senior. Is Anderson and Long fit.
Will we play a behind closed doors game to see which players can help the squad.
Would like to see Bailey and Close to continue in midfield with either Rowe or Craig. With Broadbent and Biggins as back up.
So we come to the front three selection from  Ironside, Carty, Molyneux, Taylor, Waters and Hurst.
Will we bring any more players in and will any go out.
Will we start to have a consistent squad 11 / 18 for more than 1/2 games.

[Alan Southstand]

More questions than answers, there Steve!

I’ll add one - will Adelakun play in a 4-3-3?

Jones
Sterry
Wood
McGrath
Senior
Rowe
Bailey
Close
Adelakun
Ironside
Molyneux

Pick the bones out of that lot!

[drfc1951]

Wood is better in the middle of 3 centre backs.

[Chris Black come back]

Very strong away record. Only Mansfield Town lost fewer games away from home.

[DearneValleyRover]

Jones
Nixon Olowu McGrath Senior
Bailey Close
Adelakun Waters Hurst
Ironside

Bottomley Wood Maxwell Molyneux Craig Carty Broadbent

[ncRover]

Lots of options in the front 3 is important.

With 5 subs available they can press and run their blood to water and get replaced at 60 with fresh legs.

I found that the front 2 of Ironside and Faal was far too easy to play around. Especially as at least 50% of the league play with a back 3 there was always a free option to pass to.

Joe doesn't stop but isn't the quickest. Despite being a handful, Faal was neither a workhorse or quick. He looked like he couldn't be bothered with pressing after the opening 5 minutes.

With 3 at the back also being in vogue, we can outnumber most opposition teams in the wide areas, as well as not being outnumbered in midfield.

The problem with Stockport is that they can mix it up and go more direct if they decide to play over a press. Wootton is big and strong in the air and Oloafe is quick in behind. Both strikers are also dangerous for crosses in to the box. Then they have good technical players in Camps, Madden etc who keep the ball. Will be tough. No need for doom and gloom again if we lose.

[normal rules]

Expect a pumping.
But a surprise win is not off the cards.
At least there will be a decent away crowd to boost the coffers.

[Alan Southstand]

Senior not quite there, according to GM, so you can’t have him, DVR! You can have Maxwell, if he comes through today’s friendly ok.

[Bailey Vickerage]

I was told Maxwell was fit enough to be in contention against Bradford but probs a good thing it got called off giving him a chance to get some minutes into his legs before Saturday.

Today will be a good opportunity to get some minutes in for a lot of players.

Not expecting anything from the game Saturday but as long as we put up a decent fight and a good performance then take whatever we get, ran them close at their place but the bit of quality they had off the bench with Madden and Wootton coming on changed the game in their favour. Our bench should be a lot stronger this time.

[selby]

   We need a win, or at least a draw to give the club a lift. To do either we will have to be at the top of our game, something we did at Stockport but just came up short.
   We are a different team now, with some good acquisitions made over the last few weeks and we should be able to approach this game more confident we have a stronger squad than when we last met and the players that were here the first game between the clubs have occasionally shown they can play when the mood takes them, but have to discover consistency.
  The next two games we cannot afford to be below our best, and the Bradford game should show us if the players have any personal ambition to grasp the chance of one of the highlights of their career  with Wembley in sight.
   Of course we could lose both games, but if I see maximum effort, if the players give their all, they will get my support knowing things will turn for the better eventually.
  I don't believe that Stockport or Bradford are far out there in front of us, Stockport more consistent definitely, Bradford under more pressure than ourselves failing spectacularly to get among the leaders in the division, and a revolving door for managers.
  I want us to just go for it in both games, and think we are capable at our best of doing well. 

[steve@dcfd]

Grant now has decisions to make with team selection. Who starts and who’s on the bench.

Jones
Nixon should be RB
Olowu or Anderson is Faulkner injured
McGrath or Wood
Maxwell or Rowe ( depending if Maxwell is ready)
Close
Bailey
Craig
Molyneux
Ironside
Adelaken


Subs
Lawlor or Bottomley
Olowu or Anderson
Rowe
Broadbent
Waters
Carty
Hurst


With the trophy game on Tuesday then all fit players should be in either squad. Although Waters Craig and maybe Adelaken could be cup tied

[Barmby Rover]

I am not confident for this one, 0-2 Stockport

[selby]

  BR, I fancy us to do well to be honest if they are ateam that will let us play and go toe to toe.
  They are obviously a good consistent side, we are not consistent but given the opportunity can play well and can get a result.

[selby]

  The big question today will be, will we be Sh*t or Sugar?

[ncRover]

For our position we’ve done well at home against in form teams this season in Gillingham, Crawley and MK. And we’ve turned up against superior sides in Hull, Everton, Burton and Wigan.

[Chris Black come back]

For our position we’ve done well at home against in form teams this season in Gillingham, Crawley and MK. And we’ve turned up against superior sides in Hull, Everton, Burton and Wigan.

Swindon were top or near top when we beat them with 10 men.

[Petche]

It was 0-0 wasn't it?

[ncRover]

For our position we’ve done well at home against in form teams this season in Gillingham, Crawley and MK. And we’ve turned up against superior sides in Hull, Everton, Burton and Wigan.

Swindon were top or near top when we beat them with 10 men.

0-0 that one but they were prolific and flying yes.

I quite like Rovers / Draw double chance at Evens on skybet today.

[roversdude]

It was 0-0 wasn't it?

Tbf it felt like a win after Ed the Ducks intervention

[ravenrover]

Start with pace like we did against MKD is our best chance of winning

[Lesonthewest]

It was 0-0 wasn't it?

Tbf it felt like a win after Ed the Ducks intervention

Anderson & Wood were brilliant together second half when down to 10.

[Lesonthewest]

It was 0-0 wasn't it?

Tbf it felt like a win after Ed the Ducks intervention

Anderson & Wood were brilliant together second half when down to 10.

It was 0-0 wasn't it?

Tbf it felt like a win after Ed the Ducks intervention

In fact we could have nicked it when Westbrooke raced through but got a nose bleed & scuffed his shot.

[Chris Black come back]

For our position we’ve done well at home against in form teams this season in Gillingham, Crawley and MK. And we’ve turned up against superior sides in Hull, Everton, Burton and Wigan.

Swindon were top or near top when we beat them with 10 men.

Yes, you are right there. Felt like a win!

[Chris Black come back]

Is Taylor injured?

[Fal]

Let’s not talk about this game…2-0 down already

[ChrisBx]

Our goal difference will get an absolute hammering today. Questions must be asked of McCann as well as the senior managers and those responsible for player recruitment. I don't know where we go from here, but this is not tenable.

[Pside]

This is absolutely f**king unacceptable. Top to bottom this club is rotten. Questions now have to be asked of the management.

[Chris Black come back]

It's an embarrassment but a predictable embarrassment. We are playing the top of the table side and we are a few spots from bottom. Losing isn't a shock. The piss weak defending isn't a shock.