Team

[Barmby Rover]

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/grant-mccann-makes-admission-over-strongest-doncaster-rovers-starting-xi-as-big-kick-off-looms-4720499?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawEVfH1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHR6GuTsoiK89mpVLqjMLOI6NMgJRwr00VtoQ__sm1IP8s6mH5JWfsBdeiw_aem_OzFtFt6I0RcBsxFLB5rH1g#Echobox=1722320117

I'm not surprised GM is struggling, he has a lot of players all working really hard and producing good performances. A nice place to be, with that sort of dilemma!

[steve@dcfd]

But there are the unknowns
Goalkeeper will he be good enough is he far better than Lawlor does he measure up to TLT

Will Anderson be fit enough to play regularly

Midfield
 Broadbent being tried in a deeper role.
Will Close be fit and is he good enough
Will Westbrooke be fit and is he quick enough
Unknown Clifton when will he be ready to start a game.

The forward players have produced and we seem to have competition


Will we be good to compete at the to of the league we will know that answer when league 2 starts

[IDM]

I’d rather we proved to be good enough at the start of the season, rather than at the end, as exciting as last time was…

[Sprotyrover]

Looking good!

[Dutch Uncle]

So many options to change the game from the bench

Also so many options to avoid overloading players, hopefully leading to fewer injuries, and hopefully never pressure to bring a player back too soon

Depth of quality, a luxury we haven't had for ages

[danumdon]

So GM is saying he has his core of  7 players he's decided on.

I would of said 8, TSL, JS, JM, RW, TA, OB, LM, JI.

Id say for Accrington, bar any mishaps,

                             Sharman-Lowe
                   Sterry  Anderson Wood Maxwell
                           Bailey Broadbent
                       Moleneux Hurst Gibson 
                                  Ironside

Possibly, Olowu for Anderson if he's not fit,

Hurst wide for Gibson with Sbarra slotting in at 10.

Whichever way he goes we have some strong quality to step up now if and when required.

[adamtherover]

Sharp and miller on the bench, quality options or what..

[mushRTID]

Sharp and miller on the bench, quality options or what..

And probably one of Hurst/Sbarra.

Looking very strong

[BillyStubbsTears]

So many options to change the game from the bench

Also so many options to avoid overloading players, hopefully leading to fewer injuries, and hopefully never pressure to bring a player back too soon

Depth of quality, a luxury we haven't had for ages

This

The bench was a big problem for the first half of the season last year. The game away at Stockport was was perfect example, where they could bring on Paddy Madden and Kyle Wooton to freshen up their attack and tip a game that was in the balance. Whereas we had a very weak bench full of kids with barely a dozen league starts between them.

[Butchers Red]

So many options to change the game from the bench

Also so many options to avoid overloading players, hopefully leading to fewer injuries, and hopefully never pressure to bring a player back too soon

Depth of quality, a luxury we haven't had for ages

This

The bench was a big problem for the first half of the season last year. The game away at Stockport was was perfect example, where they could bring on Paddy Madden and Kyle Wooton to freshen up their attack and tip a game that was in the balance. Whereas we had a very weak bench full of kids with barely a dozen league starts between them.

That game and the Wrexham game were so similar, like you say in the balance until subs time

[Michael Shaw]

Sharp and miller on the bench, quality options or what..

To say we have Miller (our top season scorer 2 years ago) and a player of the quality of Billy Sharp on the bench can't help make me think we are all in the Twilight Zone. I never thought we would be able to sign Sharp let alone shove him on the bench.

[PDX_Rover]

Galaxianticos

[scawsby steve]

Let's hope the new keeper is better than he looked against Boro, otherwise we could have another Ross Etheridge situation.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

So GM is saying he has his core of  7 players he's decided on.

I would of said 8, TSL, JS, JM, RW, TA, OB, LM, JI.

Id say for Accrington, bar any mishaps,

                             Sharman-Lowe
                   Sterry  Anderson Wood Maxwell
                           Bailey Broadbent
                       Moleneux Hurst Gibson 
                                  Ironside

Possibly, Olowu for Anderson if he's not fit,

Hurst wide for Gibson with Sbarra slotting in at 10.

Whichever way he goes we have some strong quality to step up now if and when required.

For me it's just comes down to two from Hurst, Gibson and Sbarra.

Hurst has shown he's progressed and showing what he's capable of, even to the point of playing inside. Gibson somewhat the same either wide left or inside however, I wasn't that impressed with his contribution v Middlesbrough when he was a bit sloppy giving the ball away cheaply a couple of times. Just didn't seem to work as hard as the rest.

Sbarra certainly a candidate for the no 10 role just behind Ironside. Very busy, fleet of foot and doesn't miss many opportunities to shoot.

I could also throw in another thought with Miller playing centrally behind Ironside although whoever plays in those attacking areas, need to get beyond Ironside, particularly when Ironside drops deeper to link play.

Plus, I can see GM switching to 3 5 2 quite often even if not starting with that formation.

There are so many options which could lead to us being very fluid in attack

[RoversInSpain]

Can’t help thinking Sharp and Ironside upfront definitely gives us a SharpSide to our attack

[Chris Black come back]

So GM is saying he has his core of  7 players he's decided on.

I would of said 8, TSL, JS, JM, RW, TA, OB, LM, JI.

Id say for Accrington, bar any mishaps,

                             Sharman-Lowe
                   Sterry  Anderson Wood Maxwell
                           Bailey Broadbent
                       Moleneux Hurst Gibson 
                                  Ironside

Possibly, Olowu for Anderson if he's not fit,

Hurst wide for Gibson with Sbarra slotting in at 10.

Whichever way he goes we have some strong quality to step up now if and when required.

For me it's just comes down to two from Hurst, Gibson and Sbarra.

Hurst has shown he's progressed and showing what he's capable of, even to the point of playing inside. Gibson somewhat the same either wide left or inside however, I wasn't that impressed with his contribution v Middlesbrough when he was a bit sloppy giving the ball away cheaply a couple of times. Just didn't seem to work as hard as the rest.

Sbarra certainly a candidate for the no 10 role just behind Ironside. Very busy, fleet of foot and doesn't miss many opportunities to shoot.

I could also throw in another thought with Miller playing centrally behind Ironside although whoever plays in those attacking areas, need to get beyond Ironside, particularly when Ironside drops deeper to link play.

Plus, I can see GM switching to 3 5 2 quite often even if not starting with that formation.

There are so many options which could lead to us being very fluid in attack

This is right I think. We saw some of this end of last season. Nixon and Senior are an entirely different pair to Sterry and Maxwell. Changing them changes the entire set up. Switching 4 or 5 at back changes entire set up. Two wide players and two up, or one up. We can change the entire game with the options we have now.

[Lesonthewest]

I'm hoping we're out of sight in most games so the subs can come on to rest others & have themselves a kick about!

[Alan Southstand]

I think Hurst has the advantage, presently, but Sbarra is busting a gut to get on the scoresheet. I think Sbarra will grow into his role as becomes more used to the rigours of L2 games.
The front 4 positions are, quite literally, an embarrassment of riches. Ironside has the top of pile role sorted and seems to be carrying on where he left off last season, but what a back-up he has now - either BS or GM. Then take your pick - any of the other lads offer something.
Defence is pretty much sorted, IF big Tom is back fit.
Then the 2 areas where I’m still not sure. Midfield & Keeper.
Bailey is a shoe-in, absolutely. Broadbent seems to have the backing of GM but he’s a relative rookie in the role, so it remains to be seen if he’s uptoit. Then we have the unknown quantity of Clifton, who was brought in to replace TR, according to GM. As yet, neither Close or Westbrook are ready, but I doubt either of them could cover that role.
Keeper? Need to see more of him, but there were certainly questions v Middlesbrough.
Intriguing couple of points that need resolving and we’re set for an exciting season.

[Ryaldinhio]

Can’t help thinking Sharp and Ironside upfront definitely gives us a SharpSide to our attack

100% agree, would love to see them play together regular.

[Campsall rover]

Let's hope the new keeper is better than he looked against Boro, otherwise we could have another Ross Etheridge situation.

SS this lad is an England international at under age level.
Do you not think some home work has been done before we signed him on loan?
Give the guy a chance for heaven sake.
It sounds like some have written him off before our 1st league game.
Etheridge at least got 1 league game before he got mullered by our fans & Fergie.

[pib]

Haven't seen TSL play so not going to make judgements. What I will say, in general terms, is that last season proved how important it is to have a solid goalkeeper. Quite a few players made a big impact in the second half of last season, but you could make a case that the addition of TLT was the most influential of them all. Anyone who was at Gillingham will agree with me I'm sure.

I don't think "but we won L1 with Gary Woods in goal" washes any more. I'm not saying we have got this wrong, but it could have a big impact if TSL isn't up to it.

[Campsall rover]

Haven't seen TSL play so not going to make judgements. What I will say, in general terms, is that last season proved how important it is to have a solid goalkeeper. Quite a few players made a big impact in the second half of last season, but you could make a case that the addition of TLT was the most influential of them all. Anyone who was at Gillingham will agree with me I'm sure.

I don't think "but we won L1 with Gary Woods in goal" washes any more. I'm not saying we have got this wrong, but it could have a big impact if TSL isn't up to it.

I agree. The keeper is imo possibly the most important position on the pitch and TLT was massive for us in the last 18 games.
All I am saying is give this lad a chance.
He is highly rated by Chelsea & they are Premier League last time I looked.

[steve@dcfd]

We will have to give him a chance he should be starting games he has to be better than Lawlor. But some people who have seen him are raising concerns that’s all that’s been said.

[ravenrover]

Camps, you must admit that he was at the best poor for 3 of the goals on Saturday. He didn't face a shot against Hull so people haven"t got much to go on other than his performance against Boro which wasn't the best

[ncRover]

Let’s just relax and give him a chance.

First goal he could have done better yes. One of them was a great finish and the low cross the defence had been completely compromised he had to go for it.

If there’s nervous energy from the crowd it’s not going to help him.

We were in for the goalie from Palace and he’s gone to a L1 club. So TSL is who we could get. Unfair to get on his back after one game.

I think he’ll be just fine. Like camps says he’s hardly going to be sh*te is he?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Well, I went to look for some further evidence of his ability and found a few clips of him for Chelsea u21s and Burton Albion and after seeing a few decent saves, there is hope.

We were spoiled by TLTs ability but moreso his communication with the back four, which made things alot calmer. There were still moments of course when even he had the odd wobble. Comes with the job.

How we perform as a defensive unit will determine whether we can limit the savage whilst flourishing at the other end. There can be fine lines between keeping the goals against column below 1 per game average and above 1 per game, when scoring two goals may not be enough. TLT made that shift happen which eases the stress and pressure at the other end.

We will need to see a number of games judge how clinical our attacking force needs to be to win games.

[DonnyOsmond]

Let's hope the new keeper is better than he looked against Boro, otherwise we could have another Ross Etheridge situation.

SS this lad is an England international at under age level.
Do you not think some home work has been done before we signed him on loan?
Give the guy a chance for heaven sake.
It sounds like some have written him off before our 1st league game.
Etheridge at least got 1 league game before he got mullered by our fans & Fergie.

Bursik was an England international and didn't pull up any trees tbf.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Personally would want to see Nixon ahead of Sterry and then it’s Hurst v Sbarra for the 10 position and the team probably picks itself.

[dknward2]

Grant says he knows 7 of his first 11, would imagine that we could also name the 7 it’s just the last 4 wonder who misses out

[DonnyOsmond]

Hurst has earned the start over Sbarra so far IMO.