6th

[scawsby steve]

That's where we are now.

[goalkick]

Interesting game next weekend which will be a good indication of how good we are.

[Michael Shaw]

It concerns me when McCann sees no issue with Rovers losing to Harrogate. That is hardly the attitude that will get us in the top 3, certainly not champions. We have had the first 6 games some people say we need to judge ourselves, and we are 6th. No doubt they will set a new target and hope for better. Our defence is utterly lacking if we want promotion.

[scawsby steve]

It concerns me when McCann sees no issue with Rovers losing to Harrogate. That is hardly the attitude that will get us in the top 3, certainly not champions. We have had the first 6 games some people say we need to judge ourselves, and we are 6th. No doubt they will set a new target and hope for better. Our defence is utterly lacking if we want promotion.

I said in pre-season that our defensive problems still don't seem to have been addressed. We've conceded more so far then any other team in the top 7; and only 7 teams in the league have conceded more.

[graingrover]

I don’t share your anguish Steve and Michael .We will soon be able  to call upon Olowu, Wood , Nixon , Emmanuel,  Senior and I feel totally confident that if your fears are well founded and that we go adrift we still have the time , resources and management qualities to achieve the success that Grant has stated to be his aim .

[keith79]

September. 6th.

[Chris Black come back]

The bigger issue against Harrogate was our inability to land a glove on their goal. Defending wasn’t great but that’s usually not a focus for McCann. Last time I think he only signed the loan lad in central defence, and only McGrath as a junior player this time. You have to accept he won’t focus too heavily there.

[Chris Black come back]

Worth saying as well that this summer Wood, Anderson, Olowu and I am pretty sure Faulkner will all be out of contract. McGrath will have a year left.

If we do go up, we aren’t likely to be extending any of those deals. That means a total central defensive rebuild this summer. 

[scawsby steve]

The bigger issue against Harrogate was our inability to land a glove on their goal. Defending wasn’t great but that’s usually not a focus for McCann. Last time I think he only signed the loan lad in central defence, and only McGrath as a junior player this time. You have to accept he won’t focus too heavily there.

I agree with most of that, and I just hope it doesn't cost us promotion.

This is an unforgiving league, and teams will punish us if our defence isn't strong enough.

[Ye-Aul-Tavern]

120 points still to play for. We're doing fine.

[Silkscarf]

2 points per game. That’ll do.

[GazLaz]

Our best period will be in the second half of the season when our big squad becomes a huge advantage.

[bpoolrover]

It concerns me when McCann sees no issue with Rovers losing to Harrogate. That is hardly the attitude that will get us in the top 3, certainly not champions. We have had the first 6 games some people say we need to judge ourselves, and we are 6th. No doubt they will set a new target and hope for better. Our defence is utterly lacking if we want promotion.

I said in pre-season that our defensive problems still don't seem to have been addressed. We've conceded more so far then any other team in the top 7; and only 7 teams in the league have conceded more.

i agree about the defence but in the main it has been better, against harrogate the midfield and forwards created nothing

[Campsall rover]

Why is it every time we lose there are all these knee jerk reaction on this forum.
We are world beaters when we win and total garbage when we lose.

I think a bit of perspective is needed.

We are only in 3rd gear so far imo even in the 4 games we won.
When we get really going which could be quite a while yet, possibly the 2nd half of the season we will be a very formidable team.
We have strength in depth in this squad and that will be very telling come Feb onwards imo.

Everyone should remember even the Champions of this League will lose several games during the season. Possibly 10 +

If we can get 12 points from 6 games when we haven’t hit the straps yet then how many points will we get when we do?

Nothing whatsoever to worry about. Harrogate Town have become a bogey team, which we will overcome eventually, as we did with Yeovil Town some years ago.

Who wants to be top in September anyway. Can peak too early and seen it happen so many times to teams.
Time to hit the top is preferably in March. We just need to be in the top pack of 3/4 until then. That will do very nicely thank you.

Yes I still think we will end up as Champions. Why on earth should we think otherwise?

[In the box]

Harrogate had a plan to stop Molyneux and Sharp settling into the game and restricting us to long shots or crosses . We had no Plan B once went two down . IMO ironside should have started as he could stretched their defence more allowing Sharp to get in the box.I don’t think McCann hasn’t decided if they can play together as it likely means  leaving out a midfielder . But ironside is our main striker and has to be getting frustrated not starting !

[selby]

  We lost a game, there were reasons on the night, our record since February says we are a good side, criticise the game and the one at Newport, but we are not a bad side, we have a good squad some we have not seen the best of, and we have a good management team.
  We will have more days like the two we have lost, but will be there or there about at the end of the season.

[In the box]

  We lost a game, there were reasons on the night, our record since February says we are a good side, criticise the game and the one at Newport, but we are not a bad side, we have a good squad some we have not seen the best of, and we have a good management team.
  We will have more days like the two we have lost, but will be there or there about at the end of the season.

We've had two losses in 6 and both away from home . IMO we should have a different strategy when playing away . Set up to play tighter and use 4141 with ironside as the main striker . Molyneux and Sharp’s recent good run has meant teams are prepared to stifle the pair hook or by crook .

[Usher wide.]

Our best period will be in the second half of the season when our big squad becomes a huge advantage.

A rather ambiguous & somewhat simplistic view imo.

Yes we have a bigger squad (& certainly one with more quality than we’ve had in recent seasons) however, GM needs to ensure that the right ‘team’ is chosen in order to effect the ‘right result’ in the forthcoming matches starting Saturday in Milton Keynes.

If you’re saying we can ‘tick along’ until the second half of the season starts because we have a ‘big squad’ then with all due respect, you’re either ‘new’ to following this team in our ‘recent history’ or you’re just wanting to be upbeat. Nothing wrong with upbeat, I applaud it all day long.

Well done you young un, but a “big squad” will get you nowhere. A ‘good squad’ will take you to ‘good places’ & I believe we have a good squad for this division. Good enough to get us promoted (I have big money on it) but best not to leave it until January before we ‘kick on’ eh?

[dickos1]

It concerns me when McCann sees no issue with Rovers losing to Harrogate. That is hardly the attitude that will get us in the top 3, certainly not champions. We have had the first 6 games some people say we need to judge ourselves, and we are 6th. No doubt they will set a new target and hope for better. Our defence is utterly lacking if we want promotion.

No surprises you pop up with such an embarrassing post. 

[Barmby Rover]

We lost a game, big deal, it will happen again this season. The difference to before is that Rovers could easily have won it though, and can look on it as a learning situation to go on and get better, which they will.

[Pancho Regan]

That's where we are now.

Well spotted Steve!

[andyst79]

As disappointing and poor the Harrogate game was , I think Grant will have taken bits and pieces from the game that will make us stronger over the course of the season.

[StocksArmy]

There are tactical problems when we play away from home there is no doubt. There has to be questions about the character of the players when we go behind also. When was the last time we came back from a losing position in a game not on our home turf? We HAVE to set up to be harder to beat whether McCann likes it or not and we won’t reach automatic promotion if he continues to go all out attack. If we can sort that out we will be promoted. You have to be happy with 12 pts from 6 though and especially considering the amount of signings we’ve made. Fully believe we will beat MK Dons and after that we have 2 home games to look forward to.

[Michael Shaw]

It concerns me when McCann sees no issue with Rovers losing to Harrogate. That is hardly the attitude that will get us in the top 3, certainly not champions. We have had the first 6 games some people say we need to judge ourselves, and we are 6th. No doubt they will set a new target and hope for better. Our defence is utterly lacking if we want promotion.

No surprises you pop up with such an embarrassing post. 

And no surprise you or BST would have to comment on every post I ever make. Your stupidity is the only embarrassing post on here. If we want promotion GM needs to be concerned that other teams have learnt how to beat us, not just say it's not an issue as in the DFP article. No-one has sad we are a bad team as someone above has said (but you didn't comment on that dickos) we are just rightly concerned (that doesn't mean panicking). People on here just read what they into other people's posts. 

[Nudga]

Worth saying as well that this summer Wood, Anderson, Olowu and I am pretty sure Faulkner will all be out of contract. McGrath will have a year left.

If we do go up, we aren’t likely to be extending any of those deals. That means a total central defensive rebuild this summer. 

There's the January transfer window to make a start on those positions.
I'd personally move on Anderson,  he's been here long enough and hasn't really got any better

[GazLaz]

Our best period will be in the second half of the season when our big squad becomes a huge advantage.

A rather ambiguous & somewhat simplistic view imo.

Yes we have a bigger squad (& certainly one with more quality than we’ve had in recent seasons) however, GM needs to ensure that the right ‘team’ is chosen in order to effect the ‘right result’ in the forthcoming matches starting Saturday in Milton Keynes.

If you’re saying we can ‘tick along’ until the second half of the season starts because we have a ‘big squad’ then with all due respect, you’re either ‘new’ to following this team in our ‘recent history’ or you’re just wanting to be upbeat. Nothing wrong with upbeat, I applaud it all day long.

Well done you young un, but a “big squad” will get you nowhere. A ‘good squad’ will take you to ‘good places’ & I believe we have a good squad for this division. Good enough to get us promoted (I have big money on it) but best not to leave it until January before we ‘kick on’ eh?

Please don’t call me young un.

I’m not sure where your quote of “tick along” was plucked from. I just said our best period will come in the second half of the season, there was no reference to how I think the first half of the season will go.

“Big money”, now that is relative isn’t it!

[mpc123]

We just have to get away from so much reliance on you wingers.

2x very good full backs for them and we are done in attack.

We have to learn to play through the centre too. Until far too late we then changed it to centrally because nothing was happening down the flanks.

Sometimes you come across teams that just play the way we can't be effective, it seems Harrogate are definitely one of those teams.

We have to have a plan b and move to it quicker when required and also not play too slowly through midfield.

I'm happy with the season so far.
The squad will make a massive difference as the season moves on.

[roversdude]

The 2 games we’ve lost we have bossed, couple of poor misses and the woodwork saved Newport, Harrogate…well we all saw the problem there - overplaying.
As for Grant saying what he did, do you really think he was happy, should he have stood there and slagged off the players. Not his style but he will have learned lessons I’m sure

[Fal]

Our fanbase in a nutshell..

We win, we’re HMS piss the league and going to beat everyone.


We lose one, we’re rubbish, tactics are wrong, players are shit, we’re not going up, we are going down.

We are 6 games in with 4 wins. Last year we didn’t win until a year ago tomorrow September 16th yet finished 5th.


Chill the f**k out

[Ryaldinhio]

Worth saying as well that this summer Wood, Anderson, Olowu and I am pretty sure Faulkner will all be out of contract. McGrath will have a year left.

If we do go up, we aren’t likely to be extending any of those deals. That means a total central defensive rebuild this summer.

And Keeper - so potentially a full rebuild at the back