Let's talk about the Chesterfielkd game

[selby]

  A great game in prospect and a welcome back to a side who have undergone the same trials and tribulations we did and have come back into the league the stronger for the experience.
  Most games in the past between the clubs were entertaining hard fought games with no quarter asked or given but played in the right manner, and this game could well be one of the best of the season as a spectacle.
  Both sides have goal scorers in their teams, both teams last season had magnificent runs of wins, and both teams have managers who know the game inside out and are used to having successful sides.
   Both teams have not hit their best form as yet but have players in the list of top scorers in Division 2 with Molyneux and Berry of Chesterfield leading the way on four each and Sharp on three all well up in the charts.
  Our strength up to press has been our home form winning all three league games  while Chesterfield have lost two out of three away games, but were very unlucky at Gillingham where reports said they completely dominated the game and the woodwork came to the aid of Gillingham more than once, so they are a difficult team to master full of players who know how to win football games and are capable of coming here and dominating us if we are not on it.
  What team we put out is a bit of a conundrum, we seem to have patches of good play interspersed with mistakes largely of our own making that are costly as we demonstrated last evening v Manchester United, defending not our forte.
  The new right back looks a good addition, Anderson I expect back, whoever in mid field is a bit of a worry defensively as is the keeper, and up top we look ok, my opinion there to be shot at.
  It should be one of the best crowds of the season, and potentially two sides who could be in the mix come the end of the season.
  So lots to discuss, lots to look forward to, and one of our biggest games of the season against a side I am very happy to see play once again after their trials and tribulations.
  Bring it on, please have your say, Chesterfield fans welcome.
 
 

[steve@dcfd]

Decisions for the midfield again. From last night I thought Broadbent was steady Kelly very erratic and he presented Man Utd with there second goal tried to beat their midfield on his own on numerous occasions not sure he’s ready. Sbarra worked hard but yet again is he ready. So Bailey Close and one other. Hurst was poor last night did nothing to force him self into the first team. Gibson another who wants beat everybody on his own. Yeboah was the best of the three but he started on the right which is Molyneux position. As of yet we’ve not replaced Craig’s and Adelaken level with players we have. Decision whether to start Billy or Joe.
In defence does Emmanuel start he had a good game last night. Fleming should start then it’s Anderson or Olowu with McGrath.TLS walks straight back in goal Lawlor is not up to the task.

[Reg of the Rovers]

I thought Emmanuel was excellent last night, strong and brave, always tried to be creative and progressive, but worked back and defended well, so I'd definitely start with him if we play four at the back.

Broadbent and Kelly were awful last night, we should have been over-running them but they both didn't keep possession, kept going backwards, and didn't create or contribute. Bailey to start as always, but midfield is starting to feel like a weak point at the moment.

I think we look best playing 3-5-2 as the last resort tactic, being front foot and putting teams under the cosh. It means we can bring in Oluwu with Tom and Jay, and play Billy and Joe, which plays to our strenths at the moment. I'd even be tempted to play Emmanuel right wing-back and Moly left rather than Gibson who's gone well off the boil recently.

[adamtherover]

I thought Emmanuel was excellent last night, strong and brave, always tried to be creative and progressive, but worked back and defended well, so I'd definitely start with him if we play four at the back.

Broadbent and Kelly were awful last night, we should have been over-running them but they both didn't keep possession, kept going backwards, and didn't create or contribute. Bailey to start as always, but midfield is starting to feel like a weak point at the moment.

I think we look best playing 3-5-2 as the last resort tactic, being front foot and putting teams under the cosh. It means we can bring in Oluwu with Tom and Jay, and play Billy and Joe, which plays to our strenths at the moment. I'd even be tempted to play Emmanuel right wing-back and Moly left rather than Gibson who's gone well off the boil recently.

wasnt it emmanuel who lost the last gasp challenge with a lad half his size when he failed in seeing the ball out to touch, and instead, gave them the corner?? That aside, i thought he did ok, and about gibbo, hes been poor for a few games, but he really looked up for it last nite, running at the defence with pace at every opportunity.  Opinions eh?

[steve@dcfd]

Adam I agree Gibson ran at the defence when he came on but there’s got to be a good end product either a good shot on target or a creative cross he produce that maybe once or twice but most of the time was crowded out by their defence decision making needs to improve

[DonnyBazR0ver]

This will be a biggest home challenge yet. I've seen Chesterfields extended highlights from a few games and they haven't got the points they deserved. They play good joined up football and generally like to pick out oncoming midfielders from wide areas with dangerous balls into the box. Something we lack, in wasting crossing opportunities by not picking out players but tending to play percentages, or in Gibsons case, go alone from any angle.

Two teams who want to attack so could be a very open game. We will need to be at our best to keep them quiet.

They don't tend to favour long high balls or crosses, so it might be a game that suits Olowu alongside McGrath, rather than Tom.

Midfield, well Cilftons out so guess that opens up a chance for Sbarra. Bailey is likely to return along with Close, as it seems neither Broadbent or Kelly did enough to keep their spot, although another option could be Broadbent alongside Bailey with Close in a more advanced role instead of Sbarra.

Yeboah might relegate Gibson to the bench, Moly on the right but they need to be prepared to get into those central areas. Up front, not a clue who McCanns going to favour but my hunch is Sharp.

It's one of those derby games when the players and fans need to work together to get things going and maintain the effort for the full game.

My biggest concern is their trump card in Madden. Ripped us apart last season for Stockport.

[NickDRFC]

Doesn’t look as though Mandeville is getting much of a look in these days. 4 sub appearances averaging less than 20 minutes and failed to make the squad for the other 3 games.

[Chris Black come back]

Away record in league this season not amazing, albeit a fairly tough group of away games. Hammered Crewe 5-0 but lost 1-0 to both Gillingham and Port Vale. Not an easy group but hardly outstanding away form.

[GazLaz]

It will be a difficult game. They will have plenty of possession and we will Jane to be set up to hit on the counter.

Who is the front runner to replace Clifton?

[Alan Southstand]

For a team not far off averaging 2 points per game we are still very much a work in progress outfit. There are far too many questions that are not getting answered.

TSL? The best we’ve got but I’m not convinced about him, yet.

Defence, to me, isn’t too bad, but is let down with whoever is playing in midfield and this is our Achilles heel in the team.

Up front, the wide lads don’t seem to play consistently well at the same time/ in the same game. Gibson, like people are noticing, seems to be struggling at the moment. And, GM can’t make his mind up who should play in the middle - Ironside or Sharp.

It’s going to be a test on Saturday, whoever plays.

[roversdude]

Hopefully Yeboah is fit after going off with what initially looked like cramp but the hobbled around back to the dugout.
We need to bring our A game to win this one and keep disciplined. Chesterfield have picked up a lot of bookings and a couple of red cards so they can get rattled

[Spireite58]

Thanks for the warm welcome Selby, inviting Chesterfield fans so here I am.
First of all this is the game we’ve been looking forward to, god knows how many years we suffered in the NL, but now feel we are in a good place and its great to be back playing proper teams, in proper stadiums. It’s been a patchy start for us, not really having the ‘rub of the green’ and then getting done by silly, costly mistakes. Evidently there’s 3000 of us coming over so should make for a cracking atmosphere. We’re a good lot, so it will be good to mix with your fans if we can. On a personal note, my mums side of the family are all Donny, we used to come over every Boxing Day to Rossington to have family get together. On another note, my lad Dan and 14 others are walking from the Chesterfield stadium to the Keepmoat, setting of at midnight on Friday all in aid of a great chap called Glenn Kirkwood who died aged 47 in July. Glenn started out at Rovers as a professional, went on to Burton with Nigel Clough and latterly assistant manager at Matlock and then coaching youngsters at Wingerworth JSA in Chesterfield. If you see them (if they make it ;-) ) give them a warm welcome and buy them a pint. 
Regarding the match, it should be a great occasion and a good advert for L2. We are still very much a work in progress with many new players settling in. Mandeville is a favourite of ours, a bit of a cult hero, if he doesn’t start he’ll be on the bench..I know he’s also really looking forward to this being a Donny lad.  Thanks for letting me ‘in’.  Can’t wait for Saturday 

[Chris Black come back]

Glenn Kirkwood well remembered in these parts.

[roversontheup]

Welcome Spireite58. I’m really looking forward to this game and a local derby. Really pleased you are back in the League. If I see your son I will happily give him some sponsorship money. I remember Glen Kirkwood when he played for us back in our Conference days.

[Pancho Regan]

Welcome Spirerite58, not just to this forum but back into the League.

A great effort by your fans to sell out your allocation and as you say, it will make for a brilliant atmosphere. I’m just hoping we can shut you all up as soon as possible!

I have fond memories of Glenn Kirkwood and the part he played in the early days of our recovery and resurgence. I couldn’t believe the news when I heard he had passed away at such a young age. A cruel loss for his family and friends.
Huge credit to your lad and the other 14 for undertaking such a huge challenge in memory of Glenn. If I see them I’ll happily give a donation.

I’m really looking forward to the game on Saturday. Being Rovers, there is always some apprehension as to whether we will perform on such occasions but I have total faith in GM and the players to deliver a performance and result we want.

Enjoy your visit to Donny, but not too much…..!

[Campsall rover]

Welcome back to the League.
Good to have you in the same league as us. A derby game we have missed for a number of years.

Just a small point on Mandeville. He is actually from Lincoln not Doncaster. He came through our youth set up and was a very talented and intelligent footballer. Unfortunately there was a problem with his professionalism so it seemed. He fell out with Darren Ferguson from what we could gather and never got a long extended run in the team as a consequence.
Good to see him doing so well for you last season but he hasn’t had many starts this season as yet for whatever reason.
Hope he stays on the bench on Saturday as we don’t wasn’t him scoring or getting any assists against us.
Looking forward to a cracking game between two attack minded teams.
Think both teams will be in the promotion mix at the end of the season.

[andy didcott]

Would be fantastic to get that 12th home league win on the bounce and break the record.

[ncRover]

It will be a difficult game. They will have plenty of possession and we will Jane to be set up to hit on the counter.

Who is the front runner to replace Clifton?

Looking at the stats they look like a team that struggle to translate their possession in to as many chances as it should.

Sbarra looked good Tuesday night. As did Broadbent, but I can’t see Grant playing George or Close as the more advanced midfielder.

Yeboah for me has to start. He’s what we need when we have centre forwards whose game it is to drop off and link the play.

I don’t think Grant is unsure on Sharp or Ironside, it just depends like he said on the opposition and whether Billy has played a few days before. Both Chessie centre halves extremely strong in the air so may negate Joe.

Emmanuel looks like what we’re missing going forward. He can drive in to wide positions and isn’t afraid to whip it in the box with good accuracy.

[Pancho Regan]

Just found a link to the fundraising page for the walk in memory of Glenn Kirkwood, for anyone who's interested:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/wjsa-walk-for-kirky

[Hickleton Rover]

Might be an idea to aim for the SAL spireite58, have a collection there and walk to the stadium together

[Hickleton Rover]

Thanks for the link pancho just donated £ 20 come on everyone let's bust the total of £2,000 and see if we can achieve £ 3,000 ⚽

[Chris Black come back]

In their ten games this season across all competitions, they’ve managed just one clean sheet.

[roversdude]

Donated

[Dougiebulletheader]

Donated and good luck, think the weather will hold.

[GazLaz]

It will be a difficult game. They will have plenty of possession and we will Jane to be set up to hit on the counter.

Who is the front runner to replace Clifton?

Looking at the stats they look like a team that struggle to translate their possession in to as many chances as it should.

Sbarra looked good Tuesday night. As did Broadbent, but I can’t see Grant playing George or Close as the more advanced midfielder.

Yeboah for me has to start. He’s what we need when we have centre forwards whose game it is to drop off and link the play.

I don’t think Grant is unsure on Sharp or Ironside, it just depends like he said on the opposition and whether Billy has played a few days before. Both Chessie centre halves extremely strong in the air so may negate Joe.

Emmanuel looks like what we’re missing going forward. He can drive in to wide positions and isn’t afraid to whip it in the box with good accuracy.

Their output had been as good as anyone’s. Chesterfield, Us, Notts County, Walsall and Barrow have been the best teams so far.

[graingrover]

These posts serve to put this Rovers v Chesterfield encounter into the most civilised , though still healthily partisan, Derby game for as long as I can recall. LMIC .

[idler]

Donated. Hope it is a good game and a win would be great but I know that our run has to end sometime.

[ncRover]

It will be a difficult game. They will have plenty of possession and we will Jane to be set up to hit on the counter.

Who is the front runner to replace Clifton?

Looking at the stats they look like a team that struggle to translate their possession in to as many chances as it should.

Sbarra looked good Tuesday night. As did Broadbent, but I can’t see Grant playing George or Close as the more advanced midfielder.

Yeboah for me has to start. He’s what we need when we have centre forwards whose game it is to drop off and link the play.

I don’t think Grant is unsure on Sharp or Ironside, it just depends like he said on the opposition and whether Billy has played a few days before. Both Chessie centre halves extremely strong in the air so may negate Joe.

Emmanuel looks like what we’re missing going forward. He can drive in to wide positions and isn’t afraid to whip it in the box with good accuracy.

Their output had been as good as anyone’s. Chesterfield, Us, Notts County, Walsall and Barrow have been the best teams so far.

Yeah I was looking at 3rd for possession but 9th for xG and shots on target.

[Spireite58]

Thanks for posting the link to the Just Giving page for Glenn. I thought about including it in my post above, but I didn’t want you thinking that was my reason for coming on here.  Many thanks to all of you who have donated. Have to say you all come across as a sound bunch of supporters and I hope we’re able to share a few beers together.  Really looking forward to Saturday, win lose or draw I hope both our teams are up there come the end of the season!

[selby]

 Sbarra has an assist and a goal in the two games this week and came into the game when we were losing once again with Close on the field at MK Dons and the subs changed the game, and were leading Manchester United when he came off by two goals, and is the player most likely to disrupt play with the tactical foul in mid field we have got, because he is more aware of danger and is harder working than some others, just might not be as easy on the eye that attracts some.
 He deserves to start and will get better