Let's talk about the Carlisle United game

[glosterred]

From the Rovers X/Twitter feed for those travelling

Supporters travelling to Carlisle tomorrow are advised by our police contacts to avoid using the A66 due to the forecasted adverse weather conditions on Saturday.

A route via the M62 and M6 has been advised


COYR

[Barmby Rover]

Match off? Maybe, not so much from snow, it is going to melt fast, but then very heavy rain. flooded pitch?

[les@donr]

Nothing yet on the BBC website. Still says match is on.

[NigelJ]

Match off? Maybe, not so much from snow, it is going to melt fast, but then very heavy rain. flooded pitch?

There was no snow in Carlisle, so just about the volume of rain.

[les@donr]

Been on official Carlisle United website, there is no mentioned that the game is cancelled. Therefore, must still be on, unless announced otherwise.

[ncRover]

Won’t be a day for pretty football…

“SWING IT IN” as the bloke in the west stand says

[Metalmicky]

The game is unlikely to be an advert for the beautiful game..... and for that reason I'm out. 

Well done to those venturing north - stay safe and bring back the points please.

[Scooter]

I’ve not been for a few years. Am I right in saying that the away end is uncovered and therefore I will end up drenched?

[adamtherover]

No, we are under cover down the side..

[ForsolongaRover]

I don’t think that their manager has been mentione on here, but McCann has brought it up. Mike Williamson previously had great success at Gateshead and then a great winning streak at MK Dons which made them look like they’d get automatic promotion this time last year, but he still took them to the Play-offs. He took over at Carlisle too late to for the summer transfer window, but recent matches have seen his influence produce results.

He is wise enough to treat us with respect, but at the same time this looks like a team on the up and I don’t think anyone is expecting an easy game.

Another factor is that they are well supported with average gates around the same level as Rovers.

[selby]

  The conditions of the pitch are not going to be ideal, and the game is more likely to be more a slug fest than pure football from end to end.
   The result is all important to both sides, and they will be the sort of side we need to stand up to and cannot afford any shrinking violets.
   We have skill and flair in our side, and at times have shown the grit and determination to go toe to toe, certainly lately we have been better at it.
  If the game is played we will need all our good traits to be on show today to come away with anything, it will be a day for those players that like short sleeves and no gloves.

[roversdude]

National Highways still showing A66 closed both ways

[drfchound]

I don’t think that their manager has been mentione on here, but McCann has brought it up. Mike Williamson previously had great success at Gateshead and then a great winning streak at MK Dons which made them look like they’d get automatic promotion this time last year, but he still took them to the Play-offs. He took over at Carlisle too late to for the summer transfer window, but recent matches have seen his influence produce results.

He is wise enough to treat us with respect, but at the same time this looks like a team on the up and I don’t think anyone is expecting an easy game.

Another factor is that they are well supported with average gates around the same level as Rovers.

So, from that information, we would probably be better off playing them today despite the conditions, rather than on a Tuesday later in the season after MW has had time and a January transfer window.

[RoversInSpain]

Olowu superb today with TSL making 2 fantastic saves late on.
No idea where our next goal is coming from.
Awful first half, better in second but we did really try to lose it.

[The Dav]

Grants got some graft on if he wants us promoted this year ! Goals win games and we ain’t looking like we’ve got many in us ! That said he pulled us out of the brown stuff last year.

[danumdon]

One word sums us up today, Wasteful!

When you have players trying to walk the ball into the net or passing to someone when they themselves are better placed to take a shot!

Need to get a ruthless streak and quick.

TSL saved us a point in the end.

[ForsolongaRover]

One word sums us up today, Wasteful!

When you have players trying to walk the ball into the net or passing to someone when they themselves are better placed to take a shot!

Need to get a ruthless streak and quick.

TSL saved us a point in the end.

Another word is “judgment”.

[Copps is Magic]

I thought Kelly had the game in his hands today... but was also the reason we didn't win.

He made 5/6 excellent runs into the box, and was otherwise very good. But, his final ball just wasn't there, he just didn't get his head up and pick out a good pass.

[colincramb]

Guys, chill. We are 3rd and we stay unbeaten away for another game. Don’t mind picking up draws away, whatever the opposition especially in awful conditions. If we can pick up a bit at home we will be fine.

[ForsolongaRover]

At half time McCann seems to have given them a plan to get the ball into the position to score, but he can’t kick the ball for them or make the decisions once they are in a position to score.

[adamtherover]

Guys, chill. We are 3rd and we stay unbeaten away for another game. Don’t mind picking up draws away, whatever the opposition especially in awful conditions. If we can pick up a bit at home we will be fine.

the conditions weren't awful at all, dry with no wind, not very cold...  It was our poor decisions that cost us..

[Campsall rover]

Guys, chill. We are 3rd and we stay unbeaten away for another game. Don’t mind picking up draws away, whatever the opposition especially in awful conditions. If we can pick up a bit at home we will be fine.

Conditions were very good
Bad weather in Lancs not Cumbria
No snow on ground in Carlisle at all
Loads in Lancs
Very very wet in Lancs not a drop of rain in Cumbria

[Campsall rover]

Only thing missing today was goals
Our build up play as fast and incisive in the 2nd half and if we had won every one would be saying exactly that.
Goals win games and we didn’t get one.
Fine margins. The important thing is we create chances. When we stop doing that then we can worry. We were much better than last week v Salford in the final 3rd today
The goals will come and when they do I think we will score a lot consistently.

[colincramb]

Guys, chill. We are 3rd and we stay unbeaten away for another game. Don’t mind picking up draws away, whatever the opposition especially in awful conditions. If we can pick up a bit at home we will be fine.

Conditions were very good
Bad weather in Lancs not Cumbria
No snow on ground in Carlisle at all
Loads in Lancs
Very very wet in Lancs not a drop of rain in Cumbria

Apologies, I wasn’t there. Just assumed it was like the rest of the country. Either way, a draw away is still a good result. The key for me is picking up the home form and putting teams to bed here. Christmas will separate the men from the boys and then whatever business is done in January for the run in. We are well placed and I’d have taken this before the start of the season. It was by no means guaranteed we’d be up there so I’m happy.

[RoversInSpain]

Perhaps it’s our blip, drawing these games (hope so). Only lost 1 in 11, 3rd…. Think last season Mansfield lost very few games and drew a lot before accelerating into a 3rd promotion spot.
Trust in Grant and Cliff, it’ll come.

[Avsuptem]

We were one pass away from a scoring opportunity 3 or 4 times in the first 5 minutes but passed it to the oppo instead. We could have been 2 goals up and what a different game it would have been from then on.
 A bit worrying that we  do not seem to be getting the best out of our very strong team at present which is not  normal for a Grant Mc Cann led team.

[NickDRFC]

I thought Kelly had the game in his hands today... but was also the reason we didn't win.

He made 5/6 excellent runs into the box, and was otherwise very good. But, his final ball just wasn't there, he just didn't get his head up and pick out a good pass.

Kelly is very good at getting past players but shits his pants as soon as he gets in the box. There was one in the second half when he was clean through and had a great chance for the shot but squared it to their defender.

[ncRover]

Guys, chill. We are 3rd and we stay unbeaten away for another game. Don’t mind picking up draws away, whatever the opposition especially in awful conditions. If we can pick up a bit at home we will be fine.

There’s strong teams above and below us with games in hand.

[Campsall rover]

Guys, chill. We are 3rd and we stay unbeaten away for another game. Don’t mind picking up draws away, whatever the opposition especially in awful conditions. If we can pick up a bit at home we will be fine.

There’s strong teams above and below us with games in hand.

Games in hand are not guaranteed points though. Only potential ones.

[NickDRFC]

Is Maxwell fit? I usually really like him but thought he was poor against Salford and even worse today. Looked like he was really labouring even early on so maybe he’s not in the best condition yet.