A mature performance from a talented group of young players

[Pancho Regan]

Of the 11 players that started the game today, four are owned by other clubs and two are out of contract in the summer. That means more than half of our preferred starting side is currently not due to be here come June.

Thanks, that’s pissed on our chips big time.

Pass me the knife when you’ve done with it.

[Alan Southstand]

But, contract extensions are in hand plus if we get to L1, who’s to say whether some of the loans re-join?

[danumdon]

But, contract extensions are in hand plus if we get to L1, who’s to say whether some of the loans re-join?

Correct, plus you are fishing in a bigger and better pond in league1, we may well keep the out of contract players and get even better loans!

[Bessie Red]

What a great, well timed and brave tackle when Jay McGrath skittled their winger creating him to perform a double somersault.

Proper old school tackle!

[Ryaldinhio]

Of the 11 players that started the game today, four are owned by other clubs and two are out of contract in the summer. That means more than half of our preferred starting side is currently not due to be here come June.

I'm really glad someone is here to put a negative spin on today

Love this place

[drfchound]

This one?

https://x.com/drfc_official/status/1885807830709477620?s=61&t=DCRm1C_BBr5pt7J45jXUsAd

There was a bit of mutual respect afterwards.
When their player eventually got up he trotted by Jay and they did one of those hand slap things.

[drfchound]

What a great, well timed and brave tackle when Jay McGrath skittled their winger creating him to perform a double somersault.

Proper old school tackle!

It as a good clean tackle but taking into consideration the way their player went into the air I bet that many a ref would have given a foul and possibly a yellow card.

[Jimmydee]

This one?

https://x.com/drfc_official/status/1885807830709477620?s=61&t=DCRm1C_BBr5pt7J45jXUsA

Yes, that’s the one, at the time, I watched the re play in my head and classed it as a double somersault.

[Usher wide.]

Thought Olowu & McGrath defended excellently again today.

Sterry’s pace in attack, his closing down & winning of tackles & free kicks in defensive areas was that of a full back who this season has matured & grown considerably in not only his role in the team, but in his ‘own skin’ as a player who has (like Mols  been the subject of shameless criticism by those on this forum who know who they are) come through his own mental demons & is, like Moly, an integral part of this team.

Charlie Crew. A special mention for a special footballer. I think he grew as the game went on just as he had in the Barrow game. We’re fortunate to have him in what will be a ‘hang on to your seats ride’ until the seasons end.

Ethan on the left & Mols doing what Mols does time after time gave the MKD defence plenty to think about.

PK & Owen in that midfield complement everything that goes on around, about & through them, formidable.

Joe Ironside. If ever you wanted a ‘proper No.9 (20)’ you’d want Joe’s number in your ‘favourites’. So many facets to his game that those who only look at ‘xg’s’ miss I almost feel sorry for them……almost.

[RoversInSpain]

Of the 11 players that started the game today, four are owned by other clubs and two are out of contract in the summer. That means more than half of our preferred starting side is currently not due to be here come June.

At this moment in time they are all Rovers players, get us out of this league and all is good.
In reality any player could leave at any time (during a window) so all are only temporary really. Otherwise Dick Habbin and Mickey French would still be here, no one is permanent only the fans.

[Lesonthewest]

Great game & what a team performance, well done lads.

[dickos1]

Of the 11 players that started the game today, four are owned by other clubs and two are out of contract in the summer. That means more than half of our preferred starting side is currently not due to be here come June.

What on earth does that have to do with anything, a very strange comment

[Pancho Regan]

This is the run we needed and which we’ve been threatening.

Over the last 6 games we’re top of the form table. 15 points out of a possible 18, better than all our rivals.

Perhaps even more importantly, today we saw a team who are worthy promotion candidates. That was a high quality game and we rose to the challenge. We fought for every ball, pressed MKD at every opportunity and worked our socks off.

As we did at Barrow, we moved the ball quickly and we’re always looking forward.

As I said, this is the run we wanted and needed and let’s keep this going. This form will get us promoted.

[MagicMartinoWoods]

We play like that in our next four games in Feb against Chesterfield, Grimsby, Morecambe and Accrington, I could easily see us coming away with 12 points and we'll all be very excited then.

[Alan Southstand]

Another point worth mentioning is that that performance came off the back of playing away at Barrow on Wednesday. GM said, in his interview, that they got back about 2 or 3 in the morning!

The fitness levels on show from all the team, especially in that first half, were exceptional. I thought Ennis looked very threatening in that first half and showed he’s starting to warm to the task. His recovery work was right up there.

Very encouraging from all of them, but the midfield 3 matched up to the best of the MK team.

[DonnyOsmond]

Thought Olowu & McGrath defended excellently again today.

Sterry’s pace in attack, his closing down & winning of tackles & free kicks in defensive areas was that of a full back who this season has matured & grown considerably in not only his role in the team, but in his ‘own skin’ as a player who has (like Mols  been the subject of shameless criticism by those on this forum who know who they are) come through his own mental demons & is, like Moly, an integral part of this team.

Charlie Crew. A special mention for a special footballer. I think he grew as the game went on just as he had in the Barrow game. We’re fortunate to have him in what will be a ‘hang on to your seats ride’ until the seasons end.

Ethan on the left & Mols doing what Mols does time after time gave the MKD defence plenty to think about.

PK & Owen in that midfield complement everything that goes on around, about & through them, formidable.

Joe Ironside. If ever you wanted a ‘proper No.9 (20)’ you’d want Joe’s number in your ‘favourites’. So many facets to his game that those who only look at ‘xg’s’ miss I almost feel sorry for them……almost.

Not sure anyone in the world only looks at xG mate.

[Nudga]

Thought Olowu & McGrath defended excellently again today.

Sterry’s pace in attack, his closing down & winning of tackles & free kicks in defensive areas was that of a full back who this season has matured & grown considerably in not only his role in the team, but in his ‘own skin’ as a player who has (like Mols  been the subject of shameless criticism by those on this forum who know who they are) come through his own mental demons & is, like Moly, an integral part of this team.

Charlie Crew. A special mention for a special footballer. I think he grew as the game went on just as he had in the Barrow game. We’re fortunate to have him in what will be a ‘hang on to your seats ride’ until the seasons end.

Ethan on the left & Mols doing what Mols does time after time gave the MKD defence plenty to think about.

PK & Owen in that midfield complement everything that goes on around, about & through them, formidable.

Joe Ironside. If ever you wanted a ‘proper No.9 (20)’ you’d want Joe’s number in your ‘favourites’. So many facets to his game that those who only look at ‘xg’s’ miss I almost feel sorry for them……almost.

So you don't like "shameless criticism" of the players on here but you constantly throw in shitty cheap digs and troll one of the lads on here.
You've been on here 5 months and already you're coming across as a pathetic tool.

You would absolutely shit it if you saw Gaz in the pub, I guarantee that.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Agree with everyone saying it was probably the best, most complete, 90 minute performance of the season, particularly at home.

The energy and intensity was what we've been waiting for with Kelly and Crew having excellent games, probably both their best in a Rovers shirt so far. Maybe only blip for Kelly was allowing the run of their goalscorer.

I still think Maxwell is still a little short by comparison to Sterry on the right and think when the left side balances up with the right with Ennis (reminds me of a young James Milner) we'll be even more threatening from all angles.

Great to see Ironside at last getting the bit between his teeth and scoring a great goal as a result of his and the teams pressing efforts.

I was a bit worried when Crew and Kelly were subbed but the subs saw the game out well with Broadbent making some valuable interventions. Cilfton and Gibson.....lads, lads, how did you muck that one up that would have given us the icing on an already tasty cake!?

That sort of performance deserves 10k crowds with the attendance strangley down being the only disappointment.

[Usher wide.]

Thought Olowu & McGrath defended excellently again today.

Sterry’s pace in attack, his closing down & winning of tackles & free kicks in defensive areas was that of a full back who this season has matured & grown considerably in not only his role in the team, but in his ‘own skin’ as a player who has (like Mols  been the subject of shameless criticism by those on this forum who know who they are) come through his own mental demons & is, like Moly, an integral part of this team.

Charlie Crew. A special mention for a special footballer. I think he grew as the game went on just as he had in the Barrow game. We’re fortunate to have him in what will be a ‘hang on to your seats ride’ until the seasons end.

Ethan on the left & Mols doing what Mols does time after time gave the MKD defence plenty to think about.

PK & Owen in that midfield complement everything that goes on around, about & through them, formidable.

Joe Ironside. If ever you wanted a ‘proper No.9 (20)’ you’d want Joe’s number in your ‘favourites’. So many facets to his game that those who only look at ‘xg’s’ miss I almost feel sorry for them……almost.

So you don't like "shameless criticism" of the players on here but you constantly throw in shitty cheap digs and troll one of the lads on here.
You've been on here 5 months and already you're coming across as a pathetic tool.

You would absolutely shit it if you saw Gaz in the pub, I guarantee that.

I’ve worked in operating theatres so I doubt the ‘state’ of your mate would bother me if you’re alluding to his appearance as opposed to his unbeaten run of cage fights. And the only time I can recall shitting my pants in a bar was after drinking foul water in Algeria when I was with The Legion.

As for ‘shitty cheap digs’, anyone on this forum who STILL has ‘shitty cheap digs’ at Luke Molyneaux’s capabilities to perform at an even higher level than this division deserve all the criticism they get which in your mates case on that subject, comes from many quarters if you’d care to look back at some of the posts where HE passes Luke’s goals off as ‘simple givens’.

[Nudga]

But that's his opinion, which is what this forum is about.
I suggest you put him on block if he rattles you so easily.
 

[Usher wide.]

But that's his opinion, which is what this forum is about.
I suggest you put him on block if he rattles you so easily.

Doesn’t ‘rattle’ me in the slightest in fact I’m more than happy to defend our players against any poster who I believe gives them unwarranted criticism on here.

He ‘sets himself up’ with outlandish statements so shouldn’t be surprised when he gets his ‘tail tugged’. No doubt he’ll be inviting me for a little chat over a burger perhaps before the game, just as he has to Pancho Regan on another thread.

I’ll bring my Imodium just in case

Why don’t you take your own advice & block me before you have an aneurysm.

[Nudga]

If I blocked every egotistical man child on here the place would be nearly empty.

[Usher wide.]

If I blocked every egotistical man child on here the place would be nearly empty.

Ayup you got a like from your mate!

The pair of you are clearly way too knowledgeable for this forum. You must feel like Kings wading through a crowd of one eyed monkeys.

You could go off & start your own forum? There you could swap criticisms on players, play ping pong with stats all day long AND, no ‘egotistical man child’s’ to challenge your sooth sayings.

Just a thought.

Anyway, back off to the forum for me to read some well earned positivity about this squad of players Grant McCann has moulded into an exciting (you remember excitement?) team.

[Nudga]

There you go again.  I'm not into stats, I prefer off the cuff street football.
I wish we could have one half playing cuppy doubles and then head n volley kick up arse in 2nd half.
Saying that,  there is value in stats and analysis in the modern game but I believe an over reliance leads to boring football.

Not got a problem with anybody challenging other views but seems like it's getting personal.

Anyway, I'll not block you because you did add value to the board with your south stand post. I think I'll just ignore the rest of your snakey guff from now on.

Have a blessed day.

[ForsolongaRover]

I listened to the commentary and have seen the extended highlights.The sound commentary encouraged me to think that we put in a really committed effort right across the team. Seeing the highlights lifted my spirits to a level which they have not reached since last season’s run-in.

Whereas previously, attacking has come in periodic bursts and has been somewhat “stop-start” and tended to involve the same players, yesterday there were waves of smooth upfield surges and real teamwork enabling passing options in the danger areas.

We hear the phrase that a particular player “was a constant threat”, but yesterday the whole team was, and the three new loanees have brought the same adventurous spirit as Kelly and it sounded as though the he benefitted from a kindred spirit (in Crew) alongside him. The opposition defence had to cope with their dynamism plus Ennis and i wonder if it gave Ironside more space than he usually gets and perhaps  took pressure off the attention paid to Molyneux and Sterry as well.

I think that had we been unfortunate enough not to win, it was the sort of game when you would be consoled by the fact that we had played really well.

Winning like that will generate enormous confidence amongst the players and mutual faith in the teamwork. Perhaps the only problem to be solved is how we adapt it to deal with teams that set up to defend.

[Dutch Uncle]

I listened to the commentary and have seen the extended highlights.The sound commentary encouraged me to think that we put in a really committed effort right across the team. Seeing the highlights lifted my spirits to a level which they have not reached since last season’s run-in.

Whereas previously, attacking has come in periodic bursts and has been somewhat “stop-start” and tended to involve the same players, yesterday there were waves of smooth upfield surges and real teamwork enabling passing options in the danger areas.

We hear the phrase that a particular player “was a constant threat”, but yesterday the whole team was, and the three new loanees have brought the same adventurous spirit as Kelly and it sounded as though the he benefitted from a kindred spirit (in Crew) alongside him. The opposition defence had to cope with their dynamism plus Ennis and i wonder if it gave Ironside more space than he usually gets and perhaps  took pressure off the attention paid to Molyneux and Sterry as well.

I think that had we been unfortunate enough not to win, it was the sort of game when you would be consoled by the fact that we had played really well.

Winning like that will generate enormous confidence amongst the players and mutual faith in the teamwork. Perhaps the only problem to be solved is how we adapt it to deal with teams that set up to defend.

Agree with that. Adding to your note of caution, MK play an open game which gives us opportunities to play our fast and exciting transitions. Still has to be done, and it was a brilliant and entertaining performance, and hopefully one that will give us momentum and confidence to be more creative against those teams that play low-block (whatever happened to the expression 'park-the-bus') - we will need that. The additions of Crew, Street and Ennis have definitely improved us - well done Grant and the board, and of course all the players. 

[Bessie Red]

I think the last 6 games have shown us that the team finally knows how to beat most, if not all teams and the way they set up in this division. We may lose a couple on the way in but at least we can see that we now have answers to all options thrown at us.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I think the last 6 games have shown us that the team finally knows how to beat most, if not all teams and the way they set up in this division. We may lose a couple on the way in but at least we can see that we now have answers to all options thrown at us.

I'll be more confident if we can show the Barrow match wasn't a one off, and we can regularly stretch and break a well organised low block.

[ncRover]

But, contract extensions are in hand plus if we get to L1, who’s to say whether some of the loans re-join?

The preference would not be to rely on loans. We currently have 5 in the squad and have had 7 in total this season. That does demonstrate poor planning. Two or so loans for me. Leeds will go up, so would send us Crew in L1 for sure.

TSL on a free in the summer should be our first signing. So obvious. He can keep developing too.

If he enjoys it here and keeps it up I’d look at paying Lincoln for Rob Street. He’s still young, so if some of Ironside’s hold up play rubs off in him in training you have a monster of a centre forward. These types are in short supply.
Billy in L1 at 40 isn’t going to cut it, sorry.

[Chris Black come back]

McCann last time has Wilks and Kane for pretty much the entire season. They were transformational. Impact can’t be guaranteed but two starters seems about right, to add something you couldn’t otherwise afford. Much more than that and you are onto another round of uncertainty the following summer.