Let's talk about the Chesterfield game

[selby]

  A visit just down the road to play a team that destroyed us earlier in the season here at the Eco Stadium and really toyed with our defence that day, too fast, too direct, and at times took the mickey.
  So a hard game in front of us, if they are not confident of doing it again individually there is something missing in their make up which I doubt.
  The good news is we are a lot better now if we repeat the form shown yesterday, have a lot of options on the player side of things, and in the last few games have played a more expansive game that suits our playing staff, the loans brought in are a step up in class, and we are playing a full squad game freshening things up with substitutes in the second half that as yet has not altered the pace and drift of the game, credit to the management and playing staff, that is not always easy during tight games.
  The main difference is the pace we now keep up in the games, MK Dons recognised this by making substitutes themselves in numbers and kept going head to head with us.
  Being a local historical derby the atmosphere will also be high on an unusual night for football games to be played and a game to look forward to, Chesterfield coming into the game off a late Cheltenham winner in what looked like being a somewhat dour 0-0 draw in which they dominated possession but in spite of having seventeen shots only three were on target and seem to be finding it hard to score goals with their top scorer Griggs missing but have our old adversary Paddy Madden, and Dobra and the lively Olakigbe so can be a big threat, but might be on a bit of a downer after losing to such a late goal.
  Our midfield in yesterdays game were a big step up in pace and class to what we have seen in the first half of the season, and up front we have dangerous players, and needed to be as from the first minutes they tried to  isolate McGrath and Maxwell and run at them a good save in the first few minutes saving us from going one down when they mugged McGrath and was just how Chesterfield exposed our left side in the first game.
  So a good contest in prospect that might need a strong referee, and important to both sides, us to cement our run of wins and keep pressure on the top sides around us, and Chesterfield to hang in there on the tail of the promotion places, and if past games are anything to go by could be a bit feisty.
    Are you going? a short trip for the faithful, a good game in prospect, and if we have no injuries I expect the line up very similar to yesterday and am hoping for something like the same performance which was very good and enjoyable to watch.
   What do you think? lots to discuss, lots to look forward to, please have your say.
   

[Filo]

I think I heard on Radio Sheffield during the closing stages of their game yesterday that they have got a fair few injuries

[mushRTID]

Reading their forum they aren’t playing well or carrying much of a goal threat.
Hopefully they won’t have a referee giving them everything this time as well.

2-0 win here.

[drfchound]

The match isn’t going to be on Sky+ as far as I can tell so anyone not going (and without a fire stick) might have to listen to Radio Sheffield commentary.

[Silkscarf]

Steady on everyone, we’re getting too positive about everything.

[Chris Black come back]

Very average home record. Literally average. 12th best in League Two. Not in great form. Won once in last eight across all competitions. They have only failed to score in one home league game this season though so you would imagine they will score.

[Avsuptem]

We are strong enough now to beat Chesterfield, I would say most of our starting 11 are league 1 standard players + we have a very strong bench. It is this half of the season where squad depth should pay off as many on here have suggested. The January signings are performing, we have strenghenned as we needed to, it should be happy days ahead barring disaster.

[selby]

 Avsuptem, that spooks me as a long term supporter, who realise all the time I have supported the club we have never been seen to be too far from disaster.

[roversdude]

I’ll be there, looking forward to it but a little apprehensive.
Added bonus a new ground for me

[Barmby Rover]

We are strong enough now to beat Chesterfield, I would say most of our starting 11 are league 1 standard players + we have a very strong bench. It is this half of the season where squad depth should pay off as many on here have suggested. The January signings are performing, we have strenghenned as we needed to, it should be happy days ahead barring disaster.

That is until they start to kick everybody in hoops and get away with it. I am expecting a dirty game from Chesterfield and a really scrappy win 0 -1

[Avsuptem]

Avsuptem, that spooks me as a long term supporter, who realise all the time I have supported the club we have never been seen to be too far from disaster.

I get you Selby. I have shared the pain.

[NickDRFC]

Not must win by any means but would really lay down a marker if we did. Would put us within 4 points of Walsall and a 7 point cushion for the automatic promotion spots. Would really put the pressure on our rivals who for the most part have a favourable pair of games before we play again at Grimsby.

Couple of our former players are there but may not see any action - Liam Mandeville has been a regular but was benched for their last game whilst Branden Horton has been on the bench a bit (plus a couple of starts) recently, but wasn’t in the squad at all in the last game.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

2-1 win. Paddy Madden to inevitably score for them.

[Branton Rover]

Hoping for a 0-1 away win with a penalty like we did 01/01/1990 Les Robinson penalty after the infamous Steve Adams ‘dive’.

[selby]

  We need to keep the run going if possible just to keep pressure on the teams around us, good as we have done lately it has only allowed us to make up the deficit we created with the run of poorish results before Christmas that sent us down the table and allowed teams to draw away from us somewhat they being in better form than ourselves at the time.
  Everyone concerned deserve praise for arresting what could have become a real big problem, the owner has pushed the boat out financially, the management have altered our style of play a little and been more expansive going forward, and the players themselves, some big players for us like Molyneux and Bailey have upped their game and are more like the players we know they can be, and in fairness the Black Bank have lifted the noise level and the match day experience is more enjoyable, so all round a better atmosphere we now don't want to throw away after working so hard to get where we are now.
  With a game against one of the form Premiership sides the game after we will do well to compete with, but hope for a little miracle and the publicity that would attract to the club, we could do with the win Thursday to keep and get new support on board just in case we get spanked in that game.

[Lesonthewest]

Hoping for a 0-1 away win with a penalty like we did 01/01/1990 Les Robinson penalty after the infamous Steve Adams ‘dive’.
[/quote

I've mentioned it before, Stevie Adams looked directly at me & my mate & gave us a telling smile as he got up from that challenge. ]

[roversdude]

Think the Chesterfield fans are planning a minutes applause for the young lad who got killed at school

[Spireite58]

Spireite here again and looking forward to the game on Thursday - a strange time, but understand this is to accomodate your cup game next Monday, so good luck for that.  It was a good day out for us at your place in September when everything just clicked and I think on the whole your fans took it quite well, despite a few decisions that I know you rightly questioned.  Since then, its been mostly a frustrating season for us, plagued by injuries - 14 out at the moment including some of our key players, Grigg, Dunkley, Gordon, plus we have lost Markanday & Berry. We signed 6 players in the January window of which 3 are already out injured - we are jinxed for sure, but I'm not here to make excuses.  Personally, I'm pleased to see Donny doing well (mothers family are from Rosso), I said in September that I hoped both our clubs would be in the mix come the 'business end' of the season, but we struggling to hang on. Having said that if we can put a run together, we might just scrape through. I remember where you were this time last year and that fantastic run you had - I hoping for the same #fingerscrossed. I cant really wish you good luck for the match; we need the points more than you but I'm sure you will be there at the end and I hope we can join you, but realistically we may have to accept our season has not gone quite as smoothly as we had hoped.  Safe journey over and hope you enjoy your trip to our place.

[i_ateallthepies]

Spireite here again and looking forward to the game on Thursday - a strange time, but understand this is to accomodate your cup game next Monday, so good luck for that.  It was a good day out for us at your place in September when everything just clicked and I think on the whole your fans took it quite well, despite a few decisions that I know you rightly questioned.  Since then, its been mostly a frustrating season for us, plagued by injuries - 14 out at the moment including some of our key players, Grigg, Dunkley, Gordon, plus we have lost Markanday & Berry. We signed 6 players in the January window of which 3 are already out injured - we are jinxed for sure, but I'm not here to make excuses.  Personally, I'm pleased to see Donny doing well (mothers family are from Rosso), I said in September that I hoped both our clubs would be in the mix come the 'business end' of the season, but we struggling to hang on. Having said that if we can put a run together, we might just scrape through. I remember where you were this time last year and that fantastic run you had - I hoping for the same #fingerscrossed. I cant really wish you good luck for the match; we need the points more than you but I'm sure you will be there at the end and I hope we can join you, but realistically we may have to accept our season has not gone quite as smoothly as we had hoped.  Safe journey over and hope you enjoy your trip to our place.

I know you have one of our old players in Liam Mandeville, Spireite58 but hadn't realised you'd signed up our previous physio team as well.

[Spireite58]

I like your sense of humour...yep, they're doing a fantastic job aren't they 

[ncRover]

Spireite here again and looking forward to the game on Thursday - a strange time, but understand this is to accomodate your cup game next Monday, so good luck for that.  It was a good day out for us at your place in September when everything just clicked and I think on the whole your fans took it quite well, despite a few decisions that I know you rightly questioned.  Since then, its been mostly a frustrating season for us, plagued by injuries - 14 out at the moment including some of our key players, Grigg, Dunkley, Gordon, plus we have lost Markanday & Berry. We signed 6 players in the January window of which 3 are already out injured - we are jinxed for sure, but I'm not here to make excuses.  Personally, I'm pleased to see Donny doing well (mothers family are from Rosso), I said in September that I hoped both our clubs would be in the mix come the 'business end' of the season, but we struggling to hang on. Having said that if we can put a run together, we might just scrape through. I remember where you were this time last year and that fantastic run you had - I hoping for the same #fingerscrossed. I cant really wish you good luck for the match; we need the points more than you but I'm sure you will be there at the end and I hope we can join you, but realistically we may have to accept our season has not gone quite as smoothly as we had hoped.  Safe journey over and hope you enjoy your trip to our place.

Markandy caused us all sorts of problems in the home fixture. I see he’s at Leyton Orient with Wellens and is doing well in L1.

Listening to your game on Saturday, it sounded like your strengths were in the wide areas with your new signings Duffy and Olakigbe. And it’s allowing runs in behind our left back which is a weakness in our otherwise strong defence.

I’m glad to hear Dunkley won’t be playing either - he’s a proper defender. He gave Ironside nothing that day.

[Ian Nimmo]

Horton has gone out on loan, so he won’t be involved.

[roversdude]

Just to confirm there will be a minutes applause on 15th minute on Thursday

[les@donr]

Hope it doesn’t coincide with a goal by either team.

[les@donr]

I think the game should be paused for the minute’s clap.

[graingrover]

Marks of respect should  be done before the game not during it surely .The gimmick of choosing a minute is not dignified and if it happens to coincide with an incident that evokes a cheer then it would be disrespectful .

[Padge_DRFC]

I think the game should be paused for the minute’s clap.

It was at the Rotherham game this week

[drfchound]

I think the game should be paused for the minute’s clap.

It was at the Rotherham game this week

I wonder if everyone would stop playing if one team was getting into a promising attacking situation.

[Filo]

As sad and tragic as these events are, it can’t be just me that thinks we have to clap or have a silence everytime, it’s just overkill these days, it seems like nearly every game

[selby]

  It looks like Brandon Horton has gone to Gateshead so will niot be involved Thursday.