Let's talk about the Crewe Alexandra game

[selby]

  We are still in the mix hanging on in there and we could really do with a win and the three points form this game, a game against a side that has had our number especially in the playoff semi final second leg last season, pushing all the right buttons with the right sort of tactics that have upset our game quite a few times since as other teams capitalise on the example they set on the Televising of that game.
   Play like we did in that five minute horror show on Saturday and we are going to struggle, but hopefully we will at least have some returning from injury who missed the game Saturday, especially Olowu our only defender with pace, and the way he has played a player any team at our level would miss if not playing and left us looking vulnerable on Saturday when run at at pace.
   Crewe themselves have not been in the best of form and are clinging on to a play off place winning 2 losing 2 and drawing 2 of their last six games and will feel they need a result from this game as much as we do.
    So a game with lot's on it, two teams not at the top of their game and us hoping for some returning players from injury while Crewe will look at the draw here and the penalty shoot out win in the playoffs as pointing the way they will set up to give them their best chance of winning.
  I also go with the thoughts of some on here that the officials we have been unfortunate enough to have allotted to our games have not exactly covered themselves in glory and are becoming more and more inconsistent to the point of in some cases influencing the result of the games for both sides they are so incompetent in particular the assistant lino's who are fast becoming just there to give decisions when the ball goes out of play, and get a good percentage of those decisions wrong.
  Can we start another little run of wins? will some of our injured be fit for the game? I thought Crew our player showed glimpses of real class on Saturday, if he gets on his game I think he can drive us forward, what do you think? Are you going? will you visit the chip shop opposite? a massive question. Lots to chew over so to speak, please have your say.

[roversdude]

Crewe are missing their main goal threat Treacy having broken his leg. With a bit of luck Demetriu will still be out too

[Jersey Rover]

Our next two games are huge in the context of automatics or play offs

[Scooter]

I’ve been to Crewe a few times but not going this time. Their prices are ridiculous for this level, and I’m still pissed off with them for the play offs.
It’s my birthday next Monday so don’t want my weekend ruined by that shower
Safe travels to those that go

Hopefully we get the 3 points

[drfchound]

The match is live on sky at 12.30 on Saturday.

[Padge_DRFC]

See you all at Salford at normal prices. Oh and Salford will make more money from us when double turn up

[Pancho Regan]

I'm miffed about Crewe's prices too, but I'll be there.

Firstly I live virtually half way between Donny and Crewe, so not such a long journey for me.
Secondly I'm trying to get to as many games as possible in this promotion season.

 

[selby]

  Let's hope all the supporters who are following the team away and are being ripped off by clubs like Crewe see a stella performance from our lads that make their journey worthwhile and we come away with the three points.

[IDM]

  Let's hope all the supporters who are following the team away and are being ripped off by clubs like Crewe see a stella performance from our lads that make their journey worthwhile and we come away with the three points.

I would hope they keep their drinking until after the game.!!

[i_ateallthepies]

Just wondering what tricks Stella has in her show...

[drfchound]

Not as many as Sellafield Sue by all accounts.

[Barmby Rover]

I think last weekend will have given thee squad yet another kick up the backside. They can and will beat Crewe

[ncRover]

Attacking midfielder Jack Lankester helped them get lots of points in the first half of the season and he’s been out since January. 20 games 7 goals 6 assists.

If you compound the injuries of him, Demetriou and now Tracey along with their current form (18th over last 10 games), they are in a false position and are a side we should be beating comfortably.

[GazLaz]

Attacking midfielder Jack Lankester helped them get lots of points in the first half of the season and he’s been out since January. 20 games 7 goals 6 assists.

If you compound the injuries of him, Demetriou and now Tracey along with their current form (18th over last 10 games), they are in a false position and are a side we should be beating comfortably.

They were over performing the numbers in the first hang of the season, but they did that in the latter half of last season. They perhaps just have a way of playing that isn’t picked up well in the models. Injuries hurting them not. We are lucky that we could change the entire back 4 at the weekend nearly get away with it. No other team could do that.

[Pancho Regan]

Attacking midfielder Jack Lankester helped them get lots of points in the first half of the season and he’s been out since January. 20 games 7 goals 6 assists.

If you compound the injuries of him, Demetriou and now Tracey along with their current form (18th over last 10 games), they are in a false position and are a side we should be beating comfortably.

They were over performing the numbers in the first hang of the season, but they did that in the latter half of last season. They perhaps just have a way of playing that isn’t picked up well in the models. Injuries hurting them not. We are lucky that we could change the entire back 4 at the weekend nearly get away with it. No other team could do that.

Lucky, or good recruitment and squad-building?
Depends on how you view things I guess.

[GazLaz]

Attacking midfielder Jack Lankester helped them get lots of points in the first half of the season and he’s been out since January. 20 games 7 goals 6 assists.

If you compound the injuries of him, Demetriou and now Tracey along with their current form (18th over last 10 games), they are in a false position and are a side we should be beating comfortably.

They were over performing the numbers in the first hang of the season, but they did that in the latter half of last season. They perhaps just have a way of playing that isn’t picked up well in the models. Injuries hurting them not. We are lucky that we could change the entire back 4 at the weekend nearly get away with it. No other team could do that.

Lucky, or good recruitment and squad-building?
Depends on how you view things I guess.

Lucky that funds have been made available from the big man.

[IDM]

Attacking midfielder Jack Lankester helped them get lots of points in the first half of the season and he’s been out since January. 20 games 7 goals 6 assists.

If you compound the injuries of him, Demetriou and now Tracey along with their current form (18th over last 10 games), they are in a false position and are a side we should be beating comfortably.

They were over performing the numbers in the first hang of the season, but they did that in the latter half of last season. They perhaps just have a way of playing that isn’t picked up well in the models. Injuries hurting them not. We are lucky that we could change the entire back 4 at the weekend nearly get away with it. No other team could do that.

“They perhaps just have a way of playing that isn’t picked up well in the models.”

That’s why I - as a supporter rather than a coach or player - don’t rely on the detailed stats we see these days.

[GazLaz]

Attacking midfielder Jack Lankester helped them get lots of points in the first half of the season and he’s been out since January. 20 games 7 goals 6 assists.

If you compound the injuries of him, Demetriou and now Tracey along with their current form (18th over last 10 games), they are in a false position and are a side we should be beating comfortably.

They were over performing the numbers in the first hang of the season, but they did that in the latter half of last season. They perhaps just have a way of playing that isn’t picked up well in the models. Injuries hurting them not. We are lucky that we could change the entire back 4 at the weekend nearly get away with it. No other team could do that.

“They perhaps just have a way of playing that isn’t picked up well in the models.”

That’s why I - as a supporter rather than a coach or player - don’t rely on the detailed stats we see these days.

Not sure anyone relies on them for anything. Just another tool in the armoury.

For what it’s worth they are probably the only outlier in L2 when it comes to assessing teams in L2 based one any semi competent model.

[IDM]

If that’s how some folks assess teams that’s fair enough.

I just look at the table, the results, and possibly goals for/against..

[pib]

They had a load of injuries when we played them at home IIRC but we still struggled against them. I'm sure whoever plays, their style will make this a very tough game.

We have to win really - 5-6 wins realistically needed as a minimum so there's not much margin for error. Certainly can't afford many more silly slip-ups like last week.

[karldew]

Crewe’s next 5 fixtures, more or less all 6 pointers for them;
Donny (H)
County (A)
Vale (H)
Grimsby (H)
Bradford (A)

Ouch!

[GazLaz]

Crewe’s next 5 fixtures, more or less all 6 pointers for them;
Donny (H)
County (A)
Vale (H)
Grimsby (H)
Bradford (A)

Ouch!

Tough run but their style suits having a dominant possession team to play off. They struggle when they have to have 60% possession. Sound familiar? Hopefully we don’t fall into their trap on Saturday.

[roversdude]

We have sold our initial allocation and been given an extra 100

[pib]

Initial allocation was 660ish I think. Taking 700+ at those prices isn't too bad.

[Donnywolf]

Have we any hints re the injury situation esp Sterry Olowu McGrath and Maxwell ?

If people were talking (hoping) of calling off Salford game due to defensive injuries then that sounds ominous as it's a week away

[Barmby Rover]

Called off because of international call ups

[donnyguy]

Usual back 4 missing again

[Scooter]

That line up justifies why the Salford game is off. Gives an extra week for our back four to recover. Great decision

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Initial allocation was 660ish I think. Taking 700+ at those prices isn't too bad.

I picked Salford over Crewe for that reason, now can't go to either, ah well. Let's hope it's a win today.

Wood being back could be huge for the run in imo.

[ravenrover]

Team