Bobby Faulkner

[Canadian Rover]

I'm finding myself a bit puzzled by the recent squad decision—specifically, the recall of Will Flint over Bobby Faulkner. Given Joe Olowu's latest injury and Jay McGrath's struggles (add in Woods/Andersons injury records), wouldn't it have made more sense to bring Bobby back as defensive cover?

Bobby seems like a logical choice, especially under the current circumstances. Plus, with Bailey potentially the plan B moving to the centre of defence if Anderson or Wood aren't playing, we lose a strong midfielder. I understand that Zain Westbrookes is fit again, which is good, but I'm not sure how this aligns with the defensive gaps we need to fill.

Is Flint being brought back for a specific reason that might not be immediately apparent? Maybe there's something happening behind the scenes?

It's in my view disheartening to see Bobby seemingly sidelined by the club, only really getting chances in less-than-ideal lineups. It feels like he hasn't been given a fair shot to prove himself in a stable side.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this. Maybe I'm missing a piece of the puzzle here.

[NickDRFC]

I imagine it’s down to versatility. Flint covers 3 positions, Faulkner just 1.

[Batleyred]

Flints back as he's injured

[5minstogo]

Flints back as he's injured

Grant said he's recalled him to cover for Olowu and he can also be used in several positions.

[Filo]

Don’t think Bobby can play for us until next season now

[IDM]

Flint has played much more football this season too, hasn’t he?

[DonnyOsmond]

Don’t think Bobby can play for us until next season now

Yeah played official games for his maximum of 2 teams so can't play for us this season, IIRC.

[selby]

  I don't know about that rule as he is registered with us, but he is playing very well and as for positions he made his debut for us as a right back and played most of his junior football as a left back and was picked up by us while playing left midfield, and got a MOM against Everton's u21s with us in his last full game for us starting at left back and moving over to right back second half.
  As you have said Will has played as a defender across the back line in u18s but is far more effective in that defensive midfield position, and is a good player technically and if called on would do well, but has done well at Darlington where he is very  well thought of as they are by him as he has enjoyed playing for them.
  Both have attracted other clubs while out on loan and have played consistently well while under their gaze  so have options in the game Bobby out of contract at the end of the season Will another year.
  Hopefully both will be here next season and Bobby is enjoying playing where he is and doing well and is looking forward to playing next season, where is up to others, and is hoping he can help Buxton into the play offs for promotion and has a cup final to look forward to played on Chesterfield's ground so they won't have to travel far to watch him again.
  Yesterday he in his own words had a tough game physically  on a very poor pitch that stopped the young Buxton side playing their normal game and admitted he was part of a defensive mix up between all the defence in the goal scored against them although John McGrath sang the defences praises at the end of the game once again in his summary, as they were put under a lot of pressure  in the second half where their defensive ability came to the for and they held out for the win. Bobby also won two headers from set pieces narrowly heading over and having one cleared off the line during the game, a dangerous player in both penalty areas, and with  young loan players from Salford and Hartlepool have formed a very young good defensive back line responsible for a marked improvement in clean sheets since joining Buxton compared with the first half of their season.

[Metalmicky]

Enjoy your updates Selby, but are you in some way connected to young Faulkner...... BTW, I actually agree with your sentiments...... so not over probing here...

[selby]

  Just know and am a friend of the family, and saw how good he was as a youngster and what an athlete he is, not just at football, as a cricketer, cross country running, and has basic speed.
  For the first time in two years, due to injury he is enjoying his football, playing at the top of his game and has improved immensely on his reading of the game and his technical ability and has the physicality few can match, and is dominant in the air brave and fast.
  Everything you want in a good defender, you can't teach it, you either have it or not, he has.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

I’ve enjoyed your reports on Bobby, Selby. I really hope he can forge a career with us. If not, somewhere else! Maybe York if they come up. Be a decent partner for another Donny boy in the form of Callum Howe.

[CheeseToastie]

We'll never see him in a rovers shirt again. The management clearly know who they want and who they don't. Faulkners time is up and he'll slowly slip into non-league football. He's shown glimpses of what he could potentially be but ultimately the coaching staff see him daily and clearly do not rate him.

[GazLaz]

The lads still only 20. We’d be mental to get rid of him.

[dknward2]

Hopefully he can continue to play well and then come back and get a full preseason with us and push onto be a member of the, 1st team squad

[drfchound]

I’ve enjoyed your reports on Bobby, Selby. I really hope he can forge a career with us. If not, somewhere else! Maybe York if they come up. Be a decent partner for another Donny boy in the form of Callum Howe.

Callum Howe is the brother of Declan Howe who has been banging in goals for Gainsborough Trinity for the last couple of years.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Best playing games imo then having a good preseason. Just hope he’s given a fair crack when back at the club. If we’re in L2 I’d give him a chance at replacing Olowu before signing anyone else

[Usher wide.]

The lads still only 20. We’d be mental to get rid of him.

Jesus Christ, Mother Mary & the ‘wee donkey’, I agree…for once.

[CheeseToastie]

I think he'll be gone, he's clearly fallen right down the pecking order and Grant clearly has other options he prefers. But why give him a new contract to let him sit and rot or just constantly be out on loan which chances are he will be. People will think I've some sort of vendetta against the poor boy but IMO he's just not good enough and the direction we are looking we need to be looking at stronger options. He'll find himself a nice club but why have another player on the books like Jack Degruchy?Liam Ravenhill similar situation soon as he was gone has found his level at Northern premier with Matlock. I get fans have sentiment over certain players and we all want to see the youngsters bred through the system but ultimately you need what's best for the club and right now young Bobby isn't it, if we were going to fester in league 2 and be happy with league 2 football the next few years things might change but he won't get a sniff in league one.

[Usher wide.]

I think he'll be gone, he's clearly fallen right down the pecking order and Grant clearly has other options he prefers. But why give him a new contract to let him sit and rot or just constantly be out on loan which chances are he will be. People will think I've some sort of vendetta against the poor boy but IMO he's just not good enough and the direction we are looking we need to be looking at stronger options. He'll find himself a nice club but why have another player on the books like Jack Degruchy?Liam Ravenhill similar situation soon as he was gone has found his level at Northern premier with Matlock. I get fans have sentiment over certain players and we all want to see the youngsters bred through the system but ultimately you need what's best for the club and right now young Bobby isn't it, if we were going to fester in league 2 and be happy with league 2 football the next few years things might change but he won't get a sniff in league one.

With all due respect I’d back selby’s assessment of Bobby over yours every time.

[selby]

  Cheese Toastie, You know nothing of the situation  with Bobby and the club, Do you honestly think nothing has been said to the lad by Grant and they are unaware of how he is playing?
  I can't decide who you are being disingenuous to the club or the lad, perhaps you could tell us.
  Unfortunately for both parties he is caught up not being able to play in the league, but is happy at Buxton which has been a great loan. trains there not at Doncaster by choice and is happy for things to take their course.
  Both he and Will Flint are very good young players, different in style, but could potentially go a long way in the game and have thrived and attracted attention from other clubs playing at a far higher level than the academy u21s.
 Other than that he is from and lives in the Doncaster area, his girl friend is from Doncaster, and he wants to play for Doncaster but realises the game and things will take time to sort out as the club needs to concentrate on other things like winning a few more games.  He is in a good place with his game at the moment.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

I’ve enjoyed your reports on Bobby, Selby. I really hope he can forge a career with us. If not, somewhere else! Maybe York if they come up. Be a decent partner for another Donny boy in the form of Callum Howe.

Callum Howe is the brother of Declan Howe who has been banging in goals for Gainsborough Trinity for the last couple of years.

Yep. 2 good lads. Both had season tickets at Rovers years gone by.

[CheeseToastie]

It's all a matter of opinions isn't it. A few people on here are obsessed with Bobby and are of the opinion he's going to be carrying the club for years to come as a fan would I want to see that? Of course I would who wouldn't. But as a realist do I think it'll happen not at all in my opinion he will be gone at the end of the season and if he does no doubt we'll get a new thread every time his boots touch the turf as people on here do with Alfie may. Time will tell but football doesn't hold sentiment he's had chances to impress and either through injury or manager changes hasn't become an integral part of our team. I just think he's not quite held in as high regard as a lot of you lot expect and will be free to find a new club in the summer

[GazLaz]

This is an example of a situation where letting short term managers dictate player contracts, can be detrimental to the longer term of the club. Like the potential Olowu situation and the May/Watters situations. If the manager makes mistakes, it’s the club that potentially suffers longer term.

Generally managers have no real interest in longer term development of players. They all say it every week “we are just thinking about the next game”. Grant doesn’t give a flying f**k about a player that has no use to him in the short term, which is essentially what Bobby is.

[Plumbster]

I’d be amazed if Bobby didn’t get a chance here- last time he did ok in a poor side and he is now a couple of years older with what sounds like good experience under his belt. No one quite knows his level yet but he strikes me as a natural competitor who will be the heartbeat of whoever he plays for so it would be madness not to give him a proper chance at his home town club.   I particularly like the sound of the consistent threat he is from set pieces and his pace. We know he can defend one on one so the key for me will be how assured he and the rest of the defence look in and out of possession.

[ravenrover]

One question needs answering is he better than McGrath? That is all down to GM, would Faulkener be happy as a 3rd choice if GM thought not?
Does Olowu sign a new contract? Do we look at new CBs? Is Anderson out of contract if so does he get another contract? Is Wood hanging his boots up? Lots of questions to be answered in the close season and of course which League will we be in

[Pancho Regan]

And of course there is Kasper Williams, whose professional contract with Rovers begins this Summer.
He'll be wanting to stake a claim in the first-team squad if he gets an opportunity.
I guess this will also depend on which central defenders are still with us come next season.

[selby]

  Kasper is not getting a game in the Whitby side.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

  Kasper is not getting a game in the Whitby side.

If I recall, he got hooked when they were 4/5 down at half time and has barely featured since.

Still, there’s a lesson in every defeat!

[keith79]

  Just know and am a friend of the family, and saw how good he was as a youngster and what an athlete he is, not just at football, as a cricketer, cross country running, and has basic speed.
  For the first time in two years, due to injury he is enjoying his football, playing at the top of his game and has improved immensely on his reading of the game and his technical ability and has the physicality few can match, and is dominant in the air brave and fast.
  Everything you want in a good defender, you can't teach it, you either have it or not, he has.

hopefully he has it fir the rovers in a couple of years

[Pancho Regan]

  Kasper is not getting a game in the Whitby side.

Incorrect.

He played on Saturday and got a mention in the Club's match report for preventing a goal-bound shot by clearing off the line with an outstretched leg.