Let's talk about the Colchester United game

[selby]

  A great and needed three points on a holiday start to the weekend when all our main adversaries had a poor day results wise has opened up a great opportunity for us to get to the promised land of League 1 next season.
  In our way stands old adversaries Colchester United whose recent form has seen them overtake Grimsby on goal difference and move into the last playoff place in seventh place.
  So the last three games (hopefully) are all against teams with promotion hope of their own currently in 3rd 6th and 7th places, it doesn't get much harder than that, and we will have to be on our game right to the end of the season to reach utopia.
  No team we have played with Danny Cowley in charge have ever made it easy for us, but despite playing the second half v Crewe against ten men when Lunt of Crewe was sent off they couldn't find a winner and had to settle for a 0-0 draw despite controlling the game and having 18 shots at goal.
  They have actually lost less games than ourselves  losing just 9 games to our ten but have drawn 18 games to our 12 and won 16 to our 21  their main problem seems to be not scoring a lot of goals  only 51 to our 66.
   We will be desperate both us the supporters and the club to get a win and back up todays great result and at least solidify our position before the big local derby v Bradford which seems to take on more importance every game we play.
  Tayor seems to be their main goal threat and they are the draw specialists away from home of the division having done so 11 times the same as Crewe so it will not be an easy game and we will have played that extra game  v Salford and hopefully everyone is fit.
  Hopefully a big home crowd will get behind the team and inspire them to a win, and a repeat of the other teams results today around us would be very welcome and everybody fit and ready to go again. Bradford at Chesterfield Wimbledon at Gillingham Notts County at home to Cheltenham and Port  Vale v Grimsby of special interest.
  So what do you think? three hard games to play starting against Colchester, have we any more injuries? lots to discuss, are you going to the game? can we win the two home games? Please have your say.

[MachoMadness]

Lyle Taylor is out for the season for them.  Cowley also just won manager of the month for them so hopefully the curse strikes. I do worry about our legs though, we haven't rotated much these last few games. Hopefully a few of those rested with niggling injuries like Ironside and Mcgrath are back to match fitness. Sharp should be raring to go too of course.

[Scooter]

Didn’t Sharp get a 3 match ban? If so he will be banned for Colchester

[MachoMadness]

Doh, you're right. He's back for Bradford. Heads gone!

[Chris Black come back]

They are on an unreal run of away form in the league. In their last 10 away games they have lost a single game (away at Bradford City) and have kept 6 clean sheets in that run. They have very strong away form. Very strong.

[les@donr]

Their fans are saying their team played poorly today and fearing the worst when they come to our place on Monday. I expect they will raise their game and make life difficult for us.

[dknward2]

Crewe fans seem to think they paid the ref off as it was 12 vs10 after the sending of.

Just looked to see how many tickets they had sold and you have to buy them through the drfc website in n40/n41 hence the reason why the north stand is on sale. Unsure if they have sold out block or if they have still to sell the 1st block but they have around 140 left in that block so won't be many traveling up

[selby]

  Crowds generally tail off in the second games in holiday periods, they are more day off work days than the weekend normal Saturday games, and in certain industries just a normal working day.
  Also for some travel expenses, tickets for games, and just a bite and a drink, its expensive  so close to laying out for the first games.
  Plus the railways don't work.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I'd love to see Ennis and Crew replace Gibson and Clifton respectively. I think both have better awareness of who's around them with Crew having that extra bit of quality to thread passes as he did yesterday. Save Gibson for tired legs later on.

[Jonathan]

I'd love to see Ennis and Crew replace Gibson and Clifton respectively. I think both have better awareness of who's around them with Crew having that extra bit of quality to thread passes as he did yesterday. Save Gibson for tired legs later on.

Someone else would have to replace Clifton as Crew started with him.

[Stewmaiden79]

I fancy us to win this. I think Colchester will get a goal but I think Rovers will get a couple or more. I know we have injuries and players out.But everyone who has come in has put in 110% when on the field. It’s been real bodies on the line stuff and the boys know exactly what’s at stake. I’m nervous as hell mind. Nearly all the games this year have caused me more stress than enjoyment. RTID

[Reg of the Rovers]

I thought we matched up to Tranmere’s physicality really well. Sterry and their 14 were having a right old ding dong and Street and there 6 were wrestling all game. We’ll need to do same against Colchester and if Bailey is still CB need that midfield muscle which Clifton provides. Based on Westbrooke’s cameo I’d maybe bring him for Crew just for more experience. Gibson not on form at the moment but wouldn’t want Sbarra in for physicality reasons, plus Ennis did ok but still lacks composure. Leftfield I know, but if we’re dropping Gibson I’d maybe push Senior up for this one and bring Nixon / Maxwell back in defence.

[Jimmydee]

Crowley was the first manager that I saw do the tactical pause in play with feign injuries so that it breaks the momentum of the opposition, firstly it was the goalkeeper when he didn’t have a goalkeeper on the bench.
He moans and complains more than Karl Robinson.

[Upton Rover]

I said whatever team in the top 6 who picks up 2 out of 2 wins over the eastern conference weekend will go up automatically, come on Rovers

[les@donr]

On their fans forum they claim that they are bringing 1,000 fans to the Eco.

[selby]

I hope they do, it will add to the atmosphere

[les@donr]

I remember Southend almost filling up the North stand for the L1 playoff semifinal, that was some atmosphere. Be good if the same thing could happen on Monday.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I'd love to see Ennis and Crew replace Gibson and Clifton respectively. I think both have better awareness of who's around them with Crew having that extra bit of quality to thread passes as he did yesterday. Save Gibson for tired legs later on.

Someone else would have to replace Clifton as Crew started with him.

Yes, sorry. That was on the assumption Bailey would be restored to midfield. That said, it appears McGrath is still touch and go.

[idler]

I remember Southend almost filling up the North stand for the L1 playoff semifinal, that was some atmosphere. Be good if the same thing could happen on Monday.

As long as we get the same result.

[ncRover]

Keep an eye on young McDonnell in defensive midfield for them. Been one of the best in the division.
Northern Irish and on loan from Forest so wouldn’t be surprised if he was with us next season.

[les@donr]

I remember Southend almost filling up the North stand for the L1 playoff semifinal, that was some atmosphere. Be good if the same thing could happen on Monday.

As long as we get the same result.

That would be something else. Another Moly hat-trick and a brace from Street.

[selby]

  ncRover probably out of  our reach but Zac Abbott and Ben Perry are the ones we could do with on loan from Notts Forest if we go up.

[Pancho Regan]

I think Charlie Crew did enough at Tranmere to keep his place and based on that performance I would trust the lad to do a good job for us.

Gibbo is an enigma isn’t he?!
I was screaming at him several times at Tranmere because in the moments when we had to fight, he looked lethargic. His tracking back is non-existent, which is why I thought Grant sent Kyle into exile.

The other option is Ennis, and I haven’t seen enough from him to convince me that he’s earned a start.
Having said that, I think he does have ability and maybe he has one bit of magic in him to make a difference for us.

I just hope and pray that Street has come through the last few games unscathed and remains good to go on Monday.

Regarding the defence, even if McGrath is fit I’d be tempted to stay with the same line up as at Tranmere.
Bailey is playing a blinder in the defensive role and I wouldn’t change anything.

I’m very nervous but I’m also very optimistic.
A win on Monday and I think we’re almost there.

[dknward2]

Currently just over 1500 tickets left in available areas gonna be a good atmosphere

[les@donr]

Currently just over 1500 tickets left in available areas gonna be a good atmosphere

Is that just the home stands or does it include the away stand to?

[Alan Southstand]

Pancho wrote:

The other option is Ennis, and I haven’t seen enough from him to convince me that he’s earned a start.
Having said that, I think he does have ability and maybe he has one bit of magic in him to make a difference for us.

That’s the problem, none of us have seen enough of him to have an opinion one way or the other.

The bottom line is - can the lad be any worse than how Gibson’s performed lately? As you say his work rate off the ball is atrocious and I’m amazed that GM has stuck with him for so long.

Maybe GM has been waiting for Ennis to build up his strength and confidence a bit more - who knows but I think the time has come for Gibbo to be benched and it could be a choice between Ennis and S’Barra for his place!

[dknward2]

Currently just over 1500 tickets left in available areas gonna be a good atmosphere

Is that just the home stands or does it include the away stand to?

That's the home stands currently available for sale there are blocks that aren't available for sale at the minute.

I didn't include any away tickets

[selby]

 Our defensive displays and record has improved since the injuries Olowu excepted.

[dknward2]

Few more shifted today 1,396 left now

[TonySoprano]

That random block in the north stand is pretty much sold out, surprised they've not opened another