Lets talk about the Bradford City game

[selby]

  One down two to go, after a great result today another quicker than normal turn around sees what could be the two hardest games of the season stand between us and  our preferred ending to the season.
 And now we sit in the devils seat top of the division a position that nobody seems to  want to keep over the last few weeks with long time leaders Walsall and short time Port Vale hitting the buffers.
   So will we be the team to make a stand  for a couple of weeks and claim the prize at the end of the season? can we reach the heights of todays defensive display and hold off the challengers ahead? two of the best sides in the division to overcome, and if we do who could possibly challenge the fact we would deserve any praise that comes our way.
  Todays display had a bit of everything in it , setting off at a fast pace, getting forward  as often as possible and scoring two very good goals before half time. Then in the second half being forced to play on our own half and having to defend stoutly, while mostly dealing with situations easily with the keeper very rarely troubled at all.
  Bradford meanwhile were frustrated once again when pegged back in the last few minutes by our old boy Mandeville at Chesterfield drawing what must have been at one time with a two goal lead what they thought would be a great win and game for them.
  Everything is now in our own hands, compliments to the players and management who in spite of injuries have found a way to win games, and actually look a good unit going forward and tight at the back, Bailey and Anderson looking class acts, and Molineux  well what can you say about his run and slalom down the wing, worth the entrance money on it's own.
  Bradford meanwhile got pegged back in added on time that must have been a sickener for players and supporters  alike as well as the Yorkshire Post and their recurring yearly doubts will be on the rise again.
  Watching their regular broadcast being a big fish in a small pool, they are what I term a bullying side, big in having big crowds and a big stadium, but apart from the odd good player a decent average  division 2 side, nothing special, a soft underbelly at the back, but in Pointon Pattison and Halliday have players that can hurt you, the team as a whole liking to dish the physical stuff out, but not that keen on getting a bit back.
  So like the playoffs last season we have been here before, looking good and favourites but vulnerable, we very much need to be on it and play the game not the occasion.
    They will come on to us, try and intimidate physically something we need to stand up to but not get involved in, we are the better football side and have showed it in our last few games with them.
  Play well and it is there for us IMHO, what do you think? lots to talk about, a game to play in our minds all this coming week, tactics and line ups second to emotions for us the supporters, please have your say.       

[les@donr]

Well win the game and promotion, go to Notts for the title.

[Avsuptem]

There's no room for complacency but our rivals must be feeling sick as the proverbial.parrots now and more worried about us than we should be about them.

[Pintolager]

The momentum is with us now with the run we are on and while I don't want to get carried away, promotion is ours to lose now. GM will have the players prepared and I think they will do the job against Bradford in what will be a tough Yorkshire derby. As I have said before, we the fans should be singing from the start.

Can't wait!

[Chris Black come back]

Odd side. They have scored 7 in their last two away games at decent sides in Chesterfield (3) and Swindon (4) but had drawn blanks in their previous three away games.

[Jersey Rover]

Same team, same formation bar injuries please

[Prez]

Same team, same formation bar injuries please

Cant see Senior being involved.

[Usher wide.]

Maxwell for Senior, perhaps Jay will be fit enough to play in a game that could see us as Champions with Owen back in his midfield role.

I have a dream that Port Vale capitulate on the day & we give Brad City a hiding. More than a dream, a belief.

Our City, Our club & dare I add, Our destiny.

[Alan Southstand]

Just been reading some of the Bradford’s comments, on X, about their game and they’re very critical of the manager and, in particular, his choice of subs. Tried to go defensive and it obviously failed.

It’s still going to be a tough game, as the manager will want a reaction. Trouble is, if we score first, I can see their supporters very quickly getting on their backs and increasing the pressure on them. Let’s hope that’s how it works out, anyway.

No news yet coming out about McGrath or Ironside but I hope Grant is giving them both a bit more time and they’ll be fit and ready. Maxwell will replace Senior, no doubt, as Senior looked to be in a lot of pain. Billy will be back, which is no bad thing, of course.

It would seem Bradford may have one or two injuries as well, so hopefully that evens out.

ONE MORE WIN.

[donnyguy]

Grant said McGrath will be fine for Saturday in his after match interview.

[roversontheup]

Even if McGrath is fit for the Bradford game will he change the defence? Bailey and Tom Anderson have been superb.

[Sammy Chung was King]

If we get drawn into playing Bradford’s way we will get beat, we are not a physical side.
Stick to what we can do at our best like today, move the ball around quick. Really good performance today against a decent side.
We have to stick to our strengths and compete physically when we have to.

 Use intelligence to not get backed into corners where they get big lumps one on one in the air. Stop the service to them but mainly concentrate on our game. Play like today and we should beat Bradford.
The whole squad looks together, the guys coming off the bench are not sulking, they are coming in and contributing.

There is a belief about the place, if for some reason it looks iffy at any time, don’t get on the players backs, support them. Hopefully we score early and it’s not needed.
Look at the way Colchester supported their players. Supporters and players are one big team. We all want the same. Help push them over the line, we need to win this trophy.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

If we get drawn into playing Bradford’s way we will get beat, we are not a physical side.
Stick to what we can do at our best like today, move the ball around quick. Really good performance today against a decent side.
We have to stick to our strengths and compete physically when we have to.

 Use intelligence to not get backed into corners where they get big lumps one on one in the air. Stop the service to them but mainly concentrate on our game. Play like today and we should beat Bradford.
The whole squad looks together, the guys coming off the bench are not sulking, they are coming in and contributing.

There is a belief about the place, if for some reason it looks iffy at any time, don’t get on the players backs, support them. Hopefully we score early and it’s not needed.
Look at the way Colchester supported their players. Supporters and players are one big team. We all want the same. Help push them over the line, we need to win this trophy.

Very well said on all counts.

[les@donr]

We focus on our game we will as against Tranmere and Colchester. Get sucked into Bradford’s style of play and we will get into trouble. Promotion is riding on this game GM will drill into our players what he wants each and player what he wants them to do. We are in the driving seat. at top of the league, and the momentum is with us. Bradford will have to attack to have any chance to win the game, which will leave holes for Mols to exploit and both set himself up and others  to score goals and win us the game and promotion.

[McCammon egg n chips]

Reckon we open north stand to home fans now? Barely any tickets left, about 250 total around the ground.

[CJK]

Wow, just been on to get my seat and luckily my usual seat was the only one left in the general area I usually sit in. Really hope it's Doncaster folk and not residents of BD post codes, as its the northern most block in the west stand.

[IDM]

We don’t have to beat Bradford to win promotion, we have another game the following Saturday.

However I wouldn’t change anything apart from Maxwell in for Senior if he doesn’t make it.  JM and Billy on the bench, meaning one of the subs drops out, perhaps Sbarra.?

[chrisd_123]

If we get drawn into playing Bradford’s way we will get beat, we are not a physical side.
Stick to what we can do at our best like today, move the ball around quick. Really good performance today against a decent side.
We have to stick to our strengths and compete physically when we have to.

 Use intelligence to not get backed into corners where they get big lumps one on one in the air. Stop the service to them but mainly concentrate on our game. Play like today and we should beat Bradford.
The whole squad looks together, the guys coming off the bench are not sulking, they are coming in and contributing.

There is a belief about the place, if for some reason it looks iffy at any time, don’t get on the players backs, support them. Hopefully we score early and it’s not needed.
Look at the way Colchester supported their players. Supporters and players are one big team. We all want the same. Help push them over the line, we need to win this trophy.

This is my biggest concern. It's the biggest frustration for me from this season. How we've constantly been drawn into playing the game the opposition wants instead of playing the way we know we can. Especially against teams like Bromley who want us to do one thing and we did it.

On a positive note, we've finally started making teams play the way we want and it's resulted in back-to-back 3-0 wins.

One more please lads!

[Barmby Rover]

Rovers beat Bradford and they are champions, other teams are falling apart trying to keep up the pace, a Rovers win 2-0

[drfchound]

We don’t have to beat Bradford to win promotion, we have another game the following Saturday.

However I wouldn’t change anything apart from Maxwell in for Senior if he doesn’t make it.  JM and Billy on the bench, meaning one of the subs drops out, perhaps Sbarra.?

The injury to Senior looked quite bad.
He stretched out to block a cross/shot by their player and immediately went down holding the back of his leg and the pain showed on his face.
I’m quite sure it is a hamstring tear and if so that will probably mean he is out until next season.
Really bad luck for the lad.

[IDM]

Rovers beat Bradford and they are champions, other teams are falling apart trying to keep up the pace, a Rovers win 2-0

No.

We beat Bradford and we are promoted.

We need Port Vale to lose at the same time to be champions on Saturday.

Or we beat Bradford and Notts Co anyway..

[Reg of the Rovers]

Senior was heartbroken coming off, I'd assumed initially he was letting us have a breather for five mins but the lad was distraught walking off so not a good one I don't think.

First goal is key as others have said - Tranmere and Colchester we scored first and kept the door shut at the other end, and then built on our lead. Same again at Bradford. Apart for like-for-like for Senior we've got to keep the same team, we've clicked massively last couple of games - we've been strong and brave, physical, and some of the football and passages of play has been excellent - it's just come together at the right time.

Get a goal first 20mins and I think we could tonk Bradford - go for three 3-0's in a row.

[GazLaz]

Senior was heartbroken coming off, I'd assumed initially he was letting us have a breather for five mins but the lad was distraught walking off so not a good one I don't think.

First goal is key as others have said - Tranmere and Colchester we scored first and kept the door shut at the other end, and then built on our lead. Same again at Bradford. Apart for like-for-like for Senior we've got to keep the same team, we've clicked massively last couple of games - we've been strong and brave, physical, and some of the football and passages of play has been excellent - it's just come together at the right time.

Get a goal first 20mins and I think we could tonk Bradford - go for three 3-0's in a row.

Real shame about Senior but sadly that injury was the result of a brutal schedule this week.

[roversdude]

See Copps was watching the Chesterfield Bradford game

[selby]

  I can't imagine how anyone could contemplate a change to defence for this game, the last six or seven games have been the first this season when our defence has not looked vulnerable with crosses and down the left hand side.

[IDM]

  I can't imagine how anyone could contemplate a change to defence for this game, the last six or seven games have been the first this season when our defence has not looked vulnerable with crosses and down the left hand side.

No choice assuming Senior’s injury is bad..

[selby]

  I accept injury IDM I was alluding to by choice.

[Chris Black come back]

More than anything else, we have no midweek game! What a killer these last two weeks have been. Even a Monday afternoon and Saturday lunchtime gap feels like a relief.

[Upton Rover]

I’m sure it’s going to be one hell of a game with it been a Yorkshire Derby, and with so much at stake, both teams are capable of winning this game, and it’s going to be quite simple in my eyes, whatever team can keep their cool and not let the opposition wind them up, then that team will win, I’m going to say it’s going to be nailed on that there will be at least 1 sending off, Bradford have the 2nd worst discipline in the league with 119 yellows and 3 reds in the league we have more reds 8 but only 78 yellows, so come on Rovers discipline needed, then I’m sure we will be champions.

[selby]

  The referee will play a big part in the game, and if not careful could have it around his neck from the off.
  It would help in the assistant linos were not just there for balls out and off sides and took part in the game and gave what they see (or should do), the standard this year of all the overall officials we have had has been as poor as I have ever seen it.