Lets talk about the Bradford City game

[moses]

In the Colchester game, I think the lino gave more fouls than the referee who seemed very reluctant to blow up for a foul.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Just my opinion but I wouldn't mess around with the CB pairing of Anderson and Bailey even if McGrath is available again. My concern is McGrath is more likely to be intimidated into a battle whereas Bailey can continue to read the game with a cool head. He seems to communicate well from there keeping the back line on its toes.

By all means have McGrath on the bench but more of the same disciplined performance and keep the ball off Bradford and frustrate them.

We can all recall how Crewe messed our game up in last seasons play off semi when we couldn't get a grip after being knocked back quite early. Probably having a two goal lead worked against us.

They will obvs try to shut down Moly but if we're brave enough to play through the middle, as we also did v Colchester, we will open them up.

Crew if he continues in the same vein could be in for a great game.

Cool heads, big hearts required.

[donnyguy]

Same ref as opening home game of season which was a 4-1 win 

[Usher wide.]

Just my opinion but I wouldn't mess around with the CB pairing of Anderson and Bailey even if McGrath is available again. My concern is McGrath is more likely to be intimidated into a battle whereas Bailey can continue to read the game with a cool head. He seems to communicate well from there keeping the back line on its toes.

By all means have McGrath on the bench but more of the same disciplined performance and keep the ball off Bradford and frustrate them.

We can all recall how Crewe messed our game up in last seasons play off semi when we couldn't get a grip after being knocked back quite early. Probably having a two goal lead worked against us.

They will obvs try to shut down Moly but if we're brave enough to play through the middle, as we also did v Colchester, we will open them up.

Crew if he continues in the same vein could be in for a great game.

Cool heads, big hearts required.

That’s a good call DBR about Bailey being calmer in a physical battle in a local derby that means so much to both teams than perhaps Jay would be, in what has been a ‘breakthrough season’ for a young centre back, even though we’ll miss Owen’s prescence in midfield as a result.

Crew had a good game against Colchester. Clearly he’s learned that you also have to give everything in training to be considered for a place in the starting XI. He played some great 30-40 yard passes on Monday but he Broadbent & Gibson who also played some brilliant long balls out to Mols, need to remember that there’s a time & place for such a pass when it’s played across the midfield. Possession will be key on Saturday. Make sure that pass goes to a teammate.

[Alan Southstand]

Bloody hell, it’s only Tuesday and I’m at Rovcon 3 already!

Like others have said, it would be a shame if we messed with the back 4, but I would think it’s inevitable because of Jack’s injury. Nothing against Maxwell but I think Jack has the edge when having to defend. Anderson and Bailey were awesome and far too good to be messed with. Looking at the Chesterfield highlights, Bradford like to turn the ball over then bomb forward and get an overload. We’ve got to watch for that - Crew and Broadbent keeping a close eye on those situations.

Meanwhile, I wish we could utilise Street’s pace a bit more down the middle, especially early in the game. The number of times he was making the runs yesterday, but we somehow hesitated and he had to get back onside. We seem able to get through to Gibbo or Mols but that Crew pass to Street (at Tranmere) was an absolute killer ball.

There’s one thing, if Street tires in the second half, like yesterday, we’ve Billy waiting to come on and repay us for his head wobble v Wombles.

[danumdon]

What we lose in the defending stakes with the loss of Senior we more than gain in the attacking potential of JM. With him being able to push on it gives Gibson the opportunity to come inside and overload the middle, this then gives us the extra bodies in the penalty box to cause then issues.

Fair enough we need to defend strongly as a unit but if we click pushing forward its the stronger part of our game and brings the likes of Gibson, Clifton and more likely Mols into contention.

If we continue in the same vane as the last couple of games and good early press from us to set the momentum will see us home.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Keep defence as it is with Nixon or Maxwell at left back if needed. Still not sure Maxwell is 100% and Nixon is a good player so I’d have no problem him starting.

As much as we don’t want to change the defence I’d say it’s as important to keep the midfield together. If McGarth comes back in you’d assume Bailey is back in midfield. It just seems to have stepped up a level in that area so rather we leave it be.

[Branton Rover]

I’ve just watched a young Bantams you tuber who surprised me with this stat; he said he feels that Bradford don’t deserve promotion as they’ve only won 5 away games all season. Can anyone remind me how many we’ve won?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Bloody hell, it’s only Tuesday and I’m at Rovcon 3 already!

Like others have said, it would be a shame if we messed with the back 4, but I would think it’s inevitable because of Jack’s injury. Nothing against Maxwell but I think Jack has the edge when having to defend. Anderson and Bailey were awesome and far too good to be messed with. Looking at the Chesterfield highlights, Bradford like to turn the ball over then bomb forward and get an overload. We’ve got to watch for that - Crew and Broadbent keeping a close eye on those situations.

Meanwhile, I wish we could utilise Street’s pace a bit more down the middle, especially early in the game. The number of times he was making the runs yesterday, but we somehow hesitated and he had to get back onside. We seem able to get through to Gibbo or Mols but that Crew pass to Street (at Tranmere) was an absolute killer ball.

There’s one thing, if Street tires in the second half, like yesterday, we’ve Billy waiting to come on and repay us for his head wobble v Wombles.

Well to help you relax in the meantime, have a watch of one of our previous encounters when going for promotion.

https://youtu.be/zGk0nKvYTmY?si=lcaSez4-fkFNpRun

Enjoy.

[karldew]

I’ve just watched a young Bantams you tuber who surprised me with this stat; he said he feels that Bradford don’t deserve promotion as they’ve only won 5 away games all season. Can anyone remind me how many we’ve won?

Played 22
Won 5
Drawn 8
Lost 9

Goal Difference -6
Goals for 24
Goals against 30

Pretty crazy they’ve only won 5! Form kind of goes out the window though and it’s who can keep their nerve on the day! The confidence of some of our fans is giving me reminders of some booking hotels for Wembley last season.

Cooooome on roooovers!

[Chris Black come back]

They have by far the best home record in League Two. Only lost twice this season. Us and....Tranmere.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

https://www.soccerstats.com/homeaway.asp?league=england4#google_vignette

Was looking last week, very interesting.

[Usher wide.]

https://www.soccerstats.com/homeaway.asp?league=england4#google_vignette

Was looking last week, very interesting.

Port Vale would look the ‘form team’ of the division then on those stats however, with 2 games to go & looking at theirs & Brad City’s results, we’re definitely in the ascendancy at the right time of the season.

One win…….one, & it’s League1 football next season!

[dickos1]

They have by far the best home record in League Two. Only lost twice this season. Us and....Tranmere.

We’re not playing them at their place

[BobG]

Bloody hell, it’s only Tuesday and I’m at Rovcon 3 already!

Like others have said, it would be a shame if we messed with the back 4, but I would think it’s inevitable because of Jack’s injury. Nothing against Maxwell but I think Jack has the edge when having to defend. Anderson and Bailey were awesome and far too good to be messed with. Looking at the Chesterfield highlights, Bradford like to turn the ball over then bomb forward and get an overload. We’ve got to watch for that - Crew and Broadbent keeping a close eye on those situations.

Meanwhile, I wish we could utilise Street’s pace a bit more down the middle, especially early in the game. The number of times he was making the runs yesterday, but we somehow hesitated and he had to get back onside. We seem able to get through to Gibbo or Mols but that Crew pass to Street (at Tranmere) was an absolute killer ball.

There’s one thing, if Street tires in the second half, like yesterday, we’ve Billy waiting to come on and repay us for his head wobble v Wombles.

Well to help you relax in the meantime, have a watch of one of our previous encounters when going for promotion.

https://youtu.be/zGk0nKvYTmY?si=lcaSez4-fkFNpRun

Enjoy.

Thank you DBR!

Some memories there...

The legend that was Carl Swan. Two of my favourite players: Ian and Stevie Lister. The man himself - Billy Bremner. Pat Lally, Hugh Dowd, Daral Pugh. All memorable players and characters.

That was the season Ian Nimmo topped it all off with a cracking headed goal against Bournemouth, at BV, in the last game of the season. Damn good game that was. Bournemouth were no mugs. In fact they went up the next season.

BobG

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Again, it reinforces the trust Billy put in Ian Snodin at 17. Charlie Crew, the stage is yours to do a similar job if McCann shares the wee man's confidence in him

[RobTheRover]

Bloody hell, it’s only Tuesday and I’m at Rovcon 3 already!

Like others have said, it would be a shame if we messed with the back 4, but I would think it’s inevitable because of Jack’s injury. Nothing against Maxwell but I think Jack has the edge when having to defend. Anderson and Bailey were awesome and far too good to be messed with. Looking at the Chesterfield highlights, Bradford like to turn the ball over then bomb forward and get an overload. We’ve got to watch for that - Crew and Broadbent keeping a close eye on those situations.

Meanwhile, I wish we could utilise Street’s pace a bit more down the middle, especially early in the game. The number of times he was making the runs yesterday, but we somehow hesitated and he had to get back onside. We seem able to get through to Gibbo or Mols but that Crew pass to Street (at Tranmere) was an absolute killer ball.

There’s one thing, if Street tires in the second half, like yesterday, we’ve Billy waiting to come on and repay us for his head wobble v Wombles.

Well to help you relax in the meantime, have a watch of one of our previous encounters when going for promotion.

https://youtu.be/zGk0nKvYTmY?si=lcaSez4-fkFNpRun

Enjoy.

Thank you DBR!

Some memories there...

The legend that was Carl Swan. Two of my favourite players: Ian and Stevie Lister. The man himself - Billy Bremner. Pat Lally, Hugh Dowd, Daral Pugh. All memorable players and characters.

That was the season Ian Nimmo topped it all off with a cracking headed goal against Bournemouth, at BV, in the last game of the season. Damn good game that was. Bournemouth were no mugs. In fact they went up the next season.

BobG

That Bournemouth game was my first Rovers game. I was 10

[roversdude]

Bloody hell, it’s only Tuesday and I’m at Rovcon 3 already!

Like others have said, it would be a shame if we messed with the back 4, but I would think it’s inevitable because of Jack’s injury. Nothing against Maxwell but I think Jack has the edge when having to defend. Anderson and Bailey were awesome and far too good to be messed with. Looking at the Chesterfield highlights, Bradford like to turn the ball over then bomb forward and get an overload. We’ve got to watch for that - Crew and Broadbent keeping a close eye on those situations.

Meanwhile, I wish we could utilise Street’s pace a bit more down the middle, especially early in the game. The number of times he was making the runs yesterday, but we somehow hesitated and he had to get back onside. We seem able to get through to Gibbo or Mols but that Crew pass to Street (at Tranmere) was an absolute killer ball.

There’s one thing, if Street tires in the second half, like yesterday, we’ve Billy waiting to come on and repay us for his head wobble v Wombles.

Well to help you relax in the meantime, have a watch of one of our previous encounters when going for promotion.

https://youtu.be/zGk0nKvYTmY?si=lcaSez4-fkFNpRun

Enjoy.

Watching that I’d have run through walls for Billy even now - what a team

[Avsuptem]

Bradford will be desperate to find a way to nullify Molyneux probably in a brutal way and by double or treble marking him. This should leave time and space for Crew, Sterry and Gibson to use their technical skills and Rob Street to be the big fast physical threat. We should have far too much for Bradford but my fear is that they will pole axe Mols early on. I hope the ref will be wise to any attempts.

[Pancho Regan]

Bloody hell, it’s only Tuesday and I’m at Rovcon 3 already!

Like others have said, it would be a shame if we messed with the back 4, but I would think it’s inevitable because of Jack’s injury. Nothing against Maxwell but I think Jack has the edge when having to defend. Anderson and Bailey were awesome and far too good to be messed with. Looking at the Chesterfield highlights, Bradford like to turn the ball over then bomb forward and get an overload. We’ve got to watch for that - Crew and Broadbent keeping a close eye on those situations.

Meanwhile, I wish we could utilise Street’s pace a bit more down the middle, especially early in the game. The number of times he was making the runs yesterday, but we somehow hesitated and he had to get back onside. We seem able to get through to Gibbo or Mols but that Crew pass to Street (at Tranmere) was an absolute killer ball.

There’s one thing, if Street tires in the second half, like yesterday, we’ve Billy waiting to come on and repay us for his head wobble v Wombles.

Well to help you relax in the meantime, have a watch of one of our previous encounters when going for promotion.

https://youtu.be/zGk0nKvYTmY?si=lcaSez4-fkFNpRun

Enjoy.

Brilliant DBR, I don't know how you found that but it's brought back some great memories!

I remember that was the year I drove over to Donny for the evening of the after-season Promotion Party which I think was at the Top Rank on Silver Street.
 
I won the spot prize for knowing the English translation of 'Status Quo' from Latin! I knew Bernie Ward's Latin lessons at Danum Grammar would come in useful one day!

I remember asking Alan Warboys who he thought was the best young Rovers player.
Of course, without hesitation he said "Ian Snodin. That boy is going to have a fine career in football".

[selby]

  In the games against Swindon and Chesterfield they set off like a house on fire with a high press giving the defence no time on the ball and with Kavanagh, Pattison, and Pointon getting  running in behind the defence looked dangerous on the ball and with Sarcevic's return from injury a potent force up front.
  In a repeat of the Swindon game they succumbed in the second half to pressure and the manager getting pelters from the fans concerning his defensive tactics trying to defend a lead.
  In all the games I have watched them they seem to be easy to run at, Hurst for us, Even old McGoldrick for Notts County, sending panic straight down the middle, and we have in Street, Molineux, Crew, plus others players to exploit  this weakness, when they resort to bully and tactical foul tactics to stop attacks.
  We need to play the game not the occasion, take the game to them where they are vulnerable, and if we do and play well we are a better side than them, with better team management on the side line.  Just go out and prove it and don't get embroiled in the funny stuff they always come up with.

[In the box]

The Rovers have finally started to put it together and Bradford will be up for the fight but it’s the first team to show weakness that will fall and imo ALL the pressure is on Bradford not to loose and that’s going to be hard with the mindset the Rovers players are in . 3-1 Win job done .

[ncRover]

Do we want Bradford to come up with us?
Would be another Yorkshire team in L1, but I do think it would be kind of funny if Walsall overtook them again.

[selby]

  There are no Wrexham or Stockport in this league this season and there are three distinct levels of teams, all tight as regards points won the top seven or so who have been up there most of the year,  a middle band like Salford who get the odd good result run but have not really been in trouble or threatened the top few teams all season, and the bottom five or six who have been struggling right from the off and is sorted mainly by the money the teams have available to spend on players.
  With the money available to them for players, If Bradford or Port Vale don't win the league they have been managed poorly and out thought and played by Grant and our management team.

[idler]

Do we want Bradford to come up with us?
Would be another Yorkshire team in L1, but I do think it would be kind of funny if Walsall overtook them again.

I do. I live there so it is more like a home game for me rather than a 90 mile or so round trip to Donny. Plus my favourite pub for a pre and after match pint wouldn’t be an option if they stay down.

[Pancho Regan]

Do we want Bradford to come up with us?
Would be another Yorkshire team in L1, but I do think it would be kind of funny if Walsall overtook them again.

I do. I live there so it is more like a home game for me rather than a 90 mile or so round trip to Donny. Plus my favourite pub for a pre and after match pint wouldn’t be an option if they stay down.

 

[dickos1]

  There are no Wrexham or Stockport in this league this season and there are three distinct levels of teams, all tight as regards points won the top seven or so who have been up there most of the year,  a middle band like Salford who get the odd good result run but have not really been in trouble or threatened the top few teams all season, and the bottom five or six who have been struggling right from the off and is sorted mainly by the money the teams have available to spend on players.
  With the money available to them for players, If Bradford or Port Vale don't win the league they have been managed poorly and out thought and played by Grant and our management team.

We could finish the season only 4 points fewer than Wrexham did last season

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Do we want Bradford to come up with us?
Would be another Yorkshire team in L1, but I do think it would be kind of funny if Walsall overtook them again.

Of course we do but don't tell em that!

[les@donr]

Who is the ref for this game, and is he any good?

[les@donr]

Ross Joyce is the ref. Is he any good?