Blackpool friendly.

[Usher wide.]

I wonder if Grant will start with a side close to the starting XI come the Exeter game a week later?

If so (& Steve Bruce has the same mind set) we should get a good sense of ‘where we are’ in this division.

[Chris Black come back]

Yes. He’s confirmed that already.

[BobG]

He said it in his interview after the last game.

BobG

PS  Was Steve Bruce manager of Newcastle when we didn't quite make that penalty count...?

[RobTheRover]

Was Steve Bruce manager of Newcastle when we didn't quite make that penalty count...?

Chris Hughton, wasn't it?

[BobG]

Tbh Rob, I've got no idea.

BobG

[steve@dcfd]

Blackpool have a preseason game at Salford this evening

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Yes. He’s confirmed that already.

That's right, pretty much confirming it's a dress rehearsal for the Exeter game including managing subs based on the game rather than managing minutes.

As said on the Starting XI thread, I hope it's as competitive as the Middlesbrough pre season match last season when both teams put out the best XI available.

Went in to get my tickets yesterday and they estimated about 1300 sold so far.

[DearneValleyRover]

Was Steve Bruce manager of Newcastle when we didn't quite make that penalty count...?

Chris Hughton, wasn't it?

Yes it was, Rob

[Alan Southstand]

Blackpool have a preseason game at Salford this evening

Finished 0-0 ?

[steve@dcfd]

According to Bruce they had 4/5 missing last night some should be available for our game. Some will take longer. So we will see how we line up and they do.

[Usher wide.]

They reckon they have loanees coming in but Bruce says they have to ‘Be patient as the likelihood is they won’t be with us until the back end of August’.

I wonder if, for whatever reasons’ it’s the same with us & Charlie Crew?

[In the box]

I wonder if Grant will start with a side close to the starting XI come the Exeter game a week later?

If so (& Steve Bruce has the same mind set) we should get a good sense of ‘where we are’ in this division.

it’s a puzzle as to why ere playing them at all , every scout  Trainer or coach from L1 will be watching so why are we giving them a heads up 

[ForsolongaRover]

I wonder if Grant will start with a side close to the starting XI come the Exeter game a week later?

If so (& Steve Bruce has the same mind set) we should get a good sense of ‘where we are’ in this division.

it’s a puzzle as to why ere playing them at all , every scout  Trainer or coach from L1 will be watching so why are we giving them a heads up 

Perhaps playing a team in the same league provides twice as much insight to the third party as a “friendly” against a club with lower or higher status, but it’s only one match and it’s still a test-bed, albeit a final one and just one match which will not necessarily represent how the team will perform come Day 1 of the fixture list. I don’t think the management of either team is stupid, it’s just an unusual option which will test your team more accurately against one of approximately equal strength.

I can imagine that Exeter and Stevenage will have reps there as will our and Blackpool’s spies be watching their final friendlies.

[Usher wide.]

I wonder if Grant will start with a side close to the starting XI come the Exeter game a week later?

If so (& Steve Bruce has the same mind set) we should get a good sense of ‘where we are’ in this division.

it’s a puzzle as to why ere playing them at all , every scout  Trainer or coach from L1 will be watching so why are we giving them a heads up 

Because, you may know a train is coming down the tracks as you watched it pass yesterday.

But can you stop it?

[Red wizard]

I remember years ago we had a pre season game at home with and Darren Ferguson was there with his scout watching us. We played Preston first game of season. They were watching what signs players made when taking set plays. Was very interesting listening to them. Scouts watch a game on a whole different level to most fans.

[Usher wide.]

I remember years ago we had a pre season game at home with and Darren Ferguson was there with his scout watching us. We played Preston first game of season. They were watching what signs players made when taking set plays. Was very interesting listening to them. Scouts watch a game on a whole different level to most fans.

How do you mean, like in a tent with a torch through a camp fire?

[IDM]

I wonder if Grant will start with a side close to the starting XI come the Exeter game a week later?

If so (& Steve Bruce has the same mind set) we should get a good sense of ‘where we are’ in this division.

it’s a puzzle as to why ere playing them at all , every scout  Trainer or coach from L1 will be watching so why are we giving them a heads up 

If opposing clubs are investigating how we play, they would watch the game regardless of the opponent.?

It’s a practice match against opponents of the same level we’ll be competing properly against the following week onwards.  So what..

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Just realised it will be an interesting match up between Moly and James Husband. .

Their No 10 George Honeyman will be very familiar to McCann having had him at Hull.

I'm Blackpool will represent much of what we're likely to come up against this season with big strapping athletes, a bit of pace, threatening at set pieces but not much of an X Factor.

Really looking forward to seeing a few new things, as well as the new players and some very familiar faces.

[philsky]

I wonder if there will be online commentary ?

[Usher wide.]

I wonder if there will be online commentary ?

There usually is from the bloke who sits behind me!

[philsky]

I wonder if there will be online commentary ?

There usually is from the bloke who sits behind me!

Can you have him on the phone to me for the duration 8-)

[Chris Black come back]

Just realised it will be an interesting match up between Moly and James Husband. .

Their No 10 George Honeyman will be very familiar to McCann having had him at Hull.

I'm Blackpool will represent much of what we're likely to come up against this season with big strapping athletes, a bit of pace, threatening at set pieces but not much of an X Factor.

Really looking forward to seeing a few new things, as well as the new players and some very familiar faces.

Husband on the bench but Niall Ennis starts.

[CottyRover]

Interesting line up for us! I note that Billy Sharp starts, for one thing

[adamtherover]

New PA system needs fixing!! ?

[rover-n-out]

Where's the line up available to view please Cotty Rover?

[CottyRover]

I saw it on Facebook, posted by DRFC. I'm not sure I know how to share it on this thread

[GazLaz]

New speaker system not working properly in the SS sadly. Not sure if it’s just the one unit closest to where I’m sat or it all. Crackling like an old CB radio.

[Chris Black come back]

TLT
Sterry
Grehan
O'Riordan
Senior
Bailey
Broadbent
Molyneux
Gotts
Gibson
Sharp

14 players on the bench including McGrath, Close and Westbrooke.

[CottyRover]

Anything happening?

[philsky]

Anything happening?

https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/matches/first-team/2025/38518570-4dc8-11f0-b581-3bd5db2fb8db#Live_Updates