Lets talk about the Middlesbrough and Wycombe Wanderers games

[selby]

 A double header of games in a week where our large squad size could come in to play with players such as Jay McGrath given a game at Middlesbrough to get minutes into their legs, and to see if they are up to the challenge of being ready to give us the competition in the squad successful sides need.
  So what team we put out for this first game will probably cause more discussion than the team to play Wycombe which would probably be very similar to the teams put out in the first two league fixtures, in which most most players did well, and  got winning results in both games.
   Middlesbrough  also got away to a winning start at home to Swansea in the Championship, a tight game won by a header from a set piece, and as ever Middlesbrough's game was built on an uncompromising defence something their new manager Rob Edwards is hoping to change slightly to a more adventurous game eventually, so could possibly make expected changes against a team from a lower division to give home supporters a glimpse of a brighter future at our expense.
   A more open game could well suit us better than trying to knock down the barn door and if so could result in a very entertaining game with us having nothing to lose if we just go for it and try and cause an upset which we all hope for but know it will be hard to achieve.
   The more important game of the two with most of us supporters will be the game against Wycombe Wanderers and the question can we extend our great start to the season in the league games and extend Wycombe's misery having a record of played two lost two in the league.
  Yesterday they were on the wrong end of a tight game v fancied Stockport County 2-1 but hit the post from the penalty spot and the Stockport keeper getting in the Football League paper's team of the week, so unlucky in some respects.
  So a top six team against a bottom five side may be a little more competitive than first glances appear, and on past games against them non have been easy, and very rarely great spectacles as games to watch with Wycombe no doubt wanting to get going and pick some points up no matter how they do it.
   Our own side I would expect apart from tactical changes to  be mostly the same line up as the first two games unless somebody is spectacular in the game at Middlesbrough.
  With two hard away games at Huddersfield and Port Vale to follow three points from this game will be very welcome and important.
  So two games, one important league game and can we keep up our great form in league games.
  The other against a stiffer better quality side away from home and no less important in a different way as  it is in a competition where financial rewards to the club if we reach the later stages can be very welcome especially to an owner who subsidises our very existence every year and attracts the local occasional supporters.
   Two stiff challengers to our unbeaten record against two in the past uncompromising sides not noted for exactly playing exciting football, but in the past have had success being dogged competitors and finding ways to win games of football.
  So as ever the old questions of what do you think? both games at least should show where we are at in our own game, who would you change and rest in the game at Middlesbrough?
  Will we choose to put such as Ben Close in the shop window on Tuesday? can we overcome Wycombe's spoiling tactics on Saturday if they still play that way under new management?
  Lots to discuss, lots to look forward to, lots of questions to be answered which will be answered in the coming week, all to try and forecast, Please have your say and hopefully enjoy the week.

[Fal]

We are going to get our first win at the riverside and a score draw with Wycombe!

[Draytonian III]

I’ve never been to the Riverside, but I’m going on Tuesday, if you a fancy a bet Rovers are 11/2 to win and both teams to score

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Hard to know whether both managers will make many changes although, with Boro only playing one, they may want to keep some continuity.

Mcann might make the odd tweak but I think he'll want to give it a good go.

Wycombe probably one of the teams were fancied for play offs but we should fear nothing and just keep refining on the great start we've made.

Other than the South Stand, we don't seem to have shifted that many tickets so far, so it will be a major disappointment if we don't add to those @8000 home fans who turned out for the Exeter game.

[Chris Black come back]

Wycombe had an exceptionally strong away record last season, second only to Birmingham City. Wycombe were the top away scorers in League One last season. Their away league form went to shit though in the last month of the season, losing three of their last five, and drawing blanks in those losses. They opened this season away at Bradford and lost that also.

[sedwardsdrfc]

Think we could make 5 changes and still be very competitive. Would like to see McGarth start and there’s a good case that our impact players should get chance to start. Reckon Nixon will get a game too.

[Alan Southstand]

We have to be very careful about the right back situation, Nixon obviously needs game time but he is the last man for that position. Obviously, we know Bailey can fill in, but we possibly need Nixon fit and available for Saturday.

I think GM can afford to tinker a bit on Tuesday and still have a good side on the pitch. Grehan, McGrath both need game time, as does Ajayi, Ironside, Close, Gotts, Gibson and Westbrook.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Also Senior making good contribution when called upon either making up a back three or full back. Maxwell again seems to be struggling again to get up to full speed. I just think Senior looks the more dynamic of the two so Tuesday could be an opportunity for him to start.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

McCann confirming he'll be making changes.

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers-ready-for-fantastic-middlesbrough-challenge-in-carabao-cup-tie-5265647

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I'll have a stab at a 3 5 2

TLT
O'Riordon, McGrath, Senior
Moly, Bailey, Broadbent, Gotts, Gibson
Ajayi, Billy.

[ravenrover]

I reckon Lawlor will be keeper, GM did it against Everton last year

[Filo]

I believe this is on Sky Sports +

[drfchound]

I believe this is on Sky Sports +

It is.

[Ldr]

I believe this is on Sky Sports +

Now you doing Filo? Back home yet?

[Filo]

I believe this is on Sky Sports +

Now you doing Filo? Back home yet?

Yes home now, had one stent done, another artery is 100% blocked but stable and I have a blood clot in the heart,got loads of meds to take, but at least I’m here

[BobG]

What were the symptoms, pleae, Rob, if I may ask? I have something to wonder about - although the quack dismissed it!

BobG

[Filo]

What were the symptoms, pleae, Rob, if I may ask? I have something to wonder about - although the quack dismissed it!

BobG

Is that for me Bob, I’m not Rob lol!

Anyway symptoms were aching down my left arm, radiating into my left jaw, and a feeling in my chest that I can only describe as the early signs of a chesty cold, all uncomfortable but not massively painful, they call the heart attack I had the “widowmaker”

[Ldr]

I believe this is on Sky Sports +

Now you doing Filo? Back home yet?

Yes home now, had one stent done, another artery is 100% blocked but stable and I have a blood clot in the heart,got loads of meds to take, but at least I’m here

Great to hear, hopefully see you back in your seat at the Eco soon

[ncRover]

Well Wycombe will be without star man Richard Kone - he’s going to QPR.

[scawsby steve]

There's no way Borough will put a full team out.

However, they'll probably have a few big guns on the bench, just in case the game starts to go away from them.

[BobG]

I think senility is advancing Filo.... I am sorry. No idea how or why that happened....

Yes. I was asking you. Happuly, what you had is quite different to what's getting my attention. It's wierd. The quack had no idea though he said it's not heart, lungs or stomach. But it's been a constant for about 3 weeks now. Oh well...!

Many thanks

BobG

[DearneValleyRover]

I'll have a stab at a 3 5 2

TLT
O'Riordon, McGrath, Senior
Moly, Bailey, Broadbent, Gotts, Gibson
Ajayi, Billy.

I think Lawlor and Grehan will come in and maybe Sbarra and Ironside on the bench

[Nudga]

Just made a decision to go Middlesbrough tonight.

Anyone know how many tickets have been sold for this?

[stevebarrass]

I believe this is on Sky Sports +

Hope you're ok Dave and well done on the weight loss.
Now you doing Filo? Back home yet?

Yes home now, had one stent done, another artery is 100% blocked but stable and I have a blood clot in the heart,got loads of meds to take, but at least I’m here

I believe this is on Sky Sports +

Now you doing Filo? Back home yet?

Yes home now, had one stent done, another artery is 100% blocked but stable and I have a blood clot in the heart,got loads of meds to take, but at least I’m here

[scawsby steve]

I think senility is advancing Filo.... I am sorry. No idea how or why that happened....

Yes. I was asking you. Happuly, what you had is quite different to what's getting my attention. It's wierd. The quack had no idea though he said it's not heart, lungs or stomach. But it's been a constant for about 3 weeks now. Oh well...!

Many thanks

BobG

Bob, do you think you may have had a virus? There are a lot about. I had one about a month ago; I tested for Covid but it came up negative.

Apparently, there's a particularly nasty summer flu bug going round that's been putting people on their backs, and I was certainly on my back for at least a week.

It's left me with sore aching shoulders and neck, aching thighs and lower back.

It's harder to get over ailments at this age.

[ravenrover]

I think senility is advancing Filo.... I am sorry. No idea how or why that happened....

Yes. I was asking you. Happuly, what you had is quite different to what's getting my attention. It's wierd. The quack had no idea though he said it's not heart, lungs or stomach. But it's been a constant for about 3 weeks now. Oh well...!

Many thanks

BobG

Bob, do you think you may have had a virus? There are a lot about. I had one about a month ago; I tested for Covid but it came up negative.

Apparently, there's a particularly nasty summer flu bug going round that's been putting people on their backs, and I was certainly on my back for at least a week.

It's left me with sore aching shoulders and neck, aching thighs and lower back.

It' harder to get over ailments at this age.

I had it at Easter absolutely flattened me for a week left me with a chest and inner ear infection. I have had no taste or smell since then

[adamtherover]

Anyone heard of any live streams for tonight's game, asking for a friend?  :-)

[donnyguy]

Must be some all on sky +

[CottyRover]

Team for tonight is on Facebook. Sharp starts, so does Lawlor. Sbarra and Grehan in. Ironside is one of the subs

[CottyRover]

Somebody with more technical skills than me has put it up on Lucky Pint