Let's talk about the Wigan Athletic game

[DearneValleyRover]

That was absolute dross. Garbage. Not one player worth the shirt.

Utter rubbish, beaten by the better side today, tactically McCann got it wrong but that statement of yours is stupid

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Didn't quite go to plan did it? We can be hypercritical if we want but it was one of those days where things didn't go our way starting with the penalty shout, then it compounded from there.

Credit to Wigan for taking their chances. No need to talk about dropping anyone, particularly TLT. Maybe he just needs to calm down a bit but let's not be silly and pin the blame for today on him.

It's another learning experience. We dust ourselves down and we go again.  The way the league is shaping up, it's wide open.

[DearneValleyRover]

Watching it on the box it was a clear as daylight stone wall.penalty, the defender hooked Molly's trailing foot and it was clearly inside the area. Astonishing that it was not given.
It might have been an entirely different game if we had gone one nil up but, that said, Wigan were the better side today.

True and the ref knew straight after but we were second best today

[Thorney]

That was absolute dross. Garbage. Not one player worth the shirt.

Give over. Or stop drinking.

Id accept the dross comment, it was poor alround.

But not worth the shirt is way over the top. That is a comment to players who clearly dont give a damn. This lot do

[LincsRover]

Perspective, Wigan are a good side and we are 5th in the table with no one below us who can overtake us with games in hand. I’d have taken that at the start of the season at this stage. Onwards and upwards not every team will be as good as Wigan. 

[Alan Southstand]

Best team we’ve played so far. Overpowered everywhere on the pitch. Man for man, they were better. They pressed us off the pitch and one or two in our team have had a reality check today. Moly had a nightmare today and Gibbo huffed and puffed but was mamby pamby most of the game. Pearson was also suspect today as well.

Regroup and re-energise and back at it next week.

[tingleyrover]

I meant not worth the shirt today. Not worth the shirt in general. It’s a very good squad. But not one of them turned up today. Not one played to what we know we can, hence not worth the shirt today.

[GazLaz]

On the three goals. TLT should have done better, that’s obvious but…

I’m pretty sure goal 1 got a nick of their man at the front post. Looked like that live but hard to see on the replay. Should still do better.

Punching the cross for goal 2 was fine, just make sure you punch it to a wider position. There were still 8 men between Smith and the goal. Pearson gambled on there being a first time shot and dived in, which was fine, but nobody else went close down.

Nice strike for goal 3. TLT moved his feet well to get close to it, and doings so will think he should have saved it, but he was a bit unsighted with the way the ball was set around the defenders. Moly has done the same over the last couple of seasons. It makes it difficult for the keeper.

The was poor but part of the worst defensive performance of the season by far.

[drfchound]

Even Man City have lost two games so far this season.

[Branton Red]

If you, through your own errors, gift a decent quality opponent on their own patch a two goal head start early in a game then 9 times out of 10 you're going to get beat.

That's what's happened to Rovers today.

These things happen.

It doesn't detract from the excellent start the team has made to the season.

Put it behind us.

On to the next one.

[drfchound]

Is there any footage of the “penalty that wasn’t given”.

[Goole Rover]

  First goal the wide player had at least ten yards to knock the ball in no closing down to stop the cross at all, a player slid in and got a deflection  that might have gone in if TLT got a hand to, the second was a good punch clear  to the edge of the box, where again a player eighteen yards out had the freedom of the pitch.
  A defender rushed in to block a shot across the front of Smith their player who dummied a quick shot and dragged it back, a great bit of skill and then picked his spot as defenders stood back.
  Hardly the keepers fault, poor closing down and positional play by outfield players if anything.
  Thought Molly was brought down in the area just before they scored, if he wasn't I would like to know what he was doing falling on the floor when about to shoot.

I wasn’t at the game Selby and I haven’t seen any of the match footage as I’m away from the UK but what you are saying happens at most of our games. Why do we give the opponents so much time and space. You and I played many years ago when if we didn’t pick a man up we got a severe word from our team mates. It’s a different game now I accept this but the basics still need to be applied.

[In the box]

The players looked flat and out of rhythm and lacked any impression or impact on the game . McCann has stuck to his format of selecting players who are working well together and Wigan who were ready for tight fast moving match , piled on the pressure from the off and Rovers didn’t respond or take up the challenge .The first goal is important and they wanted it badly . After that we just kept giving them opportunities by not holding on the ball and building the play , they rolled us over ever time we  lost possession and kept us from setting ourselves all through the match . It’s time we put our creative players  on at the start. We have become predictable by leaving certain players on bench in every game ..

[andyst79]

On the three goals. TLT should have done better, that’s obvious but…

I’m pretty sure goal 1 got a nick of their man at the front post. Looked like that live but hard to see on the replay. Should still do better.

Punching the cross for goal 2 was fine, just make sure you punch it to a wider position. There were still 8 men between Smith and the goal. Pearson gambled on there being a first time shot and dived in, which was fine, but nobody else went close down.

Nice strike for goal 3. TLT moved his feet well to get close to it, and doings so will think he should have saved it, but he was a bit unsighted with the way the ball was set around the defenders. Moly has done the same over the last couple of seasons. It makes it difficult for the keeper.

The was poor but part of the worst defensive performance of the season by far.

The 1st one was unfortunate, a very good low cross that took a decisive nick off the attackers toe changing the direction of the ball at the very last moment. The 2nd was poor , if you can get 2 hands to the punch he should be catching it really but I'd be more concerned about the marking on the edge of the box .

[GazLaz]

The players looked flat and out of rhythm and lacked any impression or impact on the game . McCann has stuck to his format of selecting players who are working well together and Wigan who were ready for tight fast moving match , piled on the pressure from the off and Rovers didn’t respond or take up the challenge .The first goal is important and they wanted it badly . After that we just kept giving them opportunities by not holding on the ball and building the play , they rolled us over ever time we  lost possession and kept us from setting ourselves all through the match . It’s time we put our creative players  on at the start. We have become predictable by leaving certain players on bench in every game ..

They looked flat and out of rhythm because Wigan were great without the ball. In the same way Rotherham pressed us for the first 15min and made us look ordinary. Difference being we were able to force Rotherham back after that initial period and get on top in the game. Wigan kept up to their work and we could never get a foothold in the game. Trevitt, Wright and Smith absolutely over ran our midfield 3.

[Alan Southstand]

After yesterday’s shocker and having slept on it, I just wonder how much the Spurs game was in player’s minds? I hope not, but it makes you wonder.

[Spilsby Red]

Said that to my lad. Sure McCann will make sure it isn’t or he will probably drop them. One player playing bad a team can cope. When the full team aren’t on it then we got what we deserved.
Credit to Wigan, good team. High pressed all the game. We will lose matches through out the season. It’s how we come back from defeats that matter.

[jmt23]

I did think yesterday about the proximity of the Spurs game, it’s just natural to think that way when the whole team plays in a polar opposite way to how the manager wants.

I also think Clifton’s injury didn’t help with how we press teams.

Whatever it was we need to show a reaction against a tough to break down Wimbledon.

[Donnywolf]

After yesterday’s shocker and having slept on it, I just wonder how much the Spurs game was in player’s minds? I hope not, but it makes you wonder.

Well it used to be noticeable in the past when Teams made a "big Final" and their League Form drops as individuals tried to ensure they stayed fit for the big one.

Must admit I hadn't twigged that connection and of course have no idea if it played any part BUT I must go back to the "what if"

What if the Ref had given the Pen which looked nailed on to me ?

We may have scored from the Spot and gone on to win the game 1 0 and the Spurs factor would have remained oblivious ( to me at least )

I would hope for a convincing "bounce back" win next game with players getting stuck in to try to secure a place in Starting 11 or Bench if not in the 11.

[Reg of the Rovers]

I think the Spurs team will be an interesting one - Grant has used cup games to give time to fringe players - Lawlor, Close, Sbarra etc starting and playing most games. Will Grant stick to his ‘cup’ team for the Spurs game, in which case our first 11 should be head down and fully focussed on the league, or will he play his ‘first’ 11 to give us our best chance of competing?

Either way let’s hope yesterday was just a blip and we’re back at it next time out.

[glosterred]

Is there any footage of the “penalty that wasn’t given”.

I’ve had a look around the internet but cannot find owt, I have watched it on Rovers+ the incident is definitely in the area and IMHO should have been a pen


COYR

[drfchound]

Is there any footage of the “penalty that wasn’t given”.

I’ve had a look around the internet but cannot find owt, I have watched it on Rovers+ the incident is definitely in the area and IMHO should have been a pen


COYR

Cheers gloster.  If there was contact, and the photo gives that impression, then as it is clearly inside the box a pen should have been awarded.

[GazLaz]

Is there any footage of the “penalty that wasn’t given”.

I’ve had a look around the internet but cannot find owt, I have watched it on Rovers+ the incident is definitely in the area and IMHO should have been a pen


COYR

Live I thought Moly was looking for it. On the big screen replay in the ground it looked a penalty. I think he was looking for it and it was probably still a penalty!

[drfchound]

Is there any footage of the “penalty that wasn’t given”.

I’ve had a look around the internet but cannot find owt, I have watched it on Rovers+ the incident is definitely in the area and IMHO should have been a pen


COYR

Live I thought Moly was looking for it. On the big screen replay in the ground it looked a penalty. I think he was looking for it and it was probably still a penalty!

Interesting that the Wigan big screen showed the incident.
At the Eco they never show controversial stuff like that on our big screen.

[Donnywolf]

Wow ... I thought they avoided showing contentious decisions on Big Screen ?

Anyway (imo) it should have been a Penalty and would have been given at the other ( again imo )

We would still have had to score from the Spot of course (that's not my opinion but reality)

[glosterred]

Is there any footage of the “penalty that wasn’t given”.

I’ve had a look around the internet but cannot find owt, I have watched it on Rovers+ the incident is definitely in the area and IMHO should have been a pen


COYR

Live I thought Moly was looking for it. On the big screen replay in the ground it looked a penalty. I think he was looking for it and it was probably still a penalty!

Having watched it a few times now I don’t get the impression that he was “looking for it” I think he was getting himself into a position to shoot.



COYR

[Chris Black come back]

First time we have conceded three goals away from home since the 5-2 hammering away at Chesterfield on 6 February.

[steve@dcfd]

We were beaten by the better team. They   Were quicker stronger and better technically than our players. Our wide men were powderpuff all three. Yes perhaps TLT could have done better with their goals. But how many times did we get a shot on their goal. Grant made a mistake with the sub aswell he should have brought on anther midfield player not Middleton. Neither Molyneux Middleton or Gibson can run back and defend. All Wigans players did when we attacked.
Their third goal came from having Middleton at left wing back.
We learn move on.

[Usher wide.]

I’ll lay money on Rovers finishing above Wigan this season.

[NickDRFC]

I’ll lay money on Rovers finishing above Wigan this season.

Laying money means backing something not happening. Are you saying you’d expect Rovers to finish below Wigan?