The line up against Tottenham

[Canadian Rover]

I can’t be the only one gutted with how many changes Rovers made to the line-up tonight. Football is played for moments and memories, and let’s be honest, we aren’t ever going to hit Premier League status or maybe even Championship. So when we, Doncaster Rovers get a chance to pull off an upset and put ourselves on the map, we should grab it with both hands - just like Grimsby did!

Nights like this are what football is about. If we ever want to see millions made on the likes of Molyneux, it’s occasions like a game at Spurs that create those “Molyneux moments.” Imagine being a player and not getting to step onto that pitch tonight,  I’d be gutted. Even someone like Billy, with all his experience, would surely have loved to be part of it.

And to be clear, this isn’t just a Rovers issue. It’s a football issue. Fans travel in their thousands, pay good money, and what do they see? The reserves. That’s not right. At the very least, we should be doing our best to show up and make it a night to remember, not one quickly forgotten.

I know Grant thought we didn’t give them trouble…well Grant, you chose not to.

[Move DRFC]

I would have played O'Riordon and one of Gibson/Moly admittedly, but the 11 who started have shown they're capable and have played well in the cup games this season. Boro being our best showing of the season with a similar team. Moly for example is out of form as well. Don't think the selection is the reason we lost.

[PDX_Rover]

They earned it. Admire Grant for rewarding them.

[drfchound]

The lads who played acquitted themselves really well and some made a case for a start on Saturday.
In my opinion, of the starters, only Olusanya and Ajayi looked to struggle to make an impact.

[Petche]

We haven't got reserves we've got a squad!

[Ldr]

The lads who played acquitted themselves really well and some made a case for a start on Saturday.
In my opinion, of the starters, only Olusanya and Ajayi looked to struggle to make an impact.

Spurs fans on our train last night were raving about Olusanya, couldn’t see it myself

[roversdaft]

Olusanya is a speedboat without a driver

Send him back to the US so he can find his 13th club

[colincramb]

I have to say, I was a little disappointed given the time everyone took to get down there midweek. However I can see why he did it. We played ok, but baring a couple of flash moments we never looked like scoring. Which is increasing becoming the trend when we play premier league opponents and is probably a sign of the way football has now become.

[Reg of the Rovers]

It did feel a bit half-hearted from the team - even the applause at the end looked a bit effortless, although admittedly we'd just lost 3-0.

I enjoyed the day, stadium was great and thought the atmosphere was good. 99 times out of 100 the game goes the way it did, so can't be too downhearted, but I agree with others I think we could have given it more of a go. Losing to 3 mistakes is disappointing. McGrath has struggled all season for me, a yard off it where his second touch is a lunge, putting him up against the speed and skill of Spurs seemed a mistake, Sbarra always looks like a competition winner, and Olusanya and Ajayi have potential but a big up tie against a Champions League side maybe not the minutes they need.

Lawlor dropped a clanger with the punch but otherwise thought he was decent, I though Nixon was great again, he's not put a foot wrong for me all year, Bailey a machine as always, and I thought Hanlan looked fit and ready when he came on, pacey and strong and working hard against a quick strong defence. There's loads of potential across our squad and loads to be positive about.

It's a big old game on Saturday now, we don't want to lose four on the spin, but they're a good side and at their place will be tough - we need our leaders to step up. Brace from Moly to put us back on track.

[GazLaz]

Just don’t get playing out strongest team.

[colincramb]

I have to say, I thought the whole experience was a bit underwhelming. From the starting 11 we put out, to the attitude of the door staff around the stadium - pubs were barely half full yet they were adamant they weren’t letting any away fans in and the only advice was ‘go to the ground’. Yes the stadium looks very nice (outside and in, the wall behind the goal is incredible) but I thought the away concourse was pretty poor for what is often billed as one of the best stadiums in the world. It was extremely cramped.

[selby]

  Apart from the keeper Lawlor who was on trial for a start Saturday, it was a team picked that if any picked up an injury with  the exception of Bailey and possibly Middleton Grant wasn't that fussed and none of the others would be starters next weekend.
 

[drfcsteve]

Starting with Sbarra Ajayi and Olusanya against 3rd in the premier league was a joke. Massive difference when Moly and Hanlan came on and later Gibson. We’d have almost certainly still lost but it makes you wonder what might have been if we’d really given it a go.

[Bentley Bullet]

There was talk of some of our players taking a foot off the pedal in the last couple of games to avoid injury and being unavailable for the Spurs game. If that were true, there would have been some shocked players when the line-up was announced.

[GazLaz]

Starting with Sbarra Ajayi and Olusanya against 3rd in the premier league was a joke. Massive difference when Moly and Hanlan came on and later Gibson. We’d have almost certainly still lost but it makes you wonder what might have been if we’d really given it a go.

I thought Sbarra looked ok. He tries to pass forward and gets himself into nice positions to pick to the ball.

[Sprotyrover]

Starting with Sbarra Ajayi and Olusanya against 3rd in the premier league was a joke. Massive difference when Moly and Hanlan came on and later Gibson. We’d have almost certainly still lost but it makes you wonder what might have been if we’d really given it a go.

I thought Sbarra looked ok. He tries to pass forward and gets himself into nice positions to pick to the ball.

He always seems a passenger to me! But I rate your opinion mate!

[Alan Southstand]

S’Barra not what we require at all. I don’t know what GM sees in him!

I’d love to know who ‘sold’ Olosanya to the Club - I’ll bet he’s good at selling fridges to Eskimos!

[Donnywolf]

Discussion on Coach on way back about Billy 14 not being in squad squashing ( probably) his last chance to play there

But has he played there with eg Blades etc in the past already ?

[drfchound]

The lads who played acquitted themselves really well and some made a case for a start on Saturday.
In my opinion, of the starters, only Olusanya and Ajayi looked to struggle to make an impact.

I’ve been thinking about my above post.
I’m probably being a bit unfair on Ajayi.
The square ball he saw and played onto to head of Olusanya was of the highest quality and it should have resulted in a goal for us.

[Padge_DRFC]

I've not been a fan of Sbarra but he was decent last night and actually I'd say his best game.

Talk above about having the first team. Molyneux was poor again when he came on. Becoming a habit of his falling down and pretending he's been fouled of late.

Difference between the 2 line ups v Saturday is tiny. Some arguments that Middleton Close Grehan should be starting

[Alan Southstand]

Wednesday is too close to Saturday for that to happen, Padge. Only Bailey will keep his place, by my reckoning. Middleton did ok at Spurs - he’d be next nearest to retaining the shirt, imho.

[RobTheRover]

I thought Ajayi and Olusanya worked hard for little reward, same with Sbarra.

They chased and battled all that first half, and Olusanya probably should have opened the scoring with that header (need to see it back as I was a long way from it)

Edit.  Just watched it back. https://youtu.be/5dTzGgkDcRM?si=aBX2Suv7SixrQiU7

Definitely a scoring chance. Just doesn't make a good contact.

[Move DRFC]

Love Moly but I'd go with Middleton and Gibson as wingers v Luton. Close is unlucky Broadbent is having such a good season.

[dickos1]

I thought it was obvious that he would be playing the team he played at boro and Accrington barring maybe one or two differences.
They were outstanding against a very strong boro team only a few weeks ago