Let's talk about the Peterborough United game#

[Chris Black come back]

Their manager walked into a trap in first half. We gave them all the possession they wanted and then took them apart on the break. He wised up to it in second half but too late then. We pressed very well all game but especially in first half. Two very good chances for us as 2-1 from Hanlan and Sharp but I thought after first 10 minutes of second half we coped with them. McCann won that game in first half. Their manager must be kicking himself.

[jmt23]

Really Cbcb? shows how differently we all see the game . I thought we really struggled with them in the second half, we were so fortunate to get the 3 points!

I’m dead chuffed we won by the way, but our lack of fitness and pace was very apparent in this game. Midfield was totally anonymous in that second they just walked and passed round them.

Massive missed chance again by Billy, is that 3 one on ones now he’s missed. Todays was the worst miss I’ve seen from him, and I hate to give him stick, he’s been such a top pro. Not sure Hanlan should have come off.

[MachoMadness]

6 points off relegation, 6 off the play offs. Season starts here, rovcon levels creeping up.

[Alan Southstand]

Best team lost, for me. Simple as that. We put our chances away first half, thank goodness.

Huff and puff the rest of the game.

[Chris Black come back]

First time they have conceded twice under their new manager. He has overseen 6 games and had 3 clean sheets. Scoring two goals against them is a decent outcome, putting aside the win.

[Branton Red]

Their manager walked into a trap in first half. We gave them all the possession they wanted and then took them apart on the break. He wised up to it in second half but too late then. We pressed very well all game but especially in first half. Two very good chances for us as 2-1 from Hanlan and Sharp but I thought after first 10 minutes of second half we coped with them. McCann won that game in first half. Their manager must be kicking himself.

Absolutely.

First half was a tactical masterclass. Just to add to that we gave certain players all the possession they wanted and very quickly closed down others when they received the ball.

Pressing football with intelligence. Excellent. The Peterborough players had no answer and looked increasingly frazzled, pressured and error prone. We made an in form/confident side look really very poor.

Rovers scored 2 very good goals on the counter and with a bit more calmness could have scored more.

Second half Peterborough wised up, changed tactics and personnel, were much more adventurous in their play and let's be honest were much the better team. The second half performance was a little worrying in terms of player v player quality given where they are in the league.

Rovers were possibly lucky to win in the end though their keeper made an outstanding stop from Hanlan and Sharp really should have scored.

[Chris Black come back]

You could also see the players has listened to McCann saying they were too nice. Quite a few good and necessary fouls as players were heading towards goal. Also managing game at the end.

[Chris Black come back]

We are also pretty much half way towards the points total to stay up. That's decent going given McCann sides have finished strongly last few years.

[Bristol Red Rover]

6 points off relegation, 6 off the play offs. Season starts here, rovcon levels creeping up.

Crazy tight league right now! That may change when games in hand of other clubs are played - esp Barnsley with 3 in hand.

I think we're good enough to finish in the mddle third of this leage but it will take some fortune, some cogs falling into place. A tough run coming up to test our mettle.

[Padge_DRFC]

As a game itself it was very good. Peterborough will be fine this season. Good 3 points that

[danumdon]

Thought Hanlon acquitted himself well again, was strong and busy early on and should have had a penalty when he was brought down, as the match wore on and they took control his chances dried up but that effort in the second half looked goal bound from where i sit and needed a very good save.

His confidence looked good and he stuck at it, i'd of liked to have seen him stay on and play alongside Sharp, it would have given them something extra to think about when they pushed up late on looking for the equaliser, may have taken some of the pressure off. Good hard fought 3 points.

[Surrey Rover]

Best team lost, for me. Simple as that. We put our chances away first half, thank goodness.

Huff and puff the rest of the game.

After these last few weeks you must be fed up of seeing the best team lose, Alan.

[drfchound]

Matches against Peterborough are usually very open and entertaining and today was no different.
Overall we grafted our way through to the end.
Two well crafted goals and some gritty defending.
Broadbent outstanding throughout.
We lost our way a bit after Clifton went off and I’m hoping he will soon be able to play for the whole match.
Why don’t refs ever give us a pen.

[ForsolongaRover]

Really Cbcb? shows how differently we all see the game . I thought we really struggled with them in the second half, we were so fortunate to get the 3 points!

I’m dead chuffed we won by the way, but our lack of fitness and pace was very apparent in this game. Midfield was totally anonymous in that second they just walked and passed round them.

Massive missed chance again by Billy, is that 3 one on ones now he’s missed. Todays was the worst miss I’ve seen from him, and I hate to give him stick, he’s been such a top pro. Not sure Hanlan should have come off.

I only listened and it is a surprise that after the notable energy we put in at Stevenage for 90 minutes (which was the impression I got from the extended highlights), how could the effort be so reduced? I’m not doubting your observation, but did I misread the intensity of our efforts at Stevenage? Did they wear themselves out in the first half today perhaps? Were they complacent in the second? It’s apparent that once we are in front there is a tendency to sit back and the second  goal today seemed to be against the run of play. We should know that for us, getting one goal in front has not been enough.

[selby]

  We got exactly what was needed 3 points that extended our small lead over the bottom four the result overshadowing the performance which showed the good and the bad in us.
  Were we fortunate? I don't really think so, again looked to have a certain penalty not even considered  and noses rubbed in it almost immediately when the referee gave a free kick against us for a far less a shove in the back outside the penalty area to relieve pressure on their penalty area.
  We also missed the best chance of the game when Billy broke free, so they also got away with some dodgy defending and you would be hard pushed to get a top class defence if you combined both on show to select one from.
  The game was one to watch as the conditions and lack of real class combined to make it interesting to watch the high number of mistakes both teams were making especially when the game got stretched.
  So three points in the bag, everything to play for in a very tight league, and hopefully two good results in cup games to keep interest high after Christmas, the season could well and hopefully still have a lot to offer.

[Padge_DRFC]

Did anyone else just think yesterday. This is an entertaining football match?. Peterborough certainly went for it. We were up for it, although hanging on last 20.

Hope more teams turn up like Peterborough. Neither side time wasting, neither side with theatrics. Just getting on with it.

[Chris Black come back]

Did anyone else just think yesterday. This is an entertaining football match?. Peterborough certainly went for it. We were up for it, although hanging on last 20.

Hope more teams turn up like Peterborough. Neither side time wasting, neither side with theatrics. Just getting on with it.

Agree with this. Even forgot about the dreadful weather!

[Donnywolf]

Really Cbcb? shows how differently we all see the game . I thought we really struggled with them in the second half, we were so fortunate to get the 3 points!

I’m dead chuffed we won by the way, but our lack of fitness and pace was very apparent in this game. Midfield was totally anonymous in that second they just walked and passed round them.

Massive missed chance again by Billy, is that 3 one on ones now he’s missed. Todays was the worst miss I’ve seen from him, and I hate to give him stick, he’s been such a top pro. Not sure Hanlan should have come off.

Have to say I 100pc agree .

I said several times on way home that was a "lucky" 3 points especially with the chances they got

Sure Billy missed a sitter and we all say "goals change games" but I thought their bloke missing that free header 6 yards out was a gift wrapped equaliser wasted thank goodness by them

Bet they are slagging whoever missed it on their Forum(s)

[mushRTID]

Really Cbcb? shows how differently we all see the game . I thought we really struggled with them in the second half, we were so fortunate to get the 3 points!

I’m dead chuffed we won by the way, but our lack of fitness and pace was very apparent in this game. Midfield was totally anonymous in that second they just walked and passed round them.

Massive missed chance again by Billy, is that 3 one on ones now he’s missed. Todays was the worst miss I’ve seen from him, and I hate to give him stick, he’s been such a top pro. Not sure Hanlan should have come off.

Have to say I 100pc agree .

I said several times on way home that was a "lucky" 3 points especially with the chances they got

Sure Billy missed a sitter and we all say "goals change games" but I thought their bloke missing that free header 6 yards out was a gift wrapped equaliser wasted thank goodness by them

Bet they are slagging whoever missed it on their Forum(s)

I think that’s just this league though.

We didn’t improve enough in the summer so every team is at least equal or better than us.

So we’ve got to scrap and hang on for the wins.
Yesterday was a game where we could have convincingly beat them, the way they were playing first half was asking for it.

But we don’t have that in us.

So we’ve had to dig in and hold on which in some ways is great to see from us.

As the transfer windows pass and we establish, I’m sure we will build a squad that will put teams to the sword.

But for now I can’t see too many “convincing” wins without the odd scare.

[Thorney]

Forgot where peterborough sut in the league.

This was a very gritty win against a side who have found a good bit of form since their new manager has come in.

They have recently wiped the floor with stockport, wimbledon and beaten cardiff in the FA cup without conceding a single gial whilst scoring 9 in those 3 games.
Those 3 teams sit 1st, 5th and 9th in this league.

So i dont care how we did it, but a win is what we needed and its what we got.

Passed owen bailey last night and had a quick chat, said it was a tough game to play in with those conditions also. But the mood that it has given the players to walk back in with 3 points is massive. We will kick on from here.

[steve@dcfd]

Peterborough have a quick fit side who play good football. But they are open to breakaway goals which we did. We won without being allowed to play the game on the front foot. We made to work hard in atrocious conditions and our fitness was not as good as Peterborough.
Disappointing thing again is the substitutes did not show more energy to improve us. We did what we had to do and won the game.

[Ryaldinhio]

Ive not been to the last 2 home games due to work.

For me we deservedly went in 2.0 up at HT. Both goals came from our press and intensity. Our 3 CMs were playing seamlessly together when one pressed forward other two dropped back. That was clear to see throughout the half.

They made two subs and a tactical switch that changed the game. We never really got to grips with it in second half. The CM 3 weren't anywhere near it after the change. Their No11 who came on was a constant threat and for some reason we decided to give him acres and still have Sterry bombing forward. So many times when we needed some calm Sterry charged forward, more than once closing their keeper down! This meant Orierdan was pulled across to their 11 and left a gaping hole in the middle. Eventually GM put Grehan on which helped and then with about 15mins finally pulled Sterry over and told him to stay back....from which point Sterry had 11 in his pocket.

I was really pleased with Hanlan, what an up turn that lad has had since his spell out the team. I dont think he should have gone off unless its a fitness thing.

TLT played well. Couple of shakey moments where the ball was dropped but it was pissing it down, I think we forget at times under the canopy.

All in all an enjoyable game of football, bit nervy at the end. I think over the course of the match we deserved to win against a team in better form than us.

A real 6 pointer and a win we desperately needed. As close to play offs as we are relegation zone now so  although we are 18th we are mid table for me.

Let's hope this is a bit of a catalyst

[DonnyBazR0ver]

There was a lot to like about the way they played the game, particularly in that second half. When in possession they made the pitch look smaller with players on the run anticipating and making space.

When we turned over possession the pitch looked very big with red and white shirts difficult to find.

There were too many times when having won the ball back, we didn't secure possession well enough with a simple pass or poor control. It's what happens when teams are in the ascendancy and it becomes more difficult to get a grip of the game. By hook or by crook though, we got over the line and we haven't been able to day that for a while.

Small steps forward each game  and when we get the upper hand we need to be less passive for longer periods. It's more the mental side than the technical side that's still work in progress for me.