Let's talk about the Blackpool game

[selby]

  A festive away game on Boxing day followed by another hard away game against a Stockport side who disposed of us easily a short while ago does not bode well on the face of it for a very merry Christmas.
  A good 2-0 win yesterday at Wigan with goals from Fletcher and Taylor took Blackpool above us in the league table and continued their better form being the third unbeaten game in the league picking up seven points out of the last nine and will be confident of   picking up more points against us.
  We have hit the pits and are at a point where the January window can't come quick enough for our fans who have been given a shock to some by the realisation of the standard of the division we are now in, and the lack of the squad's ability to be competitive in the division.
  The options open to the manager until January are limited to altering the make up of the team within the present playing staff especially in central defence where I would go for Pearson and Bailey and learn the lesson of last season until other players can be brought back from loans and injury IMHO.
  At least that should at least make us more solid and in Baileys case give us a semblance of pace which has been totally lacking in that area of defence.
  In mid field and up front I just think we have a group of players of very similar standard, nobody outstanding from the rest, all hard working but lack that bit of class to stand out, all capable of moments with Broadbent, Molineux and Gibson at times can do the unexpected moment that wins games.
  UP front we have an old warrior who has lost pace but is capable in the box of getting something on the half chance knows where he needs to be to score goals and has close fast feet, he can't chase about.
  The other is a bog standard work horse, nothing wrong with that, bobs up with the odd goal, and tries all the time he is on the field of play.  Why it is one or the other, instead of the old big lad and smaller striker alongside I don't understand when most of our changes during a game is like for like and very little difference I don't understand, and would try them up there with wide men supporting,
  The keeper, well has not had the best in front of him, and certainly any keeper would have found it hard especially the last two games to trust those in front of him either to pick runners up or stop shots, and even clear their lines any distance.
  We need to recognise we are in a bit of a mess, and look for changes that suit the squad we have got for a few weeks and pick the players to suit the system and turn into a side that is harder to beat.
   Lot's going on, lot's to discuss, hopefully we can turn a corner, and we recognise our own weakness's, if we don't we will continue our spiral down at least this season which was always going to be a challenge for this squad of players. Please have your say.

[adamtherover]

We are stopping in the joined on hotel for the night, hopefully a trip round the illuminations and a go on the big one makes up for the game? 

[graingrover]

I am always a positive thinker but a realist and consider there is a missing strategy in Grants current thinking .He is really thinking of being here for a few years and building for the future with youngsters .On the other hand we are needing experience and don’t have a lot of it if the club is aiming for Championship status , despite our current struggles .Experience needs investment and Grant had not bought a single player other than Grehan and he needs to invest in the transfer market to buy in experienced players at this stage of the  clubs forward thinking imo.

[bpoolrover]

After seeing blackpool a few times this year our problem will be the way they counter attack, very fast and get players forward very simalar to plymouth

[Chris Black come back]

They are on an ok run of form - 1 league defeat in last 5. Their home form in the league is poor though, winning only 1 in 5, oddly against Cardiff City. They have managed only 1 clean sheet at home in the league all season though. Suspect this could be a score draw.

[WarwickRover]

IMO we are too easy to beat. Overrun in midfield, central pairing(s) invaraibily out of sorts and a coach who continues to change selection on a match by match basis that supporters find difficult to understand . We need to select a team that is first most, difficult to beat. Pearson and Bailey with fullbacks who can defend. Which is a problem as Sterry and Maxwell are better going forward than defending but we have no one better. 5 in midfield LM, Clifton, Broadbent, Gotts, Gibson. (with option to bring Close on later if we've got a chance of winning). Hanlon up front. A lot of work for Molys and Gibbo as they would need to break to reach Hanlon when in possession and file back as soon as we loose possession. No loan player (except the goalie)

We have the players with ability, we need a settled team, tactics that make us difficult to breakdown and substituions that are timely and make sense.

In the meantime lets see what January brings but we've been lucky the last two Jan windows

There again what do I know ... FA

[Stewmaiden79]

I’m just glad I’m at work and can’t go. It saves me falling out with the Mrs about sodding off to Blackpool on Boxing Day. If we play like at Cardiff we stand a decent chance. Hopefully the players can pick themselves up from Saturdays deflating defeat and put in a good shift.

[In the box]

I’m just glad I’m at work and can’t go. It saves me falling out with the Mrs about sodding off to Blackpool on Boxing Day. If we play like at Cardiff we stand a decent chance. Hopefully the players can pick themselves up from Saturdays deflating defeat and put in a good shift.

It’s back to walls and fight for every point now . If we can’t win then we must loose !! It’s got be our mantra.

[roversdaft]

I’ll be watching this one….

From behind the sofa

[5minstogo]

I’m just glad I’m at work and can’t go. It saves me falling out with the Mrs about sodding off to Blackpool on Boxing Day. If we play like at Cardiff we stand a decent chance. Hopefully the players can pick themselves up from Saturdays deflating defeat and put in a good shift.

It’s back to walls and fight for every point now . If we can’t win then we must loose !! It’s got be our mantra.

That's a terrible mantra.

[obeonesarover]

it seems obvious to me and many I speak to that the system is just not working, the stats dont lie, it would be a refreshing change to see two up front and when we defend a corner lets try leaving one on halfway which then forces them to leave defenders out of or box to cover the break, we did this once this year and almost resulted in Gibson getting a goal, since then we have never tried it again, we are very predictable in our style of play and do not vary our shape, we have become very easy to beat I am sorry to say , finally we have two very keen young defenders of our own to replace one or two who is in the firing line atm and we tried them in the cup games with some success, hopefully Grant will sort this bad run out but sadly rinse and repeat will just bring the same outcome , we need to surprise our opposition and alter the shape

[Scooter]

I love a bit of Boxing Day football and it’s a new ground for me. Last time I went up there on Boxing Day was a defeat at Fleetwood in the fog followed by a speeding ticket on the way home.
Hopefully this year will be better

[Upton Rover]

I think this festive period of fixtures will be a total disaster for us, we will struggle to get even 1 point, I hope I'm very much wrong, and I will be apologising if I'm wrong. The way we are playing is shocking, the Cardiff game was a one off.due to them resting players for their midweek cup game. Make no doubt about it, were in deep, deep stuck "as Del boy would say" Only recruitment of a proven goal scorer or even 2 in the January transfer window will give us some home of survival. Also sad to say we need to free up some wages to fund this, Billy you've been a great servant and a top top player, but we been to free up your wages, happy retirement

[Alan Southstand]

There’s quite a few in front of Billy, I’m afraid.

We’re becoming depressingly repetitive!

[Barmby Rover]

I will assume that Rovers will go 3 at the back as in the Cardiff game, and try to do the break away goal game they played there, but against a less talented team in Blackpool. I, as always, want Rovers to get out there and use the last game like we did against Chesterfield last season, but I am afrraid the quality of opposition is too good to fall for the same strategies as last season.
I expect Rovers to lose again, hopefully not as badly as we did against Plymouth, and then, fingers crossed, the January window will save us, if the right money is spent wisely on quality striker(s) and a midfield general as in Stock or Wellens.

[CJK]

Anyone got an informed guess on how many tickets have sold?

[goalkick]

Difficult to put together a back four that could be effective.

[Lytham Rover]

I'll be there

Jump on the service bus/tram straight to the ground about 2 miles from where I now live

Keeping my fingers crossed for a clean sheet

About 6 weeks ago I called into the local Chinese takeaway after driving back from the eco power
And in walked Ian Evatt
I engaged him in conversation it was day the battered Cardiff says that disappointed they didn't get more!
Told him that I'll be at Bloomfield Road on the 26th

[Shawn_drfc]

Difficult to put together a back four that could be effective.

That's because we are playing tactics that require a back 3, hard to defend when your playing with LWB and RWB on overlap and 2 CB's.

If you want Sterry and Maxwell to do what they like to do you need to play 3 at the back, hopefully COR can play boxing day and have him with McGrath and Grehan/Bailey either side of him.

[RugbyRover]

Difficult to put together a back four that could be effective.

That's because we are playing tactics that require a back 3, hard to defend when your playing with LWB and RWB on overlap and 2 CB's.

If you want Sterry and Maxwell to do what they like to do you need to play 3 at the back, hopefully COR can play boxing day and have him with McGrath and Grehan/Bailey either side of him.

From what I've seen I don't think any defence involving McGrath or Grehan would be effective. Be that a three or four wouldn't matter.

[GazLaz]

Difficult to put together a back four that could be effective.

That's because we are playing tactics that require a back 3, hard to defend when your playing with LWB and RWB on overlap and 2 CB's.

If you want Sterry and Maxwell to do what they like to do you need to play 3 at the back, hopefully COR can play boxing day and have him with McGrath and Grehan/Bailey either side of him.

I think our fullbacks getting high and joining in is a key part to how we play when we are good. You can’t give the ball away cheaply when you play like that though.

It’s certainly an area that Grant may tweak though.

I think we are a bit of an odd squad. Not technical enough in midfield to be a proper possession team and not athletic enough to be a real counter attacking team.


A huge concern is the fact the Grant hugely overrates McGrath. He’s our worst centre half by quite a distance. You can’t keep playing him and complain about not being good enough defensively. Pearson and C’OR or Grehan please. Grant obviously like Jays left footedness but that’s not enough to keep playing him.

[danumdon]

Whatever team GM does put out it will be interesting to see the attitude of the players, in situations like we currently find ourselves in i've always noticed that we seem to react better away from home. The pressure from the home crowd and to be the team that takes the initiative in the game is missing, this always gives you a chance to settle down and play some football without the crowd on your back at the first opportunity.

We just need to be solid, tight and keep it simple, overplaying from the back when the confidence is low is always a recipe for confusion and mistakes. What would we give now for a couple of no nonsense centre half's who just do the basics and let the team in front play. The team needs to grow a spine, because we don't look like we'll be buying one!

[steve@dcfd]

Difficult to put together a back four that could be effective.

That's because we are playing tactics that require a back 3, hard to defend when your playing with LWB and RWB on overlap and 2 CB's.

If you want Sterry and Maxwell to do what they like to do you need to play 3 at the back, hopefully COR can play boxing day and have him with McGrath and Grehan/Bailey either side of him.

I think our fullbacks getting high and joining in is a key part to how we play when we are good. You can’t give the ball away cheaply when you play like that though.

It’s certainly an area that Grant may tweak though.

I think we are a bit of an odd squad. Not technical enough in midfield to be a proper possession team and not athletic enough to be a real counter attacking team.


A huge concern is the fact the Grant hugely overrates McGrath. He’s our worst centre half by quite a distance. You can’t keep playing him and complain about not being good enough defensively. Pearson and C’OR or Grehan please. Grant obviously like Jays left footedness but that’s not enough to keep playing him.

Well said Gaz maybe Grant won't agree but that's way I see it and we need to look at our tactics and players to start getting results.

[Scooter]

Merry Christmas everyone - anyone got any parking tips for Blackpool please?

[Lytham Rover]

Merry Christmas everyone - anyone got any parking tips for Blackpool please?

You can park at Morrisons/Lidl then walk down to the tram station at Starr Gate
Or there are buses 11/11b that go right past the ground

[Scooter]

Thank you

[selby]

 A very merry Christmas everyone and a happy and prosperous new year, keep the faith our club is in good hands.

[Chris Black come back]

Would keep Bailey in midfield today:

TLT

Maxwell
Pearson
Grehan
Sterry

Broadbent
Bailey
Clifton

Gibson
Hanlan
Molyneux

Suspect Grant will though start Jay instead of Grehan though.

[Padge_DRFC]

Would keep Bailey in midfield today:

TLT

Maxwell
Pearson
Grehan
Sterry

Broadbent
Bailey
Clifton

Gibson
Hanlan
Molyneux

Suspect Grant will though start Jay instead of Grehan though.

And so he should. Grehan hasn't shown anything to say he's a regular starter in league 1 at the minute. However I can see all 3 playing today and Gibson dropping to the bench

[Chris Black come back]

Looks like he has gone for three centre backs today in Bailey, Pearson and McGrath. TLT has been dropped and Lawlor starts. He's done that a few times this season now. Can't help either of them I suspect.