Let's talk about the Blackpool game

[selby]

  After our hard fought and well deserved point against Luton Town last night we go on to a massive game against Blackpool that on the face of it looks equally as important to Blackpool's future in division 1 as ours.
  Our fighting spirit and doggedness last night served us well when we were not  really at the top of our game individually, but as a team we gave everything, and but for some unfortunate runs of the ball in scrambles in front of the Luton goal, and it must be said some snatching at good chances when composure and keeping your eye on the ball would have served better we would have took all the points.
   This game and the  ones against Exeter, and Northampton, are ones we could on the face of it take a massive step towards the points total that notionally we will require to get the required points to end a decent season with the two cup runs.
 A lot of pressure on the team and management and the way we handle every game to the end of the season is going to be important, and in spite of only taking a point last night I am confident those players at least have it in them to get the job done.
  Blackpool's form has also picked up losing one drawing two and winning one of their last four games to sit just one point behind us, so themselves can take a big step forward on ourselves if they get a result and will make our destiny a little more difficult, so the mantra has to be, if we can't win don't lose.
  We looked a lot more solid last night, and including the subs we stood up to a test and they deserve the shirt again in MHO, although we put a lot into the game and Blackpool have the advantage of seeing what we were about and the extra  days to prepare.
  So a nervous time for the squad management and supporters leading up to one of the most important games of the season, one we can put daylight between us and other strugglers or drop back into a slug fest.
  Lots to discuss, and to look forward to. a game
the crowd getting behind the team even if we fall behind can help, and a game we need the team to express themselves and play on the front foot where we had Luton scrambling to survive last night and a little luck would have come in handy.
 Lots to talk about please have your say. 

[Chris Black come back]

They are playing tonight down at AFC Wimbledon. Can’t be helpful for them.

Another side with terrible recent away form in the league. Last 6 away from home have been 4 defeats and 2 draws.

[GazLaz]

They are playing tonight down at AFC Wimbledon. Can’t be helpful for them.

Another side with terrible recent away form in the league. Last 6 away from home have been 4 defeats and 2 draws.

Its a big advantage for us with them playing away Wed/Sat and us being at home Tues/Sat. Its a huge game in the scheme of things.

Slight concern to me is the form of Mols and Bailey. They look tired men to me. Not sure why they get much less rest than the others even if they are considered the best two players. There have been lots of games this season where Mols could have been substituted to manage his load and it wouldn't have affected the outcome of the game.

[colincramb]

Biggest game since the Bradford promotion game last season as far as I’m concerned

[Thorney]

We have to out on that pitch with the mindset of its a winner takes all game.
This is a real chance to put a gap (a small one at that) between us and the chasing pack.
We must make this one count.

[bpoolrover]

Blackpool are easy to beat, press them and get balls into the box and we will win, they can t defend crosses and soon as you press them the defence shit themselves

[selby]

 Very much like us, it could be a good game for the stato's then.

[Barmby Rover]

Blackpool one win and 3 draws in 6, Rovers 2wins and a draw in 6. On form you would say a tight game, BUT, Rovers are at home, and if the majority on here think we have another Gary Lineker up front then this should be a shoe in for a win. I would say a win, but maybe by the odd goal.2-1 Rovers.

[Chris Black come back]

We have to out on that pitch with the mindset of its a winner takes all game.
This is a real chance to put a gap (a small one at that) between us and the chasing pack.
We must make this one count.

There are three games left that we need to win - Blackpool, Port Vale and Northampton. A draw or two on top of that are we should just about be ok. Need to turn over those three though.

[Ian Nimmo]

Blackpool are easy to beat, press them and get balls into the box and we will win, they can t defend crosses and soon as you press them the defence shit themselves

I honestly believe that Luton were there for the taking last night, we again left players in acres of space allowing them to play the ball too easily, and then missed some very good chances.
So from your comment, it sounds like if could be a similar game, thus we can’t afford another Luton game.

[Upton Rover]

Big 6 pointer, no more than a win will do

[steve@dcfd]

Need to ensure the lads have the goal scoring boots on we should not be creating a lot of chances and not taking them.

[ncRover]

Blackpool are easy to beat, press them and get balls into the box and we will win, they can t defend crosses and soon as you press them the defence shit themselves

And just like that the big Wimbledon centre back Johnson scores following a corner.

[steve@dcfd]

Wimbledon scored second they are doing us a favour also Bradford beating Port Vale.
Let's hope we get our scoring boots on Saturday we can't keep relying other teams beating the other teams in the relegation places
Blackpool have just scored 2.   1

[dknward2]

Blackpool back in it 2-1

[Goole Rover]

Blackpool back in it 2-1

And they look a different team since scoring.

[redarmi66]

3-1 Wimbledon. That helps

[bpoolrover]

4 1

[Lesonthewest]

Just reading their forum & they're not happy. Basically they are useless at defending set pieces, keeper doesn't come out for crosses, no right back, Husband getting dogs abuse, awful down their left side with Husband & Coulson. Evatt needs sacking tonight. If we're on it we can cause them problems.

[Move DRFC]

Anything over the 3 points would be a major disappointment.

[Chris Black come back]

Three ex-Rovers likely playing on Saturday - James Husband, Niall Ennis and Keshi Anderson. 

[eastender]

To be fair to Blackpool , they looked the more likely to score and were all over Wimbledon for the last 15mins . Even well into added on time they were still pushing for an equaliser , until a sloppy pass in the 94th min allowed Wimbledon to put the game to bed. We need to very weary of them , we found out only last Saturday how ex-players like to cause us misery.

[Barmby Rover]

Anything over the 3 points would be a major disappointment.

????

[drfchound]

Anything over the 3 points would be a major disappointment.

????

It is a “six pointer” game though.

[bpoolrover]

Three ex-Rovers likely playing on Saturday - James Husband, Niall Ennis and Keshi Anderson. 

don’t think keshi Anderson plays for them anymore

[Ian Nimmo]

He left them in 2023 currently at Portsmouth
Tough for them playing and losing in London on a Wednesday, so definitely gives us an advantage. We need mols on top form to put some pressure on husband, if we can’t win this game surely we will definetly be in trouble.
On the other hand if the lads can get a a reasonable win, surely it would be a good confidence boost for the difficult games coming up.

[mushRTID]

Blackpool were no better than us in the away game.

Grant changed the shape following a hammering in the previous game and we stunk the place out first half.

Their best player by a mile that day Imray is no longer with them either.

[Chris Black come back]

Three ex-Rovers likely playing on Saturday - James Husband, Niall Ennis and Keshi Anderson. 

don’t think keshi Anderson plays for them anymore

Right you are. Confusing as there is a “K. Anderson” playing for them at the moment. Turns out it is Karoy Anderson, on loan from Charlton.

[Metalmicky]

I think a win on Saturday is vital.... Blackpool have played a game more than us and have two points less, so a win would create a 5 point gap and we would still have a game in hand.  Blackpool also have away trips to 4 clubs in the top 10 in Cardiff, Stevenage, Wycombe and Reading to come.  I can't see Port Vale making it out and Northampton will also have a job on as they also have 5 away trips to Stockport, Mansfield, Bradford, Luton and Cardiff - so 3 teams in the top 5.  Vale do play 4 of the teams around them in the run in with games against Blackpool, Donny, Rotherham and Wigan - so may have a say in who goes down.  Leyton Orient play 6 of the current bottom 10 in their run-in, so there are opportunities for them to climb out of trouble. Whilst Wigan look to have one of the easier run-ins with only 4 of their last 11 games against top half of the table teams.  Donny Play 3 of the bottom 4, but still have to play 2 of the top 3 teams in their last 11 games.  3 points of Saturday and a win against Port Vale on 24 March will go a long way to helping us stay up.       

[Pintolager]

Go at Blackpool from the start and try to get that early goal and build on from that. All matches are important of course, but this for me is a match we need to win and reduce the goal difference too. Byrne and Pearson at CB and play Middleton to supply balls into the box.

Let's get climbing back up that table.