Difficult to beat

[Move DRFC]

Pearson and Byrne as the centre back pairing is making us way more solid and difficult to beat. They've been great for the last 3 games now. The whole back 5 were excellent. Why it's taken this long to drop McGrath is just crazy.

And how good is Gotts in that midfield role?

We look a more solid, capable team who are all fighting for one another.

Just gutted Gibson lashed at that chance at the end. What a sitter.

[In the box]

Pearson and Byrne as the centre back pairing is making us way more solid and difficult to beat. They've been great for the last 3 games now. The whole back 5 were excellent. Why it's taken this long to drop McGrath is just crazy.

And how good is Gotts in that midfield role?

We look a more solid, capable team who are all fighting for one another.

Just gutted Gibson lashed at that chance at the end. What a sitter.

Andelukun hardly had a kick all night .

[Ryaldinhio]

Pearson and Byrne as the centre back pairing is making us way more solid and difficult to beat. They've been great for the last 3 games now. The whole back 5 were excellent. Why it's taken this long to drop McGrath is just crazy.

And how good is Gotts in that midfield role?

We look a more solid, capable team who are all fighting for one another.

Just gutted Gibson lashed at that chance at the end. What a sitter.

Im gutted as well with Gibbo and he has done similar over last 4-6weeks.....BUT tonight's wasnt a sitter. Even if he hit it sweet I dont think it would have gone in, that many bodies there.

I think we would have all taken an away point there.

Weekend fixtures look favourable, id love us to beat the dingles

[ChrisBx]

Very good point tonight. It feels like we're mastering some of the dark arts too!

[BillyStubbsTears]

Pearson and Byrne are exactly what we have needed given the danger we were in at the turn of the year.

Experienced, strong, organised. They won't win us this division, but they will make sure we aren't scrapping for the title below next season.

[Danmckay456]

Wouldn’t surprise me if Byrne or Pearson got on the scoresheet on Saturday

[GazLaz]

Pearson and Byrne are exactly what we have needed given the danger we were in at the turn of the year.

Experienced, strong, organised. They won't win us this division, but they will make sure we aren't scrapping for the title below next season.

Chronically underused this season Pearson. Handled in a similar mystifying way to Hanlan. In the team when it matters though I suppose. He was very solid again tonight.

[Bessie Red]

Very good point tonight. It feels like we're mastering some of the dark arts too!

Byrne stopping the keeper from launching a counter attack right at the death was classic dark arts. Superb from the lad.

[drfchound]

Pearson and Byrne as the centre back pairing is making us way more solid and difficult to beat. They've been great for the last 3 games now. The whole back 5 were excellent. Why it's taken this long to drop McGrath is just crazy.

And how good is Gotts in that midfield role?

We look a more solid, capable team who are all fighting for one another.

Just gutted Gibson lashed at that chance at the end. What a sitter.

Andelukun hardly had a kick all night .

Haks tried his best but playing that role is totally different to his usual job.

[andyst79]

Gotts has been nothing short of a revelation this year, I'm in no doubt we'd be in the relegation zone if it wasn't for his energy in midfield. Has the ability to see danger early & snuff it out and get us on the front foot, none of our other midfielders are capable of this.

[Alan Southstand]

Gotts motm again, for me. Absolute machine in that midfield. All the defence played well, but Gotts got us on the front foot all game and why was he booked?

[GazLaz]

I thought Sterry played much better than late against a pretty competent winger.

[wing commander]

Opinion quickly change don't they. Pearson was bloody awful earlier this season, lost his place in the team and then started to even lose his place in the squad and frankly everyone was thinking we had signed a lemon.

However an opportunity presented itself and he has taken it with both hands and looks a different player.

On the other hand last year we turned down a big offer for Jay and sadly this season he hasn't kicked on and has actually regressed in form, just goes to show how form can change really quickly.

[Move DRFC]

Pearson has hit some form, and looked decent earlier in the season for a bit. McGrath hasn't looked good at any point all season. We should be on the phone to Plymouth in May saying we'll accept a tenth of what they offered.

[RoversInSpain]

Poor lad, don’t send him to Plymouth, that’s just mean.
I honestly think McGrath will turn into a very good player for us. This season has been a step up, however he will have learned so much. Pearson and Byrne to keep their places for sure, but don’t ditch Jay just yet, he will come of age.

[goalkick]

Only problem with Pearson was he had McGrath along side him.

[Donnywolf]

Gotts motm again, for me. Absolute machine in that midfield. All the defence played well, but Gotts got us on the front foot all game and why was he booked?

Looked like he was slightly late in centre circle and Ref immediately signalled advantage to them

Play went on forever and id forgotten the Gotts incident but Ref didn't and came back

He then pointed (as they do) to past offences and pulled his Yellow out

So (possible) foul , and totting up .

[selby]

  You saw the best of McGrath before Olowu left who covered for him, and before other sides realised he could be got at.
  Another plus with Byrne and Pearson, because they are solid and cover the central area Sterry and especially Senior have not got two coming at
them and  are finding their wider areas easier to defend.

[drfcsteve]

We’d be comfortably top half if we hadn’t persisted with McGrath giving goals away for most of the season. Hopefully McCann finally seen sense.

[adamtherover]

Very good point tonight. It feels like we're mastering some of the dark arts too!

THIS!!!!   byrney at the end was a piece of "taking one for the team" magic, boy was the keeper not gonna get his kick away!!!   shame we cudnt have done similar in the away game at cardiff!!!

[Draytonian III]

  You saw the best of McGrath before Olowu left who covered for him, and before other sides realised he could be got at.
  Another plus with Byrne and Pearson, because they are solid and cover the central area Sterry and especially Senior have not got two coming at
them and  are finding their wider areas easier to defend.

I see Harrogate won last night, but “ Maldini “wasn’t playing or even on the bench.

[Northants Nomad]

Very good point tonight. It feels like we're mastering some of the dark arts too!

Byrne stopping the keeper from launching a counter attack right at the death was classic dark arts. Superb from the lad.

I love how when our player does it it's "superb" and use of the "dark arts", but when it's done against us it's CHEATING.

[adamtherover]

Very good point tonight. It feels like we're mastering some of the dark arts too!

Byrne stopping the keeper from launching a counter attack right at the death was classic dark arts. Superb from the lad.

I love how when our player does it it's "superb" and use of the "dark arts", but when it's done against us it's CHEATING.

when in Rome!!... etc

[RoversInSpain]

  You saw the best of McGrath before Olowu left who covered for him, and before other sides realised he could be got at.
  Another plus with Byrne and Pearson, because they are solid and cover the central area Sterry and especially Senior have not got two coming at
them and  are finding their wider areas easier to defend.

McGrath ten times the player ‘One season’ Oluwu was. McGrath has never been horrific. Oluwu certainly was.

[scawsby steve]

I thought Sterry played much better than late against a pretty competent winger.

He'll have to do the same again on Saturday if Cleary's playing.

[Filo]

  You saw the best of McGrath before Olowu left who covered for him, and before other sides realised he could be got at.
  Another plus with Byrne and Pearson, because they are solid and cover the central area Sterry and especially Senior have not got two coming at
them and  are finding their wider areas easier to defend.

McGrath ten times the player ‘One season’ Oluwu was. McGrath has never been horrific. Oluwu certainly was.

You know nothing about football if you think McGrath has ever been better than Olowu

[i_ateallthepies]

  You saw the best of McGrath before Olowu left who covered for him, and before other sides realised he could be got at.
  Another plus with Byrne and Pearson, because they are solid and cover the central area Sterry and especially Senior have not got two coming at
them and  are finding their wider areas easier to defend.

McGrath ten times the player ‘One season’ Oluwu was. McGrath has never been horrific. Oluwu certainly was.

You know nothing about football if you think McGrath has ever been better than Olowu

Agreed, Filo.  Olowu had a rick in him for a couple of seasons but his pace more than made up for his shortcomings.  Once he ironed out his mistakes he was outstanding for us, proven by his transfer to a club currently on the upward trajectory.  McGrath by comparison...  slow learner I think would be being charitable.

[RoversInSpain]

Yep Oluwu a regular starter up in Stockport, hmmmm,
Olowu a couple of ‘ricks’ ironed out??? He was sensationally bad in league 2. Though as you say ‘just a couple of seasons’

Thank you Filo always good to get feedback from a know it all.

[IDM]

Very good point tonight. It feels like we're mastering some of the dark arts too!

Byrne stopping the keeper from launching a counter attack right at the death was classic dark arts. Superb from the lad.

I love how when our player does it it's "superb" and use of the "dark arts", but when it's done against us it's CHEATING.

If a player commits a foul, in the knowledge that he will at least concede a free kick and possibly be awarded a card, it’s not cheating.  It’s accepting the rules and usually seen as “taking one for the team”.

It’s only cheating if he’s trying to con the officials, a la Maradona hand of god goal.  Suarez’ handball for Uruguay vs Ghana wasn’t cheating, as many folks claimed at the time..

[mpc123]

Byrne the worst defender ever and should never have signed him! - what a joke that was..... he has been quality.

No point taking seriously any of the fans thoughts on players at all.