Doncaster v The Baggies......help please

[Richie]

Hi all,

Baggies fan in peace here, I'll be at the game Saturday but in the home end !!!!!!!!! but fear not I'll be in the commentary box as I commentate for The BBC local radio station in The West Midlands, very much looking foward to mine and indeed Albion's first visit to the Keepmoat, just wondering as I've so busy this week I've not had enough time to do as much research on Donny as I would like, so wondering if you guys could help me out  

1. Any injuries or suspensions for Saturday?
2. Your likley starting line-up (The one O'Driscoll will pick, not the one you would pick lol!)
3.How have you been playing at home recently? (last 6 or so games)
4.How have you faired performance wise !!! against the top teams this season at home?
5.Everybody seems to love Donny because of your great style of play, tell me more, is it just hyped up ?? (when we played at the hawthorns I was in Cyprus but my colluege at work thinks your quite tasty)
6.Shelton Martis.......... hows he doing?
7.James Chambers (legend).......hows he doing?
8.Jordan Mutch (on loan from Bham thats in our patch)......hows he doing?
9.Who's your boo boy and why?
10. Who's your fans favourite and why?
11.Best player?
12.Worst player?
13.Any quirky chants (I know about O'Driscoll bouncing around the ground)?
14. and finally...usual free kicks and corner takers.....can your free kick taker stick them away....more dangerous on his left or right (about 10 questions in one there lol)?


Thanks guys would be much appreciated.....good luck on Saturday...you guys fancy it ???

[5minstogo]

Why don't you employ a scout like everyone else, Mr Di Matteo?

[Snods Shinpad 2]

I admire your sheer laziness. No wonder journalism standards have slipped if you're looking for info on an internet forum.  

1. Injured: Sharp, Stock,Shackell, Woods.
2. Won't be much different from the Blackpool line up.
3. Good against big teams. Average against bad.
4. Very well. Should have taken at least a point off Toon. Spanked Cardiff and Forest.
5. Believe the hype.
6. Mixed opinions.
7. Top player in my opinion,
8. Haven't seen enough. Belting goal against Boro though.
9. Lewis Guy (now on loan at Oldham).
10. Sharp - goals.
11. Sharp, Oster, Coppinger.
12. None.
13. \"We're just a pub team having a laugh\" (sorry Rigo!)
14. We are completely toothless at set pieces. Especially corners.

There you go Mr Di Matteo.  

[RobTheRover]

1) lots of injuries, Sharp not 100%, Stock been out for months, symptoms of a smallish squad and the end of a long season.

2) Sullivan, Roberts, Martis, O'Connor, Chambers, Oster, Emmanuel-Thomas, Coppinger, Wilson, Hayter, Sharp, I reckon.

3) Patchy sums it up, see point 1).  Been playing teams off the park in the first half without taking chances, and struggling second half.

4) Cant complain.  Been a great season seeing as the bookies fancied us to go down (again)

5) Yes, its all hype from lazy journalists who cant be arsed to do their research.

6) Hmmmmm, ask again in 12 months time.

7) Chambo has been excellent all season.  A firm fans favourite.

8) Mutch is raw, but has great potential. Scored a screamer on debut v Boro.

9) Lewis Guy.  No idea why. ;-)

10) Sharp.  The bloke can do no wrong.  The best loan signing, ever.

11) They are all legends.  Stock gets the plaudits due to his ability to completely grab a game and control it, but he's been out for that long I've forgotten what he looks like.

12) Dont have one.  Everyone can do their job.

13) Molly Malone is ours.

14) Woods tends to take the free-kicks, but fans sat in Row V are more at risk than the back of the onion bag.  We are legendarily rubbish at all set pieces.

[Richie]

Thanks guys, you are legends, it just helps me get a feel for the oppo, obviously on local stations the commentators favour and focus on the local side but I like to get a flavour for the oppo.

And Mr Di Matteo said thanks, all has been noted   lol

[BobG]

On his better days, which are unfortunately all too rare, James Coppinger can be downright bloody awesome. He's the lad who got thjat scintillating hat trick against Southend in the televised play off semi final the season before last. Happily for us, he seems to be coming into some form again at long bloody last.

So no kicking him eh?

To be honest, with Billy Sharpe we're a reasonable middle of the table team. Without him, which is likely to be the case, we're a nice to watch bunch of star struck lads who deserve to win more than they do but who never find the net.

Cheers

BobG

PS Brian Stock, if he were ever to play, would make this team really quite special. Well, special for us anyway!

[Snods Shinpad 2]

While you are here, it only seems fair that you answer the same questions about your own team.

Respectfully,

Mr S. O'Driscoll

[Total-Rover]

1. Billy Sharp's injured, which is a massive positive for you guys as, as you probably know, he's been our main source for goals all season. Also Martin Woods, who's been a big player for us too, is out injured.

2. O'Driscoll was pleased with the performance versus Blackpool even though we lost, so I'd go for an unchanged lineup. That's Sullivan; Chambers, Roberts, O'Connor, Martis; Wilson; Oster, Coppinger, Emmanuel-Thomas; Hayter, Heffernan.

3. I can't speak for the Plymouth game as I couldn't make it, but very well up until that loss. However, it may be a different proposition now, as our \"outside chance\" of the playoffs has gone. Yourselves, on the other hand, have a lot to play for.

4. Performances have generally been good across the board. Matched Newcastle but got unlucky, Comprehensively beat Forest and Cardiff.

5. We're never going to be a long-ball team, purely because we don't have the personnel. We have a squad of 5-foot-odd, technically sound players, so we play to our strengths. I find it very entertaining to watch, although I suppose it's subjective. It's not all-out-attack, but it's pleasing on the eye.

6. As a defender, I like him. He brings some much-needed physicality to our back line. However, he's ... error-prone, let's say, and is guaranteed  to make 10,000 Rovers fans soil their pants once per game. Distribution must improve, too.

7. He's not a player high on the MOTM polls, probably due to his position on the field, but he's been one of our best players since he's joined. Always solid in defence and willing to run forward, and very consistent. Versatile, too, playing at both fullback positions. Exactly what is required from a full-back.

8. Scored a 30-yarder on a cameo appearance, but all-round play needs work. Typical young \"rough diamond\", in that respect. Not had too much game time, to be fair to him.

9. There always has to be one, it seems, and that one seems to be Mark Wilson. A sturdy holding midfielder, who lacks flair in attack. Underrated, in my opinion. JET gets some stick for being lazy, too, although he can produce magic at any given time.

10. Billy is adored for his goals, but he's not playing. Heffernan - another goalscorer - always had an affinity with the fans, although he's on his way out, it seems.

11. On ability, our playmaker Brian Stock. But he's injured. Coppinger, from the lineup I gave.

12. I'm struggling to name one. Very unfair.

13. Chants?! Expect silence.

14. No. We are abysmal from set pieces. Usually taken short.

That cover it?

[VikingJames]

1. Any injuries or suspensions for Saturday?
Billy Sharp (our top scorer) is probably out for the season with a thigh injury.
Brian Stock (captain) is also probably going to be out for the season.
Steve Brooker won't play as he has been injured ever since he signed in January 2009.
Jason Shackell (our best defender) will more than likely miss out with a groin injury.
Byron Webster (young defender) is still injured.
Midfield general Martin Woods and young striker Waide Fairhurst could return from their injuries.

2. Your likley starting line-up
(4-4-1-1) Sullivan, Chambers, O'Connor, Martis, Roberts, Coppinger, Wilson/Woods, Oster, Emmanuel-Thomas, Hayter, Heffernan.

3.How have you been playing at home recently? (last 6 or so games)
Not brilliantly. One reason being that we have suffered injuries to key players. We have often started games well at home lately and dominated the first half, only to sit back in the 2nd half and be pegged back (examples of this being Crystal Palace, Sheff Utd and Plymouth at home.)
We haven't won at home since March 13th (vs Derby) which gives you an idea of our struggles at home lately.
Our form in the last 6 home games is LDWDLL.

4.How have you faired performance wise !!! against the top teams this season at home?
Against Newcastle at home we played okay, competed well for most of the match and we had our fair share of chances and 1 goal dubiously disallowed. A mistake by one of our players gifted them a goal, and then they just used their experience to shut the game out, but in terms of the general performance, we matched them for most of the game. When we played them away in October it was a similar story, we matched them for most of the game, we had the lead at Half time, but in the end their experience and quality shone through and they ended up scoring a last minute goal and winning 2-1.

When we went to the Hawthornes, I thought we battled very well, played some good stuff, but were eventually beaten by a side with that bit more quality.

Nottingham Forest - we beat them at home, but got trounced at their place. Away we played really poorly, didn't show up and ended up being defeated 4-1. At home we put in a superb battling display with a patched up team, unsettled Forest, playing some excellent football in the process, and we ended up winning 1-0.

Cardiff - We beat them at home 2-0 back in August. We came out of the blocks and battered them for the opening half an hour, taking a 2 goal lead into half time. 2nd half we held firm and held our lead. Away to Cardiff we lost 2-1 in a very unlucky defeat. After a slow start, we got back into the game with a second half equaliser, only to lose in the 93rd minute when Neil Sullivan fumbled a header from a corner into the net.


5.Everybody seems to love Donny because of your great style of play, tell me more, is it just hyped up ??
Most of the time, our football is an absolute joy to watch. We play a pass and move style which, sometimes, the opposition just can't deal with. Sometimes we have an off day (like we did at Blackpool on Monday) where nothing we do comes off. And sometimes the opposition purposefully bully us and stop us playing, like Plymouth did last Saturday, which can make for a very frustrating afternoon, and we usually struggle against those types of teams (understandably as we don't have many big, physical players at all.) Of course there are flaws with our system, but when it clicks and we impose our style on a game, you often have to sit back in amazement at the delightful football being put on display by a team built on one of the Championship's smallest budgets.


6.Shelton Martis.......... hows he doing?
There is very much a split opinion on him. I like him. He is a bit unorthodox at times, and he is a player who you have to expect the odd mistake from as he is a bit erratic at times, but on the whole I think he is a good player. He was fantastic when we had him on loan last season, and is starting to reproduce that now after a slow start. I think he will turn out to be a good signing.

7.James Chambers (legend).......hows he doing?
On the whole... brilliant. He's a very capable player at this level, and every so often he has an off day, but in general I have to say he is a solid player, and one who is very popular with the fans. Always gives 100%, and despite not being the best on the ball, he is a solid defender.

8.Jordan Mutch......hows he doing?
Not really seen too much of him. He is generally used as a last 10 minute sub. He has shown glimpses of potential (eg his superb 30 yard goal v Middlesbrough), but in general, it doesn't look as if he is ready for this level, and he looked a bit out of his depth in his only start (v Leicester at home.) But you have to consider he is only 18 and I wouldn't be surprised if he turned out to be a decent player in a few years.

9.Who's your boo boy and why?
Usually Lewis Guy, but he is out on loan at Oldham. He often gets stick as he is just generally a frustrating player. He gives his all but he spends too much time offside/falling over, and often spurns chances that look easy, and he doesn't score enough goals.

10. Who's your fans favourite and why?
Billy Sharp is an obvious one. He is on loan from Sheffield Utd and has scored a boat load of goals for us this season, and he always puts in 110% and comes across as a player who is so passionate about his football. Unfortunately he won't be playing on Saturday due to injury.
Another favourite with many fans (including myself) is striker Paul Heffernan. He has been here since 2005 and has always had a nack of coming up with goals at crucial times. Looks as if he will be forced out in the summer as he hasn't played much this season, and has spent a bit of time out on loan. But the fans love him here and he is likely to get a rare start on Saturday after being recalled from his loan at Bristol Rovers due to the number of injuries we have had in that area.
James Coppinger is also a favourite with the fans. He is the longest serving player and is a silky skilled attacking midfielder/winger. He has loads of talent, and on his day he is worth the admission fee alone. (A great example of this is our League 1 play off semi final against Southend in 2008 when he put in an epic display and scored a hat-trick. Here is a video of his performance that night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7_2LfWQ6oM )
The fans also love Gareth Roberts (Left back) and Jimmy O'Connor (Centre back) just for being solid, committed defenders. Both have been at the club since 2006.

11.Best player?
Brian Stock (the captain) is a brilliant all-round midfield player and has attracted interest from Premier League clubs. Unfortunately he is prone to niggling injuries and won't play on Saturday.
Out of the lot that will be playing tomorrow, I'd say Jimmy O'Connor. He is a right back by trade, but has been used at Centre back for most of this season. He is a solid defender who has improved massively since he joined in 2006. He is Mr Consistent and never seems to put a foot wrong.
Also, John Oster has been a revelation in our midfield and really makes us tick. When Stock doesn't play, Oster is the player who dictates the game from midfield and is always heavily involved in the play.
James Coppinger has an endless pit of talent, and on his day he is a match-winner.

12.Worst player?
Probably Lewis Guy. He is such a frustrating player (as I have already mentioned) but he won't be playing tomorrow as he is out on loan at Oldham.

13.Any quirky chants?
\"We're just a pub team, 'avin a laugh\"  Is a pretty unique chant, originating from a common jibe of being a 'pub team' that we get levelled at us when we outclass a 'bigger club' whose fans can't stand being beaten by a club who were playing non-league football just 7 years ago.

14. and finally...usual free kicks and corner takers.....can your free kick taker stick them away....more dangerous on his left or right?
Free kicks - Usually Brian Stock/John Oster/Martin Woods/James Coppinger, depending on who is playing. I wouldn't worry about our threat from free kicks though tbh, we rarely threaten. Gareth Roberts the left back has a missile of a left foot on him, but we rarely utilise this from set pieces, much to the bafflement of many Rovers fans.
Corners - Again, usually Brian Stock/John Oster/Martin Woods/James Coppinger. And again, we don't score many goals from these either, so don't concern yourself too much. We usually play it short as we don't have many tall players, and this often ends in us doing something silly and losing possession.

[retford rover]

Richie enjoy the day at the Keepmoat, the press box is situated on the half way line,on the west stand, just above where players run out, you are amongst the fans, not perchered on the roof like at the Hawthorns, the press box is sponsored by a local pork pie company (toppings) an although dont eat them myself, you must try, im also in press box although got day off from commentating giving paul from the Free press a go, but i will hav a plentiful supply of biscuits, jammie dodgers  and jam dougnuts, so dont be scared to ask.  thats if Clem from the BBC championship show has not eaten them all first, press box full this Saturday, even had to put some journo's in the east stand. should be a great atmosphere if our lot pull the fingers out.

[DonnyOsmond]

I'll answer a few.

1. Sharp, Stock and Woods are our main injuries. There's also Brooker, Fairhurst, Webster and Shackell. Suspensions? I'll have you know we're the biggest pansies in the league. We've had the least bookings.

2.
Sullivan
Chambers
Roberts
Martis
O'Connor
Wilson
Oster
Coppinger
Emmanuel-Thomas
Hayter
Heffernan

Don't ask what formation that is.

5. Don't mention it.   We wont be able to string two passes together now. You've jinxed us.

9. Lewis Guy but he's on-loan at Oldham. There's also Wilson who gets a lot of undeserved stick and JET gets some stick because he can be lazy.

11. Out of the team that'll play, Coppinger, O'Connor or Oster. Be afraid of JET too when he has the ball.

12. Out of the team that'll play, I'd say none of those are.

13. Like Total-Rover said, expect silence.

[Donnywolf]

retford rover wrote:

Richie enjoy the day at the Keepmoat, the press box is situated on the half way line,on the west stand, just above where players run out, you are amongst the fans, not perchered on the roof like at the Hawthorns, the press box is sponsored by a local pork pie company (toppings) an although dont eat them myself, you must try, im also in press box although got day off from commentating giving paul from the Free press a go, but i will hav a plentiful supply of biscuits, jammie dodgers  and jam dougnuts, so dont be scared to ask.  thats if Clem from the BBC championship show has not eaten them all first, press box full this Saturday, even had to put some journo's in the east stand. should be a great atmosphere if our lot pull the fingers out.

...Hi Paul

and tell him to look just to the left of the Jammy Dodger and Biscuit \"Mountain\" at the Wolves Scarf flying over my seat

Come on Rovers - RTID

He probably is not a Journo but as he says in his piece he is in the Home end and probably looking for perfect cover in case they score !