@DJWYC14 said:
A game of two halves. We more than matched them for 45 minutes then started coasting and Doncaster clinically disposed of us.
1st goal went straight through Allsop and so I t he will be happy with the third either. The 2nd was well worked
Agree with the ‘game of two halves’ comment, although had we taken our chance just before their first it could have been a different game.
I haven’t seen a replay of the first goal but I think that’s harsh on Allsop, he’d have seen it late and looked at full stretch to me.
Their second was excellent and they walked through our defence, which until that point had all played excellently.
3-0 flattered them but they did deserve the points. My biggest concern remains the lack of goal threat. I’d love to see a change of system with three at the back but I suspect we’ll stick to the same as today. Neither 442 with a diamond or 433 later on looked like changing our fortunes upfront.
@Aok84 said:
Playing Bean,Blooms, Morris, saunders in midfield isnt going to win us many games we had zero width think Freeman and Mackail smith should have started.
Agreed. We were screaming out for wide play and whilst Sido and JJ did a decent job at times it was frightening that Bean was most often our widest player.
Disagree on the starting XI though, Williams was excellent and at times they couldn’t handle him. Freeman for me should have played ahead of Bloomfield, CMS should have come on earlier.
Personally I think it’s a little generous to say we competed well for an hour. There was a 20-25 minute spell in the middle of the first half when we more than equalled them but other than that I thought they looked a fair bit better than us.
Not too disheartened. We will get better but I agree with @TheatreOfChairs point 3.
For those not there, the early miss from Bayo was as bad as I’ve seen. I’m still replaying it in my mind and every time it ends up in the net rather than skid off his head.
Strange how we see thing differently though. I though Bean did pretty well first half and for me Morris got better as the game went on. The second and third goals were similar but came after we had moved our protective midfielders up field so not too worried.
As always loved watching Sido. Just love the way his legs go at strange angles and take a ball he has no right to.
Williams looked very good first half and his pace definitely scared them. As others pointed out he did fade, but spending most of half time on the pitch with the subs can’t have helped. What was that all about?
For connoisseurs of theatrics there were a couple of classics by Rovers. The dive by the guy taken out by Stewart several seconds after the foul was Neymaresque.
Game wise - Williams looked the best I've seen him, a real threat that Doncaster realised and promptly kept chopping him down.
Bean/Bloomfield, thought last week that we can't play both of them together unless we're bare bones territory.
We need to get a lot better ball to Bayo, as league 1defences will pick him off easier now.
Not sure who McCarthy will come in for. Stewart or El Abd? No reason for Harriman to miss out.
Sitting in amongst some of our less reasoned fans today, I was quite put off by some incredible ficklebehaviour.
About 20mins into the game, our SECOND, in league 1,when Bayo let a pass go out of play, one idiot in amongst explectives towards Bayo, started giving it the nonsense about "this is why Wimbledon released him upon promotion", and by the second half, all manner of negative anti manager and players nonsense was coming out.
I thought even with our drone army we'd get beyond game 2 before this started!
Thought we were too narrow and allowing them too much space down the flanks, bayo had a great chance with his head in the opening 10 minutes, he just wasn't at the races today.
First time I've seen Williams and I was impressed, quick, not scared to run at players and put a good shift in.
If the first goal did take a deflection it wasn't a massive one and I was disappointed he never saved it, well worked goal for the 2nd and what looked like a farce for the 3rd goal.
Wasn't expecting much before the game so not too disillusioned.
From what those who were at the game have said seems Williams and Freeman did ok. What does Nick F have to do get a start? Seems to always make an impact. Play them both out wide on both wings?
@bookertease said:
Personally I think it’s a little generous to say we competed well for an hour. There was a 20-25 minute spell in the middle of the first half when we more than equalled them but other than that I thought they looked a fair bit better than us.
Not too disheartened. We will get better but I agree with @TheatreOfChairs point 3.
For those not there, the early miss from Bayo was as bad as I’ve seen. I’m still replaying it in my mind and every time it ends up in the net rather than skid off his head.
Strange how we see thing differently though. I though Bean did pretty well first half and for me Morris got better as the game went on. The second and third goals were similar but came after we had moved our protective midfielders up field so not too worried.
As always loved watching Sido. Just love the way his legs go at strange angles and take a ball he has no right to.
Williams looked very good first half and his pace definitely scared them. As others pointed out he did fade, but spending most of half time on the pitch with the subs can’t have helped. What was that all about?
For connoisseurs of theatrics there were a couple of classics by Rovers. The dive by the guy taken out by Stewart several seconds after the foul was Neymaresque.
Nice to be back indoors by 5.30 tho
That 'dive' was actually a collapse to the floor in dismay that the ref didn't play an advantage. The striker was up ready to run into the box whilst Stewart was still on the ground after the foul. Hence why he started playing up to the crowd after when the majority got the wrong end of the stick
After a thoroughly miserable day I finally found something to smile about. Checked out the league table to see that Oxford are bottom and Luton & Coventry are immediately above us. Maybe not so bad after all.
I'd agree with much of what has been written above - Williams our biggest threat, Bean hapless (but played in a position where he couldn't really shine), Morris a bit hit-and-miss but will no doubt improve, defensively pretty sound (despite the scoreline) but midfield and forwards were below par.
All that said, the Doncaster fans I overheard on the way back to the station think they've sown the league up already so there's no disgrace in defeat.
@bookertease said:
Personally I think it’s a little generous to say we competed well for an hour. There was a 20-25 minute spell in the middle of the first half when we more than equalled them but other than that I thought they looked a fair bit better than us.
Not too disheartened. We will get better but I agree with @TheatreOfChairs point 3.
For those not there, the early miss from Bayo was as bad as I’ve seen. I’m still replaying it in my mind and every time it ends up in the net rather than skid off his head.
Strange how we see thing differently though. I though Bean did pretty well first half and for me Morris got better as the game went on. The second and third goals were similar but came after we had moved our protective midfielders up field so not too worried.
As always loved watching Sido. Just love the way his legs go at strange angles and take a ball he has no right to.
Williams looked very good first half and his pace definitely scared them. As others pointed out he did fade, but spending most of half time on the pitch with the subs can’t have helped. What was that all about?
For connoisseurs of theatrics there were a couple of classics by Rovers. The dive by the guy taken out by Stewart several seconds after the foul was Neymaresque.
Nice to be back indoors by 5.30 tho
That 'dive' was actually a collapse to the floor in dismay that the ref didn't play an advantage. The striker was up ready to run into the box whilst Stewart was still on the ground after the foul. Hence why he started playing up to the crowd after when the majority got the wrong end of the stick
Don't think that's true. He wouldn't have been rolling around in "pain" if it was just a frustration fall.
Football wise we weren’t a million miles away from that being a draw yesterday I thought finishing was our problem at times last year and it was the same yesterday.we are creating enough chances and so I’m reasonably optimistic. I’m less optimistic about a relatively small group of our supporters who make the away end a rather unpleasant place to be at times and were full of drink and bad manners yesterday. I don’t understand it nor the negativity and some rather close to the line abuse at some of our players
Bayo seems to be carrying forward his form from last season. It just won't go in for him. Whether this is age, sharpness, fitness, mojo, predictability who knows. I just can't believe that a fit CMS is not starting at this level. After signing a 2-year deal I was rubbing my hands with glee that the best striker we have had for years was going to be doing his stuff. Mystifying.
Ok, I'm guessing the fleeting and enjoyable Kashket era has been and gone (lets face it if he was fit tomorrow he will struggle to get sharp and up to league 1 overnight) so lets get a raw striker with the one thing that works through the leagues, pace.
While the club allowing Bayo to do his marketing work rather than training with the squad for part of July may have been sensible in terms of player morale, it probably wasn't in terms of fitness. We will need more from Bayo this season, not less. Personally I think a few weeks where he is Plan B rather than Plan A might be helpful in terms of allowing us get into our stride in this league. I'm with @TheAndyGrahamFanClub - for me CMS should be the first name on the team sheet each week he's fit and the system we play should be built around getting the most out of him.
I'm not too concerned about losing like we did yesterday. I think Blackpool last week might have given us false hope that we could hack it in an attacking 433 in this league. Playing an opponent yesterday that's not destined for the relegation battle may have opened a few eyes, given that we changed to a 433 after going 1-0 down and then got demolished playing it. I think a 442 with a tight midfield of McCarthy, Gape, Morris and Saunders/Freeman could work for us a lot better. Alternatively, if Gareth is able to secure a left wingback starlet on loan in the next few weeks, I think we have an excellent chance of prospering with a 532. With CMS and Williams/PCH/Tyson/Kashket up front and a fit Bayo terrorising defences for the last 20 mins we'll be mid-table before we know it.
While allowing Bayo to do his marketing work and train away from the club for much of July may have been useful for player morale, I'm not sure it was so useful for player fitness. Personally I'd say a few weeks where Bayo is Plan B rather than Plan A might be sensible. I'm with @TheAndyGrahamFanClub - for me CMS should be the first name on the team sheet each week when fit and the formation used should be designed to get the best out of him.
I'm not too concerned about losing in the way we did yesterday. I think we may have got too much false hope on being able to hack an attacking 433 in League One from playing Blackpool last week, a club destined for the relegation dogfight. We were able constrain Doncaster using a 442 with a tight midfield for much of the match - and I think a slight tweak of personnel to Mccarthy, Gape, Morris and Saunders/Freeman could play real dividends. It was only when we switched to 433 after going one down that we got torn apart. Alternatively, if Gareth could dig up a left wingback starlet on loan in the next few weeks, I'd love to see us go 532. Either system would allow us to play a front two of CMS and Williams/PCH/Tyson/Kashket with Bayo coming on for the last 20 mins to terrorise tired defences. We'd be up to mid table respectability in no time.
@marlowchair we have had an unsavoury section for quite some time now. I was cursing myself to end up near them again despite not being dead central.
I strongly suspect a number aren't just booze fuelled too from what i overheard.
Anyway, that certainly wasn't a 3-0 game which in some ways is a worry, as what happens when we get completely out played all game!?
I also don't agree that we have no problems creating chances. Apart from relying on bayos pure brutality to head in yesterday we relied on williams running. Didnt really look like scoring for most of the game.
Im also not sure CMS as the main striker will instantly change much. He looked to be getting battered v blackpool when he came on and isnt a target man as such.
Early knockings though.need a couple.of good performances on tue and v rovers
it’s early days but could it be that there is a greater spread in the quality of sides we face in league one this season compared to our last few league two campaigns. I thought we were unlucky not to beat Blackpool so this result may mean we’re in for a bit of a roller coaster ride.
@malone and @marlowchair I think it's terrible you choose to cyber bully a section of fans just because they are nasty pissed and disagree with your view. They are the real fans and probably know things.
Yesterday was a lesson that we cannot afford to switch off for a second against good opposition (if we ever needed one). Some of the defending in the last 15 minutes was that of a team that had been floored by a goal when trying so hard to nick one at the other end, and their spirit had been broken.
There'll always be doom and gloom merchants when a game finishes like that, though there were a fair few positives to take from the game as a whole.
We more than made a game of it in the first half, Randell Williams in particular was impressive. Unfortunately we weren't able to utilise his quick pace and even quicker mind to better effect, though performances like that soften the blow of not having the likes of Tyson, Kashket and Cowan-Hall available.
The need to be able to have a plan A when Bayo isn't in the team was obvious last year, but we got away with it because of his resilience and ability to keep fit. This year we'll need it because a lot of centre backs are not going to be overawed by his strength and can compete with him one way or another. Surely Tuesday will be as good a time as any to try something different, and hopefully let Bayo recover for Saturday.
If only it was as simple as that. If a player said to have been carrying an injury/injuries for several weeks towards the end of last season is currently (at best?) only 90% fit I don’t think a midweek rest is realistically going to restore him to the level required to trouble most League 1 defences.
At least one loan signing will need to be a strong, pacey striker. Statement of the bleeding obvious, obviously.
Bayo has managed to juggle his away from football career with some great performances. I do wonder if the balance is now askew and the performances reflect. I know this is a bit of a sacred topic as he is so popular and important but he barely made pre-season and in his first two games had missed chances we would all hope an above average striker would score. I follow him on a couple of platforms and wonder when he has chance to train and recover.
Comments
Agree with the ‘game of two halves’ comment, although had we taken our chance just before their first it could have been a different game.
I haven’t seen a replay of the first goal but I think that’s harsh on Allsop, he’d have seen it late and looked at full stretch to me.
Their second was excellent and they walked through our defence, which until that point had all played excellently.
3-0 flattered them but they did deserve the points. My biggest concern remains the lack of goal threat. I’d love to see a change of system with three at the back but I suspect we’ll stick to the same as today. Neither 442 with a diamond or 433 later on looked like changing our fortunes upfront.
Agreed. We were screaming out for wide play and whilst Sido and JJ did a decent job at times it was frightening that Bean was most often our widest player.
Disagree on the starting XI though, Williams was excellent and at times they couldn’t handle him. Freeman for me should have played ahead of Bloomfield, CMS should have come on earlier.
Personally I think it’s a little generous to say we competed well for an hour. There was a 20-25 minute spell in the middle of the first half when we more than equalled them but other than that I thought they looked a fair bit better than us.
Not too disheartened. We will get better but I agree with @TheatreOfChairs point 3.
For those not there, the early miss from Bayo was as bad as I’ve seen. I’m still replaying it in my mind and every time it ends up in the net rather than skid off his head.
Strange how we see thing differently though. I though Bean did pretty well first half and for me Morris got better as the game went on. The second and third goals were similar but came after we had moved our protective midfielders up field so not too worried.
As always loved watching Sido. Just love the way his legs go at strange angles and take a ball he has no right to.
Williams looked very good first half and his pace definitely scared them. As others pointed out he did fade, but spending most of half time on the pitch with the subs can’t have helped. What was that all about?
For connoisseurs of theatrics there were a couple of classics by Rovers. The dive by the guy taken out by Stewart several seconds after the foul was Neymaresque.
Nice to be back indoors by 5.30 tho
Game wise - Williams looked the best I've seen him, a real threat that Doncaster realised and promptly kept chopping him down.
Bean/Bloomfield, thought last week that we can't play both of them together unless we're bare bones territory.
We need to get a lot better ball to Bayo, as league 1defences will pick him off easier now.
Not sure who McCarthy will come in for. Stewart or El Abd? No reason for Harriman to miss out.
Sitting in amongst some of our less reasoned fans today, I was quite put off by some incredible ficklebehaviour.
About 20mins into the game, our SECOND, in league 1,when Bayo let a pass go out of play, one idiot in amongst explectives towards Bayo, started giving it the nonsense about "this is why Wimbledon released him upon promotion", and by the second half, all manner of negative anti manager and players nonsense was coming out.
I thought even with our drone army we'd get beyond game 2 before this started!
Thought we were too narrow and allowing them too much space down the flanks, bayo had a great chance with his head in the opening 10 minutes, he just wasn't at the races today.
First time I've seen Williams and I was impressed, quick, not scared to run at players and put a good shift in.
If the first goal did take a deflection it wasn't a massive one and I was disappointed he never saved it, well worked goal for the 2nd and what looked like a farce for the 3rd goal.
Wasn't expecting much before the game so not too disillusioned.
From what those who were at the game have said seems Williams and Freeman did ok. What does Nick F have to do get a start? Seems to always make an impact. Play them both out wide on both wings?
I rate Freeman highly but he didn’t make much of an impact today. The damage was already done really.
That 'dive' was actually a collapse to the floor in dismay that the ref didn't play an advantage. The striker was up ready to run into the box whilst Stewart was still on the ground after the foul. Hence why he started playing up to the crowd after when the majority got the wrong end of the stick
After a thoroughly miserable day I finally found something to smile about. Checked out the league table to see that Oxford are bottom and Luton & Coventry are immediately above us. Maybe not so bad after all.
I'd agree with much of what has been written above - Williams our biggest threat, Bean hapless (but played in a position where he couldn't really shine), Morris a bit hit-and-miss but will no doubt improve, defensively pretty sound (despite the scoreline) but midfield and forwards were below par.
All that said, the Doncaster fans I overheard on the way back to the station think they've sown the league up already so there's no disgrace in defeat.
Thanks @Croider. That does make more sense so i’ll retract my comment about his intent. Was still a bit theatrical though
Comments from Doncaster fans:
https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=266958.0
Don't think that's true. He wouldn't have been rolling around in "pain" if it was just a frustration fall.
Football wise we weren’t a million miles away from that being a draw yesterday I thought finishing was our problem at times last year and it was the same yesterday.we are creating enough chances and so I’m reasonably optimistic. I’m less optimistic about a relatively small group of our supporters who make the away end a rather unpleasant place to be at times and were full of drink and bad manners yesterday. I don’t understand it nor the negativity and some rather close to the line abuse at some of our players
Bayo seems to be carrying forward his form from last season. It just won't go in for him. Whether this is age, sharpness, fitness, mojo, predictability who knows. I just can't believe that a fit CMS is not starting at this level. After signing a 2-year deal I was rubbing my hands with glee that the best striker we have had for years was going to be doing his stuff. Mystifying.
Ok, I'm guessing the fleeting and enjoyable Kashket era has been and gone (lets face it if he was fit tomorrow he will struggle to get sharp and up to league 1 overnight) so lets get a raw striker with the one thing that works through the leagues, pace.
While the club allowing Bayo to do his marketing work rather than training with the squad for part of July may have been sensible in terms of player morale, it probably wasn't in terms of fitness. We will need more from Bayo this season, not less. Personally I think a few weeks where he is Plan B rather than Plan A might be helpful in terms of allowing us get into our stride in this league. I'm with @TheAndyGrahamFanClub - for me CMS should be the first name on the team sheet each week he's fit and the system we play should be built around getting the most out of him.
I'm not too concerned about losing like we did yesterday. I think Blackpool last week might have given us false hope that we could hack it in an attacking 433 in this league. Playing an opponent yesterday that's not destined for the relegation battle may have opened a few eyes, given that we changed to a 433 after going 1-0 down and then got demolished playing it. I think a 442 with a tight midfield of McCarthy, Gape, Morris and Saunders/Freeman could work for us a lot better. Alternatively, if Gareth is able to secure a left wingback starlet on loan in the next few weeks, I think we have an excellent chance of prospering with a 532. With CMS and Williams/PCH/Tyson/Kashket up front and a fit Bayo terrorising defences for the last 20 mins we'll be mid-table before we know it.
While allowing Bayo to do his marketing work and train away from the club for much of July may have been useful for player morale, I'm not sure it was so useful for player fitness. Personally I'd say a few weeks where Bayo is Plan B rather than Plan A might be sensible. I'm with @TheAndyGrahamFanClub - for me CMS should be the first name on the team sheet each week when fit and the formation used should be designed to get the best out of him.
I'm not too concerned about losing in the way we did yesterday. I think we may have got too much false hope on being able to hack an attacking 433 in League One from playing Blackpool last week, a club destined for the relegation dogfight. We were able constrain Doncaster using a 442 with a tight midfield for much of the match - and I think a slight tweak of personnel to Mccarthy, Gape, Morris and Saunders/Freeman could play real dividends. It was only when we switched to 433 after going one down that we got torn apart. Alternatively, if Gareth could dig up a left wingback starlet on loan in the next few weeks, I'd love to see us go 532. Either system would allow us to play a front two of CMS and Williams/PCH/Tyson/Kashket with Bayo coming on for the last 20 mins to terrorise tired defences. We'd be up to mid table respectability in no time.
@marlowchair we have had an unsavoury section for quite some time now. I was cursing myself to end up near them again despite not being dead central.
I strongly suspect a number aren't just booze fuelled too from what i overheard.
Anyway, that certainly wasn't a 3-0 game which in some ways is a worry, as what happens when we get completely out played all game!?
I also don't agree that we have no problems creating chances. Apart from relying on bayos pure brutality to head in yesterday we relied on williams running. Didnt really look like scoring for most of the game.
Im also not sure CMS as the main striker will instantly change much. He looked to be getting battered v blackpool when he came on and isnt a target man as such.
Early knockings though.need a couple.of good performances on tue and v rovers
it’s early days but could it be that there is a greater spread in the quality of sides we face in league one this season compared to our last few league two campaigns. I thought we were unlucky not to beat Blackpool so this result may mean we’re in for a bit of a roller coaster ride.
@malone and @marlowchair I think it's terrible you choose to cyber bully a section of fans just because they are nasty pissed and disagree with your view. They are the real fans and probably know things.
@PBo I can't cope with the spelling on that forum!
"Glad I don't have to read that every week etc etc"
Yesterday was a lesson that we cannot afford to switch off for a second against good opposition (if we ever needed one). Some of the defending in the last 15 minutes was that of a team that had been floored by a goal when trying so hard to nick one at the other end, and their spirit had been broken.
There'll always be doom and gloom merchants when a game finishes like that, though there were a fair few positives to take from the game as a whole.
We more than made a game of it in the first half, Randell Williams in particular was impressive. Unfortunately we weren't able to utilise his quick pace and even quicker mind to better effect, though performances like that soften the blow of not having the likes of Tyson, Kashket and Cowan-Hall available.
The need to be able to have a plan A when Bayo isn't in the team was obvious last year, but we got away with it because of his resilience and ability to keep fit. This year we'll need it because a lot of centre backs are not going to be overawed by his strength and can compete with him one way or another. Surely Tuesday will be as good a time as any to try something different, and hopefully let Bayo recover for Saturday.
If only it was as simple as that. If a player said to have been carrying an injury/injuries for several weeks towards the end of last season is currently (at best?) only 90% fit I don’t think a midweek rest is realistically going to restore him to the level required to trouble most League 1 defences.
At least one loan signing will need to be a strong, pacey striker. Statement of the bleeding obvious, obviously.
Just an observation really but why did we have a Yorkshire (Hull) ref whilst playing a Yorkshire team?
What difference does it make if the ref is from somewhere a one hour drive away?
Bayo has managed to juggle his away from football career with some great performances. I do wonder if the balance is now askew and the performances reflect. I know this is a bit of a sacred topic as he is so popular and important but he barely made pre-season and in his first two games had missed chances we would all hope an above average striker would score. I follow him on a couple of platforms and wonder when he has chance to train and recover.
As I said just an observation . I always thought that they tried to remove any doubt of bias by not having 'local' officials.
I know it's different but they seem to fly officials all over the world for matches to avoid controversy.
Carl Boyeson is just shit not biased as he is from the same county !!!!