Well, it's a welcome back to one and all as we start a second, and hopefully, last season in League One for now.
Many of us have criticised Paul Dickov over the last couple of years and some felt he should have been shown the door by now. This closed season he has been able to bring in, early, players he feels will improve our chances of promotion. He will, I suppose be judged on the results of the first ten games, so let's get behind him in the hope of a good start.
Andy Williams, Richard Chaplow, Gary McKenzie, Thorston Stuckmann, Aaron Taylor - Sinclair and Dany N'Guesson have all come into the squad as well as youngsters Harry Middleton, Mitchell Lund and the McKay Brothers being brought up from the juniors. We still need a couple more signings, but PD has said Furman and Wabara will not return and he intends to use the loan system sparingly.
The team has had a good pre-season with players getting to know each other. Playing against higher opposition we drew with Forest and Middlesboro, beat Premier League Sunderland and lost 4-3 to Wolves.
In these games we have played some very attractive football which hopefully augers well for the fight ahead. As I see it we are still not getting goals from our strikers as in the Wolves game defenders Butler and Jones scored with headers from corners and Nathan Tyson scored thanks to a howler from the Wolves reserve keeper.
Today's visitors in a rare home opener are Bury who were promoted from League Two last season. Bury and their Manager David Flitcroft have spent well and brought in several new players.
Leon Clarke, Tom Pope who PD was after, Peter Clarke who was a trialist with us last season along with keeper Christian Walton, Jacob Mellis and Danny Pugh, so don't expect them to be a pushover.
Let's hope we can start with a home win and then turn the Keepmoat into a fortress for once.
I hope to do a thread for the season but cannot always guarantee to do a long one, there may be times when a heading will have to suffice.
My suggested team for Saturday would be:
Stuckmann,
McCullough, Butler, Jones and Taylor - Sinclair.
Coppinger, Keegan, Wellens and Forrester/Chaplow.
Main and Williams.
Subs. Marosi, Lund, McKenzie, Middleton, Forrester/Chaplow Tyson and
N'Guesson/Evina.
So lets go ROVERS and start off with a bang!!!!!!!!!
Doncaster Rovers v Bury
posted on 8/8/15
Full time 1-1. It was from a drop ball re start, Forrester shot over the keepers head from 40 yards.
posted on 8/8/15
Correction it was a throw in not a drop ball. Who will be the first to shout Dickov out?
posted on 8/8/15
Strange one. Have a good week gentlemen
posted on 8/8/15
Believe me fellas this is a point gained!
Main and McCullough the sole 2 week links today and worryingly out lack of pace at the back.
Stuckman, Jones and Chaplow were awesome today played really well, early days won't really assess too much till end of the month when folk are settled in but Bury will be a match for anyone this season.
Ps the blunts
posted on 8/8/15
Seems like same old Dickof story We should have had 2 pens.Its never your fault.
Pleased for all the Cotterell Benett haters
posted on 8/8/15
Thought Main and the ref were both slow and off the pace. Our full backs never got down the line. Best period when Evina and Middleton came on. Williams looked good
posted on 9/8/15
The only two players who looked good today were the big Germany and corporal jones so dont panic captain mannerism it's early days yet.Forester by the looks of his suntan thought he was still on the beach,for me he has the talent but just doesn't seem to put it to good use .
posted on 9/8/15
Just watched the so called high lights. Plenty for Bury to be pleased with, Clarke could have had at least 5 goals.
Very little from Rovers, Main will never be a footballer as long as he has a hole you no where.
I think he should go on loan somewhere because he will not improve staying with us. Start with Tyson and Williams with N'Guesson on the bench. If he doesn't go on loan, Main could clean the dressing rooms.
Forrester is eager, but always wants to do things himself instead of providing for others in better positions. Finally I do think there should have been at least one penalty for us, but then again, they hit the post three times.
Let's get ready for the Dickov out campaign again. Bury were by far the better team, we just seem to have the same problem in producing shots on goal and goals.
posted on 9/8/15
Fame on the Left Coast! Under the heading "Sportsmanship was the Winner", The Sunday Oregonian reported on Bury's "equalizer". It was a paragraph after reports on the Premiership games.
I must admit after watching the Portland Timbers play the Chicago Fire on Friday, and then watching Chelsea vs. Swansea on Saturday, Major League Soccer has a long way to go!
RTID
posted on 10/8/15
Fame in China too Mickey! http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sports/soccer/Team-allowed-to-score-goal-unopposed-game-drawn/shdaily.shtml