Well it has happened, we beat Shrewsbury at Greenhose Meadow to end the run of not winning away and it was also Darren Ferguson's first win as new manager of the ROVERS.
This weekend we play DF's previous team Peterborough United at London Road. Darren is looking to further boost confidence levels with another win on Saturday.
It was six months since we last won away but goals from Copps and Keshi Anderson put paid to that record. Keshi's goal coming three minutes from the end of a pulsating game, in contrast to the previous games under Messers Dickov and Jones.
Darren has admitted that he is hopeful of a good reception when he steps into the dugout on Saturday. " It will be nice to go back, but it will be just another game as I am noew Manager of Doncaster" " I havn't had much time to think about it to be honest , I am busy organising the team."
They ( Peterborough) are scoring and conceding a lot of goals - I remember that from my time there. They are an entertaining team and we will have to be disciplined to a degree against them.
I know and respect Manager Graham Westley and I also know a few of their players, it will be good to meet them, but my main priority is getting three points.
" I always go into games respectful of the oposition and Saturday will be no different, it's not about me it's about us and Doncaster coming away with three points.
There is a strong chance that Gary McKenzie will miss a couple of weeks and it looks like Luke McCullough will take his place. " Luke is a centre half and definitely not a right back but I do like the look of Mitchell Lund. He is young and made a couple of mistakes but he is one for the future."
Talking of players for the future, Darren is very taken with Keshi Anderson and would jump at the chance to extend his loan in January if that is possible. For a young player he has everything, pace talent, a great work ethic and a smile on his face. He will be a really good player in years to come.
Talking about the Doncaster game, Manager Westley said it would be a different game from the Wigan game last Tuesday.
Peterborough's poor defence in the first half left them 2-0 down before they managed to get back to 2-2, but that only lasted a few seconds as poor defence again gave Wigan the win 3-2.
" We want Doncaster to focus on us not us focussing on them", added Westley. He also confirmed that midfielder Maddison will be out for a couple more matches thus losing his undoubted influence.
Looks to be a great game towatch or listen to, COME ON YOU ROVERS.
Enjoy the game.
Peterborough v ROVERS.
posted on 24/10/15
little intelligence
posted on 24/10/15
Well, I raised the possibility of a 4-3 result because of defensive frailties. Posh stuck to their side of the bargain, but Donny didn't. We tested their defensive frailties, and they didn't test our's at all.
Fergie's got some work to do, but he'll turn things round for you. You have experienced players, but maybe also need some talented youngsters, like we have.
Your best player today: your goalie.
Star of the show, though: our Turkish Messi, Erhun Oztumer. Fantastic passing and vision. His height might count against him, but he'd grace the Championship and maybe even the Prem.
posted on 24/10/15
Thanks for the banter Thorney, all the best for the rest of the season. We have to do something with our defense.
posted on 24/10/15
Hate that little bleeder
Destroyed us last time, took the p!ss again. Ran the game from start to when he went off.
Hope Fergie gets him in January
posted on 25/10/15
No chance - he's precious.
Thanks and good luck for the rest of the season.
posted on 25/10/15
It can only get better from here. Fergie strikes me as a thoughtful, intelligent manager with a clear vision as to how he wants to see the team play - similar to SoD in that way, but more media savvy. He is saying the right things to try to instil confidence, but it will take time to get his methodology properly ingrained into the club / team and he must already be planning where he needs to strengthen and which players to ship out. I think we'll end up mid-table this season, but could challenge for top 6 next season as long as he gets the backing of the club in the next 2 transfer windows.
posted on 25/10/15
Agreed Crazy, and very well put.
posted on 25/10/15
First goal near post header.As i pointed on on Tuesday at Shrewsbury we look suspect at the near post.
The defence is getting no cover from the midfield .
We cant hold the ball up and give it away to easily.
posted on 26/10/15
I've just watched the highlights, and to say the least, I'm embarrassed to be a Rovers fan. I first watched them in the 49-50 season and so have seen many debacles, but some of the play yesterday reminded me of scenes from 97-98 shown on "Ashes to Glory". Why so different from Tuesday where I saw some encouragement? I feel sorry for you people paying good money for this, but I know if I still lived in England I'd be forking out the pounds.
DF has a big mountain to climb, but I like his approach/comments so far. I agree with Crazy that in some ways he reminds me of SoD, but with a much more lively delivery in interviews.
What is interesting to me that in the games under PD we were not conceding that many goals, just not scoring any.
What is frustrating is that I think there is some talent in the team, but why can't they show it?
At least today I watched "my other team", The Saints, draw at Liverpool (it was hard to watch as they are two of my favorite PL teams).
Whatever happens, it will always be RTID.
posted on 26/10/15
I think the answer is that Dickov instilled great caution into the players with the defence the base of his formations. Attacking was a secondary activity, much of it at long range. The so-called midfield and the "strikers" would hope to score on the break, but it was not the priority. Possibly that is why he persisted with Main and encouraged him, because he would try things on his own even though they rarely came off.
Ferguson wants to provide more adventurous attractive attacking football and I wonder whether we have the players to deliver it. But I fully support what he trying to do.