Tomorrow we again have a game against the top of the League, no, not Coventry, since we drew with them they have slipped back alittle. This time it is the Brewers of Burton Albion who are in the unusual position of being top of the League and having a new ( old ) manager.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has left for the greener pastures of London and Queens Park Rangers in particular. Because of that Nigel Clough has been re hired as the new man at the helm. Burton have one man with a tie to Rovers, Mark Duffy who is on loan from Birmingham.
According to Darren Ferguson, Nigel has an easy start to his second term, but he feels over time he will have an impact with his own ideas. They are a good team and he shouldn't be expected to change things until it becomes necessary.
" If we match them in all departments we should be able to beat them, but it will be a hard game." said Ferguson.
Injuries are beginning to clear up except that McKenzie got injured again in the development game and will be out till the New Year. Danny N'Guessen trained yesterday but will be another week and Fellipe Mattioni trained and should be available.
Darren stated that he was already beginning talks with Everton about keeping Grant and Mattioni and was looking to do something with Craig Alcock. That done we should be able to bring in a couple but some have to leave as I have to balance the books. Asked if Forrester was one to go, Fergie said that Harry can fit into his system but at the moment we are doing well and others are taking his place. " Harry is a talented player with lots of ability, but unfortunately the team was making his ( Fergie's ) job easy.
Have you ever been involved in a game like last week was a question.
No was his reply, but it showed the determination in the team at the moment, " I've never seen a game where the possible winner was surpassed by two other goals all in injury time". "The win was fully deserved though, we had a good attitude and quality finishing". Hopefully it should get those who were there talking and bringing back those who had given up on the team.
He was asked about signing Lund and Middleton to long deals and he felt it was his job to identify good young players and to look after them as assets of the club. " I have always tried to bring young players on, some managers concentrate on the first team only, get a bad spell and lose their jobs".
Match Officials
Referee Mark Heywood.
Assists Rob Massey-Ellis and Kevin Morris
4th Off. Robert Jones.
Enjoy the game and COME ON YOU ROVERS.
Burton Albion v ROVERS
posted on 19/12/15
Merry Christmas to all our readers.
posted on 19/12/15
Merry Christmas Yankee and everyone else.
posted on 19/12/15
Hopefully we are all back on Boxing Day.
posted on 19/12/15
Wow what game! We were great going forward and great tactics from fergie! Fans were fantastic best atmosphere in our end for a long time shame the keepmoat isn't like it! Let's have a boxing day footballing massacre at the KM!
posted on 19/12/15
Should of won. Could of lost, it was that type of game. Duffy you little Copps wannabe 😈 cost me a full house in the DPL. No doubt if they don't lose any players in January they'll be promoted as they have been the best footballing side I've seen for a long time. Pity they've got a nasty streak in the way they foul, should of had 2 red cards today. The foul on butler, he did give us a pen but the player should of walked. As for the disgusting tackle on Williams the player wasn't even a bookeg. Liked the way Fergie changed the game with his substitutions, Keegans free kick was unsavable. Thought we battered them after that but, I'd of taken a draw before hand as they did show today why they're top of the league.
But we matched the all the way
posted on 20/12/15
I should think that it's rare to get an honest summary of a performance with suitable criticism of his own team from the manager, but that was what we heard from DF. Clearly Burton are better than Coventry and a real test.
That we survived on a below-par display augurs well. We just have to hope that we don't slip up again against a good side. Southend will be a test in that respect.
posted on 20/12/15
Things are getting better, the future looks far better than in September.
Shame we didn't appoint the new manager at the end of last season.
Who knows where we could have been?.
Have a great Christmas.
posted on 20/12/15
What a breath of fresh air DF's post game interview was. As Donaldo said, it is rare to get such an analysis by a manager in public. Long may it continue!
I've just watched the highlights and it was an exciting game with both teams playing attacking football. I thought the Rovers were very good at times, but the obvious problems are:
1. bad errors - e.g. Andy's penalty miss and misplaced pass (but his goal was superb),
2. long through balls missed by all and going to an opponent on his own - thank god for the BFG!
However, I come away encouraged that if we keep playing like that we should be in the mix at the end of the season - and entertaining the crowds in the meantime.
I also like Keegs interview - what a nice guy he is. It is almost sad he has to fight for a starting role.
Bring on the Iron!
posted on 21/12/15
6 for but 5 against in two games tells DF what he needs to work on. Either how the back 3 work with the two wing backs or who he has in these positions
posted on 21/12/15
We STILL need a proper centre back.
Not full back who can play there