Here we go again, our biggest game of the season until next week if we come away from Crewe victorious. That and a loss or draw by Blackpool at home to Wigan, and a loss or draw for Fleetwood at Walsall will leave the bottom of League One looking like this.
Fleetwood Played 45 Points 48 or 49.
ROVERS Played 45 Points 48.
Blackpool Played 45 Points 46 or 47.
It would leave us to get a win at Home to Burton Albion and Fleetwood to lose or draw at home to Crewe, Blackpool would needs to beat Peterborough away. Boro have just sacked their manager Graham Westley so they should be up for that game.
In his interview prior to the game, Tommy Rowe has said how much he is enjoying playing regular football and how it is good to be at the Rovers as the atmosphere is very good. However, after the Coventry game, DF said it would be difficult if not impossible to sign Tommy for next season if we go down. In fact it might be difficult if we were to stay up as we are acting as a shop window for him.
Darren Ferguson has stated that he and the team know what has to be done. "We must have to win at Crewe and get to the last game, it is as simple as that."
"There have been times when we have been fragile, others unlucky, we have now moved on and cannot wait for Saturday."
" The spirits are good in the camp and the message is simple. Get it to the last game and play with the energy we did last week."
Asked about Gary McSheffrey, DF confirmed that he will be out for 4 to 6 weeks and had gone back to Scunthorpe. " He's a great lad, he is even coming to the game on Saturday. He understands what is reqiuired and he showed that against Coventry. We all wish him the best of luck in his recovery."
It has been announced that, if the Knights, and it is a big if, if the Knights manage to get promoted to the Premiership, they would play games at the Keepmoat until they were able to get Castle Park up to Premiership standard. To do this they have to beat Yorkshire Carnegie in a home and away play off game followed by the final against either Bristol or Bedford.
You can see that it won't be easy, but they have to make arrangements in case, to satisfy the Rugby Football Union. They have to increase the capacity to 10,000 by erecting temporary stands and other improvements deemed necessary.
I am not being negative about the Knights as it would be great to have Premiership Rugby in Doncaster. I wish them all the best in their best ever season to date.
You all know my views on Rugby, but that is Rugby League, not Union, the former doing far less damage to the playing surface. League does not have competative scrums or loose mauls which cause considerable damage, they also play at the same time, the Winter, and not Summer as Rugby League.
Anyway back to Saturday and thew hope that those of you who are going to Crewe, come back after seeing a win and other results go in our favour.
Referee Lee Swabey
Assists Phillip Dermott
Declan Bourne
4th Off. James Mainwaring.
Enjoy the game. COME ON YOU ROVERS
Crewe v ROVERS.
posted on 30/4/16
Garbage! If yoy cant beat the worse team in the league you deserve to go down with them. Our easiest game of the remaining fixtures and we balls it up! Plenty to sort out for next season players who stays who goes? Does fergie stay or go? Will the board put any money in?
posted on 30/4/16
I agree about DF and the Butler thing Lanza and I am still very much in the Fergie out camp.
However, your lambasting of Coppinger is ridiculous really.
He is consistently one of our best players but you are not able to see beyond your undoubted bias against him.
As for the corners Yankee, do you know whether it was a plan to try and hit someone at the near post from corners?
At the last two or three games I have been to there has been much variation on the corners and free kick, many if which Copps has taken and we have looked very dangerous as a result.
In fact we have scored from them recently too.
So Yankee, just because Copps didn't get some corners beyond the first man you think it is justifiable to say he has been stealing his wages when he has in fact been one if our better players today and all season?
posted on 30/4/16
Azusa, I am with you on this, in our situation we had to beat the worst team in the division.
Fergie has to go now and we can start afresh in the summer.
No doubt that the board will issue the usual "we will provide the manager with a big playing budget and nothing less than promotion will do" statement but if DF is here in August I reckon we will struggle again.
posted on 30/4/16
Sorry about the Azusa thing Azza, bloody predictive text on my phone.
posted on 30/4/16
I dont think it matters who comes in Hound if DF goes the board are the big culprits here in our downfall not just league 1 to league 2 but from the championship. Its ok just putting in bits and pieces to supposedly keep us a float but we missed a trick when we went up with bournemouth they spent we didnt same again this season. Journeymen freebies and young loanees dont do the business
posted on 30/4/16
Hound you have hit the bottom now, what manager would TELL a player to always hit the first man from corners or free kicks.
As for the open play I was referring to today, not the season where going by commentaries which is all I have to go on. Maybe he has been held back by being Captain, a roll I fear he is not up to.
He may do OK himself but he is not a motivator, I get the impression he likes to be liked.
We needed a Jones type as manager but unfortunately we did not bring on a replacement for him as either a centre back or a captain. We did have Jones, but because of his injuries he was not able to play, something I think many of us were pleased about for his health's sake. However, we did miss him or someone like him.
posted on 30/4/16
Buck stops with the board. Since JR left we've gone backwards every season.if Fergie does get the sack I hope he waivers the extra money for keeping his mouth closed and tells everyone what has been going off behind the scenes. Especially how much he's had to spend compared to what they've said. Not holding my breath though.
Williams. ..... up front. ....... joke conversion rate.
Defence has cost us dearly with mistake after mistake. .... it's OK doing it in training cos it's only Williams and he keeps missing.
posted on 30/4/16
Yankee you did actually say that "Coppinger and a few others have stolen their money this season". It is there in black and white.
As you also said, you have to rely on commentaries, from RP as well which you tell us is poor.
I go to games so was giving you a more accurate observation, that is all.
As for not beating the first man, well that also isn't accurate.
Copps does vary the corners, some are aimed at Butler, usually beyond the centre of goal, and others ARE aimed at near post runners like Rowe.
posted on 1/5/16
It is the hope that kills you. I lost mine at Scunthorpe and, despite the two wins and a draw, following the recruitment of Rowe and McSheffrey I never doubted that we would be relegated. I can't speak about Rowe, McSheffrey or Matthews as I haven't seen them play for us but I suspect the uptick in form was down to them. It has been clear all season that McCullough is a class player as a DM or RB, just not quite quick enough for CB. Coppinger has been ok but is long past his best and takes time to get over injuries. Evina looked great then anonymous and while Tyson ran himself silly but he also is a bit past his best. Williams is a show pony and Stewart is a luxury we can't afford. It will be a big job keeping the club out of the Conference.
posted on 1/5/16
Albi almost spot on.
Bit of praise for butler.
Like the show pony bit