I must say that our manager seems to devote a very sizeable amount of thought and concern in assessing his players’ energy levels. Whilst it is obviously relevant, there surely must be a balance between stamina, because that is surely what it really amounts to, and putting the best team out. If substitutes were not allowed, I would be able to understand his attitude.
So it would not be entirely beyond reasonable speculation to attribute recent setbacks as being at least partially due to this cautionary approach to selection.
We could go on to conclude that we cannot rely on him to put out the strongest team, only those who are totally compliant with these standards.
However let us hope that Bogle is not looking too weary in the manager’s eyes and that he feels that Sims looks sufficiently spritely to encourage him to allow him to start. Young Smith has now had his rest so we hope to see him and the only player who I would say might benefit from a break is Halliday who has looked a bit worn out recently. Simoes jinks his way around the field and can beat defenders, but whilst eye-catching on occasions it is all rather unproductive; Lokilo has become a bit more aware of the value of an end product to his dribbling skills which is progress. Perhaps, given the need to regroup and revise the plan somewhat, it is just the right time to dispense with some of the fancy stuff and bring Copps back into the mix.
We need composure in this next match and if we do not win it, it will be a severe blow to our progress. If we lose, I regret to suggest that it will probably be the end of this phase of our promotion challenge. Perhaps we might still come again later, because there is still time, but even so, psychologically, recovery will be very difficult.
I think 0-2, but obviously not in the hope of being right.
DPL v Hull City
posted on 20/2/21
Rovers1 - hull 2 bogle with goal
posted on 20/2/21
26 26 26 26 26 26!
posted on 20/2/21
Ive never been this excited since Brentford
posted on 20/2/21
Wow, what a finish!
posted on 20/2/21
I expect that I will be in a minority considering what will probably be seen as a good recovery, but I thought our play today illustrated the flaws in the standard game-plan. The main point of attack is getting the ball into what is a very crowded midfield and try to work it through extremely tight spaces in and amongst the opposition defenders. It seems so predictable that defenders can congregate centrally and just get in the way without necessarily needing a great deal of skill. We rarely seem to be able to find enough space to squeeze attackers or the ball through. We win a good deal of fouls, but then don’t make the best of free kicks, another weakness.
Balcombe may have done better on Wednesday and again today he seemed to miss the crosses. Lokilo is now looking more effective than Taylor and Sims has not made the kind of courageous runs which we saw before he was injured.
We just seem to overcomplicate everything, caught up in the intricacies of the method with not enough end-product.
Bogle was again the most effective forward.
posted on 21/2/21
The perceived foorball wisdom is if its crowded in the middle go down the wings. We have in Taylor and Sims two players more than capable of making space and opportunities down the wings. Thus drawing out defending cover. That of course depends on their match fitness and supply from their team mates. I liked the look of the second half set up. Gomes is nowhere near at the moment. Bostock is Improving every game and Bogle is better than Oke. Im sure the defending will improve if he keeps the same back 4 and everyone knows their role at set pieces. Blackpool another bogey team for us so a result there will be key.
posted on 21/2/21
This game will be remembered for the legend that is JC26, and rightly so.
When the dust has settled and people look at all the game, we could of been 5 or 6 down at half time. This is a big problem for me, as the last 7 goals have come from crosses, but nothing seems to of been done in training about putting it right.
On to Blackpool, another team who seem to do far to well against us
posted on 22/2/21
I think nookie is thinking like me, but unless you feed Taylor and Sims you have no advantage. Is it that these two, after injuries, still are frightened to reveal their real potential?
Watching the game was like watching Liverpool vs. Everton, in that why keep going down the centre when you are blocked? Donaldo was right about that.
My biggest worry is that we still cannot handle crosses into the box. After the Sunderland disaster, what has gone on at training?
A few games ago, Balcombe took everything out of the air, and so what has changed?
I was a little encouraged by the second half performance, but too many flaws are still there, so is it dumb players, incapable players. or too kind management?
posted on 25/2/21
Rovers 0 : Accrington S 1
>>>>>>> Scorer > Score > Result Bonus > Total > Pts B/F > O/all
Donaldo>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 76 >>>>>> 76
PDXMickey> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 80 >>>>>> 80
BVZ>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 38 >>>>>> 38
Crazy>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 73 >>>>> 73
Mooligan>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 93 >>>>>> 93
Nookie>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 86 >>>>>> 86
Selby>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 32 >>>>>> 32
>>>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 478 >>>>> 478
Rovers 3 (James) : Hull C 3
>>>>>>> Scorer > Score > Result Bonus > Total > Pts B/F > O/all
Donaldo>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 76 >>>>>> 76
PDXMickey> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 80 >>>>>> 80
BVZ>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 38 >>>>>> 38
Crazy>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 73 >>>>> 76
Mooligan>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 93 >>>>>> 96
Nookie>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 86 >>>>>> 86
Selby>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 32 >>>>>> 32
>>>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 6 >>>> 0 >>>>>> 6 >>>>> 478 >>>>> 484
posted on 25/2/21
I "sent" the above without comments. All I was going to say was well done to the draw forecasters for the Hull game. The rest of us are completely faithless! Mooli keeps in front, scoring steadily.