In terms of the establishment, Rovers with their long league history and fine stadium should be way ahead of Cambridge United. To the extent that “soccer" was tolerated in Cambridge it was always the amateurs of Cambridge Town, (probably) then of the Isthmian League that we most recognised in the old days. United were non-league professionals and the Abbey Stadium remains a rather ramshackle old place on the outskirts of town. Despite their local standing they have had their moments nationally, many of them when Rovers were supporting a lot of the weight of the Division 4 table.
But after we have both yo-yoed somewhat, we are back on the same level again and our recent performances - first halves anyway - have elevated hopes, not necessarily to a degree that engenders huge confidence, but enough to provide hope.
I think much depends on Wellens’ ability to build on the areas of solid ground that have emerged recently. The defence is not going to improve suddenly, so the offensive play must be sustained in the second half. The capability of elegantly working the ball out of defence is not present, so it has to be more of a pressurising exercise against a side that you would not expect to be over-endowed with classy players.
I am not betting my house on a win, but perhaps there is evidence of a slightly greater focus by the manager on what is needed, so grounds may exist to forecast a victory, say 2-1 Hiwula/Dodoo.
DPL v Cambridge Utd
posted on 26/10/21
DPL points now updated on previous thread.
posted on 26/10/21
I thought about it overnight and came up with what Donaldo hopes - a 2-1 win with Hiwula scoring the first. I'm hoping for a bigger improvement in our goal difference, but more than 2 goals in consecutive matches sees beyond hope!
I have a dental appointment just before KO an so will miss the first minutes.
posted on 26/10/21
I'm still not very hopeful but will go "cup half full" today. 2-1 win for Rovers. Dodoo / Galbraith. Fingers crossed!
posted on 26/10/21
comment by DonaldoRover (U5032)
posted 3 hours, 51 minutes ago
DPL points now updated on previous thread.
-----------Sorry Donaldo, I've got some missing😊----------------------------------------------------------
posted on 26/10/21
Rovers 1-1 Cambridge
Dodoo to score⚽
posted on 26/10/21
HT: Some of the team have been "not bad"; we have even seen some good moves and enterprising forward play. Gardner has to be seen to be believed. You could pick spectators form the crowd at random who would be no less effective and Wellens is seriously at fault for even recruiting him, let alone playing him. Bostock is not much better. He uses his "experience" to avoid responsibility.
those 2 apart, there have been some encouraging performances which makes a change.
posted on 26/10/21
Same old story. Why on earth start with Gardener? He should be on leave permanently.
posted on 27/10/21
Isn't it wonderful - we draw 1-1 against a team that did not have a single attempt on target!
Ignoring the OG, Gardener is a disaster as Donaldo and Nookie say.
Bostock occasionally shows some quality, but such times are becoming rarer. On Saturday he was continually playing backwards, and tonight he added many instances of complete brain fade. He created so many chances for Cambridge that a better team may have got goals.
Saturday we took three of our chances, but tonight we wasted too many. Thank goodness for Galbraith's strike.
I got more encouragement from the first 60 minutes on Saturday, and tonight was a game we should have won. However I'm not without hope that we can stay in League One.
On iFollow one could not judge whether all the off-sides were true, and I give credit to Cambridge for playing that game well, but criticise our lot for not learning and better timing runs and passes.
posted on 27/10/21
I’m in a bit of a hurry this morning and I put these comments together after the match and did not post them, so apologies if they repeat what is above.
I assume that Gardner had some footballing skill once, but it very difficult to discern now and Wellens and his Talent Identification Manager must take the blame for recruiting him and Wellens the responsibility for putting him in the team. Off balance, swinging your foot at a cross when facing your own goal is a bad mistake in any standard of football, but it caps off the man’s performances. Anyone who saw him in the Wimbledon game would be amazed how difficult he found it to play a part and to have picked him again was not sensible.
Bostock plays no constructive role in the team, passing the ball backwards and sideways 8 or 9 times out of ten. He even passed it backwards when just outside his own penalty box once, straight to an opponent almost laying on a goal. How can Wellens select a player who never tackles, just coasts around and only very very occasionally risks a penetrating forward pass. He calls for the ball and repeatedly does nothing at all with it! He is also good at pointing upfield to encourage his team mates to be constructive, but his contribution varies between zero and 1 or 2 out of 10 at the most. It is no wonder he has had so many clubs
Most of the rest tried at least, within their limitations, and that was pleasing.
This was a match against very moderate opposition who moved the ball around very comfortably at times. It is 2 important points lost and as the home side, although we did at least not give up, but as an aspiring escapee from the bottom 4, we should have found a way to beat them. If we cannot beat such sides we won’t stay up.
For once there was the semblance of a pattern to Rovers play, but the improvement needed is increasing whilst the time available diminishes.
posted on 27/10/21
Let's hope RW learns his lessons and ditches both Bostock and Gardener and builds the team round Galbraith. What views on Barlow (he seemed busy and industrious with a habit of being in the right place to score pre season) and what should the midfield be?