Superficially this could be seen as a very winnable match based on Form. Their last two home games have yielded only 1 point, but that point was against Sunderland and the previous match was 0-1 to Rotherham which compares with our 0-5 loss. It is true that they also failed to beat Cheltenham and Shrewsbury as well as losing 0-2 to Ipswich, but again comparisons with our performances at home including our own very bad loss to Ipswich do not suggest that Rovers could be favourites.
After a good start they have declined and have occupied 20th place for several weeks now which is about their usual level in this league and we usually go there expecting more than we get. If they carry on in their present form they will be in the bottom 4 very soon and be relegated, but we still need our 3 points from this match because it is us, not any of our fellow basement dwellers who need to replace them above the water line.
There are indications suggesting that fitness is improving and that the midweek win was deserved, despite the stats. Rovers are inconsistent, but they must never give up trying as they have seemed to do in some matches. That is not forgivable, so we will expect 100% on Saturday. If they win, hope remains, but if not, the picture is bleak.
So I’ll say 1-0 to us (Rowe, Griffiths)
DPL v Wimbledon
posted on 26/2/22
It was a courageous fight-back, but we were behind in the first half because we were not as good as Wimbledon and they are a very moderate force, 20th and without a win in 15.
A loss would have been almost the end of our fight; we needed a win to move closer to them, but by only drawing they are still more than a win beyond us. We also have Gillingham above us again, so the future looks gloomier than 4 hours ago.
In failing to take at least one excellent opportunity towards the end of today’s game, we showed again that we cannot seize crucial chances, so is this unlucky or simply a sign of inferior quality?
I fear that at a time when we have to show 2 ppg promotion form to escape we may be better than we were under Wellens, but not good enough to get the points to survive.
Where would we be without Tommy Rowe?
posted on 27/2/22
Well, this was a change - needing 60 minutes to wake-up, rather than collapsing after about 60 minutes!
My iFollow feed dropped out between Rowe's two goals and so I only saw the second on highlights - what a great header than was.
I normally watch using Chrome as that is what iFollow told me after I was having problems with Safari. Today I could not get the feed back on Chrome, switched to Safari, and all was fine. I thought computers were supposed to make life easier.
I suppose a draw was a fair result, although to me the officiating spoilt the game. The ref was "all about me making decisions", and some of the linesmen's decisions were dubious. Their guy, who scored their second goal, should have received a straight red for that challenge. I accept that is no excuse fir Rovers' first half dreadful performance, but just shows how dubious decisions can change a game.
Today, in the EPL, a Brentford player got a straight red for a challenge no worse that the Wimbledon one.
This loss of two points is making survival very difficult.
RTID
posted on 27/2/22
We probably got what we deserved. Even 2 points per game average for our last 10 games probably won't be enough. Survival has always been long odds. Though I still think it will go down to the last game.
posted on 27/2/22
The manner inwhich we salvaged a point will have boosted confidence We're also better placed with a less intensive run in and some good players returning from injury next month. You never know with Rovers!
posted on 27/2/22
Some success in these predictions, but in a sense they reflect our expectation that the team will be energetic from the start. They were in the first match, but let us down in the first half at Wimbledon which has been their downfall too often.
Rovers 2 (Martin) : Accrington Stanley 0
>>>>>>> Scorer > Score > Result Bonus > Total > Pts B/F >> O/all
Donaldo>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 50 >>>>>> 50
PDXMickey> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>> 7 >>>>> 57 >>>>>> 64
BVZ>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 6 >>>>>> 6
Crazy>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 42 >>>>> 42
Mooligan>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 98 >>>>>> 98
Nookie>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 75 >>>>>> 78
Selby>>>>> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>> 0 >>>>> 7 >>>>> 79 >>>>>> 86
LixmKing> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 9 >>>>>>>> 9
>>>>>>>>> 8 >>>>> 0 >>>> 9 >>>> 0 >>>>> 17 >>>>> 416 >>>>> 433
AFC Wimbledon 2 : Rovers 2 (Rowe)
>>>>>>> Scorer > Score > Result Bonus > Total > Pts B/F >> O/all
Donaldo>>> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 4 >>>>> 50 >>>>>> 54
PDXMickey> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 64 >>>>>> 64
BVZ>>>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 6 >>>>>> 6
Crazy>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 42 >>>>> 42
Mooligan>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 98 >>>>>> 98
Nookie>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 78 >>>>>> 78
Selby>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 86 >>>>>> 86
LixmKing> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 9 >>>>>>>> 9
>>>>>>>>> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 4 >>>>> 433 >>>>> 437
posted on 28/2/22
Like Rovers I think I got two results on the trot in predicting a draw against the wombles. Looking at our relegation rivals points per game average sees most ending up with around 46 points. So 18 or 20 points from our last 10 is needed at least.
posted on 1/3/22
Yes you did Nookie. I'll rectify it and your revised points will be carried forward.
posted on 1/3/22
A popular target for survival was always 50 points and that seems beyond us - certainly arithmetically with just 2 ppg. However analysis of all the forthcoming fixtures might result in the conclusion that the task ahead is tougher for our rivals than for us. Thus, the theory is that 50 will not be required. Even so, beating Gillingham, Crewe and probably Fleetwood has become a necessity in such a scheme.
If we could win the 5 home matches and assume defeat at Wycombe and Oxford it would mean getting 3 points at Fleetwood which would leave the need for just 2 from Cheltenham and Shrewsbury, say 2 draws, although all 3 are winnable if we could somehow reproduce Sunderland-away-type form.
The problem is that we do not seem to be able to keep the ball enough to restrict the opposition's scoring chances. 38% possession (at Wimbledon) might be OK away to top 8 teams, but it is not good enough against close rivals.
Fleetwood are away at Wigan tonight, so they will only(!) have 3 games in hand over us after that.
Lincoln are faltering too now with 13 still to play, but only 5 at home!
So I cannot say I am confident at all, but my optimism level rises as memories of the previous game fade.
posted on 1/3/22
Yes the robots are now saying that 43 points may be enough to avoid relegation but they also have Rovers finishing on 39. So 4 wins and 2 draws might be enough but I doubt it.
posted on 1/3/22
Just a plug for Rovers fanzine, Popular Stand. Issue 107 just published and its an excellent read. Pretty unjust for Doncaster Knights Rugby Union team, currently top of the championship, being denied entry to the Premier league due to ground capacity.