DPL v Swindon T

Nothing has happened to remove the doubts that I have. The last minute wins seem a long time ago now😕
Rovers 1-2 Swindon
Miller to score ⚽

1-0 to rovers Miller to score

Some damning quotes on the VSC Forum 😏

If I said what I really want to say, I'd be banned from ja606 for life! I stopped watching after about one hour. Just to sum up most of he team: "What has gone wrong with Clayton?" - his passing, corner deliveries, and crosses were poor.

Having gone on holiday last Saturday and returned today, I have kind of missed this latest dive in form. Mansfield were obviously a good team and I got the impression that we weren’t that bad then, but that the two latest losses were something else. What was an efficient unit underperformed in the first of the 3 games, but it was not the pathetic display which has been reported in the last 2 losses.

Reports suggest almost a complete collapse of the team ethic which carried them through the opening fixtures. Sudden disappearance of the early quality is not surprisingly seen as a management problem by most fans. We have seen a good deal of individual talent and application in the opening games from the newcomers even if I did find the suggestion of improvement in players like Ro-Shaun Williams difficult to perceive. For key players like Clayton, Tomlin and Rowe, exceptionally skilful at this level, to collectively fail to provide any of the missing cohesion, is very difficult to figure out.

If there is no improvement in the next couple of games you will have to question the manager’s competence and we will know whether it is a blip or a crash.

Donaldo, I'm at a loss to understand the sudden drop off in form. I had been hoping the game at Hartlepool would be a great opportunity to get back on the winning track, and one wonders if that game had happened, the last two games might have been different.
As I've said after the last two matches, the form of the three senior players has been poor, especially Tommy Rowe, and now I add Clayton (and Agard) alongside him in that.
Maybe McS's preference for certain players is upsetting others, and earlier his substitutions were better choices than now.
As a starting front three I'd have Taylor on the right, Miller in the middle, and Hurst on the left. Playing Taylor on the left seemed strange - was this to start Molyneaux whom he seems to prefer over Hurst? Based on pre-season, I'd agree, but since his bad injury against Rotherham, Molyneaux does not seem to me to be back to where he was.
Overall, we look to have enough talent to be in the promotion mix. McS just has to get the best combination for each game, and get enthusiasm and effort back to earlier levels.
One player who has done well is Mitchell - except for his distribution! Early on Saturday he did some quick, accurate throw-outs to players in open spaces, then he went back to holding on to the ball, waiting for their defenders to get back, and aimlessly kicking a long ball. Occasionally, he has brain fade and rolls out to players covered by attackers, but usually that is after the ball as unnecessarily passed back to him.
The starting lime-up on Tuesday is going to be interesting.

Surprised - we can win a game and score from open play! After a dreary first half, Rovers woke up a little. Best part of the first half was seeing what Close can provide for us. Molyneaux had a chance just before half time, but his first time strike after a good move was straight at their GK. I thought he had time to take a first touch and control his shot better.
Jones had little to do - in the second half, one good save and a goal he should have stopped.
Bringing on Hurst seemed to inspire the rest of the lads to show more effort.
While no-one was free of errors, I thought Maxwell and Seaman played well, but I have still to see much in Biggins and Agard - although his shot that Long deflected home might well have gone in anyway.
Hopefully this will give them confidence for Saturday.

A step up from the mire against a Lincoln side that included quite a few of their first-teamers. And although we perhaps had more first choice players out there, several are still working up to 100%, so some encouragement.

I must take more notice of Molyneux and Biggins whose contributions do seem to attract a good deal of mixed comment. Hurst often seems to make a difference when he plays.

I listened to a fair chunk of the second half when we seemed to be the better side.

Molyneux frustrates the hell out of me - in pre-season he looked great. Now, although he has some great footwork, he seems reluctant to use pace to go around the defence.
This evening, he had one good chance and one great chance to score, but failed.
At the moment I'd start Taylor on the right and Hurst on the left.
OK, Molyneux can do long throws - but no results from them so far.
I do not want to become against any player for whatever reason, but he really frustrated me bbecause of what I think he can do,

I meant to add I hate "first year" refs who throw around cards like confetti! Those three yellows we got were fouls, but none justified a yellow. In the second half were were crunching tackles by both teams, but often not a foul, and certainly no yellows.
Even in the EPL I think refereeing is getting bad - and VAR spoiling the game. OK, I'm a 77 year-old grouch!