Nailsworth is a place I’d never heard of prior to curiosity about Forest Green Rovers. In fact a lot of the recently-arrived EFL clubs are based in unlikely places. Crawley, Sutton and Harrogate come to mind where the sport of association football would naturally take second place to Rugby Union and hockey. But they are with us now and there is probably nothing genteel about the game FGR play if you study their “Fair Play" record.
As a Rovers fan, matches against none of these clubs hold great memories. We are definitely the “big club" in comparison. This season, FGR have had 2 wins, both away from home and coincidentally at Harrogate and Sutton. From the highlights of their game at Harrogate, the home team did not seem to play with the high-energy they did against us. Perhaps we are seen as the League 2 version of the “big club" where the visitors really put themselves out to counter being overwhelmed - like teams going to Leeds, Sheff U, Sunderland and Ipswich when they were in League 1
Clearly this is a vital game for both sides. FGR have not won at home in 5 League and 1 Cup game and we know what our record is.
The consensus currently seems to be that we have played decent football up to a point, but that we lack determination to finish chances off. Without any really outstanding players even at this level we have to show more teamwork and decisive finishing off of what we start.
It is pleasing that Ironside is becoming more effective and that Anderson looks more like his old self, but we cannot afford Olowu’s mistakes. Faal seems to have potential but does not make the most of his skill by holding on to the ball without a plan of what to do next, but he nevertheless has the skill to beat a man. The other two have yet to be productive. We are becoming used to being told how good young PL/Championship loanees will be when (Faal apart) they do not shape up to their billing. Perhaps Marsh is better than he looked to me at Wrexham.
If we cannot at least get a point out of this game we are in danger of losing touch with 22nd position, so I am going to vote with my heart and hope for a win 1-2 (Miller/Anderson).
DPL v Forest Green Rovers
posted on 18/9/23
Rumour has it GM has approached Joe Marler to replace Olowu
posted on 18/9/23
Still both England rugby and Rovers are heading in the right direction.
posted on 18/9/23
I think I understand the connection Nookie, but I don’t really follow Rugby very closely. I’m sure that when I was at primary school my school team (Wheatley Juniors) had better headers of the ball than Olowu. (I can’t say I ever enjoyed it and rarely attempted it, but I was never a very good player anyway.)
posted on 18/9/23
If you headed a ball in bad weather in our day you normally knocked yourself out the ball was that heavy.
posted on 19/9/23
It will be interesting to see who plays tonight. You would expect Faulkner to get a game and the PL loanees too, and the other players who regularly sit on the bench must surely start as well.
posted on 19/9/23
Thanks, Donald, for putting all the numbers together. We make it hard for you with multi-choice of scorer. For Wrexham, I said Hurst to score, or Faal if he doesn't start. Hurst did not play, so I did predict the scorer.
As people are saying, it could be an interesting team today!
posted on 19/9/23
Micky: yes, I did not read all the words, so I have corrected the table and it will show up in the next summary. Sorry.
posted on 19/9/23
Significant quote from Live Text “Attempt missed. Joseph Olowu (Doncaster Rovers) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left following a set piece situation.”
posted on 20/9/23
A rather scrappy performance from both teams, and difficult to judge Rovers’ performance until they play against real competition. A few comments about players:
Jones – little to do, but I’d play him on Saturday.
Faulkner – I like him, and he did well against the Toffees’ best attacker, Kouyate. Just a little worried that modern refs may not like his “old fashioned” approach to tackles.
Rowe – an OK performance, but he should have at least hit the target when Faal’s header came back off the post.
Olowu was Oluwo – need I say more!
Sotona – should have scored but shot over the bar. Can beat a man, but tends to over do it.
Roberts – not for me so far.
Louie Marsh – looks the best of the loanees if played where he can use his pace and also be where a striker should be. Could easily had a hatrick except for very good saves from Everton’s GK.
Biggins – when we first signed him, I thought “Why?” Now he has developed into one of our better players. Long may he keep improving.
Now for a real test - Gillingham
posted on 20/9/23
Thanks Mickey. The early KO made it difficult for me to even listen to the commentary. The stats suggested that we put more effort into it than we have in this competition in recent years. Their goalkeeper got wholesome praise from the Liverpool press and it sounded as though there was a bit more bite in our attacking.
I’m pleased to hear that Marsh is coming on. So much depends on a decent contribution from quality loanees in the lower leagues. Where would we have been (in the successful seasons) without Kane, Wilks, Dieng, Richards, Sims, and John-Jules?