I am about to have a week’s holiday so I’ll put up 2 matches.
2 wins might be the forecast on form.
First Bradford City (21st on overall form) with 6 losses and their 2 wins both some time ago, the last 4 having been pointless, yet a side always seeming to have potential. There is much to admire about the club and its fans except perhaps the length of tenure allowed to their managers. There seems to be a similar nervous mentality as exists at Leeds and the pressure on the manager to bring results in the short term does not make his situation one in which he can relax at all and the anxiety probably transmits itself to the players.
Then Plymouth (24th), who have had an abysmal start, but in contrast to Bradford have stuck with their manager, just as they did last season when they were probably bottom or nearly bottom at the same point. They still have Carey an excellent midfielder at this level, but have lost Bradley their very useful centre-back to Luton and their highly effective goalkeeper McCormick has now left after a long spell injured. They have added Conor Grant on loan, but overall they are probably not as strong now as they were, but surely they must wake up and win soon. There is much to admire about them with their great support and excellent stadium. It’s difficult to imagine that their location gives them the trouble it does in persuading players to join them. Living by the sea in a fine city near to so many places where people still go for their holidays seems fine to me, but clearly I don’t understand what defines a good place to live for young people today.
We could win both, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we did not. I’d say a draw at home and loss away would be the worst case, but I’ll ratchet that up to a 2-1 win against Bradford and a 2-2 draw at Plymouth; Taylor to score vs Bradford or Andrew if he doesn’t start and Wilks/Wright vs Plymouth.
Interesting remarks by GMcC about Wilks and Kane. I don’t think we have had such interesting loanees for a long time and I wonder whether it is wise of him to say anything beyond their obvious value to Rovers.
DPL vs Bradford and Plymouth
posted on 29/9/18
5 nil to the mighty Ziggers, Marquis first goal, crowd 8910.
posted on 29/9/18
3-0 rovers butler 8789
posted on 29/9/18
Great result
posted on 29/9/18
I'm not sure how the ref. managed to find and play 9 minutes of added time, but at first it looked like the Rovers would add to their total as we did at Walsall, However, we should have put the game out of sight by then. 1-1 was a fair score at half time as we had let them into the game, but if Marquis' great shot that came back off the post had gone in to make it 2-0, we might have had a cricket score by half time - we should have done in the second half. Wilks, May and Marquis all had good chances. Their GK made a good double same from Wilks and May, but really should not have had a chance. Also there were a couple of times I just do not know how the ball did not go in! Anyhow, third place looks very good at over 2 points a game. Onward and upward!
posted on 29/9/18
I was there! On holiday in west Cornwall and temptation overcame me. Easy cheap train journey I thought, but Great Western let me down - train cancelled - so it was a 150 mile round trip by car instead. Give me LNER every time!
Was it worth it? Just about, but a rather clumsy performance.
I'll elaborate when I'm home
posted on 30/9/18
Donaldo,
Living in an area of not many trains (except the efficient light rail we use to go into Portland) and have read much about the complaints/strikes etc. in the UK, but we were impressed on our visit to Doncaster in May 2016.
We were there to see my dying brother-in-law for the last time, and wanted to do a day trip to London to see my sister. We were amazed at the 100+ services a day, and if you chose the right times how much the cost came down (just like the airlines!). The lady who took our reservations (who worked for East Coast) found our best deal southbound on Grand Central and back on Virgin - super reservation service!
The trains were very clean and on time, and Kings Cross was much different from how I remember it.
Southbound was non-stop, Virgin had two stops, but still only 1 hr. 42 min. By USA west coast standards - wonderful! I know Virgin pulled-out because of money troubles, and hope Government run LNER does well ( a real name from the past - and memories of the famous pale blue A4s).
How long does Rovers' deal last with Virgin now LNER?
posted on 1/10/18
This was my first visit to “Oorgoyle”. Outside the ground there was a real “big club” atmosphere. There seemed to be a much bigger proportion of home fans wearing the kit than you normally see and perhaps their devotion explains why there was no detectable air of gloom about the place at all. You normally sense some pessimism and grumbling in these situations, but they were 100% behind their team with no anger or dissatisfaction displayed.
Once the game started they got going, their passion was considerably fuelled by a totally unnecessary dangerous late challenge on one of their players in midfield by Anderson (G) which might have earned a red card from some refs. Very bad judgment by a supposedly experienced player which restricted his effectiveness until he was subbed. He did not play badly, but he was having to be careful from then on. Much abuse was targeted at the referee, probably unjustifiably in what was not a dirty game.
Most of the team played quite well and you could single out Marosi who despite not having much to do until near the end played almost faultlessly. You notice Kane because he deals well with difficult situations where instinctive skills are needed. In contrast, Wilks, who may well be equally gifted, imagines that his ability will see him emerge from any situation with the ball. Often his confidence does result in him doing just that, but it often means that when the goal is in range he feels that somehow he must get the ball on to his left foot and fire. Disregarding others who are better placed means that opportunities created are missed. This also makes him more predictable and easier for defences to handle. Leeds fans anxious to see him return should realise that in the Championship his undervaluing of team work would be his undoing for most of the time.
Marquis’s game is very different now from the Ferguson days of one-man-up-front and the need to hold up the ball scarcely ever arose in this match where he was often bursting through on his own or was one of several attackers. His second goal looked almost impossible from the angle he took it and contrasted to the numerous previous chances which were missed, the Plymouth goal seemingly surrounded by some kind of force-field. On one occasion 3 or 4 of ours were up against their keeper and perhaps one defender and still they could not get the ball in the net.
One rather sad feature of the game was Alfie Beestin’s performance. He seemed almost unrecognisable in his play; he looked rather slow and lacking in confidence. He seemed heavier though and possibly not as fit.
Their goals were well taken and well placed, Carey’s in particular showed yet again what an asset he is.
So overall it was a win with the players energetic, keen to get on the ball, but often seeming to be in each other’s way and perhaps a little too often just pumping the ball up the field speculatively. Had they performed like this against a good side I am not sure that they would have even drawn.
posted on 1/10/18
Thanks for the report
posted on 2/10/18
This is the third time that two predictors have earned a 10 point bonus and Crazy has done it twice. Nookie has also scored well thus far with no benefit of the extra 10 points. And of course some commission might be due to the noble Marquis of Doncaster who is probably returning a good profit for all his backers.
Rovers 2 (Marquis) : Bradford C 1 (8481)
………………..….Crowd Scorer Score Result Bonus Total Pts B/F Cumltve
Donaldo ………… 0 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 3 …….. 0 … 6 … 30 …….. 36
PDXMickey ……. 3 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 6 … 31 …….. 37
Yorks Lad ……... 2 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 5 … 20 …….. 25
BVZ. ……..…….. 5 …….. 3 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 … 11 … 23 …….. 34
Crazy …….……… 5 …….. 3 …….. 3 …….. 3 ……. 10 … 24 … 42 …….. 66
Uthred …….…… 1 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …. 1 … 25 …….. 26
Mooligan …..…. 2 …….. 3 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …. 5 … 54 …….. 59
King Chmprr …. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …. 0 … 17 …….. 17
Small Azza ……. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …. 0 …. 0 ………. 0
Stantonrover … 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …. 0 … 0 ……….. 0
Azza ……..…..… 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 3 … 21 …….. 24
Cheltenham …. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …. 0 ….. 0 ……….. 0
Nookie ……….… 1 …….. 3 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …. 4 … 43 …….. 47
Selby …….……… 2 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 5 …. 5 ……….. 10
Lanza …….….…. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 6 … 15 …….. 21
……………..……… 21 ……. 15 …….. 0 …… 24 …….. 10 .. 70 .. 326 … 396
Plymouth A 2: Rovers 3 (Marquis) 8432 0
………………..….Crowd Scorer Score Result Bonus Total Pts B/F Cumltve
Donaldo ………… 4 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 … 4 … 36 …….. 40
PDXMickey ……. 4 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 7 … 37 …….. 44
Yorks Lad ……... 2 …….. 3 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 8 … 25 …….. 33
BVZ. ……..…….. 1 …….. 3 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 7 … 34 …….. 41
Crazy …….……… 4 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 7 … 66 …….. 73
Uthred …….…… 1 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 4 … 26 …….. 30
Mooligan …..…. 1 …….. 3 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 7 … 59 …….. 66
King Chmprr …. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 6 … 17 …….. 23
Small Azza ……. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …. 0 …. 0 ………. 0
Stantonrover … 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …. 0 … 0 ……….. 0
Azza ……..…..… 1 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 4 … 24 …….. 28
Cheltenham …. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …. 0 ….. 0 ……… 0
Nookie ……….… 4 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 7 ….. 47 …….. 54
Selby …….……… 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …….. 0 …. 0 …. 10 ……… 10
Lanza …….….…. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …….. 3 …….. 0 …. 6 … 21 …….. 27
……………..……… 22 ……. 15 …….. 0 …… 30 …….. 0 .. 67 .. 396 … 463
posted on 2/10/18
Sorry to be a pain Donaldo but i got the Bradford result too.
Cheers
Mooli