Rather like Walsall, our encounters with Rochdale have often not yielded what we might have felt we deserved. As we managed to unseat the saddlers, possibly even inflicting a moderate leathering, perhaps we might rise above the 'dale too for a change.
If McG did have thoughts about reinstating Lawlor, he should perhaps be reminded that some would take the view that he was responsible for letting in at least one of their goals in the defeat last season. I have always been a fan of May which seemed a minority opinion when he was discussed on here earlier and half-dismissed as a mere lightweight. At the same time though I see in Wilks traits of both Emmanuel-Thomas and El Hadji Diouf. Nuisance value, capability to stay on the ball and innate talent are all there. So, to my mind it is a difficult choice if it is between the two, but perhaps both might fit in with Wilks dropping back into midfield.
I'll be optimistic and say 1-0 (Marquis).
I have included Gillingham because I am going on week’s holiday early next week where communications may not be dependable and I had better include a forecast for that. Unfortunately without looking up the history I somehow feel that Gillingham (H) has brought its share of reverses, but in spite of their win at Fratton Park last week, I will opt for a victory, 3-1 and Whiteman the scorer with 7000 there.
DPL vs (1) Rochdale & (2) Gillingham
posted on 20/10/18
We shipped three goals but I am not inclined to blame anyone for the first two as any team would have been happy to have scored them. A corker from distance with Marosi presumably un-sighted and then another from a blinding pass over the top that their player controlled and belted home. If you press like we do the opposition are going to get chances and did we press! In the second half we got level with two ping-pong goals that Marquis and Wilks successively managed to force over the line. Towards the end one of their players again broke the offside trap and bore down on Marko who flew out, slid in and plucked the ball right off his toes. For that alone he got my MoM. As fate would have it they went ahead again on 87 mins with another free header from a corner, which I certainly want to see again. Undaunted the Rovers players kept going and on 90 minutes Taylor who had come on for Copps (?) stabbed in yet another equaliser. We marmalised them 3-3! Incidentally, half way through the second half when Rovers kept possession for a while to re-group some stiff behind me said it was like watching the Ferguson team. No, really, it isn't anything like that. Yikes. .
posted on 20/10/18
I thought Anderson should have stood tall Art Fold and blocked the long range shot. It weren't a bullet and for a bloke of his stature ducking out the way was a bit cowardly.
posted on 20/10/18
I don’t think anyone was at fault for the first goal.
Ok it came from a long way out and I also reckon Marco didn’t see it until late as it came through about fifteen players.
I seem to remember that it was only two or three feet off the ground all the way to goal.
I would fault Anderson for the second one though.
Eaves was facing away from goal with no support but big Tom dived I rather than just jockeying him.
It was a great turn by Eaves though and a great finish.
I still am having trouble trying to figure out how we didn’t win that game about 6-3.
Copps rolled back the years yet again with another vintage show.
He ran the game today.
I will say that even though we only drew today it is far better to watch than the dross we had to watch after Christmas last season.
Only two points between second and sixth in the table and to be fair, the dropped points didn’t hurt us much today.
posted on 21/10/18
1st goal, their player just let's fly from about 30yds out, Anderson just ducked. 2nd goal Anderson was 5yds behind everyone else in the back line playing their forward onside, then instead of just holding him in the corner he jumped in, great finish though. 3rd goal, not seen replay yet but others have said Marco didn't stand up but was crouching and it went over his head. Personally I thought it was a Lovely well taken goal.
Very disappointed with crowd, that was never the true figure. Best I've seen in South Stand this season.
posted on 21/10/18
My main concern is letting in 7 goals in two home games - I'm sure Hound might know when. and if, that happened before (other than the disaster year).
I've watched all the goals in slow motion. For the first if Anderson jumped I'm sure it was to give Marko a better view, but I did not really see the claimed jump.
The second I agree that Anderson should have done better.
The third, I know Marquis is not a defender, but he really misjudged the corner and should have done better. It was a great finish, but at that tight angle I think a GK should do a little better. However I did watch Salah scored from a similar angle for Liverpool, but that a was beautifully placed shot into the side netting just inside the post, and it would have been a miracle save to stop it.
I'm now somewhat nervous about Tueday although we have tended to be better against the better teams. I'm sure Sunderland are looking forward to increasing that 7 goals against.
posted on 21/10/18
We have conceded 9 goals in the last three games out of a total of 19 conceded all season.
That has distorted things a bit and put a blight on a defence that has been quite good overall.
It is hopefully a blip and should settle down again.
Good defenders don’t become bad ones all of a sudden.
As for that third goal against us yesterday, I don’t think it is fair to blame Marosi.
The scorer smashed it from about six yards out and someone with Superman’s reactions would have found it hard to get a touch on it, never mind save it.
posted on 21/10/18
Thanks lads.
Mcullock seemed a very good defender before he was shown the door.
posted on 21/10/18
Our opponents in the last two home games have only had seven shots on target , but scored 7 goals! Got to be some kind of record. Id like to think its a flook against the odds rather than a serious problem with the defence or goalkeeper. Or is it a consequence of our current style of play? Its certainly exciting and enjoyable so Im not complaining. I wouldnt bet against Rovers beating Sunderland on Tuesday. Could be 4-0,0-4 or 4-4. Though I will bet it wont be goalless.
posted on 22/10/18
https://popularstand.wordpress.com/2018/10/21/doncaster-rovers-3-3-gillingham-250-word-match-report/
posted on 22/10/18
Can I do 2 nil Rovers for the Sunderland game pls
Off 2 tenerife tomorrow so maybe unable to join in.
Marquis/26.
Come on Rovers