Plymouth, “ourgirl", as I learnt they call themselves in September when I saw the first game down there, have some reason to be confident about their trips to Doncaster. We have not beaten them at home since 2008/09. They have pulled up from the bottom of the table, just as they did last year, and would find satisfaction in upsetting our apple-cart yet again. Carey is still there, Sonny Bradley was a loss and showed it when he made a strong impression against us at his new club, Luton, but the goal-keeper who kept them is so many games, McCormick, left them last year. Lameiras who can be “unplayable" and who, significantly, is out of contract in the summer, is probably the other man to watch.
They still see themselves as part of the relegation struggle on 47 points and 4 clear of the bottom 4. But they spent over 20 weeks in the bottom 4, mostly in 24th place until around Christmas, so, just like last season they have picked up form as the season has gone on, but will not make 7th place, 8 above our final position, as they did last year. I think they will go for the win, but for them to play as solidly as the last twice at the Keepmoat would perhaps be unlikely. It would be good to see some entertaining stuff from Rovers even though for either side result comes before performance.
Despite what was said about Whiteman’s prospects of inclusion in the Bradford match it now looks as though he will not be back tomorrow and although Kane is still in recovery too, he might feature before Whiteman could become involved. Will May lead the line? He probably deserves the chance before Smith and perhaps the formation could be altered.
I'll take 2-1 to us and Anderson/May/Wilks with the first – 7800.
DPL vs Plymouth A
posted on 13/4/19
2-0 rovers, crawford, 7575
posted on 13/4/19
2-1 to Rovers. Wilks. 7890.
posted on 13/4/19
Rovers 3-1 Plymouth
If Marquis is not playing, Wilks to score.
Crowd 8000
posted on 13/4/19
3-2 rovers coops/Blair 8654
posted on 13/4/19
Rovers 3-1 Plymouth, Sadlier to score the first, crowd 7919.
posted on 13/4/19
2-0 Wilks 6888
posted on 13/4/19
Going well except that the iFollow sound commentary fails over every time gets exciting. Thus it has cut out just before there can be confirmation of either of the 2 goals.
This is probably due to an automatic system cut-out when the sound level exceeds a certain level which is below what is typical of a football crowd when the home team scores or goes close.
Cheap and totally unfit for purpose!
posted on 13/4/19
Plymouth have some good ball players but blimey, they are the gang that couldn't shoot straight. To be fair the Rovers defence were immense and a goodly proportion of the high balls pumped into our area were pumped right back out again. Crawford had a torrid game. He never stops trying but his passing and decision making was not good. Malik did well as the main man up front but looked a lot more comfortable in the second half when he drifted back to his right wing station with subs May and Smith ploughing the central furrow. Four in a row. Peterbrough will have to play well to get past us.
posted on 13/4/19
We deservedly won today and had the Plymouth keeper not been at his best it could have been four or five nil by half time.
Wilks was a good stand in for the Marquis role and had a fine game.
None of our players were poor and very one of them contributed to a hard earned three points.
Kane showed us what we have been missing and his class shines like a beacon.
After the break Plymouth got more into the match having given more attention to Copps who had been outstanding in the first half but once again we showed we are no push overs and the defence was superb.
Downing and Butler took a battering but gave one back as well.
Peterbro obviously won their game but there is now one less game less to play.
posted on 14/4/19
Very good first half, so-so second half, thankful the defence played well throughout. I agree with Hound that they found how to shut out Copps more in the second half. It is good that Tommy Rowe is getting back to his best. Now to get Ben back so we have a very good middle line again! Ali plays well at times, but not today.
Disappointed that Sunderland lost today. If they had won, it would have eliminated all but Peterborough as competitors for sixth place (unless we totally collapse in the last games!). I'd rather see Sunderland in the auto spot and Dingles in the pay-offs. Now any of four teams could finish second, five if Luton continue to drop points. Sunderland will be even more desperate to win on Friday. Game is on Sky again, so no video on iFollow. I had the same problem as Donaldo with sound on iFollow today.
Oxford seem to be on a good run at the moment - no easy games!