Who knows?
We lost decisively away, but since then Newport’’s 4-0 superiority has not been replicated in their subsequent fixtures. They now stand one place and 3 points better than Rovers.
However they have scored more goals and conceded one fewer. Rovers are significantly better at home than Newport are away though.
To say that Rovers are erratic is very obvious. It follows that they are unpredictable. They can sink very low and rise surprisingly high and it is difficult to believe how such a massive variation can exist. Can there be doubt about the form Mansfield and MK Dons were in when we met them? How can we then go to middle-of-the-table Harrogate and be overrun as soon as we go a goal behind? You could say that skill is present, but character is absent.
The most recent history must surely rank as prime evidence, but only the week before the first fixture we had beaten Hull City in the cup and seemed on the road to recovering from our dreadful start.
That fact is in some ways even more depressing. Has anything really changed?
Will we be up or will we be down? I’m still not ready to endorse a win and be disappointed again, so 1-2 (Ironside/Carty).
DPL v Newport County
posted on 11/1/24
Newport were the team we played on my last visit to watch Rovers live at the Keepmoat. A masterclass from No 26 that day and Jon Parkin held in check by an organised defence. I'm hoping it's de ja Vue all over again. So 2-0 Rowe,Biggins
posted on 12/1/24
Predicting the Rovers seems to be getting more difficult by the week. After a few games with a consistent starting eleven, it is difficult to guess the starting line-up as players are dropped or "rested', and now we have an input of new "talent"! I'll be a little positive and say 2-1 to the Rovers. I'm hoping Faal will get back to scoring and say him for the first if he starts. If he does not start (Grant mentioned Faal as a player who has played many games), I think the first will come out of mid-field so will say Rowe.
posted on 13/1/24
I'm also going to be recklessly optimistic and forecast a 2-1 win. Ironside with ghe first. If not starting, then Molyneaux.
posted on 13/1/24
Just seen the starting line-up! With many never having played together, it is going be interesting....
As I thought, Faal not playing, so I'll stick with Rowe to score the first.
posted on 13/1/24
Rovers 2-1 Newport
Ironside to score ⚽
posted on 14/1/24
It’s difficult to know what to say.
From the extended highlights it seemed that Newport defended more intensively. They seemed faster to adjust their positions whereas ours look uncoordinated.
Keeping clean sheets seems impossible.
I wonder if McCann is looking for what I might euphemistically call some competition for the Goalkeeper role?
posted on 15/1/24
As Donaldo says, it is difficult to comment. We did dominate for extended periods, but all to show was some goalmouth scrambles and no ability to force the ball over the line.
As far as Jones, he did manage to come off his line occasionally and collect high balls well, but was static most of the time.
There were some good flashes from the new lads at times, and being optimistic, might produce once they play and coordinate with the rest of the team.
We've been having a real winter storm here with low temperatures and high winds (-10C, and with windchill, -19C) and we lost electrical power on Saturday after the game was over - maybe it would have been more enjoyable if it had gone off earlier and so I wouldn't have be able to watch!
posted on 15/1/24
The whole Faal situation seems a little strange to say the least, if what Grant says is true. I can only think of two reasons - Walsall is very near to WBA and therefore maybe his home; or he did not feel accepted by the Doncaster community. I'd put my money on the former.
posted on 16/1/24
…and Walsall have had a bit of a revival recently, so could be in contention for the play-offs. You would not have thought their facilities would be as good as ours, but we may even live closer to Walsall than West Brom. Their fairly modern small-looking ground, which I used pass regularly (often very slowly) on the M1 when I lived in Shropshire, looks very appropriate for a permanently sub-Championship club. Its name, the “Poundland” Bescot Stadium really says it all, as UK residents will know! On the playing front, moving him from his more central role did not seem to suit him too well either.
Sorry about your weather Micky. We’ve been having a British version of cold weather recently, though it is less severe here in Essex. The IOWA caucuses have provided us with TV scenes of the very extreme cold there - which is probably fairly permanent in winter. It’s not all that far from Wisconsin where New Yankee (Derek?) lived isn’t it? It’s a long time since we lost him now.
posted on 16/1/24
…he may live even closer…