An analysis of matches remaining for the teams in contention for the sixth play-off spot (which I have taken down to Burton Albion) might be divided into 3 types. Matches versus rivals, matches against teams already in the top 5 who look more or less assured of at least the play-offs and those games which involve clubs for whom the play-offs are an unlikely destination.
1. All the teams in contention have at least 1 game against a rival. Coventry, Rovers and Burton have only one, Peterborough have 3 and Blackpool and Fleetwood 2.
2. Against top 5 teams Peterborough have 3, Burton have 4 and Coventry 3. Rovers and Blackpool have only 1.
3. The balance is versus teams for which relegation is more of an issue than their very faint chances of potential promotion. Here we are involved in 5, Fleetwood 4, Blackpool and Coventry 3, Burton 2 and Peterborough only 1.
So what? Traditionally the 6 pointers can be very decisive and Peterborough have the most power to partially eliminate 3 of their rivals, or have the same inflicted on them.
They also rank highly (with 3) second to Burton who have 4 in the tough encounters – matches versus the top 5 - all of whom will want the benefit of either an automatic place or the highest possible play-off position for a favourable semi-final.
It is a matter of opinion as to which type of game is the greatest test, but despite the Fighting-for-Life phenomenon, it must be true that the teams who have accumulated the fewest points so far are the least likely to begin to perform siginificantly better than those above them. One might also generalise that facing the top 5 teams will be more difficult encounters for this group of aspirants. In the middle, the 6 pointers will surely be the fiercest fought and Peterborough, Blackpool and Fleetwood are the most involved with these. On this basis there is a good case to suggest that Rovers’ position in the run-in is better than any of the other five.
Walsall sit 4th from the bottom of the table and have lost their last 3 matches albeit to Barnsley, Portsmouth and Sunderland, all by a single goal, so they are unlikely to prove easy to beat. However their overall record away from home is the worst in the league over 10 matches.
Looking at their progress in the table is like an escalator in descent, a steady decline to the ground floor.
Let us hope that we might keep up the form begun in the week and secure a win. I’ll go for 2-0 with Wilks/Marquis scoring and 8000 present.
DPL vs Walsall
posted on 31/3/19
I thought Sadlier was very good all match against Bristol and very good again but only for the first hour or so.
He seemed to lose concentration after that and it was no surprise to me when he was taken off.
Maybe it was a bit of fatigue as he hadn’t had too many starts.
Smith looks as though he has the pace and potential to become a very good striker but will find it hard to get a start in our team this season.
He certainly caused a few problems though when he came on.
posted on 31/3/19
Just going to ask the same question.
I thought Sadlier was really really good for the first hour then seemed to loose his pace and strength.
Good decision by GM to take him off.
Just seen the saves marosi made top drawer.
posted on 1/4/19
Just seen paul goodwins rattings for walsall game.
I dont think he was at the game
posted on 1/4/19
Sadlier was close to MoM, just behind Wilks and Marosi. He did drop off the pace just before he went off though. Probably down to he's already done a full season.
Don't know what's going off with Marquis but seemed to go down the tunnel on his own again, while rest of player walked round pitch applauding the fans. Nice to see Tommy getting back to the old Tommy, Downing needs to have a contract waiting for him as soon as.
posted on 1/4/19
BVZ, I agree. I like Sadlier and was surprised when he was taken off against Bristol, but not when taken off against Walsall. Although he has not started many games since joining the Rovers, you are right in saying he had played a full season in Ireland. He had no real time off. I think after a full, normal, pre-season, he could be great for us next season.
It is good Tommy Rowe is getting near to his real self -even if not in his favorite position.
Downing could solve our right back problem since the unfortunate departure of Mason. I'm not so sure about Smith. He was great in his first game, but since then there has only been a few flashes that show potential. May be he is out of position on the wing and should play more a "Billy Sharp" role.
posted on 2/4/19
Bvz just about my interpretation.
posted on 2/4/19
Downing could get other offers and we would obviously be in the strongest position if we got promoted. Even if we don't he would be fairly sure that he would not have to spend his time on the bench (as at Blackburn).
Smith is rather one-dimensional and doesn't seem to work as hard as May and the only scenario in which he might feature would be if Marquis went. But McCann wants more effort and engagement than he shows.
What about Lewis? He fits the McCann template for work-rate.
Hopefully he won't take on to the payroll any more of his former team-mates; neither were up to the mark. The ultra cautious play-it-safe Dickov persistently confined himself to recruiting only those whose games he knew really well and we saw how that worked out!
posted on 2/4/19
...neither WAS up to the mark. !
posted on 5/4/19
The best results for the DPL that I can recall with 2 bonus winners, Yorkshire Lad and Mooligan. Very well done and a near miss from Selby who got the score too.
Rovers 3 Marquis) : Walsall 1 (Marquis) (7630)
>>>>>>> Crowd > Scorer > Score > Result Bonus > Total > Pts B/F > O/all
Donaldo>>> 2 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>> 5 >>> 163 >>> 168
PDXMickey> 4 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 7 >>> 156 >>> 163
Yorks Lad>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 10 >>>> 19 >> 167 >>> 186
BVZ>>>>>>> 4 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 10 >> 148 >>> 158
Crazy>>>>>> 1 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 4 >>> 152 >>> 156
Uthred>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>> 155 >>> 155
Mooligan>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 10 >>>> 19 >> 182 >>> 201
King Chmprr 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 86 >>>> 86
Small Azza> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>> 11 >>>> 11
Stantonrover 0 >>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0
Azza>>>>>>> 3 >>> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 9 >>>> 105 >>> 114
Cheltenham 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0
Nookie>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 6 >>> 159 >>> 165
Selby>>>>> 2 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 8 >>>> 79 >>>> 87
Lanza>>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>>>> 0 >>>>> 3 >>> 103 >>> 106
>>>>>>>>>> 16 >>>> 15 >>>>> 9 >> 30 >>>>> 20 >>>> 90 >> 1666 >>> 1756
posted on 5/4/19
Thanks for doing the sums Donaldo