Well reasoned Don. But let's just take one day at a time. GMs message will undoubtedly be just concentrate on what we need to do to beat the next team rather than what our competitors are doing. 5-0, Marquis, Wilks 8626
Great analysis, Donaldo. I'm going to wait to see if GM continues with the same starting 11 before predicting. At the moment I'm in the Nookie range of a great victory!
interesting preview don
3-1 to the rovers, coppinger, 7769 crowd
Doncaster Rovers 2.
Walsall 0.
26 to continue his fantastic scoring record.
Marquis or Wilks back up.
Rovers 3-1 Saddlers
Marquis to score
Crowd 8,234
Last Saturday with 8 AM start as you join the USA on Daylight Saving Time tonight! Although Walsall have been losing against good teams by only one goal, I'm saying Rovers 3 Walsall 0, Sadlier to score, and 7777 there.
Could be another top game today, got a good feeling for a change, going for another home win, 5 nil Marquis first goal, crowd 7777 as I think another 7pts after today will be enough for 6th place.
Another fast start gave us the early two goal advantage with Wilks being instrumental in both goals.
Winning the pen and the cracking home after cutting in from the right wing, unusually for him, going for the far post this time.
Walsall showed us how resilient they are though, having come to the KM with a reputation of playing well but not getting any points.
In my opinion they were much better than Bristol Rovers and after they pulled a goal,back they looked a very good side.
Danny Andrew gave us breathing space after Wilks had been fouled for the umpteenth time (how was their number three not booked until injury time).
The second half was a scrappy affair but both teams made opportunities and it could easily have been something like 6-4.
Marosi again mad two or three very good saves.
We had some very solid performances today from our defenders with Marquis and Wilks working very well together up front, some of the lay offs by JM were especially good.
Wilks in this mood is a serious handful for any defender and he appears to be getting better and better.
For me though the man who made it all tick today was Crawford.
It wasn’t a pretty performance but at this stage of the season results are the main thing.
If I was a Walsall supporter, I'd be very frustrated! At times they moved the ball around quickly with some slick passing that opened up our defence, but the finishing let them down - and some good saves by Marko. Did our lads just relax too much after going up 2-0 so quickly? It was sloppy passing that caused problems for us, and not reading their attacking players very well. For most of the game John M seemed to have acquired an excellent first touch which he has rarely shown this season. There were several occasions where he made controlling a not-too-great pass look very easy, and often then made a great pass to a team-mate. May be his goal inspired him - long may it continue! I'd give the MOM to Wilks - scoring one and getting fouled for the other two. When he plays like this one tends to forget he is still young. He could become a really good player if he looked around more and passed to an open team-mate rather than always wanting to have a go himself. On to Bradford and bring on Plymouth (although they were 2-0 up against Blackpool today, with Blackpool only scoring in the 84' and 90'+2).
Thanks Hound. Crawford looked out of his depth and behind the pace when the season started at Southend, but he has since gradually improved and now seems a genuinely constructive part of the midfield.
The commentators reported a number of good chances created by Walsall (7 shots on target) which seemed to severely test our defence yet seemed to rate the 5 by Rovers more highly.
You might say that perhaps what luck there was came our way when you take in the Walsall press reports. They seemed sure from the video that the foul for the penalty was outside the area. And of course there were our alleged penalty box fouls, acknowledged by the commentators, which were judged in our favour.
Ben Whiteman was the summariser and made a very intelligent contribution.
I would imagine that privately at least McC will recognise that this was not a flawless display, albeit containing some excellent ingredients, but your report admits what the numbers show in that all Walsall's stats, apart from Possession (47%) were as good or better than ours.
We probably need to tighten up quite a bit at the back.
It was certainly pay-back for all those times when they have left the KM with a win, often when they have not deserved it.
Agree lads.
I thought Rowe had a very good game.
Marosi mom for me.
25 b had a good game keeping his head when others were loosing possession.
But marosi couple of kicking errors but several excellent saves at crucial moments.
Micky and Lanza: Thanks to you too. What's the view of Sadlier and does Smith give us as much as May?
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.
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.
Just seen paul goodwins rattings for walsall game.
I dont think he was at the game
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.
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.
Bvz just about my interpretation.
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!
...neither WAS up to the mark. !
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
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DPL vs Walsall
Page 1 of 2
posted on 29/3/19
Well reasoned Don. But let's just take one day at a time. GMs message will undoubtedly be just concentrate on what we need to do to beat the next team rather than what our competitors are doing. 5-0, Marquis, Wilks 8626
posted on 30/3/19
Great analysis, Donaldo. I'm going to wait to see if GM continues with the same starting 11 before predicting. At the moment I'm in the Nookie range of a great victory!
posted on 30/3/19
interesting preview don
3-1 to the rovers, coppinger, 7769 crowd
posted on 30/3/19
Doncaster Rovers 2.
Walsall 0.
26 to continue his fantastic scoring record.
Marquis or Wilks back up.
posted on 30/3/19
3-0 Marquis 7890
posted on 30/3/19
2-0, Wilks. 8123.
posted on 30/3/19
3-1roveds marquis 8342
posted on 30/3/19
Rovers 3-1 Saddlers
Marquis to score
Crowd 8,234
posted on 30/3/19
Last Saturday with 8 AM start as you join the USA on Daylight Saving Time tonight! Although Walsall have been losing against good teams by only one goal, I'm saying Rovers 3 Walsall 0, Sadlier to score, and 7777 there.
posted on 30/3/19
Could be another top game today, got a good feeling for a change, going for another home win, 5 nil Marquis first goal, crowd 7777 as I think another 7pts after today will be enough for 6th place.
posted on 30/3/19
1-1 butler 7999
posted on 30/3/19
Another fast start gave us the early two goal advantage with Wilks being instrumental in both goals.
Winning the pen and the cracking home after cutting in from the right wing, unusually for him, going for the far post this time.
Walsall showed us how resilient they are though, having come to the KM with a reputation of playing well but not getting any points.
In my opinion they were much better than Bristol Rovers and after they pulled a goal,back they looked a very good side.
Danny Andrew gave us breathing space after Wilks had been fouled for the umpteenth time (how was their number three not booked until injury time).
The second half was a scrappy affair but both teams made opportunities and it could easily have been something like 6-4.
Marosi again mad two or three very good saves.
We had some very solid performances today from our defenders with Marquis and Wilks working very well together up front, some of the lay offs by JM were especially good.
Wilks in this mood is a serious handful for any defender and he appears to be getting better and better.
For me though the man who made it all tick today was Crawford.
It wasn’t a pretty performance but at this stage of the season results are the main thing.
posted on 30/3/19
If I was a Walsall supporter, I'd be very frustrated! At times they moved the ball around quickly with some slick passing that opened up our defence, but the finishing let them down - and some good saves by Marko. Did our lads just relax too much after going up 2-0 so quickly? It was sloppy passing that caused problems for us, and not reading their attacking players very well. For most of the game John M seemed to have acquired an excellent first touch which he has rarely shown this season. There were several occasions where he made controlling a not-too-great pass look very easy, and often then made a great pass to a team-mate. May be his goal inspired him - long may it continue! I'd give the MOM to Wilks - scoring one and getting fouled for the other two. When he plays like this one tends to forget he is still young. He could become a really good player if he looked around more and passed to an open team-mate rather than always wanting to have a go himself. On to Bradford and bring on Plymouth (although they were 2-0 up against Blackpool today, with Blackpool only scoring in the 84' and 90'+2).
posted on 30/3/19
Thanks Hound. Crawford looked out of his depth and behind the pace when the season started at Southend, but he has since gradually improved and now seems a genuinely constructive part of the midfield.
The commentators reported a number of good chances created by Walsall (7 shots on target) which seemed to severely test our defence yet seemed to rate the 5 by Rovers more highly.
You might say that perhaps what luck there was came our way when you take in the Walsall press reports. They seemed sure from the video that the foul for the penalty was outside the area. And of course there were our alleged penalty box fouls, acknowledged by the commentators, which were judged in our favour.
Ben Whiteman was the summariser and made a very intelligent contribution.
I would imagine that privately at least McC will recognise that this was not a flawless display, albeit containing some excellent ingredients, but your report admits what the numbers show in that all Walsall's stats, apart from Possession (47%) were as good or better than ours.
We probably need to tighten up quite a bit at the back.
It was certainly pay-back for all those times when they have left the KM with a win, often when they have not deserved it.
posted on 30/3/19
Agree lads.
I thought Rowe had a very good game.
Marosi mom for me.
25 b had a good game keeping his head when others were loosing possession.
But marosi couple of kicking errors but several excellent saves at crucial moments.
posted on 30/3/19
Micky and Lanza: Thanks to you too. What's the view of Sadlier and does Smith give us as much as May?
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
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