Doncaster Rovers 1 : 0 Crystal Palace

DONCASTER ROVERS

1 : 0

CRYSTAL PALACE

Last stop on this year's tour, the Keepmoat and an initial meeting with NewYankee Rover and Bally Bally Bally (aka IonlywishIcould).  Once again a pleasure to meet guys in person who I've been arguing with for years.  Often wrong they maybe,  but good guys - certainly.  

Anyway a pleasureable couple of pints and its to the match, Mrs. Duck in tow with a friend we hadn't seen since just after she left school.

John Oster - the last time he scored

What a remarkable day.  In order of increasing improbability:  Arsenal won, Rovers won, Torres scored and Oster scored!  It was also a red-letter day in Rovers' history - Dean Saunders' first game in charge.

I've got to say I am proud of my timing of this visit.  I've pulled in meeting two guys from across the pond; a Leeds / Man Utd. cup tie; the end of one era and the start of another.  Not bad!  I bet I can't do that again!


So after a pleasureable walk around the lake we arrived at the Keepmoat.  On entering what I did notice is that the concourses of modern stadia all look the same, whether it be the MadStad, the Amex or the Keepmoat.


I am rambling?  Very probably because the more I ramble the less I have to write about the first half of this game.  It was awful.  Totally shapeless with both teams struggling to string three passes together.  


Palace could have had a penalty early on when Friend looked clumsy while challenging Murray.  The referee wasn't impressed but it was a close one; other refs may have been.


Rovers only real chance of the half came when Oster had a good run into the box,  He had a beautiful view of the bottom left-hand corner of the goal at Sperroni's near post but elected instead to hold it up and pull it back for the Beast, John Parkin who was, of course, making his debut (damn, something else I could have rambled on about).  Sadly, Parkin slipped and his strike was scuffed wide, high and almost as ugly as Rovers' performance thus far.


"Bloody John Oster!" I said.  "One day he'll have a shot, it'll hit someone on the arse and then he'll entertain shooting as a possible future option!"


"Mmmm?" said Mrs. Duck.  She was tweeting!  Normally I would admonish her for not paying proper attention when she should be learning about proper football but at this moment, I could see that this would be a difficult argument to win.


Murray got away again, curtesy of  Naylor's error but the shot was weak and Sullivan saved easily.  Time to meet my dad, get a pie and have a bloody good moan!


Second half and Palace actually had an effort worthy of the name, a header from Murray again that was pushed over by Sullivan.

Milan Lalkovic - Impact Substitute

On the hour mark came a rarerity from Rovers; a double substitution that changed the match.  Perhaps this will be a new and welcome sight under the new administration.    Billy Sharp got a tremendous welcome from the Keepmoat crowd and the team were lifted.  Milan Lalkovic also joined the fray at the same time and for me, if you discount Sharp's motivational effect, Lalkovic actually contributed more.


Five minutes later and Oster had a rush of blood to the head and shot from about thirty yards. The ball hit a Palace player on the arse, completely wrong-footed Sperroni and nestled in the corner opposite the one Oster originally targeted.  Just call me Nostradamos guys!  


Lalkovic then contributed for me the best moment of the game.  He played a short corner and on receiving the return ball, had a run to the corner of the area where he curled a shot just wide of the post.  Had it gone in we would have seen a thing of beauty.


Towards the end and Hayter should have put the result beyond doubt when Sharp chased a lost cause and was rewarded.  He played an easy ball to Hayter who skyed it with just the 'keeper to beat.


But Rovers had just about earned Saunders' winning start.  It was never a classic but it was a victory and for the win-starved fans of Rovers, that was the important thing.


Anyway, back to the pub this time with the folks for more banter with NewYankee and Bally.  It could have gone further with a visit to Hatfield Chase and my old neighbourhood.  Sadly, the trip up from Brighton was catching up with us.  Besides, the inevitable hangover that would have resulted from such a trip in the company of Bally, who's capacity to lead me astray is scary, would not have been compatable with the long trip home I had the next day.


We'll have to do it next time though! 

Brighton 3 : 3 Leeds United

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

3 : 3

LEEDS UNITED

Next stop on the FuzzyDuck football tour - Brighton to watch the Seagulls take on Leeds United.  Mrs. Duck and I got down to Brighton in time to have a good look around and its a nice part of the world - apart from the effect those 70's and 80's town-planners have had on your seafront (bad architecture really should be a capital offence).

On the Wednesday evening we enjoyed a great atmosphere in the King and Queen watching brighton's giant-killing attempt in the League Cup.  As Leeds had done the night before, they were unsuccessful but without disgracing themselves.  1 : 2 v Liverpool - Not bad.  But if the game and performance weren't bad, it was the atmosphere in the pub that I noted.  Very noisy - I liked it.

Anyway, back to Leeds.  We again met up with the #twitterwhites in the Queens Arms (does every pub in Brighton have a Queen in its name?).  This was much better than the Man Utd. game.  Opposing fans (the Leeds fans in some very fetching pink cowboy hats - you did look nice boys) drinking in the same pub with nothing more than a bit of banter exchanged between them.  Exactly the way it should be!  Happily we also travelled too and from the game together without incident.  I didn't expect anything  and just wish it could be like that whoever the opponents are.

The Amex Community Stadium - Up to its Billing

Bit of a queue for the train but nothing too drastic and we were at the Amex and it did live up to its billing.   

Firstly, it doesn't look like a flatpack, assemble yourself stadium, its got some nice sweeping lines making you feel you are visiting something a bit better than the average.  Then there's the nice comfy, padded seats.  At least they look comfy, the Leeds fans did very little sitting on the night.  All in all one of the best stadiums I've visited (you get beaten my Wembley and St. Jakobs Park in Basel).

Now the thing that you can't pay enough for in a new stadium is ATMOSPHERE.  Now I knew the Leeds fans would be noisy.  I've seen a few Leeds games in my time so know what to expect but the home fans exceeded the high expectations I had from what I had heard in the pub the previous evening.  That's how I like my football!

Oh yeah - there was a match and what a good one for a neutral like me.

Leeds were first out of the blocks.  A run from Snodgrass made the Brighton defence look half asleep and he ended it with a curled effort that was just over the bar.  White then fired one wide and on 20 minutes, Leeds got the goal they deserved.  Hard to see from my end but a shot was blocked and it fell nicely for Andy Keogh to have an easy finish into a practically unguarded net.

Soon, the scrappy first was eclipsed by a brilliant second.  Brighton's defence gave Ross McCormack far too much space and he used it; turning and firing a great drive from outside the area into the bottom corner.  2:0 and game over. Well you would have thought so, but at the end of the half there was a slight indication of things to come with MacKail-Smith finding himself in a lot of space from a corner but he couldn't stretch enough to make a decent enough contact.

Still, Leeds had played a very impressive 45 minutes of football.  Take heed of the warning and they'd be fine.

Straight after half-time and the warning wasn't heeded.  A fleet bit of footwork from Craig Mackail-Smith allowed him to turn and get away from his marker.  He then slotted past Lonergan.  Brighton fans who had had the stuffing knocked out of them a little, were now getting really noisy.

The equalizer was to come from the penalty spot.  The incident was the opposite end from me so at the time, no comment.  They don't show penalty incidents on the big-screens and when you see the replay of this one, you see why!  Bromby timed his lunge for the ball incorrectly as it was played in to McKail-Smith.  He didn't touch the Brighton striker but McKail-Smith went to ground.  Poor for me from MacKail-Smith, and more grounds to have 4th officials reviewing match videos.  A review of this one should rescind Bromby's card and award it to McKail-Smith.

In any case, Ashley Barnes penalty sent Lonergran the wrong-way, an incidental point as the way he placed it, the Leeds 'Keeper would have had little chance.

Leeds rallied and a free-kick from Snodgrass flashed across the box.  It just needed a touch, McCormack was closest but no cigar.

Then Brighton took the lead and this time it was bad for the Leeds defence.  MacKail-Smith's run was hardly noticed at all.  That was bad enough.  What was worse was how when he realized that the cross wasn't going to get to him, he moved in front of the Leeds defender who was about to clear to tap in.  

Ross McCormack - 8 in 6 Games

Now the away fans had gone quiet.  It was like, well, the Keepmoat.  The "ALBION" resonated all around.  The guy next to me had been pleading with Simon Grayson to "change it" for the entire half.  He'd got Grayson just about fired when Leeds grabbed a deserved equalizer at the death.  

It was route one stuff but the knock-down allowed Howson to beat his man and pull back for Ross McCormack to hit his eighth goal in six games and send the Leeds fans wild (shame they had to stand on those nice seats though).  McCormack was once on loan at Donny you know - we taught him everything he knows!

Final whistle and 3:3.  Great game not such a great journey back to Brighton city centre.  About an hour waiting for a train?  That's something that needs sorting out at the Amex.  Still, it did bring out the best chant of the evening "YOU'VE ONLY GOT ONE TRAIN!"

The King is Dead...Long Live the King

At what was to be Sean O'Driscoll's last game in charge of Doncaster Rovers, the Rovers faithfull sang a couple of choruses of "Sean O'Driscoll's Barmy Army".  There was no booing the chant nor was I aware of much dissent towards the Rovers manager while I watched the match.  It was a positive reaction considering Rovers were playing what would be their 19th game without a win.  I am not sure many other managers would still have fans singing his praises after such a run.

Sean O'Driscoll has quite simply been the best manager Doncaster Rovers have ever had. His only challenger for this crown is Peter Docherty, who managed the team back in the 50s, way before my time.  I would argue that yes, Docherty may have been more successful in keeping Rovers in the second flight for longer and attaining a higher finishing position than O'Driscoll ever did, but these were vastly different times.

In those days, footballer's wages were capped and so Donny actually paid their players "Top-Dollar".  Today, O'Driscoll maintained very respectable league positions for two seasons on a wage budget that was around half of the average wage budget of our competitors.  Some teams were paying their players four-times the amount Rovers budgeted.

So hearing that there were stories on Twitter that he and his assistant, Richard O'Kelly had been put on gardening leave was a shock to say the least.  I checked the official site and found the following statement:

“It is with regret that the shareholders of Doncaster Rovers FC have taken the decision based on the long run of poor results, that Sean O’Driscoll and Richard O’Kelly have been relinquished of their duties. They felt that action needed to be taken to address the current position. They would like to thank Sean and Richard for all their work during the five years at the club including winning at the Millennium Stadium and Wembley. Dean Saunders will take charge of the game on Saturday against Crystal Palace.”

Strange, as only 24 hours earlier, John Ryan was backing his man.  I know the Vote of Confidence can reduce a managers life-expectancy to that of an ant in an aardwark colony but this U-Turn was massively quick by even football's whacky standards.

The first thing I am going to do on this blog is to pay tribute to Sean and Richard.  The club have been sadly remiss in doing this but between myself and Viva Rovers, we'll redress this balance a little.

Dave Penney - Huge Boots to Fill

Sean and Richard had huge boots to fill when they came to the club.  Dave Penney and Micky Walker had achieved consecutive promotions from the Conference to League 1; they had given Rovers a League Cup adventure to dream of by battling past Man City; outclassing Aston Villa before losing out on a semi-final place to a very lucky Arsenal.  Penney was successful and he was also Doncaster through and through.  

Ryan's decision to sack Penney was a bigger surprise than the decision to remove O'Driscoll from his position last week, although the decision did make sense to me.  

Rovers were enduring their second poor start to a league campaign and in September, it looked like John Ryan's dream of returning Rovers to the second-flight of English football would have to wait another season.  

Ryan acted.  Penney was dismissed and he targetted one man but was clever enough to set up a distraction for the Press in the form of Doncaster legend Kevin Keegan.  While the press speculated about King Kevin's return to football with little old Donny, Sean O'Driscoll was approached and agreed to end a 23 year-old association with Bournemouth as a player and a manager to come up North.

In replacing the popular Dave Penney, a spectacular start would have been handy, but Sean did not get it.  Five draws, including three consecutive 0-0s and 2 defeats were to come before the new management team bagged that first win, away to Cheltenham Town.  The fans were uneasy.  

But they needn't have been as within the next two years, Doncaster Rovers had experienced two of the biggest days in their history in playing and winning first at the Millenium Stadium to gain their first ever national trophy, and then at Wembley (another first) for a fairytale promotion to the championship where we have remained ever since.

James Hayter celebrating THAT goal

I made up my mind that the partnership of O'Driscoll and O'Kelly was good for the Rovers after they had been in their jobs for one year.  There seemed an irrefutable logic about all their big decisions:  the signing of Brian Stock and Mark Wilson to strengthen the midfield; the hapless Jan Budtz being replaced first by John Filan and then permanently by Neil Sullivan; strengthening the attack first with the loan of players like Forte and Cademateri before permenantly signing James Hayter.  Plus, Rovers had won something.

In spite of the clear logic and the silverware, there were still those who remained stubbornly unconvinced.  A straw-poll on BBC 606 voted 11/2 that the partnership should be fired in September 2007.  Unbelieveable and proven wrong over the next season.

The end of the 2007/2008 season showed me that the SOD / ROK alliance was not just good for Rovers, it was bloody brilliant.  What must have been a tremendous piece of motivational skill lifted Rovers from being a team that had missed out on automatic promotion to being a team that took the play-offs by the scruff of the neck and triumphed.  For me, the performance Rovers put in against Southend in the second-leg of the semi-final was the best exhibition of football I had ever seen from the Rovers.  Better even than the destruction of Aston Villa under Dave Penney, it was almost a shame that it couldn't have occurred against more illustrious opposition and grab even more headlines.  In the stands sat our play-off final opponents.  What must they have felt about the task that now lay before them?

Another piece of fantastic player motivation occurred in our first season in the championship.  The team was playing consistently well but was lacking a goalscorer and so were losing by single goals.  After lying at the bottom of the division at Christmas, Rovers found their goals and had the third best form of any team in the division between January and May that season. Still the doubters criticized Sean for not turning to Paul Heffernan sooner for his goals and they prefered (and still prefer) to give Heffs the credit for this achievement rather than O'Driscoll.

 

I have no problem with giving Heffernan credit for the goals but I will give Sean O'Driscoll double the credit for turning to Heffernan at the right time; for sticking to the football principles that until December had not brought enough points and for motivating the players to get them playing the third best football in the league.  That's the third best football in results terms and not subjectively assessed performance terms.

The next season consistently brought the best of Rovers' football.  On their meagre budget and in front of their comparitavely tiny crowds, Rovers never remotely looked like taking the drop that they are always favourite to take and even gave fans a brief smell of a play-off appearance.  Unfortunately, injuries prevented this and we were not able to win our Easter fixtures.  Had we done so we would probably have pipped Blackpool to that 6th placed finish.

In 2010/11, Rovers made an encouraging start.  The only issue was the defence, which would have surely been a lot better were it not for an 11th hour offer from Barnsley for Jason Shackell described by John Ryan as "nothing short of extraordinary".  

Even so, Rovers came into 2011 sitting pretty in 14th place, just 4 points off the top 6.  They had also made a signing that at the time, I thought had allowed us to continue to be genuine contenders for a play-off place.  Matthew Kilgallon signed until the end of the season.

Unfortuantely, Kilgallon turned out to be a poor signing to say the least and an injury crisis that was developing became one of mammoth proportions.  So started the slump that would ultimately end O'Driscoll and O'Kelly's tenures.

Some have dismissed this crisis stating that all clubs have injuries so I'll quote a stat I have previously quoted on Ja606.

In 2011, Rovers had between 6 and 16 of their 31 man squad out at any one time.  The average was 11.  Compare if you will with the current stats in the premier league.  You will see that Man Utd. currently sit at the top of the table with 9 injuries, most of which are short-term.  Only two of the premier league clubs have more injuries than are best situation so far this season.

O'Driscoll's football also does not lend itself to being learnt quickly.  He wants players to evolve and learn to make the correct decisions.  For me there is no doubt at all that this should result in better footballers.  But by introducing 9 new players over the summer, to cover injuries and players allowed to leave, a problem arises.  If the new players do not thrive quickly within O'Driscoll's philosophies, the team will struggle and that is exactly what has happened.  O'Driscoll recognised this, admitting that relegation was a possibility at the start of the season and stating that sometimes you hve to go backwards to move forwards.  

It was a typically honest quote and one I am sure the board at Doncaster Rovers would have hated, especially with a chairman who even now talks about play-offs.

Should O'Driscoll have been fired? Looking at it from the outside, and despite our poor run, I would say no.  The injuries and new personnel more than explain the terrible results.  There is also plenty of time to get out of the situation we in which we find ourselves, as Sean has in the past. 

When would I have looked to dismiss the manager?  After relegation I would set a target of immediate return to the championship.  If it became clear that Rovers were not going to achieve this under Sean O'Driscoll, then he would go. 

Thing is though, that is my opinion looking from the outside.  I do not know what has been said in board meetings; I do not know about O'Driscoll's relationships with the powers that be at the Rovers. There are plenty of things that could have happened behind closed doors that would make the decision correct or the manager's position untennable.  I suspect one of these things has happened.

In any case.  Thank you Sean for the great years you've given us.

On to Dean Saunders.  Well, he's always struck me as a nice guy with a great sense of humour.  You have to worry about his experience but I am right behind him.  Like I did with Sean, I will reserve judgement on what he can bring the Rovers until he's had some time in the job.  Lets hope it is further success in the championship.

Leeds United 0: 3 Man United

LEEDS UNITED

0 : 3

MANCHESTER UNITED

As many people who read this Blog will be already aware, I married a Leeds fan, and another piece of luck that we had with this trip back home was Leeds drawing Man Utd. in the League Cup while we were around.  As Leeds had already (with their share of luck) seen to it that Doncaster would not be playing on this evening, I was free to join Mrs. Duck and the Leeds faithful for this clash of the titans.  Well, one titan at least!

We met up with some of the #twitterwhites, a group on Twitter founded by my good lady wife and the illusive "Scratching-Shed" after some drunken tweeting a couple of years ago.    The meeting place was the Peacock, opposite Elland Road a concerning place for someone who bleeds red and white as I do; highest of my concerns being not to spontaneously combust on such hallowed Leeds territory.  But I was made welcome by the Leeds fans and enjoyed the crack with Deano81_LUFC, MOTForever, LeedsJJo, AbsLeeds and co.  

I found the policing of this meeting of such bitter rivals strange.  Elland Road is a stadium that is easily approached from North or South and the South Stand is the current away end.  As I understood things, much to the disdain of Leeds fans, Man Utd. fans had been given access to the Pavillion (known as Ken's tent) by Leeds' much loved chairman.  So what were they doing around Billy's bar, directly opposite the Peacock?  

Its sad, that any measures at all are needed to keep rival fans apart, but events that evening proved that they are.  So if  you do know any of the idiots involved in the chanting or the violence, let your club know.  We are definately better off with them banned from football grounds.

Into the stadium and I was two rows from the front, right in the middle of the goal in the North Stand.   It was a great position to watch the great attacking display the visitors put on in the first half.

It was Leeds who had the first real chance though with a corner causing a bit of panic right at the start.  But after that, Man Utd. steadily got into an ominous rhythm.  The first came when Berbatov's pass cut through the Leeds' defence to find Ji-Sung Park.   His simple lay-off allowed Owen to wrong foot Lonegan, helped by a bit of a mis-cue.   

Owen's second was stunning.  It started with a short-corner with Giggs bringing the ball inside before finding Valencia who worked the ball to the opposite flank.  The cross was met by Owen at the edge of the area and he blasted into the top right-hand corner emphatically.  

Its a real shame Owen is content to ply his trade in the Manchester United reserves as on this form, he would undoubtedly be a contender for an England place.  

Right on half-time it was 3-0.  Another short corner by Giggs and on receiving the return ball he nutmegged Aidy White; accelerated with a pace that belied his years before flicking a shot into the top-corner past Lonegan.  Much to the chargrin of the Leeds Kop, Giggs ran in front of them with his hand cupped to his ear, obviously feeling that he had answered the stick he had been given that evening with aplomb.  He had!

At half half time I heard one of the Leeds ladies moaning about this celebration.  "What's in the crowd stays in the crowd" she told her friend with the knowledgeable nod of someone who had just made up a rule.  Here's mine madam - "If you can't take it, don't dish it out" - sorry I couldn't be so original as to compose it for you.

Second half and Giggs was withdrawn his job done.  Man United didn't look particularly interested in extending their lead in the second 45 but were far too organised for Leeds to break down although there was no lack of effort from the home side.  Even Sir Alex's subtle display of arrogance in pairing Berbatov and Carrick at centre-back for a significant period at the end of the game made little difference.  Right at the death, Leeds could and should have had a consolation when a great move found Nunez clean through on goal, but he blasted wastefully wide.

Game over and only the easy task of getting back to Leeds city centre and our hotel remained.  Just one complaint about organisation at Leeds.  Could you signpost and indicate where shuttle-bus tickets are purchased a little better?  Apart from that getting away was efficient and easy.  An enjoyable evening.

Reading 2-0 Doncaster

READING

2:0

DONCASTER ROVERS

One of the fantastic things about the Internet is its ability to bring people together who would otherwise surely never meet.  As luck would have it, my recent trip back to Blighty gave me many such opportunities, the first coming with this fixture.

Canadian Rover, a Wheatley lad who got out when the going was good as Mrs. Thatcher was starting to put her wrecking-ball through the mining industry, happened to be over from Canada and was kind enough to offer me a lift down to the MadStad.  After many years of sticking up for everything good about Donny Rovers on the 606 forums, it was a real pleasure to meet the guy and it was great to discuss our very similar opinions about Donny in face-to-face.

Despite my totally inept co-piloting skills, we arrived at the stadium in good time and about ready for a Steak and Ale pie.  Sadly, due to the MadStad's "middle of nowhere" location this pie and its accompanying pint were nowhere to be found and the Kentucky Fried Chicken and Fanta simply was not a substitute.  Something needs deparately sorting out there Royals!

But two pints in the stadium, which in itself is nice enough without being spectacular and it was game-time.

A ball in the midfield worked to either Oster (usually) or Gillett, then a long, diagonal ball up towards Hayter.  This ball would be headed clear practicially unchallenged by Kaspars Gorkss in the Reading defence.  This pattern of play would be one that Rovers fans would get used to in the next couple of hours.  Its a pattern of play that I had also seen on 1st January against Scunthorpe,  the difference being that on that occasion, Hayter did win some of the balls played to him.  I didn't like this move back in January though and now, I liked it even less.

Another feature of Doncaster's play was players running with the ball, and then running out of ideas as they reached the dangerous areas.  It was poor stuff!

Reading in the meantime, were making hay.  Neil Sullivan, recalled to replace Gary Woods was proving that he still has it with some great saves, my favourite of which was an effort from Jobi McAnuff which Sullivan couldn't hold on to but realising he was pushing the ball into the path of an on-rushing Simon Church, he swung a leg around to boot it out for a corner while still on the deck.  A brilliant piece of improvisation which saved a goal and received a few words of admiration from Church as he helped the Rovers' 'keeper to his feet. At least I think they were words of admiration.

For me though, the best moment for Rovers and of the game was a goal-saving tackle by George Friend.  Simply fantastic.  Both those incidents are featured in the clip below.

With Sully's heroics and that piece of brilliance, Rover's fans could have been forgiven for thinking that maybe the team would some find some inspiration from these incidents.  Not a bit of it.

Straight after the break there was a horrible moment between Sullivan and Martis as Le Fondre was making life difficult for them.  Martis left the ball before Sullivan had decided he was taking it and as a result he fumbled and the ball ran into the path of Simon Church who scored what must be the easiest goal of his career.

And it didn't take long for things to get worse.  A cross found Adam Le Fondre,  who had found a lot of space between Friend and Spurr.  He opened his account for the Royals with a powerful header.  A sweet first goal for the former Miller.

Rovers continued with the inept long-balls while Reading continued to rack up chances.  Sullivan was certainly justifying his call-up to the starting 11.  Without his performance, I dread to think what the scoreline could have been.

In the last 10 minutes, Donny actually started trying to play the ball on the floor again and looked better.  Coppinger had two decent half-chances, one of which hit the post, although Federici had it covered.  Right at the end, John Oster, who must have been voted "most unlikely to take a shot" at football academy, saw the Reading defence part in front of him while in the area.  The ball was moved sidewards and the chance was gone.  Two-nil to Reading and a very poor performance from the visitors.

So back up to Donny with Canadian Rover and I managed to get the train back to Leeds with some Sheffield Wednesday fans who'd travelled from Yeovil.  Sorry again about my navigating Canadian!

Pre-Match: Reading v Doncaster Rovers

READING

V

DONCASTER ROVERS

A meeting of two clubs who are no doubt wishing they hadn't bothered starting this season just yet.  My prediction for the day; at 4:45pm, one set of fans will be feeling just a little happier.

As everyone in Donny knows, I am a staunch defender of the manager and his philosophies and I was looking for more reason to excuse our terrible start.  "Wait a minute", I thought Rovers have lost to Brighton, West Ham, Derby and Cardiff.  Well that's 4 of the top 6.  We've also been beaten by Forest who....well are also not doing so well.  Our point of course came at home against Bristol who are another team performing almost as badly as the antagonists tomorrow.

Reading's defeats have been at the hands of Portsmouth, Barnsley, Hull and Watford.  These teams are mediocre to say the least so far this season.  They gained their points in their two opening fixtures at home to Millwall and away to moneybags-Leicester.  Careful Reading, they could be judged as good results.

So Fuzzy's prematch starts with a peeing competition over which of us is performing the worst at the moment.  It all bides well for good, wholesome entertainment on Saturday.  We actually had a real thriller at the Madstad last season with Reading coming back from 3:1 down to take the spoils 4:3.  Any bets on that kind of scoreline tomorrow?

READING

We are not stupid enough to think we are  doing well. We know we are not doing well enough and we want to put it right - Mickele Leigertwood

Of course, it is all Reading's fault.  Selling a class-act like Matt Mills and expecting never to look back.  Simply unrealistic, I mean, who sells a top performing central defender without first ensuring that you have adequately replaced him? (cheers for the sell on fee by the way).

The match against Watford saw the Hornets pick up their first win of the season.  So if Reading want to make a habit of giving sides their first wins....  The first thing that struck me in this game was the amount of space Reading were allowing Watford between the edge of their area and 40 yards out.  Not a good thing and Watford exposed it on a few occasions.  In the attacking sense, two things.  First of all a great corner which Mikele Leigertwood really should have headed home, and a half-decent free-kick by Joe Mills.

Another point about the defending was a worrying habit of not paying adequate attention to the attacker at the far post from any cross or set-piece.  It caused the second they conceded against Watford and was painfully obvious against Hull.  It seemed to be every time a ball came over, the far side of the attack was unattended.

Barnsley also came to the the Madstad seeking and getting their first win of the season.  In this case, Reading really were in gift-mode, converting just one of the three penalties they were awarded that day.  The first miss was a real collectors item.  An Ian Harte penalty miss.  That hasn't happened often.

Federici - Dominant in his 6 -Yard area

At last, I saw a bit more of Reading going forward in this game.  Unfortunately, not so much to draw many conclusion other than they can run at a defence.  Barnsley's defence was way too panicky to let them do anything else other than take penalty-kicks.  

Defensively, that space in front of the penalty area Reading like to leave  caused Barnsley's second as they sprung the offside-trap beautifully.  Their first was from a corner.  A case of an attacker getting in front of his marker.  It happens all the time but shouldn't.

Shout out for Reading.  Adam Federici.  I've always liked this guy as a 'keeper and the game against Hull in particular saw him dominating his 6-yard area much like the other 'keeper on show on Saturday hasn't been so far this season.  

DONCASTER ROVERS

It's a big game for both teams but it's been one of our strengths that when we have been in this sort of situation in the past we have shown self belief - and that's what we have to do again. - Sean O'Driscoll

Awful for Donny of course so far this season.  Awful for Donny so far this year.  And against Cardiff, it predictably continued.  I've just realised that I haven't looked at the highlights of that one.  Bear with me a moment...

Friend - Player of the Season so Far

Now that's not the sort of thing to watch after you've been mildly taking the mick out of the oppositions defending.   A horrible 'keeper fumble nearly gifting Cardiff an opener; Jimmy O'Connor being out-muscled by a midget and very appropriately described "Keystone Cops" defending for Cardiff's second were my low-lights.  The highlights also showed me the inadequacies of believing radio commentary.  Our two commentators were arguing over Cardiff's first.  Did Gerrard touch it?  Touch it!  He nearly burst the back of the net with it!  Still, they did call a brilliant break from George Friend who then set up Coppinger to blast over.

From everything I have heard, Friend has picked up from where he left off that season, and to be honest, he's perhaps the only player we would have wanted to do so.  

I'm still going to remain positive though!  Players are coming back (I'll put O'Connor's problems with the midget down to lack of match-fitness) and Rovers should improve.  As Mr. O'Driscoll says, its a big game for both teams.  A chance for either to gain some much-needed confidence.  

And I'm going to be there to see it all!  Give me a shout if you see me (the shirt's a dead giveaway!)

Pre-Match: Cardiff City v Doncaster Rovers

CARDIFF CITY

V

DONCASTER ROVERS

I remember many years ago, coming into work to be faced by the Prince of Wales' feathers as my desktop wallpaper.  England had been defeated by Wales 9:8 the previous afternoon and Llanelli wasn't the best place to be an Englishman just then.  The wind-up doesn't sound a great deal but it was in the days of Windows 3.11.  Changing wallpaper was not as easy as it is today and I was stuck with it for several weeks.

Happily, Wales were beaten 15:8 by the English the next season and needless to say, the victory was reflected on the desktops of all computers in the department.  Maybe this is why I ended up leaving the principality.

Onto the round-ball game and I was wondering what my former colleagues would have made of Tuesday's events.  For me, there were no bragging rites on this occasion.  England got the points, but were crap.  Had I still been in Llanelli, there would have been complaints.  The production line on which I worked would have a disturbing whine that I would have had to check out.

Moving on to Cardiff and last season, in hindsight, Rovers' early-season meeting with Cardiff was a foreteller of things to come.  At the time, I put the 4:0 defeat down to the bubble Cardiff were on due to capturing the loan-signing of Craig Bellamy.  Cardiff certainly were inspired by Bellamy, and in the second half, completely out-played the Rovers but the game was the first indication of the defensive frailties that helped make Donny's season one we prefer not to think about too much.

By the time the tie at the Keepmoat came around, it was all too apparent that Rovers were up against it.  That leaky defence could no longer be excused by the presence of multi-million pound strikers in the opposition ranks and our injury crisis was biting.  That said, Rovers put in a spirited performance and deserved the point they looked like earning up until the 89th minute.  The Jason Koumas late late shw put paid to that point though,  as he first fired in a great free-kick and then took advantage of a quick break to get his second leave a scoreline that flattered the Welshmen.

CARDIFF CITY

Darcy Blake - Impressive for Wales

Two Cardiff players featured in Tuesday's international at Wembley.  Rob Earnshaw should have sealed a point for Wales although I can't see him fretting too much about that.  The other Bluebird, Darcy Blake, actually played Earnshaw in for that chance and he earned many plaudits by frustrating Wayne Rooney to the extent that he was dropping ever further back into midfield to gain some meaningful possession (and in so doing reducing the threat he obviously poses).

Listening to Malky MacKay's pre-match, it was all about Darcy and how MacKay preaches fitness above everything in his coaching.  Not much at all said about Doncaster other than the predictable "its going to be a tough game" and that Sean O'Driscoll's sides are always awkward to play against because of the way he tinkers with his system.

Looking at the last games' highlights that Cardiff have played, the first words out of the commentator's lips for the game against Portsmouth reminded us that we were watching a repeat of the 2008 FA Cup final.  Another reminder of the exhalted company Donny are keeping these days.  The thing that struck me from the game was how the Bluebirds were getting into messes from set-pieces played into their box.  There were two almighty scrambles,  which were somehow kept out.  

The goal Cardiff scored came from a great overlapping run down the left flank.  Where you would expect the runner, Andrew Taylor to go to the byline and cross, he opted to shoot instead and a very good shot it was.  The equalizer was almost predictably a high ball into the box that saw Kanu out-muscle the Cardiff defence.

Against Burnley, and again a high ball into the box caught the Bluebirds napping and they were a goal down after 2 minutes.  They equalized when Rob Earnshaw was given an obscene amount of space and finished as he would have liked to have done against England on Tuesday night.  Every striker misses a sitter from time-to-time.

The game against Brighton, for me showed the real weakness of Cardiff.  Attack them at pace.  Retreating defenders left spaces for Brighton's attackers so Coppinger, Bennett and/or Milankovic could be useful weapons for Donny.  On the plus side for Cardiff, I noticed Rob Earnshaw again looking like the very good striker he is and running at defenders, which is what he does best.  

All in all, Donny are up against a side who have finished 4th for the last two seasons.  I think the division is tougher, so Cardiff may not do that this season but I'll eat my hat if they are not top ten.  But there are chinks in the armour.

DONCASTER ROVERS

If you were to pick a team that will do well in the Championship this season then Cardiff shouldn't be too far off the top of the list. - Sean O'Driscoll

Jimmy O'Connor - Good to have him back

Cardiff's internationals all returned from their international exploits fit and well.  Donny's players didn't concern themselves with such diversions and instead concentrated on getting fit.  As a result, Brian Stock, Shelton Martis and Jimmy O'Connor are all back in the contention to start.  

For me, O'Connor is the most important of that trio at the moment.  The Right-Flank of our defence has been an issue this season and I think Jimmy's experience is really needed there at this time.

With the performances of Richard Naylor and George Friend being so good so far this season, I can really see Martis struggling to get back into the starting line-up.  That leaves Stocky.  He is a class player but to accomodate him who do Rovers sacrifice?  Oster and Gillett are playing well.  Could Sean actually have a selection dilemma as opposed to Hobson's choice?

Sadly, the Rovers' recoveries haven't really included the strikers, unless we are counting James Hayter, who has been great in the last two games while still recovering from injury.  Hayter will surely be fully fit against Cardiff and will give Darcy Blake (it was tempting to type 'Bussell') a bit more of a examination than Rooney!  

But as one comes back another goes as Chris Brown is now recovering from a knee operation.  Billy Sharp is of course still out but the  boot is off and he's running again.  Its probably still at least a month before we'll see him again but he seems to be ahead of schedule.

Tough game for Rovers to get their first win but fingers-crossed, I don't see the drubbing we received last season.  Wow - almost a prediction there from the Duck!