Robins v Rovers

BRISTOL CITY

V

DONCASTER ROVERS

OK Robins and Rovers lets get the rules staright here.  Terms like "must win" and "relegation 6-pointer" are banned around these parts. We're not there yet people!  I'll go along with anyone who says this is an important game for our two clubs, but it is not all over for the losers and nor is it anything like safety for the winners.  Let's agree that a win would be great for either team.  OK?

Now we've got that straight, lets talk about the game.  Back in August, Sean O'Driscoll's Rovers won their one and only point against Bristol.  George Adomah gave City the lead after half time and James Hayter ensured Rovers did get a point on 68 minutes. 

Ashton Gate is not usually a happy hunting ground for Donny, the memorable 5:2 victory two years ago was our first and only win there in nearly 30 years.  Recent form suggests that Saturday will not change much.  Rovers' away form is the worst in the league having not won since early November.  Bristol at home aren't bad of late.  Just marginally worse than Rovers at home on current form.

So the form book doesn't bide well for the visitors but the form book also said that Cardiff should have beaten the comfortably.  So much for form books.

BRISTOL CITY

We've been given the tag of a side that cannot motivate itself for games against sides around us in the table and we don't like it - Cole Skuse

But we do , Cole.  Do carry on being demotivated!

To be honest, the stats just don't bare out the theory that the Robins can't lift themselves to compete against the sides at the lower end of the table.  In terms of their record against bottom-half sides Bristol are 20th in the division.  Against top-half sides, they are also 20th and their position in the league without messing about with weird and wonderful stats is 20th.  

So what should Rovers be concerned about?

Well I'm OK with their midfield who aren't bad at dispossessing their opponents and then moving the ball quickly forwards.  The crossing looks on the money too although the finishing in th games against Brighton and Millwall could have been better.  All in all though, the chances are being created.  They just need putting away.  I don't really understand why Bristol didn't score more.  In Adomah, Maynard and Pitman they have a potent attacking force that just wasn't firing in the games I saw.

Defensively, its not so good.  It looked a bit like chess to me.  When attacked, the defenders would move to a position that certainly got in the way of the advance.  But that's all they did.  There was no real pressure on the ball carrier and no real tight marking to truly limit his options.  So eventually a chance for their opposition is created.  Thank goodness for them that they have David James who remains a very good 'keeper.

Certainly I was much less impressed with Bristol than I was with Cardiff when I previewed the match last week.  It could be the day to break our away-day hoodoo.

DONCASTER ROVERS

We beat Peterborough and Ipswich. We've not had much luck really on the road in the last few weeks so hopefully we get a bit of luck. Sometimes you can win games without playing well if you get a bit of luck. - Dean Saunders

No No No Dean.  This is Donny Rovers.  We just don't do luck and frankly Dean's been in town long enough to realise this.  Joking aside, I really don't get why Dean's said this because we are playing well, as Cardiff found out last week.


It was exciting stuff for a 0:0 at the Keepmoat and in the end, it was Donny who deserved the points and Cardiff who were travelling home with a point plundered.  Yes, it was a shame we didn't get all three points but it was a performance that certainly picked up the fans.  Dean certainly couldn't ask for much more.


Off the pitch and no phone calls for any of Rovers' players.  Now should we be pleased or concerned about that?  Sure, its good that Billy Sharp hasn't received any nuisance calls from a Rovers' point of view, but what about shop-windows?  Perhaps they're covered with that smeery stuff and nobody can see in yet?  The official explanation is that Rovers haven't won enough to attract enough attention.  Well, lets hope that's something that changes then we can sell some shop-window players and break up a winning team.  Stability breeds success; never break up a winning team; how many more conventions will "the experiment" challenge?


Anyway, I'm sure that's enough politics to wind up a few folk so back to the news and we hear that El-Hadji Diouf has finally broken the world for being the slowest to take a pen out of his inside pocket!  Come on Dioufy, you've got the record, you can sign in real time now!


Enjoy the match everybody!

Rovers v Bluebirds

DONCASTER ROVERS
V

CARDIFF CITY

Back to the league and its a tricky little tie for the Rovers, against one of the form teams of the division, Cardiff City.  The fixture in the Welsh capital wasn't the best of days for Rovers as the Bluebirds took an easy 2:0 win.  

Historically, apart from a memorable and surprising first home victory in the championship,  Cardiff have not been lucrative opponents for the Rovers.  As I remember, if Donny do play well against them, its a case of close, but no cigar.  Last season, two late goals gave the Bluebirds all the points at the Keepmoat, and the season before, I remember a great performance that nearly saw Rovers come back from two goals down.

In any case, a good Rovers performance makes for a decent match between these two, so here's hoping that's what we get.

DONCASTER ROVERS

Hopefully Cardiff’s Carling Cup tie in midweek will mean their players are noting it, mentally and physically.  If my players show the effort and desire they did against Barnsley last time out, I fancy us to beat anyone. - Dean Saunders

Good, awful, good, awful, good, awful...anyone seeing a pattern here?  What I've just written is a reasonable summary of Rovers' recent performances.  Until last week, I thought it was a home and away thing but last weekend, Rovers proved that they could do "awful" at home.  I'd have prefered them to show that they could do "good" on their travels to disprove a theory but there you go.  Saturday would be a good time to prove that last week was an exception to the rule and that the Keepmoat is indeed a fortress.

Billy's Back!

Off the pitch and its "will he stay or will he go?"  with regard to Billy Sharp.  I'm pleased to see that the club is trying to keep Billy.  It makes sense in pretty much every way with the exception of reducing the wage bill but there are more compensations.  


If it wasn't for a much talked about contract clause, I am sure that John Ryan's initial price of £3 million for Billy would have attracted interest.  Unfortunately, the revised price of £1.8 million will attract more.  But if Billy can be persuaded to stay, Rovers benefit from his presence for the rest of the season, plus may be able to get a much better price for him in the summer.  Speculate to accumulate as they say plus to keep with the Clash's little ditty, "If he stays there may be trouble, if he goes it will be double".

From what I've heard, another new player could be in for the Saturday match.  It sounds as if FIFA have finally got back to the office and found pen to complete the paperwork for Damien Plessis.  That just leaves Habib Bamogo of the three players who agreed to sign before Christmas after Mamadou Babayoko made his debut last week.  Am i the only one having trouble keeping up with all the comings at Donny?

CARDIFF CITY


We're certainly not taking anyone lightly.  We're talking about a team who have won their last three home games, - Malky MacKay

You know, John Ryan thinks up an imaginative method to save money and keep Donny in the championship while he only had to look to the Bluebirds for the most obvious way.  Just make sure you get a game at Wembley every other year, thereby creating enough revenue to sort out any wage bill issues.  Now why didn't he think of that!


That's what Cardiff have achieved and I doubt many other clubs can make a similar claim.  Tuesday saw them play a League Cup semi-final first leg and after just losing by a single goal at Selhurst Park, Wembley is more than a possibility.  Even if they don't make it, at the moment they are looking a good bet for the play-offs, that is unless they mess up and get automatic promotion.


But all that is academic.  The question is, could they handle the might of Notts County?

Peter Whittingham - Master Provider

On 2nd January against Reading they served their fans up a real treat and ticked most of my boxes.  They move the ball beautifully and have a bit of fight about them.  


The first half was the Peter Whittingham show.  He came close with a run and shot early on and then created Cardiff's second and third goals, the second with a fabulous in-swinging corner and the third with a great through-ball to Kenny Miller.  Great stuff.  The only solice for Rovers being that Reading's goal was very soft in terms of the defending at the far side of the penalty area.  Still, Cardiff beat the team one place below them 3:1 and the Royals were lucky to get away with that!


Against Forest and that master provider Whittingham set up the goal again.  A crose from midfield for Kenny Miller to head home.  But there was more for a young Donny fan to smile about in this one.  It looks like its worth having a run at Andy Taylor, Cardiff's left back.  Forest did a couple of times and had it not been for their toothlessness, may have got something for their trouble.


Against Watford and it was more of the same.  Peter Whittingham looking brilliant.  No assists this time but a couple of very good efforts, one of which Cardiff fans will always wonder how it stayed out.  That evil inswinging corner was also there to be appreciated.


So, I'd say this Saturday is as tough a job as I've seen put in front of the Rovers this season.  Cardiff could just about handle Notts County. 


Enjoy the game everyone and a safe trip to all Bluebirds finding their way to Donny.

Doncaster Rovers v Notts County

DONCASTER ROVERS
V

NOTTS COUNTY



FA Cup third round day.  Perhaps the most romantic day in the football calender and it Donny v Notts County.  OK, perhaps not the most romantic of ties but at least its a Derby.  Rovers haven't been in the same league as the Magpies for 13 years, but we have a recent habit of drawing each other in cup competitiions.  Indeed, this is the third  season out of the last four that our paths have crossed.  What are the chances? Well its actually fewer than 1 in a million!  Anyone fancy a bet on our paths crossing in the cup next season!

Its one of those ties where at first thought, you make Rovers, as the championship club, the favourites but, of course only 12 league positions separate the clubs.  That's just one place more than separated Rovers from Barnsley before the sides met last weekend.  Nothing at all for Rovers to take for granted.

DONCASTER ROVERS

 It’s not going to be a pushover and I’ve told the players that if we go in with the wrong attitude, we’ll lose - Dean Saunders

Rovers are starting to show a bit of consistency, well, at home at least where they are unbeaten in four with wins in the last three.  Great stuff, and if they get the team performing with similar spirit away from home, then we might just avoid meeting the Magpies on a regular basis next season.

No matter what this season brings, Rovers will end it with their first victory over Barnsley at the Keepmoat.  And what a good win it was with no Rovers player failing to deliver on the day.  Some have suggested a victory for the old guard as the side contained only two players who were signed since Dean Saunders took over.

I think its more a case of Rovers fielding six players who had been well rested for one reason or another.  That's the virtue of having a large squad and its true to say the relationship with Willie McKay has brought that to the Keepmoat.  Sadly, I don't think this is the intention.  The club is trying to save money and, however cheaply we're managing to attain players, unless some are let go, money is not saved.  Its going to be an interesting transfer window.

Indeed, the moves have already started.  Richard Naylor ends his brief stay while Mustapha Dumbuya has moved to Crystal Palace for a month.  Looking at players coming in, tomorrow could see Habib Bamogo and Mamadou Babayoko making their debuts after receiving their international clearances.

Now the interesting question.  Are Rovers looking to sell Billy Sharp?  The official line is no, but there is a release clause that will be activated if a large enough offer is received.  Unofficially, I think the club has been subtely looking to sell Sharp since the end of last season.  With El-Hadji Diouf signed for another 18 months; the arrival of Bamogo and Babayoko and the impending arrival of Damien Plessis it may be interesting to see if Billy is rested tomorrow.  Saunders claims he is trying to win the game and playing Sharp, in the form that he is in, would be consistent with this intention.  But not playing him would save him from being cup-tied should he be transfered.  We will see.

NOTTS COUNTY

Its a strong division, but all the teamms that go up to the championship do well - Martin Allen

The Magpie's form hasn't been that good of late, their last victory being their second round tie against Sutton United.  Since then they've lost four until gaining a point against Huddersfield last weekend.

Magpies - my apologies.  I normally do a review of the opposition by watching a few highlights from recent games and give my honest opinion.  Unfortunately, I simply haven't had the time this week. 

In any case, I am sure you will give a good account of yourselves.  Enjoy your trip to Donny!

Battle of the South Yorkshire Titans!

DONCASTER ROVERS
V

BARNSLEY

Forget the traditional Glasgow New-Year's Derby, the Keepmoat is the place to be for the clash of the two football power-houses of South Yorkshire!  Its a very appropriate date for the Doncaster to avenge their 2:0 defeat at Oakwell in November, when Rovers were frankly, terrible.

Doncaster Rovers

We owe the fans and we need to show them what we’re made of.  - Dean Saunders

I think that's a quote we'll all drink to, Dean!

Christmas 2011, like the rest of the year has brought Rovers' fans very little goodwill as two defeats, plus two victories for Coventry has seen us end the year rock-bottom of the championship.  From the year Rovers have had, I guess its appropriate that we should be bottom of the league.  Its also an appropriate place from which to start a New Year that we all hope will prove to be more successful on the pitch than the last one.

But its a New Year so let's be positive.  One positive is that Rovers are at home, where we are unbeaten in three matches and against opponents who, theoretically at least should pack more of a punch than Barnsley.  A second positive is that we have signed a 'Keeper.  He's an ex-Spurs academy player who has been on loan at nine clubs prior to Rovers.  Carl Ikeme he is not, but at the moment, with just one fit 'keeper, he is a welcome addition.

Continuing the positive messages is difficult.  Dean is forced into two changes with Pascal Chimbonda going off early in Saturday's 4:1 defeat and Herold Goulon seeing red in the second half.  Aha, something more to be positive about.  Until Goulon's exit, Rovers were level with Watford and were having the better of the second half.

Clutching at straws?  You bet.  Rovers are going to have to clutch every passing straw and hope it floats if we're going to playing Championship Football this time next year!

BARNSLEY

 

We've got three points from this game, so anything from the Doncaster game is a bonus - Keith Hill

 

OK - time to get it over with.  It's New Year, so when I look back I can blame it on drink so here goes.  BARNSLEY ARE A DECENT SIDE! There.  Now I need a drink to recover

 

Joking aside, a 4:1 beating of Leeds has to be admired as has the fact that Barnsley now have picked up the double against our mutual rivals.  What is concerning for Doncaster is reading Keith Hill's interviews before the Leeds game.  Barnsley have been stripped to the bare-bones by injuries.  How they must wish that they had a Willie McKay in the background able to pick up quality players at the drop of a hat.  No need to rely on out-moded concepts like team-spirit when faced with an injury crisis!



Ricardo Vaz Tê



Funnily enough, there are plenty of options when it comes to viewing Saturday's match on Barnsley's website.  I chose to be entertained by the 32 minutes of extended highlights.  It was typical Barnsley, tough and committed in everything they did but there was soemthing else that I liked.  There is an ability to play football particularly around the edge of the opponents area.  They seemed to try a couple of probing runs, knocking the opponents defence out of position before moving the ball into truly dangerous areas.

 

Ricardo Vaz Tê was the star man of the performance with a great hat-trick off the bench.  The Portuguese Midfielder certainly can finish even if he was aided by some very tame defending.   Plenty of good performances were on show and starngely, one of them was from Luke Steele who brought off a couple of real top drawer stops.

 

The only negative I could see was the defence not being so quick to close down at the edge of their area.  Some of the defensive headers also left a bit to be desired.

 

Against Ipswich, you see the more vulnerable side of Barnsley.  They were cruising, two goals up at half time against the Tractor-Boys only to lose 5:3.  The defence's standing off at the edge of the area was a part of their downfall as was the defending of set-pieces. 

 

I'm not going to try and kid anyone though.  Rovers have tough opponents tomorrow.

 

Happy New Year to all Donny and Barnsley fans and enjoy the match!