DONCASTER ROVERS
- V -
STEVENAGE
Spectacular it wasn't. Listening to the match was like listening to paint dry (think about it...it works just as well). But does that make it a bad performance? I say not. Sometimes avoiding defeat and frustrating opponents is the order of the day. And, like with Crawley against us, occasionally you get more than the draw you deserve.
So going forwards, with the exception of a heroic performance from Chris Brown, disappointing (but it wasn't a game to go forwards). In defence we were imperious. Gary, Paul, Rob, Tommy and Jamie...take a bow! In the trade it was what is known as Checkmate!
Robin Shroot looks like their main threat going forwards having netted in the last 4 matches and to be fair, the three of those that I saw weren't tap-ins. Shroot is good with the ball on the deck and is a good finisher. Certainly a Challenge for Jones and McCoombe in the Rovers defence.
From what I saw of the highlights, Dean Saunders is correct, Stevenage are not the hoofball team people make them out to be. Coming forwards, there was plenty of decent pass and move football to admire. I found their crosses particularly impressive.
They are no mugs at the back either. Well organised with defenders prepared to throw themselves in the way of the ball if that is necessary. If there is a weakness, I would say it would be at the inside-right position. On a couple of occasions opposing strikers got between the left back and centre back to good effect. There also looked to be an issue at the far post from corners.
The matches I saw also showed a bit of fight about the team. Although they dominated Walsall, both Crewe and Coventry had them under the cosh at times. In particular Crewe were leading 2:0 in that game. But 'Boro remain unbeaten. Frankly, its not too difficult to see why.
Stevenage are the 2nd of two ex-conference opponents that we will face this season. In Donny's last conference season, Stevenage finished 12th with the results between the two sides ending "honours even". Stevenage were beaten 3:2 at Belle Vue while they were the victors in Hertfordshire by 2 goals to nil.
Stevenage kind of reversed Doncaster's achievements of 2002/03 and 2003/04 in 2009/10 and 2010/11. Where Donny gained promotion to the football league through the first ever conference play-offs in 2003 and were promoted to league 1 as champions in 2004, in 2010 Stevenage came into the league as conference champions and achieved promotion to league 1 through the play-offs in 2011.
In 2011/12 Stevenage nearly achieved what Rovers didn't by gaining a play-off place for what would have been a third successive promotion. Sadly / happily (depending on your point of view) Stevenage were not to become the second team of the premier league era to make it to the championship from the conference but their achievements demonstrate how worthy they are of the respect of their League 1 advisories.
DONCASTER ROVERS
Everybody thinks that they just launch the ball and are just big and strong. They are, but they also play football as well and their manager has done a terrific job since taking over from Graham Westley - Dean Saunders
There's a lot of respect for Stevenage coming from Deano...and as I've pointed out, so there should be!
Donny fans have been in very positive mood this week.... and so they should be. Midweek saw Rovers travel to Bramall Lane, almost certainly the toughest place to visit this season and get a draw.
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| Rob Jones - Leader of an Imperious Backline |
So going forwards, with the exception of a heroic performance from Chris Brown, disappointing (but it wasn't a game to go forwards). In defence we were imperious. Gary, Paul, Rob, Tommy and Jamie...take a bow! In the trade it was what is known as Checkmate!
And (for the first time from me....EVER)....Deano take a bow. Tactically correct. We played in a way that reduced our chance of losing (the priority) whilst not eliminating the bonus of a win.
For this match, don't be surprised if despite their doing what was required in the week, Dean makes a change or two. What is required tomorrow is different and perhaps a few changes might achieve the change in objective.
STEVENAGE
We've been decent on the road so far and we'll look to try to remain unbeaten if we can. - Gary Smith
Interesting comments by Gary Smith on that link. Could Stevenage be coming to Donny with an eye on a draw? For a side currently sitting 2nd in the table, that would be very respectful indeed. Perhaps too respectful? Well people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Rovers have just come home from Bramall Lane very pleased at the point they secured, so why shouldn't Stevenage feel the same way about us?
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| Robin Shroot - Good finisher |
From what I saw of the highlights, Dean Saunders is correct, Stevenage are not the hoofball team people make them out to be. Coming forwards, there was plenty of decent pass and move football to admire. I found their crosses particularly impressive.
They are no mugs at the back either. Well organised with defenders prepared to throw themselves in the way of the ball if that is necessary. If there is a weakness, I would say it would be at the inside-right position. On a couple of occasions opposing strikers got between the left back and centre back to good effect. There also looked to be an issue at the far post from corners.
The matches I saw also showed a bit of fight about the team. Although they dominated Walsall, both Crewe and Coventry had them under the cosh at times. In particular Crewe were leading 2:0 in that game. But 'Boro remain unbeaten. Frankly, its not too difficult to see why.
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