Doncaster Rovers v Sheffield United

No doubt where the match of New Year's day in League 1 will be. At the Keepmoat stadium 2nd visits 3rd in a South Yorkshire Derby.

Earlier this season...

Sheffield United. 0 : 0 Doncaster Rovers

The Blades dominated at Bramall Lane. 61% possession, more than twice as many shots and Rovers didn't win a single corner but they could not be broken down.

So far this season...

Equal on points, the Blades with a slender one-goal advantage on Goal Difference but the Rovers have a game in hand. It doesn't get much closer!

The Blades are clearly tough to beat. Only three defeats so far this season, and two of those were away at promotion-rivals MK Dons and Brentford.  The third I will deal with later.  But 10 draws is a lot.  Taking a look at them in detail, 3 of those draws were goalless against promotion rivals and so in May will probably be regarded as no bad thing.  Of the remaining seven, on 3 occasions the Blades recovered a point, in the other 4, they lost two. 

So when Hartlepool came to the Lane in the last fixture of 2012, the bottom placed team, without an away win in the league were facing the leaders who were unbeaten at home.  Hardly any wonder that the bookies were offering 10/1 for an away win at the start of the match.  But football is a funny old game!

All three of Hartlepool's goals started on the right-hand side of the Blades' defence.  The first was a short throw that was returned to the taker.  The most token of token efforts to close him down allowed a precise cross which was met by Steve Howard arriving between the two central defenders.  

The third came from two right sided players being suckered out to suicidally  high positions allowing Horwood to play James Poole in behind them.  His cross was met again by Steve Howard, virtually unmarked for his brace.  In between, the Blades suffered the ignominy of a former Owls favourite getting Pool's second and taking a little pleasure in doing so.

At the back, Hartlepool learnt a vital lesson from United's equalizer and started to put a lot more effort into closing down Blades on the edge of the box.  There's more than enough players capable of shooting from range in the Blades' team and had they not put a stop to this, they would have lost the game.

Like against like

So far this season, where we have had the same fixtures, the Blades have come out better winning 6 more points than the Rovers.  Quite a difference when you consider how similarly matched we are in the table.

Form and In Game Stats

Looking at the form comparators, you see that the Blades are as adept at parking the bus away from home as the Rovers.  They are happy to hold the ball (although in recent games, not so much) and try to tempt their opponents out before killing them off with a very respectable shooting efficiency of 1 goal per 7.4 shots. 

In their recent games, they've been far more direct indicated by 4.8 minutes of possession per shot compared with the normal 11 minutes.  Good or bad thing? - Both!  It worked against Crawley, who limited the Blades to just 29% possession but lost 2:0 having only managed 5 shots despite their dominance (Blades park the bus).  It failed against Brentford, who destroyed the Blades in the first 45 to have them chasing the game in the second period.

Donny's home form remains their achilles heel.  Their problem at home is shown by the shooting efficiency figures.  Rovers are clinical, but at the Keepmoat, they're allowing their opponents to be more clinical.  To indicate the difference between home and away, the opponents shooting efficiency of 16.9 % at the Keepmoat compares with a paltry 5.3% away from home.

All in all, this game will be as tight as the table makes it look.  I'd expect the Blades to sit back, inviting the Rovers on to them in the hope of hitting on the break.  A goal for the Rovers will cause the kitchen sink to be thrown as there is plenty of attacking prowess in the Blades' side.   Losing two on the bounce hasn't happened this season and they will be keen to ensure it stays that way.  That 100% record from winning positions could get its most severe test of the season.

A goal for the Blades will result in an attempted shut-out and lots of work from the Rovers to crack a very tough nut.

Forum Corner

With Donny getting arguably their best result of the season, and a stutter for the Blades (but what a stutter), there has to be some "what does it take to make fans happy" posts on the forums.

On VSC, a post containing a video of the goals provoked a debate as to which one was lucky (shame on the OP for suggesting the first one was!).  Perhaps we need a rule on intent with regard to goals?  It would be another one for the refs to get wrong, along with handballs.

I also saw a welcome positive post about Gary Woods, who has previously been a Keyboard Warriors' target.  Are we finally giving the lad a break?  He could become a fine 'keeper if we do.

The Blades showed their sense of humour on S24SU.com, setting up a poll to select Danny Wilson's replacement in the light of the defeat and managers who are suddenly available.  I'm not sure, but I think the choices could be loaded though.  The candidates are:

Keith Hill (I like a man who looks like he's been sleeping in a ditch for the last three years, me.)

Sean O'Driscoll (I worship the ground he walks on. Did I say ground? I meant water.)

Danny Wilson (I'm currently not a certified mentalist.)

The article points out that a dismissal could be an over-reaction after a losing run of, well, one.

 

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Swiss 36 No. 17: Stade Universitaire Saint-Léonard - FC Fribourg

FC Fribourg v SC Kriens

A first trip out to a team that has profited from the Swiss League's reorganization took us to Fribourg, the capital of the Swiss Canton of, well Fribourg. The re-shuffle has also brought national football to this canton so in this case we can call it a bloody good thing!

Not the prettiest

As ever, it was an easy trip out to Fribourg, and a local kindly put us on the right bus to the stadium. It took us through a picturesque town that looked well worth a visit before dropping us near a flyover on an industrial estate.

Was it an industrial estate? The only certainties about where we were, were that it was bloody ugly and really confusing. It was however, the best place in the world to be caught short. As we wandered the maze of building sites, heading towards the floodlights, we must have passed about 30 portaloos of different shapes colours and sizes. We didn't take advantage and instead followed a winding route to the stadium.

It was one of those infuriating things. We could see the stadium as soon as we got off the bus, but kept having to turn away from it as our way was blocked. Even when we arrived, the entrance proved illusive.

Not so nice inside either

Once we did get in, unfortunately, I can't say the view improved much as it seemed wherever you were, you were looking at the industrial estate that you'd just negotiated. 

Still, time to look for some positives. At 10 SFr. (£6.78) Friburg have the lowest entrance price that we've found so far. Yes, it's not the highest level of football, but it's great value! It was also good to see equality in football being showed off to a greater extent than I've ever seen before with two of the officiating team being women.  And the far-side assistant was a fit woman at that!

Points time

Getting There

7 / 10. Not a problem with the train and then the bus. The bus dropped us within 10 minutes of the stadium but then it go confusing. I'm sure it will be better when it's finished around there.

I think some might want a word about bigger dugouts!

Friendliness

8 / 10. Good to get a hand from a local to find the ground and the guys running the refreshment stall did go and look through the stock in the merchnadizing stall (which wasn't open) to try and find the car-pennants we were after. But during the match, nobody from Friburg said a word to us.

As we were walking round to the refreshment stalls at half-time a call of "Hey, English" came from the small group of Kriens fans. They had recognized us from our earlier visit to the Kleinfeld Stadion. We enjoyed their company for the second half and after the match we were given a lift back to the station. One of them actually travelled with us as far as Zürich showing us that if we ask, with the Swiss-wide rail pass, we can sit in first class if second is too crowded.

Stop Press: SC Kriens friendliness points increase by three!

Safety

9 / 10. No fences. My only minor gripe would be that the terracing was a touch high and some repairs were needed.

View

View from the ends

4 / 10. As the stadium name suggests, it's a multi-purpose job with an athletics track and the trimmings all the way around. At the ends, it makes for a poor view. But apart from that athletics track, it's OK from the main stand.

Atmosphere

2 / 10. Very difficult to do much when there are just 300 spectators in the ground. The 20 or so from Kriens were easily the most vocal in the stadium.

Refreshments

6 / 10. As you can imagine, all reasonably priced. We had a hot wine each, which was very nice in the cold and the rain. But although it was very reasonably priced, it was the standard beer / sausage / chips fare.

Overall

36 / 60. At these prices, more Friburgers should go!

The Match

Certainly decent. It took just two minutes for the visitors to take the lead. Abada's ball down the left allowed Palko to play in Rexep Saqi who finished well into the bottom right corner. On 15 minutes, it was two with Kriens' top-scorer Ridge Munsy finishing well from the edge of the area.

The Girls did a good job

Friburg were really struggling to keep in the game in the first half. Further chances from Munsy and Guto were not converted before on 33 minutes against the run of play, they were back in the game. Abdoulaye Koné finished a fine move down the right-hand side and we had a match. Friburg pressed on until half-time and it looked like we were in for a good second half.

We were, but the show was put on by the visitors who took over. Saqi netted his brace in the 58th minute before a fitting finale in the 70th minute. Intricate one touch passing between Edi N'Tiamoah and Ridge Munsy allowed Munsy to score the best goal of the game. Impressive from Kriens in the end and the result was no more than they deserved.

And as for Esther Staubli, the referee,  she did well.  I've certainly seen referees take more rubbish from players and seldom seen so many players told to "get up"!

Posted with Blogsy

Swiss 36 No. 16: Stade de Geneve . Sevette FC

Servette FC v FC Sion

Servette are the final Swiss Super League outfit needing to be visited on our tour of the Swiss 36 and its a visit that we'd postponed. Heavy Snow in Winterthur resulted in our thinking better of the trip back in October. If we had taken the risk, it would have been fine. The weather was fine in Geneva and Servette beat top of the table, Grasshoppers by a two goals to nil.

Still, SFC v FCS has a nearly palindromic fascination about it. It is actually a rivalry in Switzerland which is surprising. Between the two places is a near two-hour trip either through the mountains or looping around Lake Geneva.

Its a long trip from Winterthur over to Geneva but its a single train so once we'd got ourselves comfy it would be fine. Besides - its only once and for the Swiss 36, we will endure!

We were observant enough to get an empty set of four-seats around a table at Zürich Airport and decided to keep things that way. Our comfort was threatened at Zürich main station but a couple of "Olé...Olé Olé Olés" and choruses of "FC Winti FCW" had most new passengers convinced we were that hooligan element. Disgraceful I know but why are people so quick to judge football fans who sing?

So into Geneva and where to next? Not immediately apparent but one stop on a local train in the direction of Lancy seemed a good bet according to Google Maps. Off that train and where to? Follow the crowd and out we came in Carouge. A sign indicated the directions to Etoille. Etoille de Carouge? That was a team that was relegated from the Challenge League last season. OK - it looks like we will be around these parts one more time for the Swiss 36!

Most folks looked to be getting on a bus so we followed and a couple of stops later we were there.

Great looking stadium

And contrary to many Swiss stadia, what a great looking stadium! Getting off the bus and we could already hear the crowd inside. It was looking good!

We were politely directed to a ticket stand and paid 25 SFr for a seat behind the goal. That's fine for Super League. The security were anal....and stupid. They weren't at all interested in my beaker of enhanced Vodka but had great fascination in a bit of my broken camera tripod! But they saved the best until last.

In my rucksack was an England flag that I use at Winterthur matches. They didn't like it because of the four small carbiners that I use to attach it to fences. I simply assured them that I wouldn't be using the flag today and they allowed it to be stuffed back in the rucksack!

I take it then that had they found my pepper spray or my taser gun, I'd have been allowed to keep those too?

...and not bad inside either

Into the stadium and it looks as goo inside as it does outside.

Points time.

Getting There

6 / 10. I didn't see a signpost and it wasn't exactly obvious. We found our way by following the crowds. Getting back we ended up on a bus going in the wrong direction so it could be clearer.

Friendliness

7 / 10. We only spoke to club employees and security staff who were all nice enough. Security were thorough but friendly.

ahhhh but the fences

Safety

5 / 10. Yes its the fences again. I have the Hillsborough TV - Drama on video and I think I should send it to the Swiss FA. In this case the fencing is again to cage in the best fans the club has as well as the away support.

Then we have the bizarre security. "Oh OK - I won't use the flag" was enough to allow me to take in something they didn't like. A few flares came out during the game showing again how effective the security was.
View

8 / 10. Stade de Geneve is a proper football stadium and I don't think there's a bad seat in the house. However, the fencing attracts banners and flags. If you were to end up sat directly behind the fences, you wouldn't see a thing!

Atmosphere

10 / 10. Oh Yes! This is why I love football! The first thing I will say is full marks to Servette FC. They've given those fan-cheerleaders that I've spoken about a small platform in front of the kop equipped with loudspeakers and a microphone. And they make good use of it!

They carried on like that from start to finish even though they lost 2:0!

Great entrance ceremonies to build atmosphere

The club also had a great entrance. These guys were the first out of the tunnel and they did a lap of the pitch before standing around the centre circle as the teams came out. All with music of course, it was a very effective build up.

Sion fans are also worth a mention. They too had plenty of flags and did get themselves heard, which was no mean achievement against a very vocal Servette kop. Simply excellent!

Refreshments

4 / 10. Not good I'm afraid. Hot Dogs, chips or sandwiches where we were. Shame really.Overall

40/60 - Quite respectable.

Redeeming Feature

Not really too much that I haven't evaluated. Good Stadium, great fans.

The Match

Not a bad match unless you happen to be a Servette fan. In the end, they were well beaten 0 : 2 by their rivals.

It was a cagey opening, typical of when aside in trouble are at home. It took 22 minutes to get an effort on goal, but it was a very good one. The home side attacked down the left with Steven Lang. He cut in slightly before hitting a ferocious shot that Andris Vanins did well to tip over his bar. Vanins was called into action again 5 minutes before half time. Lang caused the problems again, this time on the right. His shot found Geoff Triand who's drive was pushed out. A moments hesitation from Sauthier caused the ball to be scooped up across the goalmouth to Vince Rüfli who just needed a clean contact, but didn't get it.

Straight down the other end and Sion nearly scored when Leo's shot was pushed onto the post by Chris Routis, who reacted quickly to prevent further danger from the rebound. But Sion had now joined the game. Right on the stroke of half time, Xavier Kouassi was harshly judged to have brought down in the area and Kyle Lafferty made no mistake with the spot-kick.

It was less than the home side deserved on the first half display.

Into the second half and the introduction of Gennaro Gattuso had a calming effect on the visitors, that resulted in the home side creating little more for the fans to cheer about (not that this stopped them). The increased solidity of the midfield bolted the door.

The second goal came from a bit of poor defending when a weak defensive header fell to André Marquis. He attacked down the left and crossed for the ever-influential Leo to score at the near post.

Not good enough in the second-half from Servette who have work to do this season to maintain their top-flight status.  Shame that - The fans certainly deserve more!

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Lactics v Rovers

OLDHAM ATHLETIC
 - V - 
DONCASTER ROVERS

Seems like only yesterday that we were last playing Oldham.  This morning, I was doing my normal "what should I write for the Intro" thing when I thought about how I do this blog.  I usually write some guff here that attempts to set a scene.  I then talk about what's going on with Rovers using a quote from somebody.  Finally, I review two or three of the oppositions last matches to be able to say something about the way they play.

The strangely not so unusual turn of events of playing the same team twice in a matter of days gives me an opportunity.  A teams most relevant performance is it's last one isn't it?  In both our cases, our last performance was against each other - so lets have a look at that.  We can combine the Donny and the Oldham bits and save bit of time!

Well, you can save a bit of time.  I'll have to watch the match to be able to say something relevant I guess!

My first comment regards the entrance of the teams.  A rousing version of Wild Rover and out come the teams low-fiving a guard of honour.  At the same time, the Vikettes are jiggling their Pom-Poms on the side of the pitch.  Wild Rover continues to blare until kick-off.   

Well, I'm a guy who doesn't watch much English football these days.  On Monday, I was watching FC Winterthur play FC Aarau.  OK, this was a top of the table clash.  It was the biggest game Winti have played since the Cup Semi-Final defeat to FC Basel and if I said it was always like this, I'd be lying.  But what do you think?  

This was done at the start of the second half.  It would have been done for the teams coming out but as it was a night game, some key choreographers were still finishing work!  Personally, I'd lose the flares but otherwise....

Back to Donny and sadly, as far as the first half was concerned, I'd seen the good bit!   It took 6 minutes before I was starting to feel my eyelids getting heavy.  

It could have been one team playing against themselves.  Big balls lumped up to clumps of players who battled for it.  Whoever won then tried to attack, usually by trying to put a quick ball into the penalty area that normally got swatted away.  After 12 minutes I really had to get up to make sure I didn't doze off.  I went away, made a cup of tea and came back to find the ball exactly where it had been when I left - In the air above the far flank.

Sad point of the first half?  Seeing Martin Woods realizing he obviously had an injury that could mean a few games out.  It was the same angry and frustrated reaction that I saw whenever Billy Sharp picked up an injury that would require some time off.  Lets hope he's back soon!

Second half and it had to improve.  No - it really did!  I'm guessing it was about 15 minutes in - time had begun to become meaningless and EXCITEMENT!

A long throw from Tommy Spurr  (by this time he must have done 5 or 6 of them) nearly paid off.  It wasn't pretty.  Rob Jones challenged enough to prevent the Oldham defender getting a decent header and it bounced high behind them.  Chris Brown saw the potential easy pickings and headed goalwards only to be denied by a goal line clearance.    

It was a signal for things to get better.  One of the game's better corners was well saved by the Oldham 'Keeper from a Rob Jones header.  It was a good save but I do remember the Oldham commentary team, who had been hilarious  all night likening it to the famous Gordon Banks save from Pelé in 1970.  Errrr NO!

Rovers got the goal they deserved from Cotterill's free-kick and then I saw the first bit of football all night.

Rovers for once didn't lump the ball into the middle from a corner, but played it shortish to the corner of the area.  It was the first time anyone had done anything slightly different all game and the Oldham defence missed it.  In came a cross and Iain Hume nearly scored.

Towards the end and Chris Brown should have invited the Fat-Lady on to sing the Aria.  Another long hoof from the Oldham 'Keeper was won by Rovers.  They played a ball over the top that just happened to pick out Chris Brown's run.  One on one with the 'keeper and uncharacteristically, he failed to hit the target.

Just before the end of normal time, the Oldham 'keeper bizarrely forgot where he was and handled the ball outside the area.  The free- was another source of frustration for me.  There was the 7-Man wall in front of Cotterill and there was Chris Brown - on the corner of the 6-yard box looking very like he would get the better of his marker (loosely speaking he was just about marked).  A bit of thought and Cotterill chips to him and he scores.  But it wasn't a thinkers game.  Cotterill's shot predictably blasted into the wall.

A final moan on Iain Hume's stupidity at the end.  I think he was unlucky to get the yellow for the original foul.  It was a 50 / 50 ball that he had every right to go for.  Did he catch the Oldham defender?  I couldn't say.  Did he ridiculously and potentially dangerously try to haul the guy to his feet by an arm and a leg?  Certainly!  Should he have just walked away - absolutely!

Double yellow for Hume and he's missing for our next game in the league.

I haven't said too much about Oldham.  They say madness is doing the same thing again and again while expecting to get a different result.  That about sums them up.  No imagination, no creativity, no football.  Rovers at least played a small amount of football and anyway, did have the excuse that in the second half, they were clearly better at the 50 / 50  muscle game being played.  But its a win and I am happy.  Not as happy as the Rovers' fans doing the olés near the end.  Some people are really easily satisfied.

Prediction for today

Well Oldham are really awful.  I'm going to hope for a Cotterill free kick to open and then a bit of football for a second by Chris Brown.  Oldham 0 : 2 Donny.