The New Season is Nigh!

Ho hum!

Are you guys, like me, really struggling to summon up enthusiasm this time?  Why is that? Its certainly unlike me. Normally, by this time my football-withdrawal symptoms are in full bloom but this season....ho hum!

I think part of it is the "Follow that!" effect.  We enjoyed some great football (OK, not proper football) during the European championships.  Yes, England were found wanting but at least we didn't have to put up with the pouting sulkiness of our "stars" acting as if they were somehow doing us a favour by pulling on the three lions.  We were committed.  You got some sense that there were players out there who were at least starting realize that wearing an England shirt was an honour.  It's a first step to ending our international woes.   Now we just need to learn to play a bit better.

"Follow that!" also applies to the Olympics, which we continue to enjoy.   Hasn't it been fabulous?   Not only have we demonstrated that there are a large number of sports in which we are quite good, but we have also shown that the little islands in the North West corner of Europe are Great in nature as well as name.  From opening ceremony until (I'm sure) the flame is extinguished on Sunday we have played host to "the greatest show on earth" and have made a bloody good job of it too.  What's this strange feeling I have?  Could it be National Pride?

And now we have the Rovers....ho hum!

Its going to be a period of rebuilding for Donny.  Due to the club's ineptitude in seeing too far beyond the next match, we've been forced into a major and sudden rebuild rather than the evolution teams should continuously make.  The championship years were great at face-value.  But behind the scenes, the major investors were simply being asked for ever more money until the inevitable happened and they said "no".  Could nobody see that happening?    Relegation was a painful inevitability and it has been compounded by the fruitless clutching at straws that was the McKay experiment.

The mass exodus has now happened.  Predictably, it took its time.  Other teams know Rovers had to cut that wage-bill.  Making it easy for them to do so, especially if you happen to be a League 1 rival, makes no sense at all.  Much better to wait putting ever more pressure on our asking prices for players we have to sell and their wage-demands.

But players have now moved on.  Thanks to Jimmy O'Connor, George Friend, Simon Gillett, James Chambers, John Oster, Adam Lockwood, Sam Hird, Muzzy Dumbuya, Giles Barnes, James Hayter and Brian Stock (who looks to be about on his way) for their efforts for the club.  I hope things go well for you.

11 players out is indeed major surgery but what is more concerning is only five players so far, not including graduates from the youth-system,  have come in.  I'm not going to comment on their ability to shine in League 1.  I simply do not know whether they will deliver or not.  So I'll stick to simply welcoming Robbie Blake, David Syers, David Cotterill, Paul Quinn and Rob Jones.  I hope you enjoy yourselves at our club and do well for us!

The same applies to our youth-system graduates who, as things stand at the moment are going to be very important.  Give it a good go lads!

Away from the team, and I have to say its more positive.  Most importantly, we're no longer paying that ridiculous amount of rent for the Keepmoat.  Sure, we'll have to take on some extra costs in running and maintaining the stadium but I can't see that wiping out the £900K savings we are making in rent.  Hopefully we will actually turn some profit from the running of the stadium to add to the coffers.

It's also good to see Dick Watson and Terry Brammall publicly commit to the club once more.  We need them.  I think that reading between the lines, they are insisting that the club be run as a viable business rather than a money-pit but in the long-term, that can only be good too.

Sadly, the club has bade a fond farewell to one of its longest serving servants, Micky Walker.  The man's shear enthusiasm make him an asset that is saying nothing of his knowledge, contacts and love of the club.  We'll miss him.

Finally, we've seen some fruits that I put down to the appointment of Gavin Baldwin as CEO.  So far, I'm very happy.  There are far more initiatives to engage the fans and promote the club. I actually have the feeling that we could become a relative commercial success.  I certainly have the feeling that if we don't, it will not be down to a lack of effort, as it has been in the past.

So to coin a phrase from FC Winterthur (on one of our many promotional T-Shirts hint hint, Gavin)  DONNY KICK AND DONNY ROCK!  HEY HO LET'S GO!

RTID

DONCASTER ROVERS

 - V - 

YORK CITY

the potential rewards available from the cup competitions in the Football League are a world away from what they are in the Blue Square Bet Premier - York City Chairman, Jason McGill

Welcome back Minster-men!  We've missed you!  I hope that your re-introduction to league football goes as well as ours all those years ago although I'll have to wish you an early exit from the League Cup.  I'm sure you'll understand.

Of course there is some kind of karma in the fact that it was Donny who nailed York's football league coffin shut in 2004 when the Minstermen were beaten 3:1 at Belle-Vue.  I wish to point out now that I do not believe in karmic retribution.  It's bunkum and if there are any Minster-men out there who think that York beating Doncaster tomorrow might convince me otherwise, you are sadly mistaken.  So don't try it!

Gary Mills has a few injury worries for tomorrow with Scott Kerr, Matty Blair, Lanre Oyebanjo and Jamie Reed all injured.  I don't think the injuries are going to dampen York fans' spirits however.  That historic first game back in the league is just one week away.  I'm sure a curtain-raiser in South Yorkshire will give them the opportunity to rehearse for that party, particularly as Donny will be having a party of their own to celebrate the new lease on the stadium!

David Syers - One of the New Hopes in Hoops

York may have injury problems although I have to say after the sort of injury crises Rovers have had over the last couple of years, describing 4 players out as a problem is a bit wimpy.

Rovers' problems are more fundamental.  We only have 20 players in the squad, five of whom are those youth-system graduates I mentioned.  It doesn't look good at the moment, although I read now that Dean Saunders has been promised some money to make an assault on the transfer market.  

Its not the best preparation for the new season but in the circumstances, I don't think we could expect much more.  The money-men had lost confidence and we now have to pull the purse-strings tight to prove the club can be run within a budget.  The consequences of not demonstrating this would be truly disastrous and breaking the wage budget, which could happen should transfers fall through, would be no way to start.  

In short - patience friends!  Its going to be nervy as hell over the coming weeks, so here's hoping!

Demotivation v Mediocracy

LEEDS UNITED
 - V - 
DONCASTER ROVERS

Leeds United came to the Keepmoat in October and humiliated a very poor Doncaster Rovers.  I doubt if Leeds have had an easier victory this season.  So no wonder if the Rovers faithful crossed the fixture off their list of away matches.  Its no fun having the piss taken out of you by the Leeds, especially if you've been dumb enough to pay £36 for the privilege.

But then, Ken Bates sacked Simon Grayson while Leeds were in 10th place, a mere 3 points away from the play-offs.  It's not gone quite so well since then and, paying £36 to take the piss out of the Leeds could be considered a bargain by the Donny faithfull!  The problem is that it is by no means a safe-money bet.  The way both sides are playing, it would be a very over-confident fan who put money on either side.

LEEDS UNITED

The most important thing tomorrow, other than the result, is that we put on a performance against Doncaster where we look like we care. - Neil Redfearn

The article on that link sums up the situation at Leeds at the moment.  The current manager has no idea about his or the club's future.  He's publicly stating that the situation is unsettling for players as they do not know the club's future plans.  Meanwhile, the only person who can resolve all the questions is sitting in Monaco doing a very good impression of someone who couldn't care less.  Maybe, it isn't an impression.

As a Rovers fan, I've seen it all and more when it comes to bad chairmen.  Believe me Leeds, in a pissing contest, Rovers can say our ex-chairman was far worse than your current one.  But we do say that with some sympathy.  We know what it is like when the wrong person controls your club.

Now, I tried to review the last few Leeds games on LUTV as my missus pays £52 a year for that privilege.  What a load of pants it is!  First of all, I mistakenly logged in on an expired account so couldn't play any video.  The "service" would not allow a sign-out or new sign on, so I was reduced to logging in on a current account on a netbook.   I could not find a way of getting the video to play on full screen and the video buffered to such an extent as to make it unwatchable.  So sod that!  I'll watch the games on "player" - which costs £34 a year.  Leeds fans - you really should start complaining about how you are being exploited by your club!

But THANK YOU Leeds and Coventry as watching the highlights was extremely entertaining once I got there.  Sure, comedy central would be a more appropriate channel that Coventry Player but it was great entertainment.

I should have known I was in for a treat when I heard the Coventry commentator announce the scoreline at the Doncaster Rovers match being played at the same time.  

"And they have spent a lot of money haven't they, Doncaster" he said knowingly.

"Yes" agreed the pundit. "A lot on loan players but it hasn't worked".  PMSL is the phrase I believe.

On the pitch and I was first struck by how quickly Leeds moved the ball going forwards.  I've seen this many times, so wasn't surprised though I had a feeling that Coventry's ineptitiude in defence was making it look a little better than it was.  But the ball moved quickly and chances were created.

There were clear (and how clear) chances for White and McCormack that were attrociously wasted with panache as Coventry did their damdest to help Redferan get a permanent job.

But if Leeds should have scored at least three, Coventry should have had six.  It was one of those videos that you show kid's teams with the standard phrase "that's why you shouldn't...."  Defensively, Leeds have got worse since I last saw them based on that performance.  And downwards from what I last saw wasn't easy.

Players are half-heartedly challenged at set-pieces; getting goal-side of your marker seems easy - even encouraged and a couple of offside appeals showed that the defence really do not know what one another are doing.  


But the second penalty, conceded well into injury time was the cherry that went on top a cake that was really well iced and gift-wrapped for the next oppoenents.  The Coventry player broke with pace from well within his own half.  A challenger tried a tackle, decided he couldn't make it and so pulled the lad back - still a good 40 yards from goal.  The lad was looking good so, foul him while he's a long way from goal.  You burn some more very precious time while a very innocuous free-kick is taken and leave Coventry with a point.

That's what should have happened but no, the challenger, in a rare attack of sportsmanship, let the runner's arm go.  And he ran on.  Sportsmanship spread as more and more defenders stepped back to admire the young lad's skill.  Then, in the penalty area, somebody decided that plan A - foul the kid had indeed been the correct option - wonderfull!

DONCASTER ROVERS

We are in a relegation battle and we’ve got to roll our sleeves up and on we go. If we pick up three points on Saturday it is better than two draws. - Dean Saunders

When you read the article on that link, you kind of see Saunders as a manager clutching at straws and anything else available to him.  Now he talks about Paul Keegan and Chris Brown, the forgotten Rovers frontman.  

"Not an out and out striker - that's not his game" says Dean.  Maybe not.  But Brown did score 10 goals in 22 games while on loan at Donny back in 2003/04.  Yes, it was at a lower level but Chris was also much less experienced.  Also, do we have an out and out goalscorer?  I think not.  So why not give Chris a go in a role that would give him this kind of opportunity?  There is a vacancy and I think Chris is a far better player than many people think he is.  Sean O'Driscoll certainly thought so! (damn - mentioned Sean.  Baaaaad Duck!)

Unfortunately, entertaining though it may have been, Rovers could have used Leeds beating Coventry.  As it happened, Rovers were having enough problems of their own against a good Blackpool side.  

So now I've just watched James Hayter miss two very presentable chances, the very kind that have to go in the net if you want to get out of the relegation zone.  I also saw Gary Taylor-Fletcher getting between two centre-backs for one goal and looking like Ronaldo to bag a second.  No disrespect to GTF but he is not Ronaldo so why did he suddenly look like him?  Would the guilty party who flattered him so much please step forward - all three of you!

But Matt Gilks made some very good saves from Brian Stock and unbelievably from Martin Woods and Diouf scored the cheekiest of penalties and then made gobby gestures to Gilks.  No wonder Rovers' fans are loving Dioufy!

All in all typical Rovers and more so since the loss of our finest.  Chances created - tick the box.  Chances converted.....ahhhhh, hmmmmm, well.....

And that's that really.  A wonderfully generous defence awaits an attack who wouldn't know a good thing if it laid in front of them with it's legs in the air.  At the other end, legs are also being waved in the air, but will memory serve the Leeds strikers?  I wouldn't bet on it!

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.

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!

Watford v Doncaster

WATFORD
V

DONCASTER ROVERS

The first return fixture of the season is already upon us as Donny make the trip down to Watford for their last game of 2011.  

Since we met at the 'moat a month ago, Watford have gained 7 more points to Rovers' 6 at the end of the table where every point will be vital come May.  At the rate both teams have gained points over the last month, the New Year's resolutions are likely to be similar.  "MUST DO BETTER!".

WATFORD

We'll have our usual level of information about the opposition an will prepare accordingly.  There might be one or two twists or tweaks that Doncaster will throw at us but that's to be expected - Sean Dyce

Watford may have picked up just one more point than Doncaster since our last meeting, but they haven't been beaten in 7 games.  They have become something of draw specialists so getting the win against Watford will be a tall order.

Predectably, I watched three draws when reviewing Watford's performances.  The first from Boxing Day against Cardiff (1-1), then at Blackpool (0-0) and finally the home draw against Leeds (1-1).



Marvin Sordell - Improved



Two players stuck out as quality opponents for Rovers.  Marvin Sordell has undoubtedly developed further in Danny Graham's absence and is Watford's major threat.  The other is veteran Michael Kightly who first came to my attention due to his keeping Michael McIndoe out of the Wolves starting line up.  Kightly has still got it as his goal against Leeds very well demonstrated.

As you would expect from a side that is drawing a lot of games, the defence looks very decent.  A little like Rovers though, they are prone to the isolated mistake, which is probably why the Hornets are drawing and not winning.  I only saw one moment where the defence got it all wrong.  A run down the right from Cardiff caused the whole of the defence to be sucked into onw half of the pitch.  Thankfully for Watford, the ball Cardiff needed didn't happen.

Looking Watford's attacking prowess, I think its fair to say that they can break quickly.  I thought they were lacking imagination in the final third though.,  I often saw runs being made or good balls being available but the opportunities weren't used.  Just a wee bit more vision is necessary.

DONCASTER ROVERS

The players are in good shape for Watford, they're fitter than ever and we're battling as much as we've ever been because the players have realised they have to do the 'ugly' side of things to win  - Dean Saunders 

It's been a year that I all Donny fans will be happy to see end after winning just 8 games.  Its certainly been a momentous year for Rovers.  A year of such stark change will seldom occur at any football claub.

That home tie against the Hornets in November was exactly the type of game that Rovers have to win if they are to get out of their current situation.  Since then, they have been great at home, beating Southampton and Leicester but they haven't been able to match it on their travels.  Up until Boxing Day, it could have been referred to as just slipping up or failing to hold an advantage.   Unfortunately, Boxing Day's defeat at Burnley was a reversion to not really turning up.

There was a share of bad luck about it.  Burnley's first was about as bad a penalty decision as you will see and a header from Billy Sharp that came off Burnley's post minutes later probably showed how it wasn't to be Donny's day and they ended up well beaten.

As far as personnel goes, I don't see much changing from the team that lost on Boxing Day as Rovers' are struggling to gain international clearance for their three latest recruits.  This is allegedly because of a lack of people working at FIFA during the holiday period. 

Enjoy the match everybody and the evening's festivities.

Rover hunts Foxes!

DONCASTER ROVERS

V

LEICESTER CITY

During the closed season, Leicester were keen to buy there way into the Premier League  with a list of signings including Kasper Schmeichel, Paul Konchesky, David Nugent, Jermaine Beckford and former Rovers star, Matt Mills.  During the same period Donny additions included Kyle Bennett, Tommy Spurr, Richard Naylor and Chris Brown.  Without meaning any disrespect to these players, with the possible exception of Naylor, many football fans pronounce their surnames as "WHO?"

The two lists kinda demonstrate the the differences between the clubs in as far as who they could target at that time.

Now with Donny signing names like El-Hadji Diouf, Pascal Chimbonda, Habib Beye and Herita Illunga, it could be argued that there has been a coming together in the two clubs transfer targets.  If this is true, then Rovers are achieving their signings at a fraction of the cost that Leicester have paid.  True - Doncaster's signings are not intended to be permanent, but as we look at Leicester in 9th place you can't help but wonder what will happen to the football transfer markets should the Rovers shop-window approach prove successful.  You also have to look at Donny in 23rd place and think that success is a way off at this time.  It could be an interesting season for many reasons.

DONCASTER ROVERS

It's coming together, we look more solid, and we look more difficult to beat. There were spells at Birmingham where we were good and competing well. Both that game and Southampton were examples of how good we were competing - Dean Saunders

That's an interesting quote from Dean.  Its all the more interesting when you consider, since the abysmal performance against Barnsley, Rovers have only managed a single point against two of our fellow relegation candidates in Millwall and Watford.  Is the performance becoming more important that the result for Dean, as it was for his predecessor?  We lost, but we were competing!

The Southampton result was, of course a bonus.  None of us expected points there but we got all three of 'em.  However, a bonus only becomes a bonus if you earn your basic and by not beating Watford or Millwall, I'd argue we haven't done that.

Gary Woods - Chance

Against Birmingham, I have to admit that I didn't see a win coming until we went one up and once they'd equalized, I quickly had given up hope of a point.  From the commentary I was listening to and the match stats, we were competing but we were never really in any kind of control.

But, its been better than it has been and in my line of work, I don't particularly look for targets, just to be better than we were last week, month or year.

That injury situation that Dean was going to get to the bottom of  when he first arrived continues to blight him as it did his predecessor.  Now we are down to one goalkeeper as both Chris Ikeme and Neil Sullivan are out  with "Freak Injuries".  We seem to have a lot of those!  So Gary Woods get his chance to demonstrate that he can hack it at this level.  Good luck Gary!

LEICESTER CITY

They (Doncaster) are a team that can be very difficult to beat - Nigel Pearson

When Jimmy Greaves said Football was a funny old game, he couldn't have got it more right.  I don't think anyone would have predicted Pearson's return to the Foxes as they were looking like tying up their promotion with the names Sven Gorn-Eriksson was able to attract.  

But getting the names in and fashioning them into a team that can take the chmpionship by storm are two different tasks.  Frankly, I fancy Pearson for the second of these tasks more than I fancy Sven, simply because its a task Pearson understands more than Sven ever will.

Watching Leicester, the first thing you hear is the Post Horn Gallop.  A ditty I've played many a time on the cornet but isn't it normally (and ironically) associated with Fox-Hunting!  

You have to say its impressive up front.  For me, its not so much the Beckfords or Nugents with the finishing as the likes of King, Konchesky and Gallagher providing the ammo.  Leicester put plenty of good balls into the box and finishers that are in any way decent should do nicely out of them.

Defensively, I was also basically happy.  The defence always looked to be in good position and so defended well.  Thing is though, if an attacker does do something clever and get around them, the shock-waves tend to ripple through.  That ball pings about in a manner that Tommy (from the rock opera by The Who) would be proud.  Nobody like good football as much as I do, but row Z can be a reasonable option.

The only other issue that i sa was susceptability to the quick break.  It was the only time that I did see Leicester out of position and, as I anticipate a fair amount of pressure on the Rovers' goal on Saturday, it could be the way to go!

Enjoy the match everyone!

We need Miracles but not Saints

 DONCASTER ROVERS

V

SOUTHAMPTON

A Bottom v Top fixture in Donny on Saturday.  The last time that that happened was in Donny's infamous 1997/98 season that saw the Vikings disappear into conference wilderness for 5 years.  We came close to this fixture in 2008/09 when a 23rd placed Doncaster lost narrowly to Wolves almost exactly 3 years ago.

Against all odds, Donny turned it around that season and managed a mid-table finish in a season that consigned Southampton to the drop.  Rover's worst situation that season was 7 points adrift of safety, as we are now.  Except in that season, we were 7 points adrift at the start of November rather than the start of December.

DONCASTER ROVERS

It's going to be a good game for us, Southampton are, of course, top of the league and not many people will give us a chance against them, but I do. - DEAN SAUNDERS

Yes, the ask gets bigger and bigger for the Rovers and its all the more frustrating when they fail to grasp the lifebelts been thrown at them.  The last two matches have seen us win just a single point against two poor sides.

I'll be fair.  The effort looks like its there and we look like we are attacking our opponents.  Against Watford, Dean enthused about the 27 crosses Rovers put into Watford's penalty area and was delighted with the defensive performance.  Nice to see Deano talking stats.  It reminds me of somebody!

On the other hand, he did not mention the meagre 6 shots those 27 crosses yielded but to be fair again, it looks like he was aware of that stat and informed the team going into the next game.

More endevour against Millwall and that shot count doubled to a respectable 12.  That was the good news.  Unfortunately, Rovers lost their defence.  Listening to the game was frustrating.  For all the effort, Rovers sounded terribly disorganized.  Frankly, I don't care who Saunder's signs, unless the organisation issues are solved, we're not going to be going anywhere fast.

Another new player has arrived in the form of Lamine Diatta although with only 12 games for Tunisia's Étoile Sportive du Sahel since 2008, I think he is only with Rovers to plug gaps due to the current injury situation.  It never rains but it pours at the moment!

SOUTHAMPTON

We always say that we never underestimate the opposition and if you don't respect the opposition and work hard to get a result, then you get nowt. - NIGEL ADKINS

Southampton are striving to be the best promoted side since, well, last season when Norwich proved double-promotion from League 1 to the Premier League was possible.  Southampton I think would take promotion as runners-up but are looking to go one better.  Whether they do or not, its already a fantastic achievement for the Saints and Nigel Adkins.  Its good to see a manager who struggled with a club with meagre resources compared to their competitors given the chance with more of a budget.

Now I remember when I was previewing the Middlesbrough game, watching their highlights against Southampton.  In that game, a 27 pass move resulted in one of the Saints 3 goals.  Saints fans can look at it again here.   God I love teams that play football!

So lets have a look how they've done since then.

Rickie Lambert - Threatening

Well, as you'd expect, its lovely stuff.  Quick and intricate passing and really testing high balls coming into the box.  In Rickie Lambert, they have about as threatening a forward as you will see.  A big, physical presence who is not without the fine skills.  I'm sure, one way or the other, this guy will be in the Premier League next season.

So, no chance for Donny then.  Not so!  I did watch their defeat against Bristol City and the left-side of the Saints defence had a nightmare.  They had no answer to George Adomah and Nicky Maynard's trickery and were all too often turned or just plain beaten. So, step forward number 26.  We all know you can do it and now would be a really good time .
Something else I didn't like.  I really hope the Rovers' Groundsman has cut the grass nice and even.  Against Brighton, the Saints were falling over all sorts of things.  C'Mon Saints - you're way better than that!

The Only Thing Instant is Coffee

The only period when I didn't enjoy being a Rovers fan was when 'im on the left was slowly draining our life-blood.  That was just sad and painful.  

But wasn't surviving those awful times absolutely brilliant?

In the space of five short years we rose from Conference anonimity to competing in the second flight of English football and the seventh biggest league in Europe.  Its a remarkable story and all the more remarkable when you consider that the meteoric rise started only five years after John Ryan purchased the club for £50000 maintaining to this day that he was robbed!

I have said many times that this story would have made a fantastic film bringing even more people to regard Donny as their second favourite club, if not their favourite.

The observant will notice that I used the past-tense to begin that last paragraph.  Now such a film would be something of a joke with football fans all knowing "the most prolific bring-and-buy sale in history" now takes place every Saturday at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The title I have chosen for this article is actually a quote from John Ryan's excellent book.  Sage advice, but baring that meteoric rise up the leagues in mind, and Ryan's continual mentions of play-offs even when we are sitting at the bottom of the league, does he actually believe it?

There's plenty more sage advice in the book too.  Particularly in Chapter 11, "The Fan's Chairman".  I'd encourage anyone to give this chapter a read and try to square it with events at the club today.

Here are a few examples:

Rather than constantly seeking instant and risky solutions by signing endless players, he (O'Driscoll) takes it on board that he bears some of the responsibility, along with the rest of the coaching staff to improve what we have and utilise our resources wisely.

Now try to rationalise that with Dean Saunders' role of being the peace-keeper in a dressing room where good and loyal players are going to be asked to put up and shut up when their place in the squad is lost because some spoilt French brat hasn't had enough time in the Keepmoat Car Boot.  What responsibility does Saunders have when it come to getting the performance of the team to improve?  At the moment, he can just say that he doesn't have the right type of players and in six months he can blame it on the team not gelling, as it is unlikely to do with that revolving door on the dressing room.

Another?

I would wager that most of our fans could have named the side for much of last season and not gone too far wrong.  Continuity is a key factor of our club at all levels.  We've had continuity in the boardroom, continuity in management and, as far as possible, a settled squad......I don't see us as being a club that will suddenly bring in a dozen players in a transfer window.  I'm not sure I've got a chequebook big enough and in any case, it goes very much against the team ethic that we are at pains to promote here.

WOW!  When somebody writes what is effectively an autobiography, you would think what was written in the pages would be sincere stuff!  People change, I accept that but....WOW!  

What is even more incredible is that events over O'Driscoll's last 9 months in charge have unquivocally confirmed how correct Ryan was when writing his book.  Continuity in the team was denied O'Driscoll through a massive amount of injuries and we dropped like a stone.  So, deliberately disrupting the continuity that was proven to be correct must be a smart move!

And finally...

It is also important to me that we are a well-disciplined team.  This is another sometimes under-rated feature of our game that has been transformed over the last decade....I'd like to believe that Donny Rovers are one of the easiest clubs for referees to handle and that is indeed the feedback I often get from them.

Having staffing policy that promotes players being self-serving and hinders the building of team-spirit isn't going to help on the field discipline.  We are also talking, to an extent,  about disillusioned misfits.  Players who are dissatisfied with their lot on £25000 per week.  True, if they pick up red cards, they will be out of the shop-window but will these players have the character and presence of mind to think about that if a potential flash-point in a game occurs?

Now to the "strategy" in which Willie McKay is so confident and let's use his own example.

Herita Ilunga, is being paid £26000 per week.  He's out of favour at the Hammers and they can't get him a move.  So he comes to us and is in the shop window.  The idea being that someone sees him and transfers him to their club.  

Is Ilunga going to take a pay-cut or are his  new employers also going to be happy to pay him £26000 per week?  The only advantage Ilunga has had over staying where he was is playing championship football instead of reserve-team football.  It is a better stage on which to evaluate a player but the player isn't any cheaper and he still is not able to make the starting line-up of a leading championship side.  

So how does his cameo apperance in red and white hoops make him worth his wages?  Surely, any club interested in him will try to squeeze his wages because of how clearly he is displaying his desire for a move?  I'm not a football agent but I really struggle with the business model as far as McKay is concerned.  If the players McKay tauts are forced to take significant pay-cuts to get their football, surely word will get round.  How attractive will our shop window be then?

Using another example, Billy Sharp, I'd like to talk about the players I care about rather than those for whom I could not care less.  Billy has made no secret of the fact that he wants to move on from Donny to a top-flight club at some point.  Good for him!  I hope it happens.

But according to the Daily Mail article, nobody can come in or go out of the Keepmoat without McKay's agreement.  Does that include Billy and other real Rovers players?  What if Billy puts in a transfer request.  Can McKay say no?  When it comes to footballers, strikers are where the money is.  Freddy Piquionne has already been mentioned as a possible window-sitter.  What if another striker comes along, will they get the nod over Billy Sharp?  Personally, if anyone is going to sit in Donny's shop window, I would prefer it to be Billy, for the simple reason that if Billy is transfered, Doncaster Rovers benefit the most from what will be a very sizeable transfer fee (£3.4M at the last offer).  Well, at least it will be sizeable if Billy keeps playing.  How much does that fee drop if he stops playing?

Finally we have the fans.  I quite deliberately posted the Daily Mail article on ja606 without comment and read responses both there and on VSC.  I was quite surprised to see that a majority of fans, whilst appreciating the enormous risks being taken, are largely in favour of what McKay and Doncaster Rovers are doing.

That old joke about the difference between your wife and your football team being that your football team is for life certainly applies to me.  I love the Rovers.  I just don't like them very much at the moment.

But that said, when I read the Daily Mail article, I could not help wondering what I would be watching the next time I am lucky enough to get the chance to go to a match.  The closest thing I could reconcile with the image McKay and Neil Ashton painted for me this morning was a very sad image brought to me by a football documentry.

The documentry covered one of Manchester United's academies and the moment in question was a trial match played in front of a host of football league scouts.  The match involved two teams of young United Academy players.  These players had been told that day that they weren't making the grade at United.  They had then been put on a coach and told to play the best they could because if they played well, they may pick up a contract with a league club.  It was a meat market and such a pitiful one.

It's not going to be that bad at Donny.  The players are older and more seasoned.  But tell me it isn't a meat market.

The main issue facing the Rovers is, as ever, financial.  It is now obvious to me that at least one of the three musketeers is balking at putting his hand in his pocket to the extent that is being asked.  The wage bill did not become £8M overnight.  It was already £7M in 2009/10 season and McKay is correct, those kind of salaries are not sustainable with our attendances unless there is an Abramovich-style benifactor on the scene.

So, we need to either drop a league while maintaining that identity that we used to hold so dear, or we have to do what the club has misguidedly tried to do and find a model that works.

My opinion is that if you are going to restrict that model to a £4M wage budget, in a division where the average was 4-times that figure in 2009/10 it is going to be very difficult.  The only model that would maybe fit would be that of Dario Gradi's Crewe Alexandra of the late 90's / early 00's.

Crewe managed to stay in the second flight between 1997 and 2002.  After relegation, they yo-yo'd, and had another 3 years between 2003 and 2006.  Ominously, Crewe haven't returned to the second flight since parting company with Gradi in 2007.  He is now back with the club who have simply not found anybody who could do what he could.  Crewe are now a mid-table league 2 club.  I can't help worrying that this could join an already long list of parallels I find between Donny and Crewe.

So, if Donny want a model of low budget, high level football and they felt O'Driscoll had done as much as he was able why not give him some low-cost expert support.  Dario Gradi, I am sure would be pleased to act as a consultant to Donny. Dario has a vital piece of knowledge that he can offer the Rovers.  He knows where Crewe went wrong in their pursuit of continuing to punch above their weight.  He is also an expert in the development of young players, an area where Rovers under O'Driscoll failed to excel.  Dario's advice with Sean's tactics might just have brought about a strategy rather than borrowing Willie McKay's  Nescafé.


Please read the Neil Ashton's article about Doncaster Rovers and Wille McKay here