Match Thread: Doncaster Rovers v Nottingham Forst

DONCASTER ROVERS
V
NOTTINGHAM FOREST

They are quirky things are fixture lists.  After pitching the Rovers against a team who they hadn't played for 53 years on Saturday, we are now pitched against the team we have played most regularly in the league over recent seasons.  Rovers and Forest have been in the same division since 2005/06 when they joined us in League 1.  We were of course promoted together in the class of 2008 as Forest dramatically nicked the last automatic promotion on the last day of the season so forcing Donny into a nervy but memorable encounter with the play-offs.

McClaren - Latest in the City-Ground Hot-Seat

Since the meeting in December 2005 that started our seven season run of being in the same league, Forest have changed their manager 6 times.  Ex-England manager Steve McClaren becomes the latest in the City Ground hot-seat after reaching the play-offs consecutive seasons wasn't deemed good enough for Billy Davis.

I'm afraid that's the kind of board decision that has me scratching my head.  The championship is the league where the rewards for promotion are so massive that a number of teams are tempted to invest heavily and go for it.  If a number of teams are doing this, and yours is still ending up in the mix consistently come May, I'd say the manager isn't doing too much wrong.


I realize that with Forest having more than twice the avarage attendance seen at the Keepmoat and  having a much better football pedigree than Doncaster, being in the championship is seen as under-achieving for the Nottingham club and over-achieving for Donny.  But at the end of the day, what does all that mean when 7 seasons and six managerial changes to one later, we both remain in the same division?  Not convinced about my "stability pays" argument?  Consider Swansea.  They have had 4 managers in the same period, but have parted company with every one of their managers unwillingly.  The Swans did of course manage to convert their second consecutive appearance in the play-offs into a promotion at Forest's expense.  Could the pressure put on the manager be a factor?

DONCASTER ROVERS

"It's tough but we're a strong squad at the moment. Losing Sharp and Hayter was obviously a big hit, but I think on Saturday we proved that we can still play our game without them." - James Coppinger

Quite bullish really for a team on null point after two games, but I still think Rovers have plenty to be positive about.  True, we gave West Ham far too much respect in the first half on Saturday.  In itself, I'm not sure this would have stopped us going behind after 5 minutes, but it would certainly have given us more time to get the equalizer.  

As it happened, Sean O'Driscoll's half time chat brought about a very respectable second 45 in which West Ham created very little and Rovers had too excellent chances, one of which was fluffed, the other unfortunatly just span off Coppinger's head and trickled the wrong side of the post.

Now, I read and listen to what you guys say as well as making the best I can from Paul and Tom's commentary so I'm going to give a shout for John Oster for the first three games.  Sean looks to have put him into a Stock-esque role where he is being given the ball and asked to create something.

So far, no complaints (except one dodgy decision to shoot in the Brighton game for which he can be excused).  Oster has been picking the passes and while listening, I am imagining some Wellens-type chips over the opposition to pick out runners.

Let's hope, as our wing play did in the second half on Saturday, we provide him with some targets to hit.  I also hope that with the return of Brain Stock as he returns to fitness, Stock isn't pushed out onto the wing where his talents are wasted in my opinion.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST  

"The difference in this league is scoring goals and we haven't looked like doing that so that's something we need to address quickly. It's two games, there are 44 more and nine months to go" - Steve McClaren

With that 7 season spell in the same league, Donny and Forest have worked up quite a rivalry.  For now, I'd say Forest and Leeds have replaced Rotherham as our main rivals other than Barnsley.  Now then Forest, don't lets get huffy about that statement.  You've still got Derby and who else would you prefer.  County perhaps?  Mansfield?  Lincoln?

Like ourselves, they've not had the best of starts to the season.  They may be on un point but they remain with null goals and sit just one place higher Rovers.  

Looking at the game against Millwall, if I were a Forest fan, I'd have shouted myself hoarse at the team.  First of all, an own-goal from Boeteng that, although unfortunate for him, was somehow invited by Forest by how they defended the corner.  Then well, I like to see strikers chase lost causes and Joe Garner did just that to end up dispossessing the Millwall 'keeper.  But then everyone else needs to be paying attention and, in a situation where Findley should have had a tap in, his marker beat him to the ball.  The introduction of N'Guessan by Millwall was also profitable as he was allowed to run down the right in a truly obscene amount of space to put in a cross that found Liam Trotter with his marker at the wrong side.  

On several occasions in the game, Millwall's wing-play really caught Forest out,  much the way Rovers' wing play caught West Ham out on Saturday....well, nearly.

Lewis McGugan - One to Watch

The match against Barnsley at least identified a "man to watch".  Its Lewis McGugan.  There's strength in abundance as he's prepared to run at defenders and looks very difficult to knock off the ball.  Yes, he should have scored when Barnsley's 'keeper parried into his path but he made the position.  That effort would go in 9 times out of 10 so the fact that he was there ahead of the defender is more important in the grand scheme of things.

But McGugan has plenty to offer.  Strength, clever touches and no fear of having a dig!

I was still not exactly impressed with that defence though.  A more potent strike force than Barnsley's could have had a hat-full as the marking didn't look good and the far player was on occasions left unaccompanied.

Forest will improve so early season may be a good time for our paths to cross.  Don't get me wrong, I don't expect Steve McClaren and his Forest side to be totally embarrassed by the Rovers....unless it happens to be raining. 

Enjoy the game everyone.