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
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
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.
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| 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!
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!
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