Rovers v Posh

DONCASTER ROVERS
 - V - 
PETERBOROUGH UNITED

Financially, this is probably as close as these two sides come all season.  Peterborough are a comfy 12 points clear of the dropzone so look like being minnows again next season.  Donny...have some work to do.

Back at the end of September, Rovers pulled on their hoops, curiously black and white rather than their traditional red, and took to London Road.  The small, masks they were wearing over their eyes made it difficult for fans to recognise their favourites, but the large sacks marked "SWAG" made it clear what they were about.  It was one way stuff for much of the game but in contest where both sides landed great punches, it was Rovers who landed one more than Peterborough.

DONCASTER ROVERS

They need to learn from their mistakes - otherwise I’ll find someone else to take their place in the team.  What I can’t do is keep on saying the same things over and over again to the same players.  - Dean Saunders

I have to say that that sounds a bit like plan A, Dean.  Back when he joined the club, Dean was telling the players that if they weren't going to get their acts together and prove themselves good enough, then he would find players who would.  Our league position suggests neither has happened.

If Donny had the Swag bags out when they went to London Road, Leeds pulled off another heisst at Elland Road last week, although it does help if you are handed the keys to the premises that you are about to burgle.  After making Leeds seem like waht they were, a disjointed, disillusioned outfit with no leadership, neither on nor off the pitch we saw sadly familiar frailty from the men in red and white.  Chimbonda, obviously worried about being hit by the ball because it stings...a lot for the first.  Diouf, the striker failing to do Chimbonda's (although unlike Chimbonda, he did try to do it) for the second all made that painful third all too inevitable.  Bloody annoying.  There's no other word for it!

The only solace I took from last weeks performance was the life we showed up front.  I feel James Hayter just needs a lucky "in-off" to get him started.  Two goals, two hits of the woodwork makes you think that Rovers have a side that can score.  Sadly, they can't defend to save their lives and have no clue of how to close a game down and sit out for a result.

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

Every team in this league can cause you problems, so we know we will have to be at our best to get the right result - Darren Ferguson

Barnett - New Threat

Coming into a Rovers' game and the big news is a non-Donny siginings.  Tyrone Barnett, who has netted 15 times for Crawley Town as moved to Posh on a loan deal that will become permanent over the summer.  At 1.1M, Barnett becomes Posh's first £Million player.  

We've been there, done that and have the T-Shirt.  If Barnett works out anything like as well as our first Million-Pound players, the Posh faithfull are in for an enjoyable ride!

Without Tyrone, Peterborugh looked decent enough going forward last weekend as they but three goals past Bristol City.  While I will be generous to the Posh attack, before I do, I'll say that Bristol City's defence did leave a lot to be desired.

Lee Tomlin netted the first, following up to head home an effort from George Boyd came off the post.  Simple stuff with Bristol's defence and sixes and sevens.  Tomlin had another good moment in the first half, bringing the best out of David James from about 25 yards.  Boyd, Tomlin, who also scored the third and Emile Sinclair looked a lively combination.  And now Barnett will be enhancing that.  50 goals for Peterborough this season tells a story.  Just about twice Donny's tally.

But 51 goals against, (same as Donny) tells a tale as well.  There were a couple of goal-line clearances against Bristol City and, sad to say it, more defenders who don't like the ball to hit them.

So two sides with decent attacks and rubbish defences.  It could be entertaining!

Enjoy the match everyone.