Rockford's Love Child
Member
- Joined
- 15 Mar 2010
- Messages
- 13,913
- Player
- Jason Koumas / John Morrissey
- Manager
- John King
It is Barnsley up next for Rovers in the League Cup.
After Saturday's disappointment, we could not really have asked for a more challenging fixture. Following defeat in last year's League One play off final, the hosts beat Port Vale 7-0 at the weekend with Devante Cole scoring a hat trick. It is debatable whether he or several others of their first eleven will feature in this game, but whatever team Barnsley put out they will start as huge favourites given the gulf in status between the clubs. We did actually give them a decent game in an FA Cup third round tie three years ago, albeit when we were in a better place on the pitch ourselves.
I would imagine there will be some rotation, but we will still effectively put out our strongest available eleven. Dawes implied yesterday that Norris and Dennis won't be fit enough to start, but hopefully they will both get at least thirty minutes again. Dennis's movement was excellent when he came on yesterday, and you feel that if we are to do anything under Dawes their availability and form will be key.
I just hope we see a more focussed, disciplined performance than on Saturday, even if we lose the game as anticipated.
I am looking forward to my first visit to Oakwell for many years, a ground where we have never won (!), but travelling more in hope than expectation.
After Saturday's disappointment, we could not really have asked for a more challenging fixture. Following defeat in last year's League One play off final, the hosts beat Port Vale 7-0 at the weekend with Devante Cole scoring a hat trick. It is debatable whether he or several others of their first eleven will feature in this game, but whatever team Barnsley put out they will start as huge favourites given the gulf in status between the clubs. We did actually give them a decent game in an FA Cup third round tie three years ago, albeit when we were in a better place on the pitch ourselves.
I would imagine there will be some rotation, but we will still effectively put out our strongest available eleven. Dawes implied yesterday that Norris and Dennis won't be fit enough to start, but hopefully they will both get at least thirty minutes again. Dennis's movement was excellent when he came on yesterday, and you feel that if we are to do anything under Dawes their availability and form will be key.
I just hope we see a more focussed, disciplined performance than on Saturday, even if we lose the game as anticipated.
I am looking forward to my first visit to Oakwell for many years, a ground where we have never won (!), but travelling more in hope than expectation.