Rovers v Dover

[bring back the cowshed!]

Like most clubs in this league, I don't know much about them. What I do know is that they are in only their second season back in the NL and are in a rich vein of form - 7 wins out of eight. They have had both Neville Southall and Peter Taylor as managers, so are clearly an ambitious club. Their nickname is "The Whites", so I nearly called this thread "Whites v Whites", but resisted the temptation.

Looking at their results this season, they appear to have had a much easier run of fixtures than us. Most of their opponents are now in the bottom half of the league. They have played only three of the top seven and managed just one point, so this should give us hope.

It's not clear who will play for us on Saturday. I've no worries about Iain Turner standing in for Scott Davies, but who will be on the bench? I'd like to see Sam Ramsbottom recalled for one match. If fit, I'd expect Mangan to play upfront with Norwood. If not, I'd give Margetts a proper chance. If GTF is fit, I'd put him in for Harris. If not, I'd like to see Maynard move forward with Sutton or Ihiekwe playing at right-back. If Mekki is fit, I'd play him. If not, I'd play Maynard or Jackson wide.

I think it will be tough. With a full-strength team, I'd hope for a narrow win, say 2-1. With four or five regulars out through injury or suspension, I'd predict 1-1. I'd be very surprised if we lost.

 

[bigmart]

Another tricky game think we will scrape it 2 1

 

[Boz]

Dover will undoubtedly be tricky opponents, they are above us in the table and have performed better against the sides near the bottom than Rovers. However we tend to perform better against top half opponents, so some hope there. Their star players are attackers Stefan Payne and Nicky Deverdics.

Again some interesting choices to be made by the manager. Turner in goal, think going on pre-season, I'd recall Pilling ahead of Ramsbottom to be on the bench. Defence worries me a little. It seemed on the radio Wirral commentary of the Lincoln replay that McNulty and Riley were going for the same ball quite often. Then neither went for it on the Lincoln opener. Whoever the other central defender is, assume Riley for this game, will need to adapt their game around McNulty, so that they leave him to do the things he's good at rather than getting in his way. As we've got no other cover in central midfield, Maynard will probably have to play there, even though he's our best option at right-back. BBTC suggests putting GTF in for Harris, but I'm unsure he's got the defensive attributes for that position. So Sutton at right-back. No mention of Mekki, so Jackson out wide, unless Tomlinson has arrived and played out of position. If Mangan's fit, definitely start him up front.

Prediction: Not expecting a great crowd, just over 4k, with ~100 from Kent. Think we'll lose this 1-2

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

A difficult game, but Dover seem quite attack minded and will probably come and have a go at us as Bromley did. All of our struggles at home have come when teams have played five in midfield and got ten men behind the ball, and I am reasonably confident about this match. Our general injury and selection problems are more of a concern, particularly as Mangan and / or GTF have not trained for the full week and are bound to be a bit rusty. Personally, I would not risk Mangan if he is less than 100 percent as he is too vital a player for us to lose long term.

If Tomlinson has been drafted in as a wide player, I would imagine he will start on the wing, in place of whom I am not sure as Jackson has done reasonably well in the last two games. As Boz suggests, I think Sutton will move to right back with Maynard starting in the middle.

With Grimsby playing Cheltenham on Friday night, this would be a good game for Rovers to win to really put pressure on the top two or three teams. I would expect a gate between 4,500 and 5,000.

 

[Higgy]

Agree with RLC that the uncertainty around squad availability, selection - as well as Boz' comments about the grouping of the signings in terms of positions could be more of a worry than our opponents, who I think we should beat comfortably if GB can get something like his best eleven with some balance on the park. There must be some knocks and doubts at the moment and Dawson missing is a blow, but in terms of wide men I like Mekki and his commitment - so that is one side covered - Tomlinson could be a fill in wide man for the other slot.....although I am not a fan of fill in strategy.
Central strikers and centre halves comprehensively covered yet seem sparse in terms of wide midfield players and the usual absence of a right back - was going to joke that Tomlinson was going to be the long awaited specialist full back...don't want to start that debate again!

While I think GTF has the "class" at this level to do a decent job in midfield, I am not sure he would have the stamina to replace Harris.

3-0 home win.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Disappointing that Cheltenham's victory at Grimsby tonight leaves us seven points off top, albeit with a game in hand. The worst possible outcome for us really.

On the positive side, if we win tomorrow we go third.

 

[Ian]

Yes, we really have to start winning at home to keep us in the mix.

I'd have Maynard back in the middle to take the place of Harris. Sutton at right back with GTF and Norwood up front. Mangan on the bench if things are going pear shaped. Tomlinson on the right wing and Ridehalgh on the left.

Hoping for a good attacking game by both sides with a couple of goals in it. The difference will be the finishing tomorrow. Let's hope the lads don't leave their shooting boots at home!

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Simply not good enough. We can bemoan refereeing decisions all we like - and yes, the officials were garbage again - but that was a tactically inept display pretty much from start to finish. While we improved slightly in the second half, I could not actually work out what formation we were playing most of the time. Four strikers on the pitch, no genuine width and a team which appeared completely unbalanced.

Dover were yet another horrible side, niggly and cynical and we did not get to grips with their physicality in the first half. They imposed their game on ours and we were too deep, played too little football and the gap between midfield and attack was too big. While their goal should not have stood, the half time score was probably a fair reflection of the game.

The second period was an improvement, but still there was no balance or flow to our game. Rather than bringing a striker on and playing him out of position, why not just take Norwood (who had a poor game) off for Mangan, stick Jackson out wide an play in a conventional 4-4-2 ? Instead of which we had a complete mess for the most part, Jennings playing left wing and McNulty at right back for most of the last twenty minutes.

We have lost four at home already which is unacceptable and Brabin has questions to answer after recent performances, certainly at Prenton Park. With the influx of new players and no clear pattern of play, we look like the team of two months ago - disjointed and directionless. Down to tenth and not even looking play-off material at present. An awful game to watch and a thoroughly depressing day.

 

[Ian]

Rubbish for 90 minutes. Hardly any shots on target, home form is shocking and we have a lot of work to do if we even want to touch the playoffs. We cannot play against teams at home. Officials are rubbish at this level but they are for both teams. I thought we brought in the manager and players that knew what it took to get out of this league. They look lost when a team comes to do a job on us. Not pretty but effective and we have no answer for it. The second half was a mess with no wingers and no-one really knowing what to do. Our GK actually made some good saves otherwise the result could have been much worse. Becoming a pattern at home and it doesn't make pretty viewing.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

You have to wonder when all of this starts to impact seriously on our attendances. Poor quality football, useless officials, cheating opposition....... Hardly enticing for anybody other than the diehard fans, and the patience of some of those (myself included) must be tested to the limit at the moment.

Our supporters have shown incredible loyalty in the last two or three years but that won't go on for ever.

 

[Sparky]

A Halloween horror show. Agree with all of the above. Referee was awful but so were we. Totally cumbersome in most of our play. Our real lack of pace was exposed again and I felt Dover were much brighter and sharper all game.

GB can use the valid excuse we were missing the likes of Dawson, Hogan, Harris, Davies, Mekki and Mangan from the starting 11. All this against a good side was always going to be difficult but as RLC points out, it seemed in the 2nd half it was a case of play where you want.

Our most gifted finisher in Mangan seemed to be playing in midfield. GTF floated about looking lost. Tomlinson was poor and appears no worse than Jackson who at least has pace. Only Norwood played directly up front and was awful. GB clearly has no confidence in margetts.

I still think with the likes of Hill, McNulty, GTF, Jenno etc we need more pace in the side. Today was the first I have seen of GTF and whilst at a higher level with time and space he might do ok, I'm not convinced though how he'll do long term in the rough and tumble of the national league. McNulty did ok but arguably should have been sent off when his lack of pace was exposed. A factor which many teams will look to take advantage of.

Yes we were without key players but that is no excuse for a shocking tactical set up in the 2nd half. Palios must have been scratching his head. As RLC says about attendances, with xmas on the horizon eventually people who have given rovers a chance, will spend their money elsewhere.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Like Sparky, I was concerned by GTF's performance today. I could not believe how deep he went in the second half, almost into the back four at times.

We do have some key players missing, but Brabin has been heavily backed financially and had plenty of options available to him today. If you are not playing your preferred line up I would have thought it was sensible to put players in their preferred positions and keep things as simple tactically as possible, whereas Bayern Munich would have struggled to get to grips with our 'formation' in the second half.

Injuries are part of football and we have got as big a squad as anybody at this level. No excuse for performances like today's and the Barrow game.

 

[Ian]

I see GB says we need to be more ruthless after today's showing and says we had a lot of chances. He must have been watching the same game as the referee!

Agree completely with RLC about the supporters. There's only so much you can take. Why would anyone pay to watch this rubbish?

 

[Boz]

While the game went with the formbook, the gulf between the two sides on today's showing was far greater than the two league places at the start of play, or the solitary goal margin of victory. Dover didn't look world-beaters, but they mixed the long ball and playing on the deck up well, created a number of chances and deserved to win. Rovers had the Mangan effort against the post, a GTF effort cleared off the line and a Tomlinson daisy-cutter straight at the keeper, plus a couple of good crosses nobody got anything on and that was it. Their goal started with what should have been a free-kick to Rovers for obstruction on GTF, while also featuring a blatant hand-ball and a hint of offside. However the referee denied Dover a penalty when McNulty brought down one of their players, so his errors evened out.

Very few players came out of today with any credit. Turner was decent in goal and made two excellent second half saves. Hill was steady and Sutton created a few chances with decent crosses, while Mangan, even played out of position made a difference after the break. Brabin's failure to use the other subs; Jackson for Tomlinson and Margetts for Norwood/GTF and being deluded enough to claim we had lots of chances do him no credit.

I agree with what's been said above about the poor fare on the pitch[not just from Rovers] going to impact on attendances before long. It is hard to feel anything other than extremely negative after today's tactical naivity from the manager.

 

[drwhoman]

The doubts expressed a few weeks ago about Gary's tactical acumen seem to be resurfacing. I hope he can turn it around. He has had so much support from the Palios' that I would be very sad for them if it does not 'happen' and they have to change the Manager again! There is no excuse really. Gary was appointed due, I would imagine, to his perceived acumen and experience in managing at this level. We can only wait and see!

 

[Ian]

What are we not doing at home to beat these sides? Are we being naive? GB recruited players who have excellent experience at this level (including him) so the team would know what is needed to get out of this league, however on today's and other showings it seems they have no idea what is needed. Dover are no better or worse than what we've played previously yet teams seem to be able to come to PP and walk away with three points. We just cannot break these teams down.

 

[Boz]

What are we not doing at home to beat these sides? Are we being naive? GB recruited players who have excellent experience at this level (including him) so the team would know what is needed to get out of this league, however on today's and other showings it seems they have no idea what is needed. Dover are no better or worse than what we've played previously yet teams seem to be able to come to PP and walk away with three points. We just cannot break these teams down.

Didn't see the Eastleigh or Lincoln games, where we were said to be unlucky. Barrow we didn't convert the chances we had, but yesterday we created precious few. Agree with RLC about the second half formation, we played with little width and were encamped in the middle third of the pitch nearly all game. While not a great fan of Jackson, it was worth trying his pace and width as something to try spreading the play.

The fact that the players GB brought in have done it before means nothing if they don't function as a team. Most of them looked as though they didn't care less and yet will be picked week in week out by the manager. If we're going to make the play-offs, Brabin needs to shake them out of complacency and start dropping non-performers. Otherwise he's not going to last the year.

 

[Rockford's Love Child]

Aside from the tactical problems, we start home games too slowly and allow the opposition to dictate the tempo and impose their style of play on us, when the reverse should be happening. The motivation levels of the opposition and their supporters are a big problem for us. Prior to three of our four home defeats this season - B-Wood, Eastleigh and Dover - the opposition staff and supporters have described it as the biggest game in their club's history. Other ex-league clubs like Cheltenham and Grimsby probably don't experience quite the same pressures as they don't have our stadium, recent history etc., but it is up to our manager and players to respond and treat every home game as the cup final it is for the opposition.

More generally, as suggested above I think Brabin has failed to show the tactical awareness that is needed this season. Our unbeaten run of nine games coincided with having a settled side playing in a balanced 4-4-2 with Dawson wide and Mangan up front. Obviously the loss of those two players has been a blow, but with the individuals available to us we should be able to put sides out to produce better performances than we have been seeing. In the period of games prior to and since that run there has not been an established pattern of play and 'identity' and the recent signings have not been introduced gradually into the side, but simply thrown in. As Boz implies, Brabin's obsession with having his 'best' eleven players on the pitch at all times, regardless of the impact on the shape of the team, does not help. Sometimes balance is more important, even if it means including relatively limited players like Jackson at the expense of others.

 

[Sparky]

Boz - I can't see GB leaving unless things take a real turn for the worst, i.e. we start looking over our shoulder at the lower end.

Palios said at the start of the season that we were financially ok even if we don't go back up straight away - and lets remember that most teams don't go up at the first time of asking, irrespective of budget and size of the club. I think some of this will be in MPs thoughts and he won't consider changing the manager unless he really felt it was necessary. The appointment of Adams last season will have left some scars I am sure.

Hypothetically if we finished say top 10 I reckon GB would keep his job and MP would look for an improvement next season.

 

[bigmart]

If we finish outside of the play off positions Brabin has failed and will pay the price, he has been brought in to het us promoted simple as that and if he cant do it then we should look for somebody who can