Rovers vs Rochdale

[miagsygas]

Hadn't seen a thread for this one.

Time to get the season going for us. Oddest season beginning in reason memory. We've not been bad yet we're third bottom (albeit two games behind majority), we've had a game off for internationals, a game cancelled after 60 minutes via apocalyptic weather, a cup upset and an away day to Chelsea. All make the league campaign feel like it's barely got going, at best been stop start.

Rochdale will be dead set trying to stop their early season slide but it's one looking at their early results I'd fancy winning, particularly at home. Got to be honest, no idea how we will line up, it's the biggest squad we've had in god knows how long after three deadline day arrivals. Should be very interesting. Will be good to see the polar bear in nets for Rochdale, he was well liked at our place during a loan spell in 2011.

I'm going to go 2-1 Rovers.

 

[ComeOnIrene]

Looking forward to getting back to The Mem tomorrow for the first time in what feels like forever. Our league season hasn't got going at all so I feel we are in a false position somewhat.

Looking at it on paper, we should be confident of going out and winning the game. At the same time, Rochdale, not knowing how well we've played so far, will see we're third bottom and think they can come to us and get a result too.

I have confidence in our squad and I am excited to see how our new players get on in the quarters. You can never predict a Darrell Clarke side in advance, but I do think we'll see debuts for the likes of Hiram Boateng, Kelle Roos and Charlie Colkett. Personally I'd like to see Connor Roberts given a debut in place of Leadbitter - I think he has been poor so far this season.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

There can't be many names more enjoyable than Hiram Boateng. Destined for big things.

 

[Dale4ever]

Aside from the Port Vale game and the majority of the Wimbledon match we haven't been that bad at all. Just can't find the net when we are on top in matches and concede from a lot of set pieces. Oh and we love conceding goals in the last 10 mins... We've conceded 4 of our 8 in this period. 2 points is definitely not a true reflection of our performances in general.

 

[Dale4ever]

Meh. Draws ain't what we need. Ahead twice so probably should have won, but then again we had 10 men for 20 mins or so.

 

[Gashead]

Thought we were poor today, and clearly still trying to get to grips with everything at the moment given we played different formation etc.

Will take a point though, especially if we win on Tues.

 

[ComeOnIrene]

Had no idea what the formation was meant to be today but I don't think it worked at all. It left Hartley exposed at the back - every time they counter attacked they had a man free because Brown was too far up the pitch and we had no wide midfielder.

Taylor's second goal was a superb finish. I guess we've got used to that sort of impact from him now though! I come away feeling annoyed that we didn't win the game as I don't think Dale were up to much at all. Still, we have two games in hand on most teams and can shoot up the table with a positive result on Tuesday night.

 

[Dale4ever]

Funny you should say that. Even with 10 men I felt disappointed we didn't win today. You were there for the taking. We always concede from corners though, hope you enjoyed the free goal anyway.

 

[ComeOnIrene]

Funny you should say that. Even with 10 men I felt disappointed we didn't win today. You were there for the taking. We always concede from corners though, hope you enjoyed the free goal anyway.

Defensively we were a shambles today so I can see why you'd feel like that Dale4ever. Having said that, we gifted both goals to you by giving the ball away cheaply in our own half and having no full back cover. I felt as though you only had the 'kick it long and win the flick on', but it worked for you well today and caused our exposed defence plenty of problems.

That isn't a dig; you have to play to your strengths and that's clearly yours. We didn't play to ours often enough and couldn't take advantage of the red card later in the game which is a massive frustration as we had a lot of the ball in and around your box.

Liked the look of Charlie Colkett when he came on. I hope he starts against Walsall.

 

[Dale4ever]

Funny how differently you see it. Thought Rovers only real tactic was to hoof it. We tried to play some football. Lost count of how many times you were caught offside from hoofs. Anyway a point isn't enough but I still think we will be fine this season, just need that first win ASAP.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

I think you overrate your team a bit tbh

 

[Saddlerrad]

Thought we were poor today, and clearly still trying to get to grips with everything at the moment given we played different formation etc.

Will take a point though, especially if we win on Tues.

Empty your entire bank account on a home win.

 

[Gashead]

Empty your entire bank account on a home win.

You lot haven't got off to a great start but I'm sure there's a good team there

 

[Gashead]

Funny how differently you see it. Thought Rovers only real tactic was to hoof it. We tried to play some football. Lost count of how many times you were caught offside from hoofs. Anyway a point isn't enough but I still think we will be fine this season, just need that first win ASAP.

I tend to agree with Dale to be honest, it was a fairly rubbish performance by us aside from the first 10 or 15 minutes. That's why I'm relatively pleased with a point, still trying to work ourselves out a la the last two seasons at the moment.

I'd be surprised if you lot ended up down at the bottom, decent side.

 

[Dale4ever]

I think you overrate your team a bit tbh

No I'm just honest. We are bottom for a reason at the moment. We don't score enough when we are on top in matches and concede silly goals from set pieces constantly. Our overall football though hasn't been bad at all. I've yet to see a team that has made me think 'wow they were so much better than us' we've lost 4 by the odd goal and drawn the other 3. Fine margins and we can't be far off a win.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

I've yet to see a team that has made me think 'wow they were so much better than us' we've lost 4 by the odd goal and drawn the other 3.

Yeah that's why I think you overrate your team tbh

 

[Dale4ever]

Yeah that's why I think you overrate your team tbh

Ok then.

 

[Dale4ever]

I'd be surprised if you lot ended up down at the bottom, decent side.

Hopefully you're right, like I said we aren't far off. Think you'll be fine too, although keeping hold of Taylor may prove difficult, seemed a class above the rest of your team yesterday. Was also impressed with Boateng.

 

[GasAttacK]

I'm still not sure what formation we played yesterday but it didn't really work and the game was far too open, particularly in the first half.

Dale seemed like a big side and were able to play quite direct. Their front players normally won the header or held it up for the midfield who broke well and at pace.

We had more of the ball, more corners and more shots but we didn't look at all comfortable defensively and I think Dale were worthy of their point. We didn't create enough clear openings even after the sending off to justifiably say were deserved all 3.

 

[ComeOnIrene]

You can't judge any opposition side fairly on the one/two games you may seem them play against your team during a season, so with that in mind I wouldn't like to predict whether Dale will go on to be a good or a bad team. They looked dangerous going forward yesterday without a doubt, but I felt aggrieved that we didn't win the game because a) we didn't play as well as we can do due to the formation changes, and b) we didn't capitalise on the numerous set-pieces and good opportunities we had around their penalty area. Whether we'd have deserved the 3 points on the day is debatable for sure, but I certainly didn't come away thinking 'that was a solid point against a decent team'.

I understand that DC is still trying to work out our best formation to win matches both home and away this season (as has been the case in the last two seasons too), though I'm struggling to work out what system we played yesterday. Playing three in the middle makes sense given the abundance of midfielders we have (I think Lines, Boateng and Colkett would be a good trio), however it probably isn't playing to our strengths at the moment because we are leaving ourselves too exposed defensively.

I'm looking forward to seeing Jake Clarke-Salter and Connor Roberts given a chance in our back-line soon.