Match Thread City v Doncaster Rovers Saturday 30 July 2022 @ 3.00pm

I was being sarcastic

 

He is a good footballer very technical not sure about how solid he is defensively though

 

Maybe.

Then again, maybe we just need to go through some growing pains to play the way we want to long-term?

 

Apologies, I disabled my sarcasm radar this morning. It's back on now.

 

I'd settle for a draw. I wouldn't be surprised if we did a 'Stockport'(for those who remember the promotion season to the Prem).
I think we're going to have to show some patience. We virtually have a new team. It's going to take time for the way MH wants us to play to come to fruition. We saw how it took time at the end of last season.
Fair enough, we have on paper, players now more suited to MH's tactics but as the friendly results show; there'll be great performances and those no better last season.
Ultimately, after 10/15 games we should have a good indication of whether this summers recruitment has been a success.

 

Home or not, I would probably take a point on Saturday. Tough first game a Yorkshire Derby.

Main thing for me, don't lose your first game of the season, it's a right anti- climax if you do after all the anticipation building up to it. I will never forget the opening day mauling at Notts Co a few years ago, so demoralising.

I expect Fordy on here soon demanding 3 points and shooting me down for my cautious approach to the opener

 

Don't worry, he's too busy polishing cars to read this

 

Platt and Songo centre backs against Donny for me

 

Crichlow has arguably been better than Platt.

Agree with you that Oliver looks not quite ready. The challenge of getting in players after pre-season starts. For that reason I'd go with Cook.

 

We know George Miller will play for Doncaster so we need some mobility up against him for his runs in the channel so makes sense for Crichlow to play. For me the only question marks from the team that faced Chesterfield are:
- East or another next to Smallwood depending on if we want some more energy in midfield
- Chapman or Osadebe for RW
- Angol or Harratt or Young for LW
- Cook or Oliver for up front, if Oliver plays 75+ minutes in the behind closed doors match this week I think he starts but if he doesn't Cook does and comes off after 60-70 minutes.
The rest I think are safe in their position unless they pick up an injury this week.

 

Doncaster seem to think Miller is going to be their target man from reading their forum!

Not sure about that... but neither is he particularly rapid.

Bog standard League Two striker, for me.

 

Thanks for reminding me we've got Man City first game

 

Interesting to see how we play if Oliver is the main man. From his write ups, a ball to the chest or head, there wont be any better in this division, a ball to feet and he sounds pretty poor. In the friendlies, he's obviously not match fit yet but kind of played like his description.

But you look at Osadebe so far, Chapman, Walker, Angol or Young on the other side and they look like they'll want to put it on the deck. Hopefully they can do all the hard work and Oliver is just there to finish but he's never been a 'finisher' in his whole career. Seems weird that we've signed a midfield for playing ball, and a striker who's best with it in the air. Hopefully it doesn't cause an imbalance.

 

Miller usually causes problems when he plays against us not particularly good in the air but pacey and direct Songo’o played him pretty well last time

 

As long as he doesn't cause as many problems as John Marquis used to cause, we're probably all right!

 

I feel Oliver may be a week behind the other strikers. I'd have him as an impact sub for this fixture.

I'd be keen to get Harratt in but where is the tricky question if we persist with the front 3 and 1.

 

It’s ok he said this season is a free hit so can’t complain about anything coming out with statements like that

 

Anyone know the Eccleshill score? Any first teamers involved at all?

 

3-2 to Eccleshill. All youngsters, no first teamers. Cole Roberts has scored our goals. Wholesale changes at half time. Hughes watching. T&A doing a blog.