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

You say 'read the rules' but you do realise the two criteria you have just stated are completely interpretive. Ask 100 neutrals whether that was out of control and two footed and you'd get a complete mixture of responses. You thought it was out of control, loads wouldn't. It actually looked pretty controlled to me. Excessive force is more of an issue with this one.

 

If he wasn't suspended I'd be starting Harratt up front alongside whoever you choose from Oliver, Cook or Angol. He had more shots in the first couple of minutes after coming on than the rest of the team had managed up until then.

 

So if loads of neutrals tell you it wasn't two footed and / or reckless then you're wrong and they're right? Genuinely put it to a non bias audience and you'll struggle to get half of them to agree it was two footed and out of control.

 

It was two footed in the follow through. That's factual and not up for debate.

 

A two footed tackle by definition is leading with two feet.

 

You agree it was two footed in the follow through?
If you're unsure, please watch it again.
It cannot be debated. It's a fact.

 

I wouldn't have Donny top seven on that display, they were dire. We weren't much better unfortunately, the Osadebe injury seemed to throw us out of sync but in all honesty if we start.with that line up every week we won't reach the playoffs, never mind go up automatically. It's early in the season and will take a while for the team to gel but today showed we haven't replaced Vernam and there was a distinct lack of flair throughout.i can see us bringing in a replacement for Osadebe because we clearly lack a player who either beat a man.

 

I was really disappointed with Sutton today. I like him a lot but seemed off it today. When he was moved out right I kept expecting him to push it past their last man and beat him to the line. Today he didn't look to have that energy or pace. And while on the subject of energy and pace.....and crossing. On today's showing anybody still think Halliday is a massive improvement on Hendrie? Kev ?

 

Think he was

Sorry Donny fans, totally missing the current laws (applied last season as well). Winning the ball is not the key criteria, endangering an opponent and not being in control of the challenge is what the referee should be assessing and today's toss pot f.... d it up

Bloody livid that a players season could be over after just 6 minutes due to a reckless and unesessary challenge

 

Both feet studs showing coming in two footed sideways. Unsure how a neutral could not see that unless they were partially sighted or a Doncaster Rovers fan.

 

I saw Harratt and their Keeper squaring up at the final whistle-then Harratt pushed him in the head-nothing really but a melee ensued and the ref sent Harratt off.

 

I'm absolutely gutted for Paddy. It knocked the stuffing out of me and it's been on my mind ever since it happened so I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for the players to carry on after that. On top of that, we had the worst referee I've seen for a long time - did nobody bother to tell him there's supposed to be a crack down on time wasting this season? The Doncaster players were an utter disgrace to the professional game and if I was a Donny fan, I'd be wanting Tomlin's contract cancelling ASAP. What he did were the actions of a player that is deliberately trying to get sent off. Whether that's because he just decided he couldn't be arsed or whether it was something more sinister I don't know, but I certainly wouldn't want him playing for my club again.

 

He leads with one leg, the other comes through with momentum. You see about 5 of these every match. It's the horrendous nature of the injury that's obviously put a spotlight on this one. It's different from jumping in with 2 feet.

 

There was no other tackle like that in the match. There definitely aren't 5 of those in every game.

 

Had to watch the challenge a few times. Eventually decided it was studs-up, foot sliding on the floor, with a straight leg full-weight follow through, endangering an opponent. Essentially, it was excessive force, but it took me a few viewings so I can almost forgive the ref for the yellow, even though I think it was wrong. Why did Osadebe want to get stuck into the challenge when he was too late to it, though? If Ravenhill had missed him, he could have possibly ended up carded himself. I think most others would have not gone in late or jumped clear. My sympathies to the lad, though, and hope to see him play again at VP.

Harratt was sent off for twice slapping their keeper on the back of the head like a naughty child after some verbals, with the keeper pushing him away with a soft elbow in between. It looked rather stupid on Harratt's part, though I did not see what the original provocation was that set off the verbals.

It was an odd game this one. I think the atmosphere affected a few players in different ways and it won't be typical. Don't read too much into it. Has anybody seen Hughes' plan B anywhere? I'm wondering if his laptop has been hacked and his plan B is being held to ransom with McCall's and Adams'. Hopefully, we can afford the 50p this time.

 

I noticed that some of the Donny fans were giving Tomlin some right sh*t as he walked off towards the tunnel. Well justified too.

 

My take.
As clear a red card as you will ever see.
Ref completely out of his depth and just got worse the longer the game went on.
Us, very poor. No pace, no creativity, no crossing ability, no threat. Lethargic and lacking energy.
Lewis Good game, did all he had to.
Halliday Got forward well but no end product. Suspect he'll be a weak link when we have our backs to the wall.
Ridehalgh Steady but crossing poor.
Platt Solid. Unlucky not to score.
Crichlow Very classy.
Smallwood OK but didn't influence the game as much as I'd hoped.
East Looks very lightweight. Didn't notice him much.
Walker Poorest game since he joined us. Little worked for him. Increasingly frustrated.
Angol Anonymous
Oliver Big disappointment. Tried at the start but soon faded. Surprised he stayed on to the end.
Osadebe Bright before his departure.
Sutton Hopeless. Miles off the pace. Can't understand why he was brought on.
Cook Not my favourite player but gave his all when he came on.
Harratt Very bright. Offered more up front than the rest combined.
Chapman Couple of decent contributions but nothing decisive.
Doncaster An absolute disgrace.
Sadly, that game could have been played at any time in the last few years with different players and managers.
Things can only get better.

 

I know we have had a couple of behind closed doors games so they may have had time in them games,but I was surprised to see ridehalgh start and Sutton come on early given that neither featured heavily in pre season. I think that showed, particularly with Sutton.

Despite the changes in personnel, that was very much a Derek Adams type performance. Passing for passing sake, no real end product, zero chances created.

Plenty of huff and puff, but distinct lack of quality.

Having said all that, if that game had been two months into the season, and we were less ring rusty I think we'd have that extra umph to go on and win comfortably

 

The Donny fans also booed their own players for not delivering their late corners into the box.
Clearly they had no intention of winning the game and only turned up with spoiling tactics.
A shame that a record crowd had to witness such a dull non event.

 

Yes, Harratt did slap him a couple of times round the back of the head and then 3 of their players ran over and confronted him. Their number 6 lunged at him with his head as well, not sure he connected but the intention seemed clear, so why he wasn't shown a red as well I'm not sure....