Away Form

Probably not.. but please let it continue next Saturday.

 

Up until yesterday our away form has been fine wins at Stoke, Stockport (although their finishing was woeful and Walker had a great game) Blackburn and picking up points at Posh and Northampton.
It was always going to be difficult at Doncaster but once we equilized we looked very comfortable until Wrights blunder, with Gibson closing him down why he tried to control the ball when a header back up the pitch would have sufficed only Joe knows, I said to the guy sat next to me after that incident Wrights confidence was shattered and it came as no suprise when he didnt come out for the second half, IMO that was the turning point up to which it had been a very even game, they got a lift from the goal and looked the better side from then on.
To be fair our away form hasn't been that bad, let's hope we can continue our home form at fortress Valley Parade.

 

In 3 out of 4 of those games you mentioned, we started with Lapslie, Wright and Swan upfront. The one that we didn't was Northampton where we started up front with Bobby, Sarc and Humphrys and failed to score. I do think we need to be starting away from home with the pacier players on the pitch from the off and if yesterday didn't prove that, I don't k ow what will.

 

You may be right I wasn't aware of those team selections but there is no doubt yesterday's result turned on Joe Wright's poor defending,.
Now wether our second half improvement was down to our half time subs or Doncaster thinking they'd done enough to win the game we'll never know, but I found Doncasters second half time wasting tactic strange to say the least, their keeper having to be warned twice for time wasting when with their pace they could have won by a bigger margin IMO which they nearly did when McCann made those three late changes and they created 2/3 good chances.

 

He hasn't looked the same player since his concussion has he? Looking at our starting defensive line-ups so far in the league, we haven't been able yet to establish a settled back 3. In the 7 league games so far, we've had 4 different starting lineups at the back, with Tilt the only ever present, and that might change now as well if he's done his hammy. I think we all thought at the start of the season that Pennington, Wright and Tilt would be our best back 3 but they've only managed 2 games together so far, much like early injuries disrupted our defence last season. The worry is that if Tilt is injured, Wright isn't fancied, Pennington isn't fit yet, and McIntyre isn't deemed ready yet, there is a scenario where we could have Baldwin, Byrne and Kelly starting next Saturday

 

And Bryne hasn't had much actual game time, what's Huntington doing can he fill in for the one game .
You could be right with regards Wright, is he over his concussion.

 

Our problem last season was that we did well from home in the Trophy but were poor in the league, last season we only won 1 more league away game than we did in the trophy. Including last season in the league we've won 6 out of 27 and only picked up 28 points.
The concern for me isn't necessarily the points but how bad we've looked so often especially in the first halves

 

I'm a bit worried about Tilt away from home. At home, the refs are more lenient and Tilts style will let him get away with a bit. But away from home he's been walking a tight rope.

His 4 yellow cards in all comps have all come away from home. His 23 fouls committed in L1 are the most in the league at the minute, but it feels like at home he's rarely checked compared to away? Yesterday he committed 6 fouls and it felt like the second yellow wasn't far off just for accumulated offences.

 

He was back in full training last week.

 

Unfortunately the physical game has always been the way Tilt has played and I believe that is why Alexander brought him to the club.

 

Gotta say, I like him. Physical and intimidatory and a no-nonsense defender. It's good to have a hardman in your side I think. I mean, who didn't like it when Mick Kennedy interrupted the opposition in his own inimitable style?

 

MANAGER REACTION: Alexander on Doncaster result

Did I hear Alexander right ?, saying our general play was not that bad until in the second half we went down to 10 men, I thought it was last seasons post match interview until he quoted the manner in which we conceded 3 goals.

 

I agree with him in all fairness, especially the comparison to the Stockport game. Stockport battered us and we were outclassed whereas yesterday we killed ourselves. We were in control and the better team at 1-1 and I think if Wright doesn't make the mistake he does then we get something out of the game.

 

I agree with his comment but when did we go down to 10 men that's my query or have I miss heard his quote.
Maybe I should have highlighted the 10 men bit, done .

 

Tilt went off with a few minutes to go.. hamstring or severe cramp I think.

 

Tilt had to go off injured at the end and we had no subs left

 

He’s looked poor since his injury hasnt he. Looked great before. Hope he’s back up to speed soon.

 

I still think we are carrying a few passengers and it is going to take another transfer window or two to fully upgrade our squad from L2 to strong L1 level. Certainly at the back, our LB and CB options are limited - i think GA knows this, hence the loan lad arriving from Portsmouth.

we were excellent away at Blackburn and Stoke and improved in the second half at Stockport,

i think our away efforts have improved, we’re just still trying to work out our best team. Humph or Swan, who is best alongside Power as CDM, and how to best cover left back and any issues at CB.

we’re also victims of our early success, which has probably raised expectations.

its annoying losing to a tinpot club like Donny, esp with dross like Gibson hurting us, as well as OAP Billy, but we’ve still made big strides from last year and we have the right man in charge to put things right,

it’ll come good on the road when we have a settled side.