Joined: Feb 18 2006 Posts: 18610 Location: Somewhere in Bonny Donny (Twinned with Krakatoa in 1883).
This is going to be a league where the top sides lose their away games to other top sides. So if we beat Barrow down at the Keepmoat we will be back to parity and the same with other losses away. Based on that performance we would lose at Workington, Whitehaven, Oldham and Rochdale. We need to win everything at the Keepmoat, which we are capable of, and beat lesser sides away.
We desperately need a NIPPY (ie FAST) number seven. Our current one is too slow, couple that with Cooke as the other half back and we are a bit pedestrian.
Still I don't suppose we will get anybody else now.
I have however learnt my lesson about going to Barrow. I can't believe we could go from great to grotty in 7 days, I truly wished I was somewhere else but watching that game yesterday. You could pretty well see we had nothing to offer from the off.
War does not determine who is right - only who is left.
Stand-Offish wrote:This is going to be a league where the top sides lose their away games to other top sides. So if we beat Barrow down at the Keepmoat we will be back to parity and the same with other losses away. Based on that performance we would lose at Workington, Whitehaven, Oldham and Rochdale. We need to win everything at the Keepmoat, which we are capable of, and beat lesser sides away.
We desperately need a NIPPY (ie FAST) number seven. Our current one is too slow, couple that with Cooke as the other half back and we are a bit pedestrian.
Still I don't suppose we will get anybody else now. Not sure they can afford to lose too many, need to be picking up points from promotion rivals so it isnt too tight near end of season. Do you think the travelling had an effect?, hope not because theres a lot more to come.
I have however learnt my lesson about going to Barrow. I can't believe we could go from great to grotty in 7 days, I truly wished I was somewhere else but watching that game yesterday. You could pretty well see we had nothing to offer from the off.
Not sure they can afford to drop too many points against promotion rivals, leaves little room for error, and could leave it tight at end of season. Do you think the travelling had an effect, hope not because theres a lot more to come.
Joined: Nov 03 2005 Posts: 4077 Location: Within earshot of the XH558
Sounds very much like a disappointing effort and a real big up to the Faithful that travelled. The three Cumbrian away fixtures were and are always going to test the metal and it sounds like Barrow really did want it more. If this bunch of players do want to do well then the answer should come on Saturday, if they turn up half arsed against Sharlston and do not give it a hundred percent then the good feeling from the Whitehaven game will sadly dissipate. I thought after last week we may just have a half decent shout this year, hope to hell I'm correct.
Moonlight wrote:Sounds very much like a disappointing effort and a real big up to the Faithful that travelled. The three Cumbrian away fixtures were and are always going to test the metal and it sounds like Barrow really did want it more. If this bunch of players do want to do well then the answer should come on Saturday, if they turn up half arsed against Sharlston and do not give it a hundred percent then the good feeling from the Whitehaven game will sadly dissipate. I thought after last week we may just have a half decent shout this year, hope to hell I'm correct.
just viewed the highlights, missed tackles seem to have been a problem so far this season, whitehaven apart, i don't think we put enough pressure on defenders either,would like to see powley given a run, he's speedy and direct and against tiring defence would do a good job i think.As for turning up on saturday against sharlston, well they should approach it as any other game. I'm sure they will, the coaching staff wiil demand an improvement
i suppose the only issue tony has is who he drops for powley. both emmett and kesik are on form. kesik is my 1st choice at hooker but i wouldnt want to see emmett dropped from the team sheet. think powley is better in attack than emmett but not sure he can defend too well.
I think powley would be more effective coming from the bench anyway, as an interchange. when the forwards have done their job in tiring defenders.emmett reverting to back row
weighman wrote:Had to laugh at a post on Totalrl (barrow) by a Haven fan suggesting Dons wouldnt travel well. Thats from a team who we have stuffed on the last 3 occasions at the Keepmpoat.
Still think we can compete in this league , early days yet.
Wasn't wrong though was I.we always struggle away 3 plus hours every other week isn't ideal but. Like last year we will win our home games and pick up 4 or 5 wins on the road.You will be tough at home and Cooke will shine but like iI said don't think he will be up for long away trips
Joined: Aug 17 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Isle of Axholme
haven4ever wrote:Wasn't wrong though was I.we always struggle away 3 plus hours every other week isn't ideal but. Like last year we will win our home games and pick up 4 or 5 wins on the road.You will be tough at home and Cooke will shine but like iI said don't think he will be up for long away trips
Do you really think that your exhaustive survey of the results of ONE league away match is conclusive proof that we will struggle away from home?
Joined: Feb 12 2003 Posts: 5487 Location: At The New Stadium
Apart from Holt and Harrison (Barrow) were no great shakes on Sunday and were beatable by a Dons team playing somewhere near their best—unfortunately we played below expectations and as a result failed to even get a bonus point—we played panic rugby and failed on numerous occasions to complete a full set. Let’s hope the game against Whitehaven was a truer reflection on our ability than the display at Barrow.
donny hkr wrote:just viewed the highlights, missed tackles seem to have been a problem so far this season, whitehaven apart, i don't think we put enough pressure on defenders either,would like to see powley given a run, he's speedy and direct and against tiring defence would do a good job i think.As for turning up on saturday against sharlston, well they should approach it as any other game. I'm sure they will, the coaching staff wiil demand an improvement
would just like to mention that paul cooke played with a badly swollen right hand and i am sure this was a reason for his slightly below par performance it was like a balloon he showed it to us at the service station,said he wanted to play so he had it strapped up and did not shirk anything he deserves much credit for that,..
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