at last the penny drops

[the vicar]

from the free press Liam Hoden


Paul Dickov says the last week has reaffirmed exactly where Rovers need to strengthen this summer.

And right of the top of his list is filling his squad with mental strength.

Dickov pointed to the Rovers side that won League One two years ago as the ideal template he wants to work to during the closed season.

“The last time this club got promoted out of this league, they had a group of men right the way through the squad,” Dickov told the Star.

“And that’s what I’ve got aim for.

“I’ve spoken a lot about mentality recently and your mentality has got to be bang on in every single game you play in.

“It’s the mental side of things I need to strengthen more than anything else.

“We’ve got good technical players but there’s no use having that if your mentality is weak.

“Especially in this division, you need to stand up and be counted.”

Dickov gave a subdued post-match briefing after Rovers slipped to a 2-1 defeat at struggling Notts County, but the frustration he was feeling was clear to see.

He insists that result – coupled with the 3-0 defeat at MK Dons in midweek – has not changed his plans for the summer but rather backed up his thoughts on where recruitment is needed.

Dickov said: “We know what we need to do in the summer and I think over the last week we’ve seen why.

“Performances haven’t been consistent enough from individuals and the team.

“I think at times we’re too easy to play against.

“I knew a few weeks ago and these last two results have reiterated that.

“It’s a summer I’m really looking forward to and I know the board are too because I spent a lot of time with them on Friday.”

 

[BobG]

Its discussed at some length lower down the page Vicar.

The general opinion is that if it's taken him 2 years to realise we need a few players with some guts, then we're in trouble. We've wasted the last 2 seasons.

Cheers

BobG

[the vicar]

yes, buy they wont get rid, so give him the backing and if he dun't do it then he will go i'm sure

[Sammy Chung was King]

I don't like managers getting sacked willy nilly, but i think he has had a good shot at it, but i think the board will keep him on so i will support him while Rovers manager, but i am not convinced by him.

[acko]

dickovs big trouble now is to turn peoples thoughts round.youve all made your mind up you don't want him so hes on a loser from word go,win his first 5 matches next season lose the sixth people will be back blaming him again,if the board have anything about them they know peoples feelings and remove him now to safe face,and that is not a go at dickov its just common sense

[since-1969]

I agree...You can't expect PD to know what is required to get success as he has not experienced this himself . he only knows failure and relegation and then dismissal, so can anyone see a future in hanging on to this Jonah!!

[GazLaz]

Last years remit was get more youth involved, this year we apparently need more "men" which implies experience. All we actually need is good players, better players than the ones we have. Bournemouth didn't have an outfield player over 30 last night. Our team last season was often made up of old men and kids, not many players at 27,28,29 years of age when players are actually at their prime.

[steve@dcfd]

The statement made by PD and on behalf of the CEO and owners shows that they have wasted at least a year in this league.

To bring in young players with the strength and ability to get out of this league would have cost  a lot of money did they not realise that.

To bring in players who are mentally strong and of the right age and technically good what will they cost. If they are any good they will be looking for the right wages and we will have to compete with others.

So again PD talks the talk, which he is good at, but can he put a squad together that can compete next season and as he got the skills to get the best out of them and develop the young players, his record shows he can't.

Will the CEO and owners say one thing in the public arena about going for promotion, but behind closed accepting that if we finish as high as possible that's ok.

So will the penny drop and the owners bring in a manager who as the qualities to take the club forward or stick with mediocrity.

[bpoolrover]

Pd had very little option at the start of the season to say he wanted to bring youth in as that's what the owners wanted,it soon became apparent pd didn't want that or realised the young players were not ready as he never played them

[the vicar]

i think he is the victim of the directors as to the youth policy and bringing players in

[wing commander]

    I'm no Dickov fan but some people on here have short memory's about our last 2 close seasons when the clubs plans were thrown into turmoil because of the failed takeover attempts that left us searching around for players with a week to kick off....

[The Red Baron]

We'll see whether we do business early or wait until the last minute. Apart from summer 2006 when we made several early signings - in a bid to drive up season ticket sales - we have tended to wait until after the players report back before doing deals.

There shouldn't be any takeover constraints this summer, so it will be interesting to see how soon some offers are made.

[steve@dcfd]

    I'm no Dickov fan but some people on here have short memory's about our last 2 close seasons when the clubs plans were thrown into turmoil because of the failed takeover attempts that left us searching around for players with a week to kick off....

Also PD as planned to leave some of the budget to spend in the New Year transfer window he as done that over the last two years, he said that when interviewed.

So let's see what excuse the club can come up this pre season when we have not signed or re-signed players early. If they are good enough we will be up against other clubs agents will make sure of that.

[Wild Rover]

Making offers should not be a problem. Having players accept them is another thing.
If PD is to be believed he, and the board are having discussions now about recruitment. Now if these folk are out of contract at end of june ( seems to be a convenient date ), then DRFC pick up the tab 1st july.
If players are under contract, and are subject of a bid, then DRFC pick up the tab as soon as signature on paperwork and DRFC registered ( likely at best to be early July ).
It will be interesting to see when and if signings are made, if only on the basis some will leave DRFC anyway, so its likely the money not given to those in close season may form a substantial part of expenditure of those recruited.

[idler]

We need to tie up our priority targets sooner rather than later.
We should send a positive message out to the fans that we mean business.

[dickos1]

He can have money in jan to spend but it's almost impossible to get good players in January

[eastender]

We'll see whether we do business early or wait until the last minute. Apart from summer 2006 when we made several early signings - in a bid to drive up season ticket sales - we have tended to wait until after the players report back before doing deals.

There shouldn't be any takeover constraints this summer, so it will be interesting to see how soon some offers are made.

PD as already gone on record saying that he wants the majority of his squad in place 6 to 7 weeks before the season starts.
So that means he should have most of the players he wants in by 22th June.

http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-dickov-wants-a-quiet-summer-1-7212116

[steve@dcfd]

We'll see whether we do business early or wait until the last minute. Apart from summer 2006 when we made several early signings - in a bid to drive up season ticket sales - we have tended to wait until after the players report back before doing deals.

There shouldn't be any takeover constraints this summer, so it will be interesting to see how soon some offers are made.

PD as already gone on record saying that he wants the majority of his squad in place 6 to 7 weeks before the season starts.
So that means he should have most of the players he wants in by 22th June.

http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/doncaster-rovers/doncaster-rovers-dickov-wants-a-quiet-summer-1-7212116

He said all the same things in early May last year in the Free Press but it was said it didn't count because was in the paper.

I hope he does sign and re-sign his targets early if he is still the manager but I wait with baited breath.

[Sammy Chung was King]

He can have money in jan to spend but it's almost impossible to get good players in January

I agree you either can't get who you want, or the price is inflated, do your business early save a bit for near the start of the season for any special players, and keep a little emergency fund for loans if we are desperate for cover.
I understand the club waiting until the last minute, you don't pay wages for people who are not playing, the problem is this pre season we need to get them earlier, get them training together earlier, the extra few quid will pay for itself if you can get promotion.

The club's hands are tied a bit with only a small percentage of the town regularly coming to watch the games, it must be very tight trying to save where you can for the good of the club.
This pre season having said all that, we will need to pay a fee or two to get players in who will hopefully form the long term backbone of the team, like Hayter did, O'Connor, Wellens, Stock, Coppinger, there will be frees available, but the club needs to show it's intent without paying out too much.
Ambition but still on a budget that the club can afford.

[DRFC-Hanksie]

Pre-Seasons against sides like Rosso Main and Armthorpe Welly will give no mental strength to the players.

They need a challenge. Good excuse for a European Pre-season.

[Filo]

Pre-Seasons against sides like Rosso Main and Armthorpe Welly will give no mental strength to the players.

They need a challenge. Good excuse for a European Pre-season.

I agree, can I suggest we play Malaga on 25th July? :-)


On second thoughts, that might bring back bad memories for PD after spending a day or two in a penal institution close by a few years ago :-)

[The Red Baron]

Pre-Seasons against sides like Rosso Main and Armthorpe Welly will give no mental strength to the players.

They need a challenge. Good excuse for a European Pre-season.

I see that Dickov is planning to play more home friendlies before next season. It is one of his ideas to address the poor home form. That suggests that we will play some higher opposition as you can't really justify playing Armthorpe at the Keepmoat.

It would be good to get a couple of friendlies specifically for the Development side, perhaps against Conference opposition.

[Yargo]

Wonder if PD has seen Pop Stands idea of renaming the home and away dugouts-that could work also

[Bristol Red Rover]

    I'm no Dickov fan but some people on here have short memory's about our last 2 close seasons when the clubs plans were thrown into turmoil because of the failed takeover attempts that left us searching around for players with a week to kick off....

Exactly, and sometimes you can be lucky in such a last minute situation and sometimes not. This time it's down to planning, setting key targets and sharp execution, NOT luck. Plenty of time to do it, enough money (it seems) and backing from the board.

I don't see any conflict between wanting hard steely men and bringing youth through. And of course, playing ability is the main criteria - which is sadly why I think Rob Jones may not be part of the set up (along with him wanting games not bench sitting).

So, the key targets will be a central defender, a keeper, a central midfielder and a forward - the spine of the team. For sure other positions to deal with but for me they are what we have been missing in terms of titanium quality.

Good to be focusing on where we are going, I feel very positive about next season 

[Sammy Chung was King]

A few of us way back were saying he had missed a few parts of the squad that needed strengthening, i think was more funding than him not knowing.
McCullough should have been tried in Keegan's position way back, if nothing else just to keep Keegan fresh, he was run into the ground and injury eventually followed.