Rovers struggling to field a side

[weststander]

tonight according to Dean. Squad hit by virus
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster/fans-might-want-to-think-twice-about-going-to-crewe-saunders-1-5191994

[Filo]

The last time we played Crewe in the JPT the squad had a virus, we tried to get it called off andwe refused, We went on to win it!

[Dutch Uncle]

Must be very close to the 10th anniversary of a JPT (or previous name) cup tie at Crewe when we lost 8-0

At what stage can the tie be postponed?

[godlike1]

I thought deano had solved our squad and injury problems ???????????????? ;-)

[timdrfc]

I thought deano had solved our squad and injury problems ???????????????? ;-)

Are you for real ??

[The Red Baron]

I thought deano had solved our squad and injury problems ???????????????? ;-)

On the one hand he can't do very much about a virus, but on the other the cynic in me suspects that he wants to rest some players and this is a way of avoiding a fine.

Anyway, I'm planning to go tonight and would love to see the likes of Ball, Wakefield and maybe a couple of the younger lads get a chance. It is a pity that the competition rules are such that they make it difficult to give young players an opportunity. The Law of Unintended Consequences at work perchance?

[donnievic]

Which way is everyone going??tempted to go stoke way

[The Red Baron]

I thought deano had solved our squad and injury problems ???????????????? ;-)

Are you for real ??

I agree- rather harsh when you think how small our squad is. Also because the real issue here is a virus, which the management can't do much about.

But something I've noticed in recent weeks is that we're starting to pick up a lot of muscle injuries again, which were the bane of our life under SO'D. It may just be a consequence of playing so many games or something may have changed in the way players train and prepare for games.

Also, we seem to be picking up a lot of injuries in training- again, a feature of the previous regime.

[eastender]

Due to clubs fielding weakened sides the football league have stated over the last couple of seasons that teams must field a side containing 6 first team regulars based on the seasons overall appearances .
But it doesn't mention this in there JPT rules .

EDIT...It must be one of the issued policies.

7.3 Each Club shall play its full available strength in and during all matches. The Board will from time to time issue a policy as to what constitutes 'full available strength'. Any Club failing to meet this requirement will be required to pay a fine of up to £5,000.

May be a bit of skulduggery going off to avoid paying the 5k fine.   

[donnievic]

tonight according to Dean. Squad hit by virus
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster/fans-might-want-to-think-twice-about-going-to-crewe-saunders-1-5191994

f**k it were donny rovers we'll go if we want

[ExileRover]

I thought the rule was to start with 6 or 7 "regular" first team players. Didnt Sheffield Wednesday last season make two subs in the first minute to "get around" the rule (the keeper was one). Seem to remember watching the game on TV and then they ended up playing with 10men as 2 players got injured?

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

In fairness there's some nasty chest infections going around, I was ill with one most of last week.

[Monkcaster_Rover]

In Godlikes defence I believe he was joking with his comment due to the ';-)' at the end of his question.

[Chris Black come back]

Forget the illness and injury. Bloody Kettle again!!

[BillyStubbsTears]

10th Dec 2002 Dutch.

I froze my bloody nuts off watching that match.

10 minutes into the game, I said to our kid that there was only one team in it and we should have been 3-0 up already. And that Crewe had nothing up front with Rob Hulse not playing. And that they only had a babby called Dean Ashton up front who was easy meat for our defenders...

[edlored]

to be honest i'd play anybody including the tea lady if we could get away with it, not enough players for jpt or cup runs,let us try to finish as high as we can in the league.

[sirfoxinthebox]

we won it once let not be greedy  i would take 0-0 tnite

[The Red Baron]

we won it once let not be greedy  i would take 0-0 tnite

You fancy us for the shootout then? Because there is no replay (nor is there extra time tonight).

[MachoMadness]

Cue Rovers players sticking thermometers in mugs of tea to make the authorities think they're ill.

I do think this is a bit of a front to get away with resting some of the players, but it must be a bit disheartening for the bit-part players who are basically told by the rules that they aren't good enough to get a game under normal circumstances, and are explicitly made out to be weaker than other players. I think Ian Holloway said something similar once.

[sirfoxinthebox]

we won it once let not be greedy  i would take 0-0 tnite

You fancy us for the shootout then? Because there is no replay (nor is there extra time tonight).

yh i would fancy  pens dont forget we got woods in sticks

[MachoMadness]

Apparently we've got special dispensation to the rule. Sounds pretty serious, Robbie Blake ended up in hospital, McCombe, Jones, Spurr all doubtful, Clingan's the only one who's recovered apparently.

[Filo]

Deano`s words from the Yorkshire Post

Saunders was hoping matters would improve overnight, but said if it did not and Rovers have to go with the team he has in mind that as a supporter he would ‘think twice about making the trip’

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster/crewe-alexandra-v-doncaster-rovers-fans-might-want-to-think-twice-about-going-to-crewe-saunders-1-5191994

[MachoMadness]

Meade, Middleton and Wakefield all start tonight. Hopefully we acquit ourselves well at the very least.

[RoversAlias]

In a way I'm intrigued to see how these youth teamers do. Good opportunity for them to show what they're made of on a cold Tuesday night away at a competitive senior L1 side.