Before we get to downhearted with our performances this season I think we should look at our results Lost 3 teams in top 7 Drawn 2 teams in top 6 won 2 teams in top 9 Four other fixtures against assorted teams and having played most of the better ? teams at least once then the only way is up
We've had a really tough start to the season and have done pretty well. I think we'll probably be in or around the top five by the new year. I just wish the fixture list wasn't so stop start because I don't think that helps.
Its been a great start but could have been better where we have been hard done by a couple of times. But its really positive though that we will can compete against the teams who look like they will be around the top of the table. With a big squad too, I cant see us falling backwards if suspensions and injuries occur. We got good players to fall back on when needed. If we win our game in hand we could be in the play offs. Even if we finish 7th, it would be a great season for our 1st season back at this level. Another key thing to remember is our current FFP rules. Promoted teams get 2 years in their new league before the specific league that they are in starts to apply to them. So when we got promoted to league 2 out of non league, the FFP didnt apply to us unlike the other league 2 sides. Thats why you see a few times get 2 promotions in a row, like us and Crawley for example. Same thing applies when you get promoted from league 2 to league 1. You get 2 years to adapt to the FFP on league 1, so we dont have to abide to the current FFP. So our position could improve further if we could take advantage of not having to apply the FFP. But of course we need to be careful because if we are still in league 1 after the 2 years grace period, if our wage bill is sky high where we pinned our hopes on going up again within the 1st 2 years of being in league 1, then we could end up getting a fine and transfer embargo.
Peterborough looked good yesterday and Bury were nothing special. Watching the two fixtures in our league today to see what the teams are like.
I thought Bury looked good in the early stages. Posh looked good too, but both sides looked a bit dodgy at the back.
We must have been one of the few clubs to get wages on an even keel whilst in the conference. When we came up we were well positioned under the wage cap of FFP rules for L2. Under those circumstances it is quite incredible that me got back to back promotions. As you pointed out, teams like Crawley zoomed up to L1, from the conference, but once their period of grace ran out the struggled and dropped like a stone. Personally I'm glad Rovers aren't going to have similar problems, due to adjusting the wages down whilst in the conference. When we we down there were at least 4-5 teams that were paying up to £500,000-£1million over us. As has been shown so many times before, throwing money at a football team does not always guarantee success, ask FGR who in the past few years have spent reportedly up to £4million and are still in the National League. We have to be thankful, for whatever reason to the previous administration and DC for being frugal when signing players whilst embarking on that first year in the conference. To bounce out at the first time of asking and being within the FFP rules immediately means we can look forward rather than over our shoulders and a lot of that is down to DC playing the loan market in the right way. Our budget, according to Mr Hamer is "very good for L1" and it is known our budget is higher than Burton Albion's. however DC continues to play the markets right which should mean come January we could dip our toe into the market for a final push. DC is a smart man with financial backing now but I wouldn't bet against him not paying for a player in January but being frugal and getting a player or two free or on loan.
I don't think that DC will sign any players on loan during the Jan transfer window unless he re signs Boteng or a replacement if Palace wont let him come back or he does not want to come back for the remainder of the season. In the WDP today DC has said that Wael has not refused any request he has made since he took over. I do wonder if McCrystal career has finished at the Rovers and if a good C / H becomes available or a another striker other wise I cant see that the team needs that amount of strengthening if the current loanees stay
Given the way we've started, what are your expectations for this season? I don't like to be too demanding, as even being in League One is like being in paradise, but with the squad that we have and of course an amazing manager in DC, the top half looks very achievable.
This is such a difficult question. In my eyes, DC is a great manager as he has the ability to change things during games and not scared to do it early either, unlike some managers who didnt want to make changes until there is just 10 minutes left! The amount of times that DC has been able to get the changes right is unreal. What I get worried about a lot though is that DC gets it so wrong so many times at the start of the game where he then needs to make changes early to save the game. Now if DC can get it right from the start then the way this season has gone so far results wise and that we have already played nearly all the teams above us, we surely must be on for a top 8 finish. But if DC continues to get it wrong from the start, I cant see us being able to always turn the game around and we will drop points and therefore I could see us finishing 12th to 17th. What has been serving us well is the way DC treats each game as its own project. He doesnt look at other games apart from the game that is next us. That is where his full focus is. 1 game at a time. The players have really bought into this too. We have a big squad and the players are being patient waiting for when its their turn. They have bought into DC's philosphy and DC has realy got a winning mentality into the players and a never give up attitude and its great to see a Rovers side be fit for the whole game. Before DC you could see how unfit our players were every season. DC has turned us from ragbag to professional and competitive fighters. Im not even sure AMOT if that even answers your question
I see what you mean CJS, it is a very difficult question. What I will add is that the winning mentality that DC has instilled into the players has evidently transmitted itself to many supporters. Expectation levels have increased at an unbelievable rate due to the success we've had. DC is also very ambitious and that has rubbed off on supporters too. Speaking from a personal perspective I go into every Rovers match now feeling very confident we can get a positive result, whereas in the past I would live in hope.
The bench usually looks strong and DC changes things around to make a difference. It's great stuff... probably the best era for a very long time.
