DC's main target remains to take Rovers back into the Football League, but he is also eyeing a potential Wembley appearance by getting to the final of the FA Trophy. DC said: "I managed to get to a semi-final as a player at Salisbury and then also a quarter-final when I was a manager, and I enjoyed the experiences on both occasions. I think it is a good competition and any opportunity that ends with a trip to Wembley at the end of it is something not to be scoffed at. I want to win every football match we play in and that is the sort of mentality I am trying to foster among my players. It is a good draw for us and a good draw for Bath because the two clubs share a lot of history. I'm sure Bath will bring plenty of fans across and I hope there will be a good crowd at the Mem on Saturday. The more money we can get through the turnstiles will, hopefully, give me the opportunity of a bit more money to spend in January. I know quite a lot about them and they have a number of really good players. I had the lad Ben Adlesbury when I was manager at Salisbury. Andy Watkins and David Pratt are also very bright and experienced players for them at the top of the pitch. They can hurt any side at this level on their day and we will be treating this game the same as any other in terms of our preparation. I'm pleased that Pat Keary is doing well there because he was a bit unfortunate to be released. He played well when coming on as a substitute against Mansfield last season, but then didn't really get another opportunity. He, like a lot of other young professionals at the end of last season, was an unfortunate victim of the drastic changes I had to make in the aftermath of relegation. I didn't want to be working with too many young professionals given the fact we had already agreed to hand deals to the four who had just finished their scholarships. I couldn't be stuck with eight first and second-year professionals when I had to make room to add some experienced players going into a different league."
A League and cup double would be great. But I'm sure this competition's full of banana skins and just looking at some of the quality goals from the likes of Blyth Spartans in the senior competition makes you realise that there aren't many easy games out there.
I have no problems of going on a cup run and we will be 1 of the favourites along with Barnet and the other teams at the top with us in the league. I just hope we dont get injuries/suspensions in the cup run which will hurt our league positioning. I wouldnt be upset at all if we went out tomorrow. Of course it I dont like seeing us lose but I just worry that we will lose players for big games in the league. If we can stay injury free in these cups games then go for it DC!
I don't agree with this at all. I still cringe with embarrassment at the pure fact that Bristol Rovers Football Club are having to compete within this competition. This club HAS to be promoted this season, no if's, but's or maybe's and if that means getting eliminated from the 'Trophy' early on to concentrate on that essential goal then that will be fine by me. When I remember back to that season when we got through to the quarters of the FAC against The Baggies our league form went right out of the window as there was just too much spotlight and media frenzy over the club resulting in the collective eye being taken right off of the ball with regards to the 'bread and butter' of the season and it would be inexcusable if that were to happen this time around. I appreciate the Trophy isn't such an illustrious competition as the F A Cup but it worries me just the same.
Luton and Oxford must have been quite embarrassed too, but it's just the way things are. As a Conference side you play in this competition - you have lost the right to enter the Capital One Cup or the JPT.
I fully understand your point but at the same time I have to disagree on some of it. You are right that it is embarrassing being in this competition. But I think you are wrong about getting knocked out asap so we can concentrate on the league. Just my opinion though . Reason why, to me, it will be even more embarrassing being knocked out of this competition in the 1st round against a lower league opposition. Yes concentration on the league will be good but I dont think we need more wums and embarrassment on the club. DC is right that we should be aiming to win every game. We want to have and keep the winning mentality. My only concern is potential injuries/suspensions. If we managed to get through the banana skin games that we may get, a trip to wembley would be most welcome!
Totally agree. If we are good enough to get out of the Conference and return to League football, whether it be automatic or via the play offs, surely we are good enough to cope with a successful cup campaign also. Whilst I agree that potential injuries could harm our main objective of a quick return, the confidence gained in a good cup run will only help improve confidence in our league games (and vice versa). Winning can become a habit and the main ingredient in any successful team is confidence.
Well, one thing we won't be doing is going any further in this particular competition. As of now we're 2-0 down to Bath at the Mem. What an embarrassing sack of ****. More concerning is our total inability to score - very worrying indeed.
And the Strikers he brought in recently are just non existent I'm not sure what the point was in Signing Goldberg
Very embarrassing given the positive noises from DC recently during his visit to WSMat The Windsor Castle. Whilst he might have been keen to win this one the message didn't reach those that matter THE PLAYERS. No excuses they haven't earn,t their wages today and frankly should hang their heads in shame. Big Club mentality doesn't get the ball in the net. We were in this Competition because we were not good enough to be in a proper Cup (or League) this Season. If we can't score goals it'll be long time before we are back. No wonder the Teds are having hysterics they are justified in doing so. They talk the talk and walk the walk so they speak with justification unlike some of our lot.We have long long way to go.
'it will be even more embarrassing being knocked out of this competition in the 1st round against a lower league opposition'
what a bunch of losers... And once again we can not find the net??? what part of we need a decent striker does DC not understand?
We're a laughing stock...and deservedly so. Good luck to WSM...an honest team who put in a shift on the day.
Okay yesterdays performance was abysmal but didn't we outplay and beat top of the table Barnet the other week? If we win Friday this will be all forgotten. Yesterday's game means nothing to me personally (you only have to look at the attendance) higher league teams are always going out to ones from lower leagues in cup competitions its been happening for years. Lets just forget about it and move on to Fridays game
