More of an even game first half but think we looked very comfortable for most of that second without creating many of our own chances. Fantastic work rate with JFC making up for his wayward passing by being everywhere. Innis looked immense and the rest of the defence were excellent too. DJ definitely looked more effective than Millar
Adkins in the postmatch - "I thought Alex Gilbey was phenomenal". I can only assume he's identified that Gilbey is suffering from a massive loss of confidence, and is trying to talk him up as a result, because phenomenal is not the word I'd have used.
Good result. Had the ball in the net twice and looked dangerous at times. Even with the 7 mins of injury time I never felt that much like Donny would score, they were poor today. I liked our shape, we managed to set up in a way that got the best out of the wide players, Pratley and to an extent Gilbey. Maatsen had an excellent first half, though he was anonymous in the second, and it allowed us to play Purrington who is just a good, steady defender. I’m always happier having him as part of the back four. Inniss had an excellent game and you could feel how much easier it made Pearce’s life having a calm communicator with him. Gilbey had a mixed game, he showed glimpses of talent on the ball but had a really decent second half chasing things down, making challenges and showing a bit of pace.
The only real negatives are that Millar was poor, as was JFC on the ball and we looked a bit disjointed. I like to think we’ll get used to the new way of playing and become more coherent as a side in the future. I like this set up and I hope we stick with it. 3 big points, Bogle didn’t score against us and we’ve shoved a team around us further down. Great start to the day
Surprised a little bit (in a good way) by how much of an impact Adkins seems to have had already. The players seem to have got a bit of belief and self confidence back, certainly some players faded as it went on but overall that has to be seen as pretty positive.
Also glad to see that Adkins has at least a pragmatic side to him. He may prefer to see attacking, passing football but he's not ideologically welded to it and results matter more than performances at this point in time.
Fans wont like Adkins view on Gilbey, thought he was phenomenal
I know who’s opinion I trust! People soon forget he was injured before and didn’t look the same player....today, again, was his first game back in a long while and he worked his socks off! Definition of a scapegoat!
Adkins in the postmatch - "I thought Alex Gilbey was phenomenal". I can only assume he's identified that Gilbey is suffering from a massive loss of confidence, and is trying to talk him up as a result, because phenomenal is not the word I'd have used.
I thought he was alright... He didn't stop pressing all game. A few good moments and a few poor ones.
I think you can already see a change of attitude in the players. Adkins post match interview a breath of fresh air, focussed on the positive and no digging out the officials, other teams manager, the pitch, or anything
When I saw the line-up, didn’t think we’d get much out of the game, to be honest. But hats off to the lads, they surpassed my expectations. Forster-Caskey ... outstanding and deservedly got MOTM. We had shape, the midfield protected the back four and we looked half dangerous on the break. Interestingly, Adkins thought Gilbey was outstanding. My view ... Hmmn. It’s a shame Lincoln have bottled it for Tuesday but I now fancy us to have a good end of season. Are the play-offs a possibility? Maybe but I still think we’re going to have to rely on others falling away. C’MON YOU REDS
quite a strange feeling today as the board went up for 7 minutes extra. at 1-0 up that would normally be a sinking feeling followed by 7 minutes of nail biting, today I just felt completely calm about the whole thing, just couldn't imagine any way we were going to concede this afternoon
Enjoyed that. Inniss big plus (in more ways than one). Inspired decision to play Maatsen in attack and I noticed he tracked back well too. Still quite a few individual errors they need to cut out and a real let off from Matthew's back pass. Good to see Purrington back in the side. Millar always look dangerous but gets caught in the headlights too often and his decision making is questionable. Still a clean sheet and three points away can't be bad...
Fans wont like Adkins view on Gilbey, thought he was phenomenal
I know who’s opinion I trust! People soon forget he was injured before and didn’t look the same player....today, again, was his first game back in a long while and he worked his socks off! Definition of a scapegoat!
Not a case of trusting opinions. The manager is clearly building a player up, and it’s no problem in any way, but he was very far from phenomenal and I’ll don’t think you’ll find a single other person saying it.
JFC was great, Inniss outstanding. I don't think we're going to suddenly explode into a dynamic, expansive attacking outfit, but I make the gameplan right for these next games: keep it tight, solid, get down the wings, win set pieces. I like the fact that NA obv hasn't had enough time to work on playing out from the back properly, so we didn't bother faffing around with that. Also was interesting with NA giving Gilbey a reverse Bowyering in the interview...
Decent performance and really happy with the win. Unfortunately I feel a bit factor was catching Donny at a good time as they are clearly on the slide.
Im not getting carried away with thinking this is our march to Wembley, the other teams around us that we will be playing are very much in form and will be a lot more threatening then Donny today.
Best away record in the league. I knew it was good but not that good.
Even with our 'trusty' defence I never felt in any danger of conceding. Doncaster were poor and we looked pretty well organised. Not a great game for the neutral at all but it was a professional performance from us and another 3 points on the board. I don't care how we get them 3 points at this stage.
Comments
Doncaster looked like us for the past 4 months.
Definitely a performance to build on.
Also glad to see that Adkins has at least a pragmatic side to him. He may prefer to see attacking, passing football but he's not ideologically welded to it and results matter more than performances at this point in time.
No very pretty but effective.
Innis makes such look so much stronger but Pearce and Pratley did really well.
Gilbey was frustrating on the ball but put a defensive shift in.
We're still outsiders for the play-offs but we're still in the race.
NARAWA
Everyone else has to have a blip at some stage
That right, @Dazzler21
Sorry, Daz!
Would like to know how many crosses got to their man? how many passes were successful?
Innis a real giant for us but thought back 4 looked as solid as they have done all season.
Onwards and upwards.
I am both delighted and sickened
We get 3 points - and his cup runneth over.
Winning is a good feeling!
Im not getting carried away with thinking this is our march to Wembley, the other teams around us that we will be playing are very much in form and will be a lot more threatening then Donny today.
Even with our 'trusty' defence I never felt in any danger of conceding. Doncaster were poor and we looked pretty well organised. Not a great game for the neutral at all but it was a professional performance from us and another 3 points on the board. I don't care how we get them 3 points at this stage.
Well done Nige and the boys.