Torquay United vs Rotherham United

[ferrarilover]

Browsing Rotherham United results on the Beeb, an interesting pattern emerges:

Away to teams above us (as it stands)

LDLWLLLLL

P9 W1 D1 L7 F4 A13 GD-9 Pts 4

Away to teams below us

DWWWWWDW

P8 W6 D2 L0 F19 A9 GD+10 Pts 20

So, I guess tonight we really find out if we are a top side or a rubbish side. They seem to thrash those below a certain point and struggle against those round them. This leads me to believe it might be a mental or attitude issue. If the players go into the game knowing that the opposition are struggling and not a threat to their league position, they play freely and seem to score goals for fun. If they get it into their heads that they are playing teams around them, they become nervous, negative and fragile, especially away from home.
The first goal is crucial tonight (as always really), if we get it, we might just shatter their confidence and go on to win the match (provided we don t sit back on it). If they get it, they might believe we are a team there for the taking and go on to bag a hatful. Time will tell.

Alongside this, they don t seem to be able to really beat teams by a lot. If they keep tight and restrict the opposition to none, they usually only score one. If they cut loose and hit a few, they concede more as well (evidence RUFC 6-4 CTFC; BAFC 2-4 RUFC and SCFC 3-3 RUFC).
This suggests to me an issue with the midfield, where they push on and try for goals, they allow the opposition the run of the midfield and are considerably more vulnerable when they lose the ball. This might well suit us, with the combative elements of JOastler (deliberate) and Stanley in the middle.

The other option is that they are one man band merchants and they rely on a single player who has no right to be in this lowly division, but clearly enjoys being a big fish in a small pond. (Wonder if I ll get my third quote on the RUFC forum with this line?)

On the subject of their forum, they appear to be as negative about their chances as we are about ours, both teams fancy they other for the win, shall we offer thenm a draw now and be done with?

Matt.

[drummergull90]

Tough game. They are the kind of side who are always there or there abouts in the top half of the table. I reckon they will beat us, we haven't been fantastic of late and don't seem to know what our best 11 is.

I would go for

Bevan

Nicho
Ellis
Robbo
Manse

Oastler
Stanley
O'Kane/Gilligan

Robinson
Kee
Zebroski


I'm going for 1-2, with Kee bagging the goal.

[wiggy_10]

5-0 Torquay ... Job done

[Plymouth Gull]

Rotherhams last Tuesday night league away victory came in January...


..last year.

[TUFC92]

* 16 Potter
* 03 Nicholson
* 05 Robertson
* 07 Mansell
* 18 Oastler
* 23 Branston
* 06 Stanley
* 10 O'Kane
* 08 Kee
* 09 Robinson
* 26 Zebroski

Substitutes

* 01 Bevan,
* 02 Rowe-Turner,
* 17 Haldin,
* 19 Stevens,
* 22 Lathrope,
* 14 Macklin,
* 24 Yeoman

No Bevan in the starting line up

We do have a certain Haldin in the squad though!!

[Gulliball]

I like it, very attacking.

[Jeff]

Strong side. No Gilligan on the bench? He was my choice rather than o'Kane who has looked massively off-colour recently. If he can perform, thats the side that was doing well at the start of the month so no complaints there.

[bixieupnorth]

sounds like a half decent crowd??

come on torquay

early chance for rotherham

[HRG]

LOL...With another 14 games to go after tonight, its hardly the end of the world if they do turn us over is it?

Of course not. I'm not exactly negative, we're safely mid table and that's lovely, just not feeling the push for playoffs vibe. I guess I'm feeling a bit meh due to recent last minute disappointments and am in need of some enthusiasm.
Or it could be that I've spent all day making a Tigger costume and it's a bit sh*te, taking all the joy out of me =D

[Gulliball]

Get in Eunan!

[bixieupnorth]

eunan!! sounded a great volley!!

[SuperNickyWroe]

evening all.

good line up (apart from bevs)

how are we doin?

[bixieupnorth]

and exeter behind in the same breath!!

[Jeff]

What was that I was saying, O'Kane off form and all that.

Way to hush my mouth Eunan!

[SuperNickyWroe]

evening all.

good line up (apart from bevs)

how are we doin?

hows that for timing!!