Post by wiaww on Oct 26, 2016 12:52:34 GMT
It is an almost completely pointless exercise as the chances of predicting a Darrell Clarke line-up are, these days, slim to none. However I’m getting a bit excited about Saturday as I think there’s a good chance we’ll see a fair few goals – Peterborough seem to be one of those sides that will score plenty but are equally capable of shipping a fair few as well – so I wanted to post the side I would start with Saturday:
Roos – Probably the only ‘definite’ and the best keeper we’ve got at the moment. Had a good game at Oldham by all accounts.
James Clarke – I think DC will probably favour JC’s defensive capabilities over Daniel Leadbitter’s pace, but I really like DL so I would start him myself.
Tom Lockyer – ‘Captain not-quite-as-fantastic-as-last-season’ still deserves to be one of the first names on the teamsheet I think. He’s undoubtedly had a tougher start to the season than many would have predicted but it’s easy to forget just how young he is. I think DC will stick with TL, and I would too – on his day he’s as good a centre back as you’ll see anywhere outside of the Premier League.
Peter Hartley – Seems to be a perfect fit in this side in terms of temperament. A cool head and a vocal leader, and a constant threat from set-pieces. With Hartley in the team Rovers’ corners are suddenly an exciting prospect! I personally feel that Hartley’s defensive game has suffered slightly from a lack of cover from Lee Brown, but that's just me...
Lee Brown – Our best option at left back.
Chris Lines – Our ‘quarterback’. Linesy frustrates the hell out of me sometimes with his long raking balls but on his day he’s got the ability to be our best player and his all round game has benefitted massively from a huge improvement in his defensive work rate.
Hiram Boateng – Seems to have blown a little hot and cold this season but there is one hell of a player in there somewhere, and he seems to be playing well at the moment so I’d keep him in the side.
Billy Bob Bodin – A shadow of his former self it seems. A goal or two and I think he’ll be ok. At times he seemed to tear defences apart single-handedly last season and I don’t think there’s a huge step up in quality between League One and League Two so I’d give BBB another run out against a Peterborough side that have shipped goals in all but one of their last seven games.
Charlie Colkett – The boy is class and is so much fun to watch on the ball. We’ll not have him at the club next season so I’d like to see him get as many minutes in a Rovers shirt as possible. Showing he’s a goal threat too.
Cristian Montano – Reminds me of Carayol but with a much better defensive work rate. Seems to have a decent partnership with Browner and isn’t afraid to track back and make a tackle. Reckon he’s due a goal as well.
Matty Taylor – Quite simply our best option up front. Anyone that doesn’t see the value of Taylor in the side needs their heads checking as even on a bad day he’s got goals in him. Can play a pass too.
I know that DC is fond of getting to the break level and then coming out all guns blazing but I would like to see us give the (expected) bumper crowd something to sing about first half; we’re good enough to be taking the game to anyone in this division and I can’t help but dream of smashing whoever we play 5 nil. Having said that I’m sure that Clarke has a plan not just for Saturday’s game but for the season as a whole and so whatever the team he picks I’ll be confident of a win – which is a very nice feeling indeed!
As an addendum, below is the team I think DC will go with:
Roos
Daniel Leadbitter – Tom Lockyer – Peter Hartley – Lee Brown
Chris Lines – Hiram Boateng
Billy Bodin – Charlie Colkett – Cristian Montano
Matty Taylor
Roos – Probably the only ‘definite’ and the best keeper we’ve got at the moment. Had a good game at Oldham by all accounts.
James Clarke – I think DC will probably favour JC’s defensive capabilities over Daniel Leadbitter’s pace, but I really like DL so I would start him myself.
Tom Lockyer – ‘Captain not-quite-as-fantastic-as-last-season’ still deserves to be one of the first names on the teamsheet I think. He’s undoubtedly had a tougher start to the season than many would have predicted but it’s easy to forget just how young he is. I think DC will stick with TL, and I would too – on his day he’s as good a centre back as you’ll see anywhere outside of the Premier League.
Peter Hartley – Seems to be a perfect fit in this side in terms of temperament. A cool head and a vocal leader, and a constant threat from set-pieces. With Hartley in the team Rovers’ corners are suddenly an exciting prospect! I personally feel that Hartley’s defensive game has suffered slightly from a lack of cover from Lee Brown, but that's just me...
Lee Brown – Our best option at left back.
Chris Lines – Our ‘quarterback’. Linesy frustrates the hell out of me sometimes with his long raking balls but on his day he’s got the ability to be our best player and his all round game has benefitted massively from a huge improvement in his defensive work rate.
Hiram Boateng – Seems to have blown a little hot and cold this season but there is one hell of a player in there somewhere, and he seems to be playing well at the moment so I’d keep him in the side.
Billy Bob Bodin – A shadow of his former self it seems. A goal or two and I think he’ll be ok. At times he seemed to tear defences apart single-handedly last season and I don’t think there’s a huge step up in quality between League One and League Two so I’d give BBB another run out against a Peterborough side that have shipped goals in all but one of their last seven games.
Charlie Colkett – The boy is class and is so much fun to watch on the ball. We’ll not have him at the club next season so I’d like to see him get as many minutes in a Rovers shirt as possible. Showing he’s a goal threat too.
Cristian Montano – Reminds me of Carayol but with a much better defensive work rate. Seems to have a decent partnership with Browner and isn’t afraid to track back and make a tackle. Reckon he’s due a goal as well.
Matty Taylor – Quite simply our best option up front. Anyone that doesn’t see the value of Taylor in the side needs their heads checking as even on a bad day he’s got goals in him. Can play a pass too.
I know that DC is fond of getting to the break level and then coming out all guns blazing but I would like to see us give the (expected) bumper crowd something to sing about first half; we’re good enough to be taking the game to anyone in this division and I can’t help but dream of smashing whoever we play 5 nil. Having said that I’m sure that Clarke has a plan not just for Saturday’s game but for the season as a whole and so whatever the team he picks I’ll be confident of a win – which is a very nice feeling indeed!
As an addendum, below is the team I think DC will go with:
Roos
J. Clarke – Lockyer – Hartley – Brown
Boateng
Lines – Sinclair
Colkett
Taylor - Harrison
I'd be happy with 6 or 7 correct from the 11 though!
