The 'A' team should be in evidence as long as nothing naughty happens in training this week, the choice of subs could be Tilly's hardest decision.
The nerves will be on edge for players and supporters alike and I see it going down to one goal over the two legs. A poor decision by the officials, a leg stuck out at the wrong time deflecting a hopeful shot into the net, a thirty yard screamer from a player not known for scoring; it could all happen or just a single incident from the three and one team finds itself spending the bank holiday on the beach while the other is stuck in a traffic jam at Marylebone on the way to North West London. (Though Borient manager ex-Blue Martin Ling predicting a Leeds-Southend final could be something we don't need!)
For the sake of all Shrimpers everywhere let's hope we see the Blues of the 13-game unbeaten run, there's certainly enough experience of play-offs left in the squad while the good Lord Lee Barnard will be back, and we all know what never happens when he's in the side!
Here's to a good pint before the game while we sing our hearts out for the lads during it.
Meanwhile all week Blues players have been lining up to show how all is well in the squad and the force is with them while one of the 'undroppables', Marky Gower, is again hoping to become a Wembley goalscoring hero. The Southend United winger bagged a brace at the legendary stadium while in action for England schoolboys against Switzerland at the start of his career. And he is now seeking more of the same as the Shrimpers chase play-off glory, "I was lucky enough to play at the old Wembley a couple of times," said Gower, 29. "It was a real thrill for me, especially when I got the two goals. That was great and it goes without saying that it would be brilliant to go to the new Wembley with Southend. I haven't been there since it's been done up but it looks amazing from seeing it on the television and the final being there does add even more spice to the play-offs. It would be an amazing day if we got there and to score there again would be a dream come true."
But for Gower and the Shrimpers to secure a trip to Wembley they must first see off Doncaster Rovers in the two legged semi final which starts at Roots Hall this Friday. The winger heads into the tie after being rested for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Port Vale and agreed with the decision to give him a break.
"When we played at Tranmere the week before last and lost I wasn't feeling the best and was a bit tired," said Gower. "That's understandable at this stage of the season and that's why I think the manager decided to rest a few of us on Saturday. I'm feeling a bit sharper now and hopefully that will make a difference to us on Friday. We're confident too and people shouldn't read too much into us drawing with Port Vale. There wasn't much at stake, it was a nothing game really and this type of match will bring the best out of us."
Gower was part of the team when the Seasiders triumphed in the League Two play-offs back in 2005 but he knows they must hit top form if they are to enjoy a repeat. "Our passing has to be spot on against Doncaster if we are going to get through," said Gower. "They're strong on the ball and we can't afford to give it away cheaply because we will find it hard to get it back again. They impressed me both times we played them in the league this season and, although we are aware of the size of the task facing us, we know we can do it."
THE OPPOSITION
How will that cruel defeat at Cheltenham affect what has been a great season for Donny? Letting Notts. Forest through the back door must have some affect on the players. Manager Sean O'Driscoll told his players to seek solace in drink or "kick the cat" after their last-day disappointment. A win for Rovers would have clinched the second automatic promotion spot, but O'Driscoll's side now face the play-offs after a 1-2 defeat and Nottingham Forest's victory over Yeovil. (It was their fourth defeat in the last ten, a run that also brought a couple of draws but a 1-0 home defeat of Notts. Forest.)
O'Driscoll said: "I've just said to the players whatever you need to do to get rid of your disappointment; have a drink, kick the cat, whatever you need to do, just get it out of your system because we are back to work and we've got, hopefully, three massive games to come. We've had an opportunity and not taken it. Now we have another opportunity for promotion. They will be two difficult games before we get to the final at what is a fantastic place to play your football."
However, the Gloucester ground is a horrible place to have to go to if you need a result and let's remember how the Blues team themselves regrouped after drawing at Grimsby to lose out on automatic promotion and end up winning promotion in Cardiff. If the coaching staff prepare their players correctly a week is a long time in sport, there's enough talent in this Doncaster side to go all the way.
They will have to buck the recent trend if they are to win promotion to the Championship. Blackpool, who beat Yeovil in the play-off final last season, are the only team to have been promoted after finishing third in recent years. Brentford (twice), Bristol City (twice), Tranmere and Reading have all missed out on promotion to the Championship in the last decade after finishing third.
But Rovers can take heart from the fact they have a decent record at Roots Hall in recent years. They lost here by the odd goal in five at the start of the season. (See The Matches.) Prior to that they had won on their previous three visits beating the Blues 1-0 in their championship winning season of 2005/06.
Rovers begun preparations for Friday's game today after a couple of days off to get the disappointment of Saturday's defeat at Whaddon Road out of their system. Donny boss Sean O'Driscoll started work on his plans to plot Southend's downfall after receiving a report on the Shrimpers draw with relegated Port Vale at Roots Hall - a result which cost us fifth spot, but not one you should take too seriously lads, well not before the last ten minutes certainly.
"The players were really bright in training when they reported back today," said Rovers No 2 Richard O'Kelly. "I think the decision to give them two days off to get over the disappointment of Saturday's defeat at Cheltenham was a really good one. A lot of the lads got away with their families over the May Day break and focused on something else. Obviously there is still some disappointment at missing out on automatic promotion, but the mood in the camp today was 'we've got a big game at Southend in three days so let's be ready for it'. Disappointment has been replaced by a determination to try and see the job through in the play-offs. The one good thing to come out of Saturday's game was the fact that we didn't pick any injuries up. Stuart Elliott, who wasn't considered for the Cheltenham game due to a bit of a back problem, trained today. Adam Lockwood, who hasn't played since the home game against Leeds at the start of last month due to a foot injury, is back in full training, though he probably hasn't done any full contact work yet. He's a possibility for one of the two play-off games and obviously we want him back as quickly as possible because he is a key player."
Meanwhile Rovers fanatic Hatfield Rover, while posting on our own message board, gave this answer to a Donny fan's plea for a report from Cheltenham on his home site. Paul Green v Nicky Bailey in midfield should be a battle to keep an eye on, let's hope it doesn't involve the ref!
Same old story I'm afraid son, in fact the game seemed to follow our season this year.
First half we were clueless and directionless, starting with Cammo & Taylor neither of them spending any purposeful time in the box, too many times this season and same again today we didn't have the strikers in a position to score, frustration!
Cheltenham caused few problems throughout the game the Gypo who scored who shouldn't have even been on the pitch after 3 dives in the box, why the referee didn't the book him we will never know, but that's the way it went.
They scored a goal, which he took well, it was the only real chance they had and had it not gone through Mills's legs Sully would have collected easily.
We then gained momentum and could have scored before the dismal half finished, but it wasn't pretty. I wasn't happy with the tactical display from the team attacking wise first half, Taylor Cammo glued to the sidelines gave us no attacking options and we did the usual tippy tappy round the box with little effect. Stock had a great chance cleared off the line but we went in at half time one nil down.
Second half, you could have served Cheltenham up with chips, such the way we battered them. How on earth we can create so many chances and fail to score more than the one we did is beyond me. When the lads came out Taylor and Cammo were more central and it worked from the off, we should have score 2/3 in the first 5 minutes, this trend continued Cheltenham camped in their half while we put ball after ball after ball into the box. Shots were cleared off the line, the post was hit, the keeper would have given the Luton keeper a run for his money with stupendous one handed saves, one after another it begged belief. We scored through the MOTM AGAIN for me Paul Green, closely followed by Roberts, O'Connor & Mills all terrific today.
Cheltenham had one attack in the 2nd half, and when i say attack i dont mean shot, they literally did not get into our half with the ball for the whole of the 2nd period and they scored from a poor headed clearance and deflection of a crowd of bodies. Even 2-1 down with minutes remaining we created another hat full of chances, Heffernan put the three shots into the corners each one clawed out by the keeper, Superman eat your heart out.
We lost we had probably 30+ chances and we scored 1, they had 2 and scored 2, that's our failing this season all along and it was evident sadly yesterday. I can honestly say that i have never in all my football supporting life seen a team dominate as much as we do, yet have no luck in front of goal. (Ahh, the sad lament of a losing fan.)
Sully - 8 - Very little to do, no blame with the goals
JOC - 8 - Attacking, and defended when needed, turned easy for the first goal
Hird - 8 - Barely put a foot wrong, confident
Mills - 8 - Got put through his legs, but was immense 2nd half, put ball after ball into the box
Roberts - 9 - Almost perfect performance for me
Stock - 7 - Cool head, slowed play down well
Wellens - 8 - Quiet 1st half, 2nd half immense
Green - 10 - The best Rovers player I have ever seen, passion, commitment, work rate, inventive. Unlucky not to get another goal.
Coppinger - 4 - Stinker, I have no idea what purpose he serves in the team at present. He wouldn't even make my bench.
Cammo - 6 - Poor first half, 2nd half went more direct, but never looked like scoring
Taylor - 6 - Excellent control but no support from Copps or Cammo, wasted without Heffs of Hayter along side him.
Subs:
Pricey - 7 - Caused more problems & should have scored
Heffs - 8 - Looked sharp, could have had a hatful if not for the keeper, must start on friday
Guy - 6 - Guy is great on the break but we were camped in there 18 yard box, he didn't add anything, for Hayter should have been on, or Elliot???????? (not even on the bench WTF!)
SOD -6 -, First half was one big mistake, why we persist on thinking Cammo is a left sided winger I will never know, we never got a ball into the box which with two tall powerful headers is a travesty. He got the boys in the right frame of mind in the 2nd, but as usual it seems too little to late.
Atmosphere was good, not great, arguments sparked off in frustration. Just another day in the topsy turvy world of supporting Donny Rovers, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Bring on Southend! (Bring it on indeed Hatfield, can't wait!)
Played 29: WON 13 DRAWN 4 LOST 12. (At Roots Hall: Played 14, (League 13 F.A. Cup 1), WON 8 DRAWN 2 LOST 3 Goals For 27 Against 14.)
Very even then but a clear advantage at home which we must take advantage of if we want to spend our Bank Holiday Sunday in North West London.
It started well at Roots Hall on Oct. 4 58 with our biggest win, 5-0; Hollis(2), Thompson(2) and McCrory the scorer.
At the home of football in the sixties we played Donny a couple of times. I'm guessing Easter Monday when on April 8 68 13,634 saw a 1-2 defeat, Phil Chisnall for the Blues. Nov. 9 the same year brought a happier result, 2-0, Garry Moore and Chambers grabbed the goals.
The seventies saw three victories in Southend. March 31 72, Bills Garner and Best scored in a 2-1 win in front of the biggest crowd the two sides have seen to this day, 15,814. 1977 not only gave us the Queens Silver Jubilee, and a nice bottle of Jubilee Ale, it saw a Derrick Parker double and another 2-1 win on the 9th of April. Staying in April, but a year later, 78, and a week earlier, the 3rd, and a whopping 4-0 victory; a very rare Alan Moody double, one a penalty, Morris and Yates the other scorers on what seems to be another Easter fixture.
While the eighties brought us big hair and bigger shoulder pads and, er, video laser discs, it also gave us two early draws, goaless on Feb. 27 81 and 1-1 on Jan. 16 82, Mercer scoring. Sep. 18 in the same year we saw an exciting 3-2 win; a Phillips double and Nelson. A more convincing 4-1 victory on Dec. 11 87, the scorers here, Super Roy grabbed a brace along with one each for Crown and Hall.
A long 11 year break saw Doncaster full on hard times and out of the league but they returned to the Hall on Nov. 14 98 in the first round of the cup winning 1-0, a game which still sends a shiver down the spine of Blues supporters amongst the 3,740 crowd. This set off a horrible sequence of three succesive home defeats, the next on Jan. 17 04, 0-2. The unwanted hat-trick completed on Apr. 22 06, 0-1.
Whatever you think of Leon Clarke when we went in at half-time 1-2 down on Sep. 22 last year a fourth home defeat in a row against the Rovers looked on the cards, Captain Adam having kept us in a game we looked second best at the end of the first 45. Big Leon came out in the second half to take them on almost single handed but here's a report on the game that brought us a hat-trick of wins kicking us into the play-off zone for the first time this season while Big Steve was in goal for Little Darryl, Lewis was fit and getting bullied, Richards was in at centre-back, and I gave Harry 7 out of 10, blimey!
The first half saw few chances created after Southend winger Tommy Black's third minute shot was turned out for a corner by veteran goalkeeper Neil Sullivan .
Neither side was able to make headway against well-drilled defences that soaked up everything that was thrown at them.
But the Blues made the breakthrough on 24 minutes when skipper Kevin Maher picked up a loose ball in midfield to set up Barrett, whose fierce left-foot shot from the edge of the box took a deflection before beating Sullivan.
The lead was shortlived, however, as Doncaster equalised three minutes later following an McCormack foul in the right channel.
Gareth Roberts' resulting free-kick from 25 yards went through a sea of bodies before going in at the far post past a diving Steven Collis.
Rovers took the lead on 36 minutes after Black slipped and Roberts picked up the ball on the left and released Lewis Guy. Collis parried his shot but the ball bounced off him and into the net.
But Southend got on terms after 50 minutes when Black's centre from the left was flicked on by Matt Harrold for McCormack to head home at the back post for his fourth goal in five games.
Ten minutes later the Shrimpers were back in front after Matt Mills brought down Clarke as he burst into the 18-yard box. Referee Clive Penton pointed straight to the penalty spot and Clarke nutmegged Sullivan with his spot-kick for his third goal since arriving on loan from Sheffield Wednesday.
Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll made a triple substitution after 80 minutes and one of them, Sean McDaid, should have grabbed an equaliser on 85 minutes but he shot wide after Mark Wilson's initial attempt was blocked by Barrett.
(Now read how many 'Marks out of 10' comments I now regret eight months later, but also how many I got spot on. Possibily.)
Collis - 7; Good game justifying Tilly's decision to place Darryl on the bench. Seemed unsighted with the Donny free-kick that went past him and justifiably bemused with the second that could have gone anywhere but settled in the back of the net. Nothing spectacular but gives the defence confidence with his decision making. Maybe he saves himself the bother of pulling off great saves by coming off his line and grabbing the ball before any danger actually occurs?
Hunt - 7; Woe, there's been some criticism here. "Amazed he played 35 games for us last season", wrote one poster. Some others can't be reprinted on a family web site. Tilly might just have played him because he gives nothing less than 100%, makes powerful runs up and down the field of play and tackles as if his life depends on it. (Was picked in a Championship team of the week for the number of successful tackles he made in a game, not bad in a relegation bound side.) I was surprised that Tilly picked him over Francis when Gilbert got injured but that's why Tilly is manager and I'm writing this on a sunny Sunday September morning. Yes, he did go AWOL at times but that's for the midfield to keep an eye out for, we need attacking full backs to score goals, and when his fellow full back goes walkabout, though he actually did score, he gets picked man of the match and 8's all round. Being a legend gives you some credit I suppose but I'm very happy to see Lewis stay in the side for the time being.
Richards - 7; Not a lot you can say about Mr. Richards, other than thanking the FA for throwing out 'referee' Kettles ridiculous decision, what you see is what you most certainly get. A couple of useful and annoying Donny forwards were dealt with, along with Clarke, by the simple but efficient trademark play of what could turn out to be one of T&B's more astute signings. I never thought I'd have something to thank the Farmers for.
P. Clarke - 7; As I commented on last week Clarke seems to have become tougher in the tackle and grown a couple of inches with his heading ability since the boy from
Barrett - 7; Now no criticism of Adam was intended in my section on Lewis just that there seemed to be some hypocrisy with the two players who, in my opinion, had similar games. A.B. does leave huge areas of the pitch unattended when he goes on his, sometimes, more central runs but again the midfield should be savvy enough to cover. As ever a performance full of effort, heart and skill deserving his bit of luck with the goal which was helped by a deflection off a Donny defender. Adds height at full back for corners and free kicks that Cheese or Hammell, now that's going to be interesting, that we so missed last season, and earlier this, when it was Clarke and Barrett in the centre with little Darryl behind them. A huge character that Tilly would find difficult to ever drop from the side.
Black - 6; Well we all pushed Tilly to play him and he did look good in pre-season and when coming on a sub. He was getting a little lost last week at Oldham before Mr. Kettle's intervention saw him sacrificed and against Rovers he carried on in the same vain. Suddenly he seems to be tackled at the first attempt of a run down the wing putting pressure on the full backs or cuts inside too early cluttering up an already packed midfield. A great cross that led to the equaliser but could have sealed the match on 66 minutes when one on one with Rover's veteran keeper Neil Sullivan he hit the ball right at him. A sort of Gower lite. We might well see the real thing back sooner that we thought once his back injury responds to treatment. Needs to rediscover that early season spark or maybe just a good weapon to bring off the bench?
Maher - 7; Deserves a seven for that peach of a pass that led to Barrett's goal. Certainly never hid, trying all the Maher tricks that we have come to love over the years. His fine shot on the half hour pulling a good save from Sullivan. However, do others see a few more passes now going astray, being over hit giving the intended choice of player no chance. The needless arguments with the ref, a stupid yellow here, showing more frustration than normal. After more seasons than he would care to remember are we seeing the beginning of the end of Captain Kev's loyal and full hearted era in a Blue shirt?
Bailey - 6; The gem that is Bailey could not go on as he has been and he took a back seat in this one, hopefully saving his energies for next week's trip to the Potteries. Still showed patches of his undoubted skill, finding colleagues at ease, always in the fight. At his young age will always have some quieter games but will be undoubtedly be back to cause more damage to some other unsuspecting opponent.
McCORMACK - 8; A hard match to pick an outstanding candidate from a fine team performance but Alan just wins it by a short head. We all know what he brings to the squad but his goal was a thing of beauty. A lovely head on by the Prince, meant this time, which Mac headed in with the accuracy of an Exocet past the well beaten Sullivan. Bliss. (Lots of head going on here!) Turned the game back the Blues way only 4 mts. into the second half. After that continued to do what he does best, annoying the crap out of opposition midfielders, defenders, hell, even the forwards. Ridiculous decision against him that gave Doncaster the free kick that got them unfairly back in the game, outstanding tackle.
L. Clarke - 7; Three out of three for Big Leon as well as the team. A quieter game but still makes sure the defenders marking him know they are in a game as well as those sublime touches that defy the size of the man. Could win a few more in the air and seemed to be affected more than most with the over watering of the pitch before the game. No argument he was bought down in the box, should it have been a red card for the Donny defender, the last man?, poor Harry didn't stand a chance with taking it! Leon the Man was the only guy and didn't he just, smacking it right down the middle, amazing how many times they go in. (See it here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM65AsDcIV8 ) News filtering out that the loan can be made permanent as soon as the window opens in January is excellent news to everyone with the success of Southend at heart.
Harrold - 7; Oh I've got to give him a seven, though it was a more of a six performance. Never stopped running ect. ect., gave his all ect. ect., who would be a hypocrite now if I was over critical of the man who would be King? In the Cricketers before hand, where all most of the countries problems are dealt with before 14.30, let alone Southend's, I was reminded that my dream forward line of Clarke and MacDonald might never win the ball in the air and that Clarke is probably more appreciative of Harry's battering ram tactics that may seem obvious to those in the comfort of the West Stand. Point taken and a fair one, though I could argue that he's not mega consistent in the ball in air winning stakes, but I will bow to the management talents of T&B once again, they obviously see something I'm missing. Not a bad old header on for Mc's equaliser though and didn't he want that penalty? Hope he scores soon to help shut a few of us up for a while.
Subs; MacDonald - 6; Ran about to kill off time to good effect after coming on for Harry, not long enough to see if it would work with Leon long term. (83rd mte.) Foran - 6; Same as above really replacing McCormack, probably to save him getting a card! (85th mte.)
Referee: Clive Penton - 5; Now I don't want club supporters to start a blame culture, it would cheer up the lower end of opposition support too much, but we really have had a bum hand so far. Lets hope the cliché of 'it all evens out in the end' starts to take effect. A great tackle by McCormack given as a free kick that was scored from turned the game in the way it could have done last week with the daft sending off. However justice was done over the 90 minutes and congrats to the team for not letting it get to them for the second week running. Proof that these set of lads are now made of sterner stuff.
THE HISTORY
The club was formed in September 1879 by Albert Jenkins, a fitter at Doncaster's Great Northern Railway works in response to the emerging popularity of the game in the nearby city of Sheffield. In 1938 the capacity of Belle Vue was increased to 40,000 and it was in 1948 that the stadium recorded its highest attendance of 37,099 against Hull City, although apocryphal accounts refute this and claim that many more gained entry to the ground by climbing over walls and thus avoided having to pay.
They hold the record for the most wins in a league season (33 in 1946-47). In 1997-98, Doncaster also set the record for losses in a season, suffering the humiliation of enduring a record 34 league defeats as they finished bottom of Division Three and went into the Football Conference. Just after this relegation, chairman Ken Richardson was sent to prison after he tried to set fire to the Belle Vue ground in hope of being able to pay off the club's debts with the insurance money. They returned to the league five years later as Conference playoff winners, and were Division Three champions the following season. The 2006-07 season is the club's third successive season in League One.
Doncaster is the only team to win the Fourth Division/Third Division (fourth level) championship more than twice (three times in 1966, 1969, and 2004). These changes in League names led to a complication however, when Rovers tried to retain ownership of the actual Third Division trophy. Football League rules state that any team who wins a trophy 3 times can keep it. The Football League however, claimed that the Rovers could not keep the trophy because the name had changed and in theory, Rovers had not won that particular league 3 times. The titles won in 1966 and 1969 were in fact Fourth division (albeit the same in all but name). Doncaster were the last team to win the Division Three before it was renamed League Two.
In 2005-06, Doncaster beat two Premiership teams in the League Cup - Manchester City and Aston Villa. They reached the quarter finals of the competition where they were knocked out by Arsenal on penalties.
Harry Gregg kept goal for Doncaster in the 1950s, and was sold to Manchester United in December 1957 for £23,500. At the time, he was the most expensive goalkeeper in the world. He went on to help save lives in the Munich air disaster and was a regular goalkeeper for Northern Ireland. The late Billy Bremner, who achieved fame for his playing career with Leeds United and Scotland, managed Doncaster twice, his final spell ending in November 1991 - six years before his death.
Doncaster Rovers were involved in the longest ever football match, against Stockport County at Edgeley Park on March 30, 1946. The match was the second in a Division Three (North) two-legged cup tie and, after 30 minutes of extra time, was deadlocked at 2-2 (also the score in the first leg). After the referee had sought advice from the authorities, it was decided that the game would carry on until one team scored. However, after 203 minutes, and with darkness closing in, the game was finally stopped. Stories abound of fans leaving the game, going home for their tea, and coming back to watch the end of the game. The replay, at Doncaster, was won by Rovers 4 - 0.
After difficult times for the club in the 1980s and 1990s they have recently found their best form for arguably the past 50 years. Successive promotions in 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 under the helm of manager Dave Penney has returned them to the Coca Cola League I. Penney left in August 2006 and was replaced with former AFC Bournemouth manager Sean O'Driscoll. The club has few financial worries due to owner John Ryan's commitment to invest heavily into the club. A new stadium was completed in December 2006 and their first game at their new Keepmoat Stadium was against Huddersfield Town F.C. on New Year's Day, 2007. The first goal scored at the Keepmoat Stadium was by Mark McCammon. Notable fans include singers Joe Longthorne and Tony Christie and the boxer Junior Whitter; all have featured on Doncaster Rovers' official website. Other famous fans include Paul Daniels, Jeremy Clarkson and Mike Tyson for further details see ave-it.net and Doncaster Free Press Newspaper as well as footballforums.net .
2007-08 has proved to be one of the most exciting seasons in Doncaster's history. They were in serious contention for a top-six finish almost from the very beginning, but defeat on the final day of the season has cost them automatic promotion and they finished third, and must now take on the mighty Blues in the play-off semi-finals.
(Thanks to all the usual suspects in their help with this article.)