FT: DONCASTER ROVERS 0 - 4 CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

[Michael Morris]

Saturday 28th February, ko 3:00pm

Match Officials:

Referee: Edward Duckworth
Assistant Referee: Daniel Woodward
Assistant Referee: Wayne Grunnill
Fourth Official: Steven Copeland

Doncaster have not lost in the league at home since Dec 20th, when Plymouth won 5 - 1 at The Keepmoat (or Eco-Power Stadium as it's called these days).

This coming midweek both Stockport and Bradford play their games in hand on Cardiff. At worse City could be pegged back to a 10 point lead over Stockport if they were to win at Burton.

Tuesday 24 February 2026

Bradford City vs Rotherham United
Burton Albion vs Stockport County
Northampton Town vs Port Vale

Saturday 28 February 2026

Leyton Orient vs Barnsley, 12:30
Northampton Town vs Peterborough United, 12:30
Doncaster Rovers vs Cardiff City
Exeter City vs Bolton Wanderers
Lincoln City vs Blackpool
Mansfield Town vs AFC Wimbledon
Port Vale vs Luton Town
Reading vs Bradford City
Rotherham United vs Plymouth Argyle
Stevenage vs Stockport County
Wigan Athletic vs Huddersfield Town
Wycombe Wanderers vs Burton Albion

[bobh]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

I don't think we have to worry about any sides other than Lincoln...
unless all our remaining opponents look at how Plymouth played and do the same.

A 10-point cushion with 13 games left should be ample insurance to wee us promoted.

:hide:

[Trigger]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

I don't think we have to worry about any sides other than Lincoln...
unless all our remaining opponents look at how Plymouth played and do the same.

A 10-point cushion with 13 games left should be ample insurance to wee us promoted.

:hide:

I think it is well known that the way Plymouth tried to press and be more direct is the way to go. We struggled, particularly earlier in the season again that more energetic approach.

Others have tried it but have run out of steam and by the end are chasing shadows or thrown in the towel.

[BLUETIT]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

I don't think we have to worry about any sides other than Lincoln...
unless all our remaining opponents look at how Plymouth played and do the same.

A 10-point cushion with 13 games left should be ample insurance to wee us promoted.

:hide:

Doncaster away, loss

Lincoln home, loss

Barnsley away, loss

Those 10 points soon disappear

Hopefully they’ll stop believing the bullshit that they are already promoted

[Former Labour leader]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

I think it is well known that the way Plymouth tried to press and be more direct is the way to go. We struggled, particularly earlier in the season again that more energetic approach.

Others have tried it but have run out of steam and by the end are chasing shadows or thrown in the towel.

Yes, this was the first time since probably Bradford at home that this high press and direct football seriously inconvenienced us. Credit to Plymouth for doing a job on us with 2 big lumps up front.
BBM.will have to have defensive rethink to see how we weren't able to cope. One or two changes are probably needed, but I don't think it's time to throw the baby out of the bathwater.

[ninian opinian]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

I don't think we have to worry about any sides other than Lincoln...
unless all our remaining opponents look at how Plymouth played and do the same.

A 10-point cushion with 13 games left should be ample insurance to wee us promoted.

:hide:

10 points??? Maths not your strong point.

[bluesp]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

Doncaster away, loss

Lincoln home, loss

Barnsley away, loss

Those 10 points soon disappear

Hopefully they’ll stop believing the bullshit that they are already promoted

I’d be very surprised if the team believes anything like that. BBM seems like a manager to keep them focused.

[Former Labour leader]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

Doncaster away, loss

Lincoln home, loss

Barnsley away, loss

Those 10 points soon disappear

Hopefully they’ll stop believing the bullshit that they are already promoted

I share your concern BT, but I think we must have a clear head, hopefully the manager will. This was not a one off, we have looked suspect in defence a few times this year, these occasions have been rare. Perhaps the last time was Blackpool away when we capitulated in the 2nd half.
The week will give BBM the chance to work out what went wrong and ways to combat a team that is capable of a high press for 90mins, which Plymouth did, and 2 big mobile fowards in a direct 442.
I asl think 1 or 2 players may need a rest. I am thinking off Chambers, Bagan, Willock.
The sooner Salech gets back the better. We certainly missed his aerial strength when defending corners and free kicks.

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

I share your concern BT, but I think we must have a clear head, hopefully the manager will. This was not a one off, we have looked suspect in defence a few times this year, these occasions have been rare. Perhaps the last time was Blackpool away when we capitulated in the 2nd half.
The week will give BBM the chance to work out what went wrong and ways to combat a team that is capable of a high press for 90mins, which Plymouth did, and 2 big mobile fowards in a direct 442.
I asl think 1 or 2 players may need a rest. I am thinking off Chambers, Bagan, Willock.
The sooner Salech gets back the better. We certainly missed his aerial strength when defending corners and free kicks.

Hmm... Tinder or POF? :sherlock:

[WJ99mobile]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

Back to winning ways I hope. 2-0

[tforturton]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

Yes, this was the first time since probably Bradford at home that this high press and direct football seriously inconvenienced us. Credit to Plymouth for doing a job on us with 2 big lumps up front.

Plymouth did a Cardiff on us. High press, close down play, ball to the wingers, into the forwards…goal. Others have tried it, but Plymouth have what a lot of teams don’t - strikers who can put the ball away. Tolaj and Pepple looked like scoring every time they got the ball. Not many sides have players like that, and its surprising that they’re not doing better than they are.

[Former Labour leader]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

Hmm... Tinder or POF? :sherlock:

Thankyou for proof reading my contribution. I am not entirely sure what my typo has in common with either sites you mention, but I am sure if my missus caught me on them, I think I would shortly be singing in a very high pitched voice.

[Former Labour leader]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

Plymouth did a Cardiff on us. High press, close down play, ball to the wingers, into the forwards…goal. Others have tried it, but Plymouth have what a lot of teams don’t - strikers who can put the ball away. Tolaj and Pepple looked like scoring every time they got the ball. Not many sides have players like that, and its surprising that they’re not doing better than they are.

Tolaj could definitely do a job in the Championship, but the lump that Pepple is probably best suited to Div 1.
As you say, thank goodness few teams in this Div have similar strikers, on top form too!

[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

I don't think we have to worry about any sides other than Lincoln...
unless all our remaining opponents look at how Plymouth played and do the same.

A 10-point cushion with 13 games left should be ample insurance to wee us promoted.

:hide:

well that's the kiss of death then!

[Underhill1980]

Re: DONCASTER ROVERS v CARDIFF CITY. Match thread

Confident we will react well to the defeat, best Doncaster and Lincoln and then wonder what all the fuss was about.