Doncaster (H) pre-match thread

[Tuna]

Wonder what the raffle team selection will be this time.

Probably Coulibaly starting from nowhere.

[Stavros81]

Can see us getting smashed and the **** still being here Monday 😭

[J.Lisemore]

4 minutes ago, Tuna said:

Wonder what the raffle team selection will be this time.

Probably Coulibaly starting from nowhere.

Can see that one happening, Aluko was indirectly criticised by Martin in his post match interview and will not play again until he's sacked. 

[TrentFox]

1 hour ago, Stavros81 said:

Can see us getting smashed and the **** still being here Monday 😭

Well of course he will be! We’ve lost at home to Oxford, Burton and Peterborough……. and this clown set/up said, “no, no. It’s okay. You carry on. These results are not humiliating or career defining - you carry on’ so what makes you think they’ll change direction, now!? 😞

[LeePhilpottsBaldSpot]

Of course it will be slow-paced 4-2-3-1, but let me dream...

 

Martin has said Smallbone and Chaplin will both be fit - I'd put both straight in and revert to Martin O'Neill tactics. 

 

I know football has changed massively since the 1990s, but this is a squad that needs to go back to basics.

    

                     Welsh guy

           Kanga Souttar O'Hora

Howell Sammy Lundstrum Smallbone Alves

                   Riis   Chaplin

 

Defence:

3 big no nonsense centre backs who can be physical in both boxes (Kanga as Sinclair, Souttar as Elliott, O'Hora as Taggart). Passing should be direct to Riis or to the midfielders.

 

Midfield:

Middle 3 are a destroyer (Lundstrum/Lennon), a runner (Braybrooke/Savage) and a creator (Smallbone/Izzet).

 

Attacking wing backs who are encouraged to cross but have to run a lot to defend. Howell and Alves have the stamina to do the Guppy/Impey roles, with Burns and Watson as replacements.

Attack:

Two up front - one to aim crosses at, win flick ons and hold up the ball (Riis/Heskey) and one to get into space and finish (Chaplin/Cottee)

 

Edited 22 hours ago by LeePhilpottsBaldSpot

[supernuk]

This is where super Russy Martin starts his 25 win streak, he may have mentioned, he did this with Southampton. 

[dannythefox]

Put 3 tickets up for sale. Actually pleased we’re not going now might even not go back till Martin has gone. Going walking in the lakes and actually doing something decent with the weekend. The shits gone on too long. 

[MC Prussian]

The manager's on very thin ice, back to a spot where he was before.

 

If he can't win the next few games against lowly opposition, he's a goner.

[ceebeefox]

6 hours ago, LeePhilpottsBaldSpot said:

Of course it will be slow-paced 4-2-3-1, but let me dream...

 

Martin has said Smallbone and Chaplin will both be fit - I'd put both straight in and revert to Martin O'Neill tactics. 

 

I know football has changed massively since the 1990s, but this is a squad that needs to go back to basics.

    

                     Welsh guy

           Kanga Souttar O'Hora

Howell Sammy Lundstrum Smallbone Alves

                   Riis   Chaplin

 

Defence:

3 big no nonsense centre backs who can be physical in both boxes (Kanga as Sinclair, Souttar as Elliott, O'Hora as Taggart). Passing should be direct to Riis or to the midfielders.

 

Midfield:

Middle 3 are a destroyer (Lundstrum/Lennon), a runner (Braybrooke/Savage) and a creator (Smallbone/Izzet).

 

Attacking wing backs who are encouraged to cross but have to run a lot to defend. Howell and Alves have the stamina to do the Guppy/Impey roles, with Burns and Watson as replacements.

Attack:

Two up front - one to aim crosses at, win flick ons and hold up the ball (Riis/Heskey) and one to get into space and finish (Chaplin/Cottee)

 

Nothing wrong with that team or system. Can’t remember Guppy getting his shorts dirty or Impey on the other side for that matter, 3 big centre halves who invited crosses. Loved that MON team, I’d maybe give young Carr a run on the right, seems to be the only player at the club offensively who’s quick.

[Nolucklcfc]

11 hours ago, Stavros81 said:

Can see us getting smashed and the **** still being here Monday 😭

He will. 

[Stuntman_Mike]

For the greater good, I want us to lose this one. I know it's grim and I hate that I typed that, but that's where I'm at.

 

Martin needs to go and we need to get lucky with the next manager because it won't be through thought out planning. 

[Aus Fox]

16 minutes ago, Stuntman_Mike said:

For the greater good, I want us to lose this one. I know it's grim and I hate that I typed that, but that's where I'm at.

 

Martin needs to go and we need to get lucky with the next manager because it won't be through thought out planning. 

I feel like people have been saying this since Rodgers lost away at Forest… and all that happens is we lose the next week and nothing changes.

Managers come and go, but the same old shit stays the same. 

[Long Eaton Fox]

10 hours ago, LeePhilpottsBaldSpot said:

Of course it will be slow-paced 4-2-3-1, but let me dream...

 

Martin has said Smallbone and Chaplin will both be fit - I'd put both straight in and revert to Martin O'Neill tactics. 

 

I know football has changed massively since the 1990s, but this is a squad that needs to go back to basics.

    

                     Welsh guy

           Kanga Souttar O'Hora

Howell Sammy Lundstrum Smallbone Alves

                   Riis   Chaplin

 

Defence:

3 big no nonsense centre backs who can be physical in both boxes (Kanga as Sinclair, Souttar as Elliott, O'Hora as Taggart). Passing should be direct to Riis or to the midfielders.

 

Midfield:

Middle 3 are a destroyer (Lundstrum/Lennon), a runner (Braybrooke/Savage) and a creator (Smallbone/Izzet).

 

Attacking wing backs who are encouraged to cross but have to run a lot to defend. Howell and Alves have the stamina to do the Guppy/Impey roles, with Burns and Watson as replacements.

Attack:

Two up front - one to aim crosses at, win flick ons and hold up the ball (Riis/Heskey) and one to get into space and finish (Chaplin/Cottee)

 

Howell and Alves are not wingbacks. They would be destroyed!

[Long Eaton Fox]

The raffle description is absolutely correct. Only Riis is a starter. Any other 10 from the rest. Need some of these "experienced" players to step up and show some quality like they have in the past. If they have any left that is.

[Stuntman_Mike]

12 minutes ago, Aus Fox said:

I feel like people have been saying this since Rodgers lost away at Forest… and all that happens is we lose the next week and nothing changes.

Managers come and go, but the same old shit stays the same. 

First time I've said it. This time it feels much more crucial as we simply cannot afford to stay down.

[filbertway]

10 hours ago, LeePhilpottsBaldSpot said:

Of course it will be slow-paced 4-2-3-1, but let me dream...

 

Martin has said Smallbone and Chaplin will both be fit - I'd put both straight in and revert to Martin O'Neill tactics. 

 

I know football has changed massively since the 1990s, but this is a squad that needs to go back to basics.

    

                     Welsh guy

           Kanga Souttar O'Hora

Howell Sammy Lundstrum Smallbone Alves

                   Riis   Chaplin

 

Defence:

3 big no nonsense centre backs who can be physical in both boxes (Kanga as Sinclair, Souttar as Elliott, O'Hora as Taggart). Passing should be direct to Riis or to the midfielders.

 

Midfield:

Middle 3 are a destroyer (Lundstrum/Lennon), a runner (Braybrooke/Savage) and a creator (Smallbone/Izzet).

 

Attacking wing backs who are encouraged to cross but have to run a lot to defend. Howell and Alves have the stamina to do the Guppy/Impey roles, with Burns and Watson as replacements.

Attack:

Two up front - one to aim crosses at, win flick ons and hold up the ball (Riis/Heskey) and one to get into space and finish (Chaplin/Cottee)

 

Howell with stamina to play wing back and Lundstram as a runner. You certainly must be dreaming as you can only have been sleeping if you think these 2 things are true

 

[jv1]

You would think Every chance he goes 3 at the back like he did last half an hour Saturday- souttar , kangaroo and Simone else

 

I can see Riis up top with Chaplin next to or behind him 

 

it’s then a choice of 5 across the middle 

 

Doyle looked better than most on Saturday and surely smallbone must be better than all of them

so leaves one of page , Sammy or Lund to play with them 

 

id go McFarlane and alves as wing backs

myself 

                             Any goalie 

                   ?           Souttar.     Kanga 

alves.                          ?                  Mcfarlane 
                   Smallbone.   Doyle     
                               Chaplin.  
                                   Riis 

 

Will he actually change something ? 

[Gamble92]

14 hours ago, J.Lisemore said:

Can see that one happening, Aluko was indirectly criticised by Martin in his post match interview and will not play again until he's sacked. 

Imagine your first full games as a first team player (after his sending off) being in these suicide tactics, then being thrown under the bus by the manager.

[Nolucklcfc]

11 minutes ago, Gamble92 said:

Imagine your first full games as a first team player (after his sending off) being in these suicide tactics, then being thrown under the bus by the manager.

In fairness, not showing your winger down the outside is quite unbelievable regardless of any tactics or age. 

[Richmondfox]

57 minutes ago, Long Eaton Fox said:

Howell and Alves are not wingbacks. They would be destroyed!

Yep. They need to be higher up the pitch ready to receive the ball in space and just get the ball in the box. 
 

Page needs to be controlling the tempo of the game with his drives from deep. 
 

It will be the usual dross, side ways and backwards, waiting for a press that will win the ball from their mistake, leaving the clowns on the back foot. 

I’m sure Thomas will start again, even after his disgraceful non attempt at defending the second goal.  

 

[LCFCCKEANO]

11 hours ago, LeePhilpottsBaldSpot said:

Of course it will be slow-paced 4-2-3-1, but let me dream...

 

Martin has said Smallbone and Chaplin will both be fit - I'd put both straight in and revert to Martin O'Neill tactics. 

 

I know football has changed massively since the 1990s, but this is a squad that needs to go back to basics.

    

                     Welsh guy

           Kanga Souttar O'Hora

Howell Sammy Lundstrum Smallbone Alves

                   Riis   Chaplin

 

Defence:

3 big no nonsense centre backs who can be physical in both boxes (Kanga as Sinclair, Souttar as Elliott, O'Hora as Taggart). Passing should be direct to Riis or to the midfielders.

 

Midfield:

Middle 3 are a destroyer (Lundstrum/Lennon), a runner (Braybrooke/Savage) and a creator (Smallbone/Izzet).

 

Attacking wing backs who are encouraged to cross but have to run a lot to defend. Howell and Alves have the stamina to do the Guppy/Impey roles, with Burns and Watson as replacements.

Attack:

Two up front - one to aim crosses at, win flick ons and hold up the ball (Riis/Heskey) and one to get into space and finish (Chaplin/Cottee)

 

If we did this Alves/Howell would only considered in a front 3 or one of them in the attacking mid role. If we go to a 5 which I don’t hate the idea of it would be Thomas, Joseph, Burns and McFarlane you’d have to imagine for WB, Aluko as one of the wide centre back options.

 

Would make a lot of sense but I’d hate to imagine having RM pick between Reid, Chaplin, Cullen, Alves, Howell, Doyle and Watson for two roles, because you know it’d be the first 3 in some combination pairing

[StinckleyFox]

On 14/10/2026 at 12:28, Raj said:

Oh no...tell me without telling me you applauded the players off!!!!!!

 

I mean you are right, all them bums who left when it was 0-3 should have stayed "To cheer the lads on" innit!!!

I mean I wasn’t at the game but sure, I applauded the players off.

 

The point more so is, why would you be annoyed at people for going and supporting the team. Seems a bit odd.

[StinckleyFox]

On 15/10/2026 at 10:44, Fox92 said:

It goes well beyond that though. 

I mean yes and no.

 

Fully understand that people are fuming with the owners and how they’ve allowed Leicester to fall to such lows. But that shouldn’t mean that fans aren’t allowed to go and support the team still.

[StinckleyFox]

22 hours ago, jayfox26 said:

This has got to be satire. You cant actually post this nonsense being serious. 

So should fans only go and watch Leicester games when the team are doing well? I’m confused what your point is.

[StinckleyFox]

11 hours ago, LeePhilpottsBaldSpot said:

Of course it will be slow-paced 4-2-3-1, but let me dream...

 

Martin has said Smallbone and Chaplin will both be fit - I'd put both straight in and revert to Martin O'Neill tactics. 

 

I know football has changed massively since the 1990s, but this is a squad that needs to go back to basics.

    

                     Welsh guy

           Kanga Souttar O'Hora

Howell Sammy Lundstrum Smallbone Alves

                   Riis   Chaplin

 

Defence:

3 big no nonsense centre backs who can be physical in both boxes (Kanga as Sinclair, Souttar as Elliott, O'Hora as Taggart). Passing should be direct to Riis or to the midfielders.

 

Midfield:

Middle 3 are a destroyer (Lundstrum/Lennon), a runner (Braybrooke/Savage) and a creator (Smallbone/Izzet).

 

Attacking wing backs who are encouraged to cross but have to run a lot to defend. Howell and Alves have the stamina to do the Guppy/Impey roles, with Burns and Watson as replacements.

Attack:

Two up front - one to aim crosses at, win flick ons and hold up the ball (Riis/Heskey) and one to get into space and finish (Chaplin/Cottee)

 

Dropping page after him being pretty much the only player on the pitch who looked like a footballer last week seems harsh.