Hate to be the one to say it but i just don't think butts is good enough anymore. His tackling technique is horrible and he very clearly lacks fitness. Hoping kesik and castle are back! They were missed on sunday they make such an impact

There's a big difference between being fit and match fit. He hasn't had much chance to be match fit to be fair.

Not just saying it on match fitness though. He let himself go when he wasn't playing rather than stay fit and earn his place on the team.

Historically, all teams that have been promoted from the lower league to this league have found life tough. We all knew it was going to be a difficult season.

The signing of Brick Waller and Dennis Tuffour (than most) has improved the team.

I think we're missing Lucas Walshaw. He was a good player for us last season, and we've not been as dynamic since the Waterman/Hodson combo was broken up.

Defensively we're being put under more pressure from potentially better players than last season, and our cutting edge in attack hasn't quite been smart enough to unlock the better defenses.

The team spirit was a huge factor in last season's performance. When you're winning, confidence builds; when you're losing the self-belief can drop. I've got belief in Tony Miller to bring everyone together and with Paul Cooke on the field, we have guy to guide us around the park.

The upcoming fixtures look quite daunting and a win against York looks vital from several points of view. Getting bonus points in defeat is critical too. When we look at the table at the end of the season, the two that go down will probably be the teams who failed in this department.

On that point, it is important that when we win, we starve the opponents, especially our main rivals, of a bonus point - starting on Sunday!

Team selections are a very subjective thing and the Dual Reg system adds to the complications. Do you stick with the Donny registered players for harmony and consistency, or do you use an import with potentially a bit more class?

Tony Miller seems clear that he prefers Lee at full-back to Mick Butterfield. If we look at most Super League teams their most influential player is quite often the full-back. From a Dons' perspective on this, do you remember how Shad Royston moved from Centre to Full-Back? He was even more lethal there than at Centre.

I think TM prefers Lee there because he has more pace than Mick. I hope Mick gets a decent run in the side because he was one of our better players before being struck by injury. I suspect it could be as a fit-in anywhere player coming from off the bench.

My suggestions:

In attack we need more dummy runners when we're near to the opponent's try line. You can cause confusion by effort rather than skill ... but it does eat away at the petrol in the tank, I suppose. We need to build pressure better and make the kicks more telling, even if it means getting a repeat set of 6, and building pressure, rather than scoring on every set.

In defense we need to stop letting the ball bounce from kick-offs, boss the ruck a little more to slow the play the balls down, and not give silly penalties away for back-chatting and the like.

I will look forward to all of these things being implemented on Sunday, getting us three points, and denying York a bonus point!

COYD

Nice gesture by the York players to pay for buses for travelling fans, hopefully boost the gate a bit.

Will be coming over Sunday (by car), do we still need to get tickets
from the ticket office before going through the turnstiles?

If so, what time does the ticket office open?

Thanks

Hope to see a few knights fans on Sunday & yes you need to get a ticket from the ticket office.

Does anyone know how Liam Cunningham is coming on with his injury.
i think we miss his running on the edge, hope he's not far off returning.
COYD

don't forget everyone fetch a new supporter this week.
cheap at half the price!

I doubt that the crowd will be any more than around 750ish.

Big Match Preview

York City Knights are this weekend's visitors to the Keepmoat Stadium which has been billed as a must win game for the Dons. This Kingstone Press Championship round 8 game has a 3Match Day Sponsors

Main match sponsorCorsan (Northern) Ltd, Match ball sponsorFull Effex Security

The club would like to thank our sponsors for their kind support.

Previous Five Meetings

19th February 2012Match Day Admission

Polite noticeReferee

M Thomason

Do you think the game will be on?.

No info as yet, but doesn't look promising

Shame about Liam Cunningham missing the season.

Yes he's not had much luck has he

Pitch inspection 10 30 tomorrow morning