Joe Rankin-Costello

[ben_the_beast]

It could be JDT trying a different form of man management. I don't doubt that he meant what he said, but the need for it to be said so conclusively in the press, to me suggests it's designed to really highlight just how far away JRC is, to try and illicit a response. 

I think he's an intelligent player, his technique isn't bad either. What he does do is read the game very well in an attacking sense.

The thing which let's him down is his complete lack of physicality. Injuries haven't helped, however there's nothing to stop him from bulking up a bit when recovering from a hamstring injury. But he's never done it. Reading between the lines now, but I do think there's a bit of arrogance in his own ability. I remember him putting off signing a contract for a long time. So I think publicly telling him how far away he is, firmly puts the ball in his court. Its now or never. Put in the graft fitness wise and he could eventually have a future.

Edited September 7, 2022 by ben_the_beast

[chaddyrovers]

3 hours ago, Miller11 said:

Apologies if I’ve missed any recent discussion on this topic, but thought it warranted a thread.

Recent comments from the manager, sorry head coach, suggest JRC is pretty much done here. I have mixed feelings on this. It’s undeniable he hasn’t got near to realising that early potential yet, but I still think there is a player in there.

Where has it all gone wrong?

Obviously the injuries haven’t helped, but I strongly believe that being shoehorned in at right back has wrecked him.

I agree with most of what you have said here Miller11. His time here appears to be done and I surprised that his loan move didn't happen. JDT appears to be very open and honest about his future. 

He was something who stood out in the under 23's as wing back there, but It's not worked out here. Hope he can find a club in January and get his career started somewhere in league 1 or 2

[Miller11]

I think it was 2 seasons ago when he started quite well and played the first couple of games in a more advanced position. He didn’t play as well as Dolan though and Tyrhys took his place. In typical Mowbray fashion, he got shoved in  at right back in place of Nyambe, never looking confident despite one of the games being Wycombe when we battered them 5-0. Lo and behold he got injured almost straight away.

On reflection this was the last time he showed promise. 2 years is a long time, and he’s 23 now so youth is no excuse. It looks as though his chance has gone here now. Needed a loan move to find his position, build his fitness and ultimately to prove himself.

Josh Morris had a similar experience at Rovers (but with more loans and appearances) and has gone on to have a decent career in the football league. JRC could go the same route but I worry for him that he will end up dropping out of the league if he’s considered a fullback.

[Spartakfenni]

Mom today well deserved. He’ll never make a fullback as long as he’s got a hole in his arse. He should be push forward and replace the crab aka Morton

[bluebruce]

11 hours ago, Spartakfenni said:

Mom today well deserved. He’ll never make a fullback as long as he’s got a hole in his arse. He should be push forward and replace the crab aka Morton

Was he not playing as a fullback?

[Herbie6590]

2 hours ago, bluebruce said:

Was he not playing as a fullback?

Yes, but I suspect the point is that he was particularly effective in more central/advanced positions…

[Mattyblue]

A month ago the talk from JDT was that he was to be loaned out, so he was obviously in last chance saloon as a Championship level footballer - and he has taken that last chance with both hands.

Couple that with that most important of commodities in sport, confidence, and we’ve got a decent player on a hands (which is very helpful when we have a perma-injured right back and seemingly an inability to complete transfers).

 

[Sweaty Gussets]

On 07/09/2022 at 13:33, roversfan99 said:

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/20901004.joe-rankin-costello-faces-difficult-task-blackburn-rovers/

Brutal is harsh, but pretty conclusive that he isn't in his plans.

(Which based on his ability is a good thing for Rovers)

What he said was JRC had to work hard to get in his plans. He has obviously done that.

Your comments on his lack of ability earlier in the thread were wide of the mark even then. 

[superniko]

The Brum chance before their 2nd goal where the cross went to the back post and he was on the wrong side of his man, on his heels and far too slow to react offering a very easy opportunity, shows why he shouldn’t be considered as a full back. 
Wouldn’t be against giving him a run further forward though given our options are fairly bleak these days. 

Edited January 29, 2023 by superniko

[Sweaty Gussets]

21 minutes ago, superniko said:

The Brum chance before their 2nd goal where the cross went to the back post and he was on the wrong side of his man, on his heels and far too slow to react offering a very easy opportunity, shows why he shouldn’t be considered as a full back. 
Wouldn’t be against giving him a run further forward though given our options are fairly bleak these days. 

The header from Jutkiewicz that went over?  That was probably his only mistake all game, and Dolan was slow on the cover so a few glares went his way as well. 

[superniko]

37 minutes ago, Sweaty Gussets said:

The header from Jutkiewicz that went over?  That was probably his only mistake all game, and Dolan was slow on the cover so a few glares went his way as well. 

No, it was Jutkiewicz but it was a shot from the middle of the box and thankfully went straight at Kaminski. 90th minute or so. He had switched off. Dolan was around from memory. But you’re right there was also the header, perhaps a weakness in terms of positional sense from crosses (exactly why I don’t think he should be considered at RB for us)

Edited January 29, 2023 by superniko

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 hours ago, superniko said:

The Brum chance before their 2nd goal where the cross went to the back post and he was on the wrong side of his man, on his heels and far too slow to react offering a very easy opportunity, shows why he shouldn’t be considered as a full back. 
Wouldn’t be against giving him a run further forward though given our options are fairly bleak these days. 

His positional play is his weakness at full back. As you say that was a guilt edged chance they missed and he was nowhere to be seen. Having said that he was our MOM without a doubt. He’s got to be better than Morton in midfield. Maybe when Brittain gets off the treatment table.

Edited January 29, 2023 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[alcd]

Funny isn't it that JRC's form improves dramatically just when there's 18 months left on his contract? He played like a drain in the first 18 months. 

[Spartakfenni]

5 minutes ago, alcd said:

Funny isn't it that JRC's form improves dramatically just when there's 18 months left on his contract? He played like a drain in the first 18 months. 

Injuries and being played out of position. As been said he has defensive flaws at fullback, but going forward Morton can’t lace his boots. When we have Brittain back push Joe forward and bench Morton - sorry can’t do that as we don’t want to spoil our special relationship with Liverpool.

[Miller11]

What I’ve really liked from him since he’s come back into the fold is he seems to have a bit of an edge to him. He gave Khadra a well deserved shove yesterday, and he seems to stand up for himself and his teammates rather than rolling round on the floor.

I definitely agree with @Spartakfenni He did a lot of his good work yesterday in central areas further up the pitch where you’d expect a midfielder to be. I think he’d thrive there.

It’ll be interesting when Brittain does return from injury, JRC is undroppable on current form so he would have to settle for a place on the bench unless there is a change in position for Joe.

[Colt Seavers]

I've watched JRC for many years. In my opinion he operates best on the right hand side of midfield. I believe he would offer more of an attacking threat from that position than the overrated Hedges.

[roversfan99]

I am not convinced by the idea of playing him further forward, he isn't the most dynamic player nor is he the most technically gifted, I would prefer a Thomas/Hedges/Dolan/Brereton out there.

He has impressed me since that Norwich game specifically as a full back, his one on one defensive play has massively improved and going forward he was very useful especially yesterday without leaving too much space.

The biggest compliment would be that in a squad that ideally needs a number of reinforcements, he has reduced/eliminated the need to get a right back in this window despite Brittain being injured again. 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

36 minutes ago, Colt Seavers said:

I've watched JRC for many years. In my opinion he operates best on the right hand side of midfield. I believe he would offer more of an attacking threat from that position than the overrated Hedges.

I’m not in the Hedges fan club either.

Edited January 29, 2023 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[roverandout]

Hedges ain't overrated 

[bluebruce]

7 hours ago, Herbie6590 said:

Yes, but I suspect the point is that he was particularly effective in more central/advanced positions…

If he had said FB isn't his best position, fine, but he said he will never be one as long as he has a hole in his arse, when he just won MOTM playing at FB. It was an odd post.

[Spartakfenni]

21 hours ago, bluebruce said:

If he had said FB isn't his best position, fine, but he said he will never be one as long as he has a hole in his arse, when he just won MOTM playing at FB. It was an odd post.

How many first team games in his 50 odd has he played at full back? I think he’s a very talented player who before starting his first team games had never played there. He’s 23 and in his fourth season as a first team player. Apart from a few of his first games all under Mowbray and now JDT have been at full back. I feel sorry for the lad. Was his MOM for his defensive abilities on Saturday or for making one and scoring one against Birmingham? My argument was he’s far better further forward. Don’t understand how that can be an odd post. Were you at the match?

[DE.]

I can remember when JRC first broke into the team, he looked like he was going to become a big part of our future. Then repeated injuries meant he never got any kind of rhythm going, and when he came back at the start of this season he genuinely appeared to have regressed to the point where he could barely control a football anymore. He was absolutely that bad.

Seems to have put in some real effort since then, though, and seems to be getting himself back up to speed again. Just have to hope these recurring injuries stop, as if anything is going to derail JRC's career it will be that.

[roversfan99]

The return of Brittain now creates a selection dilemma with Rankin Costello playing well.

Many seem in favour of moving Rankin Costello into midfield but I dont really agree. His most impressive feature aside from the Birmingham game has been his defensive ability for me. Out wide, he isnt particularly tricky and he isnt quick nor is he a brilliant crosser. The likes of Thomas, Hedges and Dolan have more individuality and speed. He is tidy technically but playing in central midfield is totally different, far more frantic ad Buckley has found who is far better technically.

I would choose to keep Rankin Costello in the side and Brittain can wait his turn.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

The return of Brittain now creates a selection dilemma with Rankin Costello playing well.

Many seem in favour of moving Rankin Costello into midfield but I dont really agree. His most impressive feature aside from the Birmingham game has been his defensive ability for me. Out wide, he isnt particularly tricky and he isnt quick nor is he a brilliant crosser. The likes of Thomas, Hedges and Dolan have more individuality and speed. He is tidy technically but playing in central midfield is totally different, far more frantic ad Buckley has found who is far better technically.

I would choose to keep Rankin Costello in the side and Brittain can wait his turn.

Weigh up whoever is the most comfortable playing on the left hand side out of Brittain and JRC and blow Pickering out.

[roversfan99]

10 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Weigh up whoever is the most comfortable playing on the left hand side out of Brittain and JRC and blow Pickering out.

I think Pickering is on par with both and I prefer full backs on their natural side.