v Preston North End (h) - 10/11/23

[Blue blood]

3 hours ago, arbitro said:

For last night's match we were missing Pears, JRC, Hyam, Carter, Pickering, Hedges and Gallagher. That's seven players who would all potentially have started last night. If you take seven key players out of any squad it will have a massive effect.

There are two whopping issues with that list. 

Firstly is that they are all missed to some degree. Some more than others.  Hyam and JRC in particular are huge losses. But all would massively add to the squad if not the team. 

The other big issue is that they are all considered big losses and key personnel. Even a year or so ago, much less 2, the majority wouldn't have been missed in the same way. Half would have been squad players, some wouldn't have started that much. That we are in a situation where a poor back up keeper like Pears is missed, where Gally is the main striker, where Hedges 1 in 4 performances is considered a loss and he's likely a starter, where Carter (who I think is a decent player) is an experienced defender, shows a chronic lack of investment. It shows how much the squad is stagnating and regressing as time goes on. We're only heading one way with that trend. 

[jim mk2]

28 minutes ago, BigBar said:

Teams get out of this division all the time being well drilled, hard working and grafting their balls off even with limited resources. See Luton last year.

And Preston possibly this year too. Preston were derided last night for the way they played but they won. Pretty football is nice to watch but doesn't necessarily win football matches

Edited November 11, 2023 by jim mk2

[BigBar]

Have the wolves spurs game on and the commentators just said "Gary O' Neil adopts his team to the players he has available and the opposition they face" imagine that. I don't dislike the Tommasson but he really needs to adapt for certain games. We are not Man City where we just play our game and let them worry about us. We are far too open at crucial times of games and it costs us alot of points.

[BigBar]

27 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Luton were awash with experience and Football League know-how. 

JDT isn't allowed to do this, see Danny Batth. 

He's only allowed to sign cheap, unproven 'prospects' and work with them to try and increase their value.

 

Luton were never expected to get out of the league was my point. They had experienced players but no world beaters. They worked hard and were extremely hard to beat.

[roverblue]

Just now, booth said:

Which striker is he supposed to play? Mr Inexperienced, Mr even more Inexperienced, or Mr Unfit?

At least 1 of them would be start. 3 sat on the bench last night and a team of midfielders on the pitch all passing it on like a hot potato when they get near the box.

[tomphil]

35 minutes ago, BigBar said:

The manager has a very difficult job but the love in and excuses for him on here are unbelievable. He is not completely blameless as some like to make out. We know the owners are shite but let's be real and stop living in denial. The manager still has alot to learn. The evidence is right in front of you.

Teams get out of this division all the time being well drilled, hard working and grafting their balls off even with limited resources. See Luton last year.

He'd have signed the necessary if he was allowed to and i think he has the ability to make us into a really top side he just doesn't have the backing.

However i  fully agree as just like Mowbray before him he has to be held accountable for the in game management, number of times hes made often needless subs at critical times that has swung the game right back to the opposition is no coincidence or bad luck.  

He's obviously a very good coach who has brought things onto the pitch that others we've had would never have been capable or driven enough to do.  There is though more need to be put on the basic stuff particularly at both ends of the pitch, more urgent clearing, more urgent balls into the box.

Those issues remain whoever he has on the pitch.

Edited November 11, 2023 by tomphil

[BigBar]

6 minutes ago, booth said:

He’s not blameless, and he’s also not the manager for working in the championship on such a low budget, grinding out results with mediocre players and kids. I don’t think he signed up for that so I’m not going to blame him for things out of his hands just because I need someone to direct my anger at. He makes mistakes but every one is magnified due to the lack of depth and support.

It’s common knowledge that he wanted experienced grafters, goalscorers, a midfielder and a fullback. He was told when appointed that he would be supported over his contract. They changed the plan, so it’s frustrating but unsurprising when we continually fall short.

If anything he seems to be the only person at the club with any ambition.

Yeah that's fair enough and reasonable. I don't need to direct my anger at anyone though, I know the owners and board have been shite. They screwed the manager but when it comes to matters on the pitch some of the decisions even with limited players seem quite avoidable in costing us games we shouldn't lose. 

I'm not conservative when it comes to football and like attacking football but we 15 mins to go last night I'd have taken a point and that's not said with hindsight.

[simongarnerisgod]

it`s disapointing at times but id`e rather watch jdt`s rovers than mowbrays,you actually look forward to games now compared to mowbrays tenure

[roverblue]

57 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

Best season in a decade last season, we’d have gone top 6 with a win last night (plus more cup ties won in a year than TM in five), with these players and budget .

So how that is ‘incredible hype’ over actual results?

You must have missed the part where I said iv watched us lose 5 of 8 games at home that iv been to this season. They are actual results. 

Edited November 11, 2023 by roverblue

[Mattyblue]

And we’ve won plenty away, it’s about all results if you are going to come out with stuff like ‘he’s incredible hype over actual results’, not just the ones you’re sat at.

Edited November 11, 2023 by Mattyblue

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

And we’ve won plenty away, it’s about all results if you are going to come out with stuff like ‘he’s incredible hype over actual results’, not just the ones you’re sat at.

Most people expect the home results to be better than the away results. Poor home form is “ box office poison”.

[CambridgeRover]

To be honest after a nights sleep, if you look at the squad we have it really is awful. Injuries have done a lot of damage but the whole squad is poor. 

So many players just not up to it. Markanday, Travis, etc. 

What is going on with Ennis? 

 

[Mattyblue]

2 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Most people expect the home results to be better than the away results. Poor home form is “ box office poison”.

Obviously, but that wasn’t how he put it , he said JDT was ‘incredible hype over results’. That just isn’t the case.

Now if he said ‘I’m sick of losing at home as they are the games I see’, then fair enough, we all want to watch wins at Ewood and skip up Livesey Branch, but that’s football.

[martonrover]

18 minutes ago, tomphil said:

He'd have signed the necessary if he was allowed to

That's Mr La Dee Dah Gunner Broughton's job, and I suspect he's just grateful for his cushy job.

[booth]

23 minutes ago, BigBar said:

Yeah that's fair enough and reasonable. I don't need to direct my anger at anyone though, I know the owners and board have been shite. They screwed the manager but when it comes to matters on the pitch some of the decisions even with limited players seem quite avoidable in costing us games we shouldn't lose. 

I'm not conservative when it comes to football and like attacking football but we 15 mins to go last night I'd have taken a point and that's not said with hindsight.

A big reason for conceding last night was Adam Wharton being on the pitch way longer than he should have been. Looking at the options though, who replaces him for 25 minutes? Garrett maybe but still not ideal. Markanday wouldn’t be my pick and I groaned when he came on, but who else is there? Telalovic? And I’d have brought on Ennis instead of Leonard but I still don’t think that would have changed things much.

It’s almost always a choice of mediocre or mediocre.

[simongarnerisgod]

17 minutes ago, CambridgeRover said:

So many players just not up to it. Markanday, Travis, etc. 

i thought travis was very good last night,he looks better at full back than  in midfield,possibly because he only has to look in one direction🙂

agree about markanday,he is`nt good enough imo,jdt obviously thinks gilsenen is`nt ready but i think he offers more than markanday,who loses the ball every time he gets it

[booth]

1 minute ago, simongarnerisgod said:

i thought travis was very good last night,he looks better at full back than  in midfield,possibly because he only has to look in one direction🙂

agree about markanday,he is`nt good enough imo,jdt obviously thinks gilsenen is`nt ready but i think he offers more than markanday,who loses the ball every time he gets it

Gilsenan is injured isn’t he?

[BigBar]

13 minutes ago, booth said:

A big reason for conceding last night was Adam Wharton being on the pitch way longer than he should have been. Looking at the options though, who replaces him for 25 minutes? Garrett maybe but still not ideal. Markanday wouldn’t be my pick and I groaned when he came on, but who else is there? Telalovic? And I’d have brought on Ennis instead of Leonard but I still don’t think that would have changed things much.

It’s almost always a choice of mediocre or mediocre.

I'd say Garrett when Wharton was knackered and not having much of an influence to freshen things up.

I suppose another question is how often has the manager made decisive substitution that have swung the game in our favour. It hasn't happen too often if ever that I can recall. It's the same gear and style no matter the opposition, score, game, competition which I think is quite frustrating.

[Upside Down]

1 hour ago, JHRover said:

Luton were awash with experience and Football League know-how. 

JDT isn't allowed to do this, see Danny Batth. 

He's only allowed to sign cheap, unproven 'prospects' and work with them to try and increase their value.

 

Then let them leave for nothing. 

[Mercer]

:Reading today's posts there are two common concensuses:

• We are too nice
• Our set plays are crap

I have posted consistently in JDT's reign, including last night, that we need at least one, and preferably two, nasty hard bastards in our team.  We are too nice and the opposition know it and bully us.  Potts sent Moran flying into the hoardings early in the game and I'm pretty sure with an Andy Todd in our team he wouldn't have done or at least he wouldn't have gone on to commit other offences in the game and continue to wind Rovers' players and supporters up as he did.  Travis isn't the 'hard man' he likes to think he is and I think a eunuch would show more hardness.

Think I'm right in thinking Benson is our set piece coach.  For feck's sake, is it little wonder we show such little imagination and score so few goals from set pieces.  Benson has never played professional football, started off in Carlisle's community program and is now not only our goalkeeping coach but also our set piece 'specialist'.   It simply beggars belief and, IMO, Benson should not be anywhere near such roles in a Championship club and is a man at least 100 fathoms out of his depth.

 

Edited November 11, 2023 by Mercer

[simongarnerisgod]

 is he the person who invented those stupid corner routines???,i had no idea benson had responsibility for set pieces,figures when you see how bad they are,lowe,the other coach has at least played pro football,you`de think he would take precedence

[AllRoverAsia]

If Benson is that specialist you would think that a man with JDTs background would be asking "WTF!???"

Something has been odd for years as to why Lowe and Benson are part of fixtures and fittings and outlive managers. 

Edited November 11, 2023 by AllRoverAsia

[Exiled_Rover]

5 hours ago, white boy said:

If i was a Rovers fan i wouldn't be to despondent after last nights performance and i would not be to harsh on the manager.  If you are to be rational and look at the play with a depleted squad then we would all admit that last night Rovers could have easily won the game.   If you can get your players back in playing a style that is great on the eye then you have as much chance of getting into the play offs as anybody. (note i didn't say us as i do not feel we have the capability as yet)  I accept that on another night Preston could have taken their chances and maybe won by more i have  seen the xg figures but the feeling i got from the game was that both teams created chances in both halves but we took one more chance you did,.

The game appeared to go one way than another with each team controlling periods of play after Preston scored it looked like in boxing terms that they were looking for the knock out and then after half time Blackburn came out of the blocks and scored and nearly blew the game away with some fast exchanges of passing and movement.  Towards the end we looked good and in the end took one more chance than you did.

 

 

 

It certainly was a boxing match - which is a shame because I paid to see a football match.

The referee shouldn't be allowed to officiate again.

[AllRoverAsia]

1 minute ago, Exiled_Rover said:

It certainly was a boxing match - which is a shame because I paid to see a football match.

The referee shouldn't be allowed to officiate again.

I agree and yet I've seen worse.

The overall standard of these prima donna's is appalling across all the top leagues of English football.

[jim mk2]

2 hours ago, BigBar said:

Have the wolves spurs game on and the commentators just said "Gary O' Neil adopts his team to the players he has available and the opposition they face" imagine that. I don't dislike the Tommasson but he really needs to adapt for certain games. We are not Man City where we just play our game and let them worry about us. We are far too open at crucial times of games and it costs us alot of points.

Wolves come back to beat Spuds in extra time. What a good appointment O'Neil was and Bournemouth must regret letting him go now. Perhaps his name wasn't foreign enough. Tomasson would do well to look at O'Neil's pragmatic approach -  attractive possession football isn't everything. Even Guardiola's City go long sometimes.