Valérien Ismaël: Blackburn Rovers Head Coach

[chaddyrovers]

2 hours ago, MarkBRFC said:

Being the better team and losing is the sign of a side that will struggle.

We got exactly what we deserved against Birmingham because we have took out over 1000 games experience at this level to be replaced with just over 100.

We did not deserve a point yesterday, they sat off us in second half and let us have the ball as they were comfortable that we wouldn't hurt them.

They should have been going into half time 3-0 up.

don't agree at all Mark, 

Birmingham aren't that good and we should have taken all 3 points. Poor defending for the 1st and 2nd. But in the overall context of the game, We should have won. Birmingham spent loads of money and they were poor. 

Yesterday, after that second half performance, we deserved a point

58 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I was not making a point. I was showing stats which seemingly included cup games so @MarkBRFC has updated.

My opinion is that my gut feeling is that Ismael isnt a good manager. A huge downgrade on Eustace. Do we look well coached? Not particularly.

He is here for the duration either way as he was given such a long contract that we cant afford to pay off.

Not that I am saying that we should sack him at the moment before you twist it.

Obviously you have lost your credibility on the issue considering your huge u-turn.

doesn't a week make a different on here, Last week after a win, everyone was saying how well drilled and organised we look. Now we aren't, FFS. 

Huge downgraded on Eustace? How Derby Rovers doing at minute? oh yes, they signed players late or not ready due to Fitness issues, or Morris was signed late despite signing on 26th June 2025. FFS, you are quick to come out for excuses your mate Eustace but for your own team that you support its put the boot in on your own team head coach and players, how that for your credibility? You didn't rate Eustace much when he came here now its your king. FFS, how that for your credibility? 

My credibility? don't worry about it, its not concern. 

and before you asked, My view on Ismael is still the same as last time you asked. 

 

[London blue]

4 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

doesn't a week make a different on here, Last week after a win, everyone was saying how well drilled and organised we look. Now we aren't, FFS. 

Sorry fella but your selective consumption of this forum is to blame here. There were plenty of people who were pleased about the win but weren't chugging the going up juice.

[JHRover]

11 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

don't agree at all Mark, 

Birmingham aren't that good and we should have taken all 3 points. Poor defending for the 1st and 2nd. But in the overall context of the game, We should have won. Birmingham spent loads of money and they were poor. 

Yesterday, after that second half performance, we deserved a point

doesn't a week make a different on here, Last week after a win, everyone was saying how well drilled and organised we look. Now we aren't, FFS. 

Huge downgraded on Eustace? How Derby Rovers doing at minute? oh yes, they signed players late or not ready due to Fitness issues, or Morris was signed late despite signing on 26th June 2025. FFS, you are quick to come out for excuses your mate Eustace but for your own team that you support its put the boot in on your own team head coach and players, how that for your credibility? You didn't rate Eustace much when he came here now its your king. FFS, how that for your credibility? 

My credibility? don't worry about it, its not concern. 

and before you asked, My view on Ismael is still the same as last time you asked. 

 

Derby are fresh out of League One and survived last season by the skin of their teeth.

We are an established Championship side having been in it for 7 years and should have finished in the top 6 last season

Notwithstanding that Derby have had a tougher run of games than us - Stoke, Coventry, Bristol and Ipswich - why are you attempting to use Derby's results so far as a metric?

Should be embarrassed given the head start we've had on them over the last 5 years.

[MarkBRFC]

11 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

don't agree at all Mark, 

Birmingham aren't that good and we should have taken all 3 points. Poor defending for the 1st and 2nd. But in the overall context of the game, We should have won. Birmingham spent loads of money and they were poor. 

Yesterday, after that second half performance, we deserved a point

Never said Birmingham were any good. They were poor, didn't look like scoring for 90 minutes and still beat us. What does that tell you?

We got exactly what we deserved against them, nothing because we can't defend properly as a team.

Norwich should have been at least 3 up before half time before the penalty. They deserved the win based just on that half. We created one really good chance and made a huge mess of it, then rest was just them sitting off us letting us have the ball as they knew we wouldn't score, because we have no goalscorers in the team.

[roversfan99]

28 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

don't agree at all Mark, 

Birmingham aren't that good and we should have taken all 3 points. Poor defending for the 1st and 2nd. But in the overall context of the game, We should have won. Birmingham spent loads of money and they were poor. 

Yesterday, after that second half performance, we deserved a point

doesn't a week make a different on here, Last week after a win, everyone was saying how well drilled and organised we look. Now we aren't, FFS. 

Huge downgraded on Eustace? How Derby Rovers doing at minute? oh yes, they signed players late or not ready due to Fitness issues, or Morris was signed late despite signing on 26th June 2025. FFS, you are quick to come out for excuses your mate Eustace but for your own team that you support its put the boot in on your own team head coach and players, how that for your credibility? You didn't rate Eustace much when he came here now its your king. FFS, how that for your credibility? 

My credibility? don't worry about it, its not concern. 

and before you asked, My view on Ismael is still the same as last time you asked. 

 

Chaddy, you were forever a huge fan of Eustace during his time here. You were (briefly) fuming at the club that he was let down enough to seek alternative employment.

Your call to sack Ismael in isolation, fine. But now youve spun to the point where he is better than Eustace and you wont even accept criticism of him. You wont however commit to saying that you feel like he will be a success which is telling. If you think he is better than Eustace who you rated too, then why wont you put it out there that you think Ismael will do a good job? 

I was skeptical of Eustace at first as results were poor. He did however turn it round to the point where he was doing an excellent job, straight from the start of last season. Yes, Ismael may turn it round, but I have very little confidence that he will. I am happy to say that, knowing that there is a chance (small IMO) that he may make me happily look like a fool and turn it around. But from what I have seen, I am happy to put it out there that I sadly dont think he will.

Last week we did well and he deserved praise for how we set up. But its the exception so far with 4 losses around that. I can praise him for one game but think overall that so far this season, its been poor.

I consistently praised Eustace last season whilst he was still employed here. I was like you fuming that the club let him down. Im not going to suddenly pretend that he isnt as good as he is because he isnt employed here anymore. 

[Mattyblue]

Come on now ‘99, he was ‘King Eustace’ to you as you had his pic as your avatar all last season… of wait, don’t think that was you actually. 

[chaddyrovers]

34 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Derby are fresh out of League One and survived last season by the skin of their teeth.

We are an established Championship side having been in it for 7 years and should have finished in the top 6 last season

Notwithstanding that Derby have had a tougher run of games than us - Stoke, Coventry, Bristol and Ipswich - why are you attempting to use Derby's results so far as a metric?

Should be embarrassed given the head start we've had on them over the last 5 years.

just excuses after excuses for Eustace and Derby Rovers

[chaddyrovers]

34 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

Never said Birmingham were any good. They were poor, didn't look like scoring for 90 minutes and still beat us. What does that tell you?

they were lucky. we deserved to win. Said it all the time after the game, and nothing will change that opinion Mark

34 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

Norwich should have been at least 3 up before half time before the penalty. They deserved the win based just on that half. We created one really good chance and made a huge mess of it, then rest was just them sitting off us letting us have the ball as they knew we wouldn't score, because we have no goalscorers in the team.

we created 3 great chances. Karbgo with 2 and Hedges with 1 

[Mattyblue]

‘Derby Rovers’. Like a 12 year old.

[chaddyrovers]

16 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Chaddy, you were forever a huge fan of Eustace during his time here. You were (briefly) fuming at the club that he was let down enough to seek alternative employment.

Your call to sack Ismael in isolation, fine. But now youve spun to the point where he is better than Eustace and you wont even accept criticism of him. You wont however commit to saying that you feel like he will be a success which is telling. If you think he is better than Eustace who you rated too, then why wont you put it out there that you think Ismael will do a good job? 

I was skeptical of Eustace at first as results were poor. He did however turn it round to the point where he was doing an excellent job, straight from the start of last season. Yes, Ismael may turn it round, but I have very little confidence that he will. I am happy to say that, knowing that there is a chance (small IMO) that he may make me happily look like a fool and turn it around. But from what I have seen, I am happy to put it out there that I sadly dont think he will.

Last week we did well and he deserved praise for how we set up. But its the exception so far with 4 losses around that. I can praise him for one game but think overall that so far this season, its been poor.

I consistently praised Eustace last season whilst he was still employed here. I was like you fuming that the club let him down. Im not going to suddenly pretend that he isnt as good as he is because he isnt employed here anymore. 

I have told you my opinion on Eustace and my feelings towards him RF99. He lied to the fans when Derby Rovers approach was, you make not a problem with that but I do. Eustace wanted out and he made his decision. if rumours are true, he wanted out for a while, don't let that door hit you on the exit. 

You still find excuses for Eustace now at Derby Rovers like I previously but slammed your own team you supported for similar reasons. 

I told you previously, Ismael will be judged on results and performances. so far, in the 4 league games we should be on 7 points not 3 points in my opinions, performances have been there, players understand how we wanted to play in the last 3 games. But unlike yourself an others, I not a Jekyll and Hyde opinion or overreacting to things.  At the minute, Ismael is doing ok, let players settle in and see how the team is instead of this Jekyll and hype approach so many of you have

[wilsdenrover]

Let’s stop this Derby Rovers bollocks before it becomes a thing eh.

[JHRover]

15 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

I have told you my opinion on Eustace and my feelings towards him RF99. He lied to the fans when Derby Rovers approach was, you make not a problem with that but I do. Eustace wanted out and he made his decision. if rumours are true, he wanted out for a while, don't let that door hit you on the exit. 

You still find excuses for Eustace now at Derby Rovers like I previously but slammed your own team you supported for similar reasons. 

I told you previously, Ismael will be judged on results and performances. so far, in the 4 league games we should be on 7 points not 3 points in my opinions, performances have been there, players understand how we wanted to play in the last 3 games. But unlike yourself an others, I not a Jekyll and Hyde opinion or overreacting to things.  At the minute, Ismael is doing ok, let players settle in and see how the team is instead of this Jekyll and hype approach so many of you have

Any thoughts or observations on WHY he wanted out? 

Or does that just get swept under the carpet along with everything now he's the big bad wolf?

[roversfan99]

14 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

I have told you my opinion on Eustace and my feelings towards him RF99. He lied to the fans when Derby Rovers approach was, you make not a problem with that but I do. Eustace wanted out and he made his decision. if rumours are true, he wanted out for a while, don't let that door hit you on the exit. 

You still find excuses for Eustace now at Derby Rovers like I previously but slammed your own team you supported for similar reasons. 

I told you previously, Ismael will be judged on results and performances. so far, in the 4 league games we should be on 7 points not 3 points in my opinions, performances have been there, players understand how we wanted to play in the last 3 games. But unlike yourself an others, I not a Jekyll and Hyde opinion or overreacting to things.  At the minute, Ismael is doing ok, let players settle in and see how the team is instead of this Jekyll and hype approach so many of you have

Thank god for that. Here is me thinking that you called for Ismael to be sacked after 7 games. Or that off the back of a small white lie in the media, you have gone from having Eustace as your profile picture such was your adoration of him. To petulantly referring to his new team as Derby rovers, thinking he is worse than Ismael, and constantly criticising him off the back of it.

We have 3 points, not 7 by the way. Im not sure that 4 losses in 5 so far is ok. Im not sure that 18 points from 16 league games and a cup loss on top of that is doing ok.

[BankEnd Rover]

I like Vals honesty , I actually prefer to listen to him than our last 2 managers - But that's where it ends for me.
Not sure on his tactics, and his stubbornness will be his downfall. It's hard to not be worried with the start we've had, taking his previous employments into consideration.

Our position, come December, will all be down to him and not the players we've signed. I'd be amazed if we climb any higher than 15th.

[sharpysharps86]

I do have some sympathy with Ismael in that the core of last seasons team has been well and truly gutted, and replaced with a distinct lack of experience at this level. I think we're in for a long hard season as a result.

However, I'm far from convinced by him and his ability as a head coach. I worry he is not the man manager that all these new players need ahead of what will quite possibly be a relegation scrap.

4 defeats from 5 in all comps just isn't good enough.

[Mattyblue]

Rather listen to this mon over JDT? Each to their own, I suppose.

[BankEnd Rover]

1 minute ago, sharpysharps86 said:

I do have some sympathy with Ismael in that the core of last seasons team has been well and truly gutted, and replaced with a distinct lack of experience at this level. I think we're in for a long hard season as a result.

However, I'm far from convinced by him and his ability as a head coach. I worry he is not the man manager that all these new players need ahead of what will quite possibly be a relegation scrap.

4 defeats from 5 in all comps just isn't good enough.

100% agree on the bit in bold. He just isn't the type of manager to galvanise a group of new players, neither is JDT...Something Eustace succeeds over both. 
 

It's why I think we won't see the best of some of the new lads. 

[BankEnd Rover]

2 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

Rather listen to this mon over JDT? Each to their own, I suppose.

I liked JDT but Val speaks more open and direct....JDT liked his riddles a little but not as bad as Eustaces 'togetherness'.

[Mattyblue]

I’ll take your word on that as generally I ignore manager interviews, I made an exception for JDT as his charisma and intelligence shone through.

[LDRover]

Anyone worked out his playing 'style' yet? 

[chaddyrovers]

20 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Any thoughts or observations on WHY he wanted out? 

Or does that just get swept under the carpet along with everything now he's the big bad wolf?

Like I said at the time, more of manager role, greater say in signings and recruitment department 

 

[JHRover]

6 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Like I said at the time, more of manager role, greater say in signings and recruitment department 

 

Ah right so everything is fine at Rovers' end, it's just the 'model' that Eustace didn't like?

[chaddyrovers]

27 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Thank god for that. Here is me thinking that you called for Ismael to be sacked after 7 games.

Its very sad why you keep coming back this a child

27 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

. Or that off the back of a small white lie in the media,

Downplaying it as per usual. 

27 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

you have gone from having Eustace as your profile picture such was your adoration of him. To petulantly referring to his new team as Derby rovers,

His recruitment has seen him sign several former Rovers players,wrong? 

Does he want Pears now ? 🤔 

You defended Derby Rovers over the lack of fitness of their players but slammed your own team you support. What a huge and unsurprisingly contradiction 

27 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

thinking he is worse than Ismael, and constantly criticising him off the back of it.

Not something I've said. 

 

27 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

We have 3 points, not 7 by the way. Im not sure that 4 losses in 5 so far is ok. Im not sure that 18 points from 16 league games and a cup loss on top of that is doing ok.

Ignoring everything I've said about the last 3 performances. 

Last season results doesn't matter. 

Edited 2 hours ago by chaddyrovers

[wilsdenrover]

2 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Ah right so everything is fine at Rovers' end, it's just the 'model' that Eustace didn't like?

A model he’d have been aware of when he joined.

[chaddyrovers]

6 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Ah right so everything is fine at Rovers' end, it's just the 'model' that Eustace didn't like?

Did i say that but Eustace doesn't like signing or many non domestic players? That's our model. Look in the French, Belgium, Scandinavia markets for players

Also you are quick to defend but he had no problem in joining Rovers in the first place did he? As @wilsdenroverpoints out above

Edited 2 hours ago by chaddyrovers