Valérien Ismaël: Blackburn Rovers Head Coach

[aletheia]

11 hours ago, DutchRover said:

Recall for O'Riordan would be Suhail's solution I'm sure

yep, seems some are spouting that narrative already...

[Leonard Venkhater]

On 26/10/2025 at 07:54, Mattyblue said:

Obviously means nothing here but pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve heard an explicit chant for a manager sacking from a Rovers crowd for nearly 9 years.

Last year during the losing streak...definitely "sacked in the morning" chants.

I would much prefer that the anger is directed at Suhail and Gestede, who is getting off far too lightly (the arrogant, gaslighting prick)

[Mattyblue]

Like I said I don’t remember that, but my point was more the atmosphere, I don’t recall a crowd being like that against a manager throughout a game for a long time, even when we scored.

[philipl]

If the 3 2 2 1 2 formation is VI preference, then he has rather been crippled by injuries. To work well it needs a speedy central defender which is Hayden Carter when available. Plus real strength in the midfield 2 where Moussa who was signed for the role and Forshaw and Garrett are long term absences giving Montgomery his chance to stake a claim.

Even Cantwell suddenly got cropped when we switched to this formation.

It also means we have two established usually quality left backs behind Hedges and De Neve for the left wing back spot and Aleboyosu reining alone and unchallenged at right wing back.

[KentExile]

6 minutes ago, philipl said:

If the 3 2 2 1 2 formation is VI preference, then he has rather been crippled by injuries. To work well it needs a speedy central defender which is Hayden Carter when available. Plus real strength in the midfield 2 where Moussa who was signed for the role and Forshaw and Garrett are long term absences giving Montgomery his chance to stake a claim.

Even Cantwell suddenly got cropped when we switched to this formation.

It also means we have two established usually quality left backs behind Hedges and De Neve for the left wing back spot and Aleboyosu reining alone and unchallenged at right wing back.

The summers recruitment was obviously geared towards a back 4, and 1 solo striker up top, otherwise at least 1 extra centre back and 1 extra striker would have been on the shopping list, as well as genuine competition at right wing back for Alebiosu (or yet another centre back to allow Miller to play there)

However, our run of losses and bad performances prompted a formation switch, which probably suits our best 11 at the moment, but means we have no cover in several areas, and an overload of left backs to sit on the bench

Edited Wednesday at 09:22 by KentExile

[roversfan99]

He cannot claim to be hard done by.

The squad he seemingly had a big say in wasnt designed for this formation.

Carter has been a total write off due to injuries for a couple of years. We came into the season without sufficient cover and quality at centre back even if we were playing a back 4.

Baradji we signed with them knowing he was going to be out for months. Garrett wasnt part of the first team, he wouldnt be playing anyway. Tavares presumably was signed to play and is shit.

Up front, we came into the season with Ohashi, we signed Gudjohnsen and Gueye was not seen as a serious option. 2 strikers for 2 positions isnt enough. 

[MarkBRFC]

9 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

 

Up front, we came into the season with Ohashi, we signed Gudjohnsen and Gueye was not seen as a serious option. 2 strikers for 2 positions isnt enough. 

I imagine, if anything were to happen to Ohashi or Gudjohnson, then we would probably play two 10's say Cantwell & Morishita behind the forward and keep the back 3.

[KentExile]

2 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

I imagine, if anything were to happen to Ohashi or Gudjohnson, then we would probably play two 10's say Cantwell & Morishita behind the forward and keep the back 3.

Henriksen would be another option at 10

[Tom]

Got the line up and subs spot on today to be fair!

[Waggy76]

I have , no complaints with the manager today!

 

[Polky]

On 21/10/2025 at 21:49, Polky said:

Ismael now has a PPG of 0.96 as Rovers manager.

Win percentage is now 26.09%

Increased to 29.62% since the above post…

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

On 29/10/2025 at 09:35, KentExile said:

Henriksen would be another option at 10

Downing Street ? 

[philipl]

Don't know what effect he has on professional athletes but I find his interviews very listenable and relatable.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

For me the last two performances have put to bed any thoughts thst - “ the players aren’t playing for him. “

[Mattyblue]

End of the day they don’t sack managers, especially ones that toe the line, regardless of results.

So we just have to hope the time he’ll get by default gives him the breathing space to get it right.

[KentExile]

13 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

For me the last two performances have put to bed any thoughts thst - “ the players aren’t playing for him. “

I still think he struggles to change things mid match (despite what happened v Southampton last week), but he does tend to set us out to start the game well, and as you say, the players do seem to be playing for him

[DE.]

Very rare that you see players downing tools at any club. Fans speculate often on the manager "losing the players" (heard it multiple times with Mowbray during the spirals), but the reality is that it's usually just the players losing confidence in themselves/the methods, rather than a pointed decision from the players to "not play for" the manager.

It has obviously happened in the past at certain clubs, but I don't think it's very common. 

[Mattyblue]

They are just doing a job and generally get on with it until the next guy comes in.

Like you say confidence is the biggest factor.

[bobbybrfc]

3 hours ago, philipl said:

Don't know what effect he has on professional athletes but I find his interviews very listenable and relatable.

Doesn't have the same playing career but I do think VI has shades of Souness in terms of character and how he comes across in his interviews

Edited 3 hours ago by bobbybrfc

[DE.]

10 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

They are just doing a job and generally get on with it until the next guy comes in.

Like you say confidence is the biggest factor.

I think the closest we came to some of the players 'not playing for the manager' was probably under JDT, as he certainly made enemies of influencial players in the dressing room who didn't share his level of ambition. That only really happened towards the very end of his tenure here, though, and was likely influenced by other factors - for example the squad knowing JDT had tried to quit, implying he didn't believe that team could be successful under his management (although I imagine it was more the principal of the owners reneging on their promise to back him, but still). 

That's one of many reasons why you ideally let a manager go if he wants to go. How can you expect the team to respond to their boss long-term if he has tried to leave? 

Edited 3 hours ago by DE.

[Mattyblue]

Generally I think fans give players a bit too much credit re how much they ‘care’. Yes, they are pros and yes they want to do the best the can for the team, but they know it’s a short career and a ruthless industry.

The example I always remember was some podcast when an ex-pro was asked if the squad would be fuming if a key player or manager left mid season, he said not in the slightest, in anything they’d be congratulating him.

It’s a transient career with folk constantly coming and going and they just get on with it.

Edited 3 hours ago by Mattyblue

[DE.]

Fans want the players to share their level of passion for the club, and that's understandable - especially when you have the bond of celebrating goals and victories together. It makes that connection seem stronger than it really is. Some players do genuinely become attached to a club and make decisions more for the clubs benefit than theirs (Barry Bannan at Wednesday is a good example of this very recently), but the majority of the squad sees it as a job that will likely have a span of a few years at most before they move elsewhere. 

It's understandable from the perspective of the manager and players that they remain somewhat disconnected from the fans - knowing how quickly the crowd can turn on the collective and individuals when results begin to go awry. I imagine you have to detach emotionally to get through those periods without becoming genuinely angry or resentful. 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

There’s quite a few players out there who obviously don’t much care for the job. They’re only in it for the big money. Just like there’ll be posters on here who aren’t thrilled at the thought of turning in at 8-00am tomorrow.

I’ve knocked around with pro rugby league players, some still playing, some retired.  You’d be surprised at how many never set foot in a rugby league ground after they’ve retired. It was a really hard job, and that was all it was.

[jim mk2]

Football is a job of work for the players, just like any other living. They want to be successful and play for a winning team but pay and security of contract is their primary concern. They’ll move club to where they’re wanted and not give a second glance to the club they leave.

We were in the East Midlands last week and watching “Derby County captain”  Lewis Travis on the local news brought home how transient the players are and why fans should not get too attached to or emotional about them.