Valérien Ismaël: Blackburn Rovers Head Coach

[arbitro]

6 minutes ago, DE. said:

I don't think there was any better way of telling QPR "we're done, go for it". 

Appreciate we don't have much squad depth, but at least stagger the subs if they're going to be such poor quality. Try to keep the better players on for a bit longer.

I actually thought Ismael had thrown the towel in and made those changes with one eye on Saturday.

It wasn't tactical and certainly wasn't done to strengthen us likewise the double change later.

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, alcd said:

Whoever they appointed would probably be at least as bad because nobody decent would want to come. VI probably only came because of the three and a half year contract and he just wanted a job. 

There will be talented guys in the lower Leagues about who are on the up and would still see us as a decent opportunity.

Whether of course we could identify such a candidate is of course a completely different matter.

We need a new Ken Furphy and to get rid of the 2 stooges.

[Rogerb]

39 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

There will be talented guys in the lower Leagues about who are on the up and would still see us as a decent opportunity.

Whether of course we could identify such a candidate is of course a completely different matter.

We need a new Ken Furphy and to get rid of the 2 stooges.

Pointless appointing talented guys on the way up as soon as they make any progress here the rug will be pulled from under them and they will want out see JDT and JE

[MarkBRFC]

53 minutes ago, alcd said:

Whoever they appointed would probably be at least as bad because nobody decent would want to come. VI probably only came because of the three and a half year contract and he just wanted a job. 

I thinknas always, you would be surprised who would want this job.

But, those in charge won't employ anyone decent because they dont like to be challenged.

[RevidgeBlue]

9 minutes ago, Rogerb said:

Pointless appointing talented guys on the way up as soon as they make any progress here the rug will be pulled from under them and they will want out see JDT and JE

Disagree.

Appointing someone who is a cut above the norm is the only way we'll keep our heads above water in the short term imo.

Stick with Ismael, a guy on the downgrade who was never all that to start with and we're looking at League 2 or beyond imo.

[davulsukur]

He's done nothing since he arrived to change my mind that he's a shite manager.

[Rogerb]

2 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Disagree.

Appointing someone who is a cut above the norm is the only way we'll keep our heads above water in the short term imo.

Stick with Ismael, a guy on the downgrade who was never all that to start with and we're looking at League 2 or beyond imo.

Trouble is anyone with anything about them wants out after 6 months. Depends how long your definition of short term is.

[K-Hod]

Not so sure he’s Kean or Coyle bad, but he’s not very good either.

I can’t warm to the guy either. 
Seems very arrogant.

[Rogerb]

For comparison 

1966 relegated home record 6-1-14

2012 relegated side 6-1-12

Brian Kidd and John Pickering both had 5 wins but drew more.

So if he doesn't reach 19 points will have worst record in last sixty years.

[Tomphil2]

He's just bang average working with a light bang average squad.

When everyone is fit and the opposition is similar we'll get some results but whenever people are missing or questions are asked by another side that need answering he won't deliver.

As pointed out his core style is more suited to counter attacking away from home and we have no flair whatsoever at home. Hopefully adding the set piece coach starts to add something regularly at both ends.

[arbitro]

36 minutes ago, K-Hod said:

Not so sure he’s Kean or Coyle bad, but he’s not very good either.

I can’t warm to the guy either. 
Seems very arrogant.

I wholly agree about his arrogance. I could live with that if he was getting results but at home we are a million miles off it.

His comments about Carter and Gueye plus threatening to walk out of a press conference because he was asked about relegation are not the traits of humility.

[RevidgeBlue]

22 minutes ago, Rogerb said:

For comparison 

1966 relegated home record 6-1-14

2012 relegated side 6-1-12

Brian Kidd and John Pickering both had 5 wins but drew more.

So if he doesn't reach 19 points will have worst record in last sixty years.

If we carry on in the current vein at home for the rest of the season we'd end up with about 12 points from our 23 home games.

Meaning we'd need at least 38 points from our 23 away games to be reasonably confident of staying up. I'd imagine that's something akin to automatic promotion form or even better required away from home.

[wilsdenrover]

2 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

If we carry on in the current vein at home for the rest of the season we'd end up with about 12 points from our 23 home games.

Meaning we'd need at least 38 points from our 23 away games to be reasonably confident of staying up. I'd imagine that's something akin to automatic promotion form or even better required away from home.

The top three managed this last season, Sunderland were next best with 33.

[RevidgeBlue]

1 hour ago, wilsdenrover said:

The top three managed this last season, Sunderland were next best with 33.

It was a bit unusual last season though with Leeds and Burnley both amassing 100 points and Sheff U 90.

🙂

[wilsdenrover]

2 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

It was a bit unusual last season though with Leeds and Burnley both amassing 100 points and Sheff U 90.

🙂

I’ve had a look at the few seasons before too and this does seem to be the norm.

Surprised me too tbf. 

[JamieUK]

He's been in charge for just over 9 months - played 15 home games and won 3. I missed the Millwall game after the shite run of performances beforehand (first time in 30+ years I've chosen not to attend a home game) and was on holiday for the Southampton game. I've seen them win once at home under this manager and last Friday away at North End. 2 live wins in 9 months ffs.

No doubt, he is contributing big time to low home attendances regardless who put him in the job.

Before last night he needed to win 4 out of these 5 home games over the next 3 week period to change opinions - big pressure next Tuesday against Ipswich now.

 

[NeilInBristol]

VI on Cantwell

“He's frustrated because he's still feeling something. He can train with consistency but he still feels something.

“Toddy is a player who needs to be right in his mind. I told him, ‘You to be 100 per cent and not 80 per cent and thinking about your injury’. That’s why it takes too long.

 

blame the player is it!!

sounds like BS

sounds like something the club have put out before 

 

VI proving he is just another yes man for the club, won’t play Pickering, now this!

joke

 

 

[StHelensRover]

Captain Donkey and his donkey subs have cost us yet again.

Made a triple substitution on Weds against QPR with a third of the game left. We immediately conceded a goal and barely threatened the opposition afterwards. Was a while back but I seem to remember the exact same happening against Sheff Utd.

Made his subs today with a third of the game left, we suddenly stopped offering any attacking threat whatsoever and camped in our own half until Wrexham scored. 

Yes the squad is paper thin and the bench stinks the place out, but that's all partly his fault, alongside his pals Gestede and Pasha. He's clueless. I can only remember his subs having a positive impact once, 9 times out of 10 they make us much worse. He's a dud.

Edited 31 minutes ago by StHelensRover

[Guy N. Cognito]

Ismael knows his stock isn't high enough to take the high road. He won't have any decent offers like Tomasson or Eustace if he decided to walk right now, so he's toeing the line, just like Kean did when he said Nelsen's knee didn't feel right, then he miraculously started for Spurs a week later.

[DE.]

1 hour ago, NeilInBristol said:

 

VI on Cantwell

“He's frustrated because he's still feeling something. He can train with consistency but he still feels something.

“Toddy is a player who needs to be right in his mind. I told him, ‘You to be 100 per cent and not 80 per cent and thinking about your injury’. That’s why it takes too long.

 

blame the player is it!!

sounds like BS

sounds like something the club have put out before 

 

VI proving he is just another yes man for the club, won’t play Pickering, now this!

joke

 

 

Exactly the cliché that's used when players are under offer or being hawked around for sale. 

Do we have players in the team that should play even if they aren't "right in their mind"? What "type" of player is this, versus whatever "type" Cantwell supposedly is? 

[wilsdenrover]

On 27/11/2025 at 16:30, K-Hod said:

Not so sure he’s Kean or Coyle bad, but he’s not very good either.

I can’t warm to the guy either. 
Seems very arrogant.

I know it’s only been a couple of days but have you changed your mind yet?

Edited 37 minutes ago by wilsdenrover

[John]

Odd comments on Cantwell - looks a bit awkward when asked..….

 

[Ghost7]

He's a bad tactician and a terrible man manager. 

Not a great talent to have under a captainless ship in the boardroom and a still-in-school COO with too much control.

I think they'll try to give Will Still the job soon and he'll turn it down.

[wilsdenrover]

3 minutes ago, John said:

Odd comments on Cantwell - looks a bit awkward when asked..….

 

The seeds are being sown…

I can’t believe some people think he is honest.

[Andy]

Despite what happened at Soton, Will Still is still (will) a level above what we can hope for, should VI walk away.