Squad Review

[Exiled_Rover]

5 hours ago, J*B said:

Up for sale: Pears, Hyam, JRC, Buckley, Gueye, Leonard

Return to sender: Beck, Sanderson, Duberry, Dennis, Woodrow

No new deal: Forshaw, Wiemann

Gone: Dolan

Renew: Hedges, Batth

14 replacements if I was in charge - a squad full of crap. 

Renew Hedges, but sell Gueye.

I clearly don't watch the same games as other fans. 

You're not getting anything for Leonard btw - two long periods out with a back injury, nobody will touch him. 

[Exiled_Rover]

24 minutes ago, DE. said:

People say Hyam needs an experienced player beside him like that's acceptable for a 29 year old. If he needs someone to hold his hand at this point then he's not that good.

I'd shift him on if I thought the money would be reinvested into the squad.

We know it won't be, so you're just serving to weaken the team.

[DE.]

Just now, Exiled_Rover said:

I'd shift him on if I thought the money would be reinvested into the squad.

We know it won't be, so you're just serving to weaken the team.

That's why we need new owners, rather than talking about players who should stay or leave. We're in purgatory until Venky's are gone.

[roversfan99]

2 hours ago, J*B said:

Because unless he’s got an experienced defender next to him he’s all over the shop! Carter and Batth please. 

I don't understand why Carter's reputation has remained exactly the same after the last 2 years when his body keeps breaking down but even when he has put a run of games together, he has looked shaky.

Hyam and Carter both were really strong together in Hyam's first season when Hyam won player of the season, and that wasn't next to an experienced defender, although in the main he clearly does benefit from one.

I just find it strange how off the back of a season where I think Hyam has been good and has played every minute in a team with the 6th best defensive record in the league, with I think 16 clean sheets, it seems to have only accelerated the opinion that he needs moving on and Carter needs to be kept and built around. (Not that I am saying we should get rid of either, I would keep both)

I can only conclude that its his lack of popularity that causes this perception. There was the meeting where he apparently said that the players didn't like the booing. There was also apparently an altercation or two with supporters around that time.

One performance can also stick in fans minds, and he had an absolute shocker at Bristol City away. Sometimes its difficult to recover in terms of reputation from that. Armstrong had a game ironically at the same place where he had loads of shots and developed a reputation of being greedy. He then went on to score 28 goals in a season but I never felt that he was rated or popular in line with how important he was to us.

[Upside Down]

3 hours ago, JCRovers said:

Funny how some on here are defending Hyam so I took some time to research the goals we've been conceding during the second half of this season and where the defensive errors lie:

Hyam (8 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 8

vs Sheffield Utd. 3/5
failed to pick up Ahmedhodzic at the back post for 1-1 (final result).

vs Cardiff 15/3
#1 doesn't follow his man when running back to the box, forcing Carter to cover near post and JRC being in a 1 v 2 situation at the back post for 0-1. 
#2 failed to pick up the movement of Meite, allowing the striker to ghost behind and time his header ahead of him for 1-2 (final result).

vs Stoke 12/3
misplaced pass in a dangerous area, leading to a transition for 0-1 (final result).

vs Swansea 22/2
#1 despite having a five-yard advantage, he was still beaten for pace in the transition (1 v 1) and couldn't prevent Peart-Harris from scoring for 0-2.
#2 failure to scan the pitch for threats, allowing plenty of space for Cullen inside the box to make it 0-3.

vs Coventry 21/1
fails to cut off passing angle/ pick up marking as Thomas-Asante score from a tap-in for 0-2 (final result).

vs Leeds 1/1
caused the penalty for 0-1 with a sliding tackle inside the box. 

Ribeiro (4 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 2

vs Watford 26/4
part of a zonal marking system? 
tried to reach the ball at far post by backing into the situation but got easily beaten in the air as Pollock timed it way better for 0-1.

vs Millwall 18/4
failed to prevent Ivanovic from getting away a shot inside the six-yard box for 1-1.

vs Sheffield Wed. 8/4
beaten easily in the air from a floating corner, resulting in a simple tap-in at the opposite post for 0-1.

vs Derby 8/3
caught way out of position, forcing Hyam to close down opponent on the left flank and leave central defence exposed for 0-2. 
took a free kick in offensive area moments before but didn't manage to run back. poor tactical setup?

Pears (2 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs Derby 8/3
passively stands at the goal line instead of having a more forward position at the free kick, 
resulting in him reacting too late for the second ball when trying to come out and punch. Subsequently misses the punch which leads to an open goal for 0-1.

vs Preston 31/1
failed to cover near post as Potts scored a consolation goal at the very end. 

JRC (2 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 0

vs Middlesbrough 4/4
tried but failed to intercept the pass being the last man in defence, leading to a 1 v 1 against goalie and an easy goal for 0-1.

vs Coventry 21/1
easily beaten in the air as Simms heads it in from close range for 0-1.

Tronstad (2 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 1. I'm discounting the Norwich game since they were down to ten men.

vs Norwich 1/3
failure to close down Crnac just inside the penalty box for 0-1. Rovers played with ten men at that point.

vs Burnley 4/1
failed to pick up the run from Flemming who heads it in for 0-1 from close range (final result) 

Hedges (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 0

vs Swansea 22/2
failure to prevent Vipotnik from taking a shot inside the six-yard box for 0-1. Pears slow to react as the ball barely had any speed.

Carter (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs Portsmouth 29/3
failure to follow Murphy as he plays one-two's with a teammate to get through on goal for 0-1 (final result).

Beck (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 0

vs QPR 4/2
a bit unfair to be solely blamed since he was mismatched against Frey for 0-1 (height disadvantage). 
also, no player marking the near post despite free kick being close to the corner flag.

ACD & Buckley (1 mistake each leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs QPR 4/2
ACD fails to pick up the run at the far edge of box, allowing a free header into the six-yard area. Scramble ensues before Colback scores from just outside the box for 1-2 (final result). Buckley failing to see Colback's run behind him.

Sanderson (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs Bristol City 25/1
caught sleeping as Wells ran in behind before taking a deflected shot for 1-2 (final result).
 

---

As you can see, Hyam is by far the worst offender when it comes to critical defensive errors (i.e. errors that directly leads to goals and dropped points). Second worst is Ribeiro.

Hyam is a poor passer, doesn't pick up marking / scan the pitch for dangerous movements and lacks severely in pace. A complete liability in my opinion which has been shown time and time again this season, especially when Batth doesn't play alongside him.

Sorry, but Pears has cost far more points than what you're attributing here. 15 at least.

[roversfan99]

It's so subjective so it shouldn't be taken as factual. Also, often a goal has numerous minor errors and misjudgements. If you are analysing off the back of a Hyam discussion then there will also be confirmation bias.

For example, the one v Leeds was a dive, the goal v Cardiff came from an ACD error, Hyam not beating Meite who was on the run in the air is very harsh to give all the blame to him.

Toth isn't mentioned but he made a big error v Coventry for the goal. Pears definitely has made more mistakes, one that springs to mind is Twine's free kick v Bristol City.

[Forever Blue]

10 hours ago, JCRovers said:

Funny how some on here are defending Hyam so I took some time to research the goals we've been conceding during the second half of this season and where the defensive errors lie:

Hyam (8 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 8

vs Sheffield Utd. 3/5
failed to pick up Ahmedhodzic at the back post for 1-1 (final result).

vs Cardiff 15/3
#1 doesn't follow his man when running back to the box, forcing Carter to cover near post and JRC being in a 1 v 2 situation at the back post for 0-1. 
#2 failed to pick up the movement of Meite, allowing the striker to ghost behind and time his header ahead of him for 1-2 (final result).

vs Stoke 12/3
misplaced pass in a dangerous area, leading to a transition for 0-1 (final result).

vs Swansea 22/2
#1 despite having a five-yard advantage, he was still beaten for pace in the transition (1 v 1) and couldn't prevent Peart-Harris from scoring for 0-2.
#2 failure to scan the pitch for threats, allowing plenty of space for Cullen inside the box to make it 0-3.

vs Coventry 21/1
fails to cut off passing angle/ pick up marking as Thomas-Asante score from a tap-in for 0-2 (final result).

vs Leeds 1/1
caused the penalty for 0-1 with a sliding tackle inside the box. 

Ribeiro (4 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 2

vs Watford 26/4
part of a zonal marking system? 
tried to reach the ball at far post by backing into the situation but got easily beaten in the air as Pollock timed it way better for 0-1.

vs Millwall 18/4
failed to prevent Ivanovic from getting away a shot inside the six-yard box for 1-1.

vs Sheffield Wed. 8/4
beaten easily in the air from a floating corner, resulting in a simple tap-in at the opposite post for 0-1.

vs Derby 8/3
caught way out of position, forcing Hyam to close down opponent on the left flank and leave central defence exposed for 0-2. 
took a free kick in offensive area moments before but didn't manage to run back. poor tactical setup?

Pears (2 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs Derby 8/3
passively stands at the goal line instead of having a more forward position at the free kick, 
resulting in him reacting too late for the second ball when trying to come out and punch. Subsequently misses the punch which leads to an open goal for 0-1.

vs Preston 31/1
failed to cover near post as Potts scored a consolation goal at the very end. 

JRC (2 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 0

vs Middlesbrough 4/4
tried but failed to intercept the pass being the last man in defence, leading to a 1 v 1 against goalie and an easy goal for 0-1.

vs Coventry 21/1
easily beaten in the air as Simms heads it in from close range for 0-1.

Tronstad (2 mistakes leading to goal). Points cost: 1. I'm discounting the Norwich game since they were down to ten men.

vs Norwich 1/3
failure to close down Crnac just inside the penalty box for 0-1. Rovers played with ten men at that point.

vs Burnley 4/1
failed to pick up the run from Flemming who heads it in for 0-1 from close range (final result) 

Hedges (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 0

vs Swansea 22/2
failure to prevent Vipotnik from taking a shot inside the six-yard box for 0-1. Pears slow to react as the ball barely had any speed.

Carter (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs Portsmouth 29/3
failure to follow Murphy as he plays one-two's with a teammate to get through on goal for 0-1 (final result).

Beck (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 0

vs QPR 4/2
a bit unfair to be solely blamed since he was mismatched against Frey for 0-1 (height disadvantage). 
also, no player marking the near post despite free kick being close to the corner flag.

ACD & Buckley (1 mistake each leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs QPR 4/2
ACD fails to pick up the run at the far edge of box, allowing a free header into the six-yard area. Scramble ensues before Colback scores from just outside the box for 1-2 (final result). Buckley failing to see Colback's run behind him.

Sanderson (1 mistake leading to goal). Points cost: 1

vs Bristol City 25/1
caught sleeping as Wells ran in behind before taking a deflected shot for 1-2 (final result).
 

---

As you can see, Hyam is by far the worst offender when it comes to critical defensive errors (i.e. errors that directly leads to goals and dropped points). Second worst is Ribeiro.

Hyam is a poor passer, doesn't pick up marking / scan the pitch for dangerous movements and lacks severely in pace. A complete liability in my opinion which has been shown time and time again this season, especially when Batth doesn't play alongside him.

For your first example, Ahmedhodzic wasn’t Hyam’s man according to Jackson. This perhaps calls into question the validity of the rest of your examples. 

[chaddyrovers]

Shortlist

Keeper who can challenge Toth for the keeper position

Left foot centre back

Box to box midfielder 

Right winger with pace

Right winger

Striker with pace

Expect Batth, Hedges and Forshaw to sign 1 year contracts given Ismael's comments 

Sell

Pears. Time to move on

JRC. Need to leave for his own future and need first team football 

Buckley. Same reasons as Buckley..

 

[imy9]

Hyam- excellent defender who has proven his worth over a number of years- who would you replace him with? Are there many seasoned championship CBs available on a free?

Hyam and Batth would be my first choice pairing. 
 

I’m pleased to hear that pace is top of the list for attributes they are looking for in players. I think Gueye up front with Ohashi and another wide player with pace would be ideal. I think Kargbo will be a key asset next year- again some harsh comments on him, he has been injured and only came back a few games ago.

I may be one of a few on here but I like what Ismail has done in the last 6 games and with a proper pre season I’m optimistic of another decent season with the possibility of a play off place.

Venkys are the root cause of where we are, I wish they would sell us and let us be run like a normal club.

[DutchRover]

Ismael I think has won the opportunity to have support going into next season. Ultimately the bad run in form that cost us playoffs was down to Venkys/Execs screwing us in January and the fallout of Eustace leaving. The players clearly took a while to warm to Ismael but he seems to have them on board now.

However, unless we properly invest in new players and renewing key starters Ismael will be completely hung out to dry as all our other managers have been. We can all see the needs except the three geniuses in charge.

[KentExile]

6 minutes ago, DutchRover said:

Ismael I think has won the opportunity to have support going into next season. Ultimately the bad run in form that cost us playoffs was down to Venkys/Execs screwing us in January and the fallout of Eustace leaving. The players clearly took a while to warm to Ismael but he seems to have them on board now.

However, unless we properly invest in new players and renewing key starters Ismael will be completely hung out to dry as all our other managers have been. We can all see the needs except the three geniuses in charge.

Personally feel he is at least partially responsible for the bad run

However, the run at the end of the season has earned him the right for fans to be behind him (not the regime) next season

[roversfan99]

I dont really get why a left footed centre back is high on the agenda.

We play a back 4 and assuming Batth signs, we have him and Hyam plus Carter. Wharton wouldnt have much pressure on him as he would just be taking Sanderson's place in the squad.

Not wasting resources on one could allow us to get a competent player as opposed to the easy option of signing Forshaw and/or Hedges.

[Forever Blue]

We’ve got a left footed centre back

[RoverDom]

Was it 7 youth players to make up next seasons 25 man squad? If we're planning on going into next season with 18 first teamers we need to clear out all the sick notes first. 

[Forever Blue]

IIRC Ismael has said the forward line is the priority and that he wants quick players up there.

So perhaps new first choice LW RW and CF?

I actually think the rest of the team is of decent Championship quality. Possible other additions:-

A new RB to provide cover for Brittain. 

A new number 10 to challenge an underwhelming Cantwell. 

A GK to replace Pears.

If Buckley and JRC are leaving we need another CM (I’d re-sign Forshaw, he’s a lot better than has been made out)

I’d re-sign Batth who has been excellent. I’d also be tempted to get another experienced CB. Worth their weight in gold!

LB we’re looking good.

CM of Travis and Tron is one of best combo’s in the division. 

 

 

[KentExile]

13 minutes ago, Forever Blue said:

We’ve got a left footed centre back

Gestede says we want another as competition/cover for Wharton

 

His full list was

 

left footed centre back

right back

box to box midfielder

right wing

power up front

 

 

 

Edited Monday at 09:18 by KentExile

[Forever Blue]

1 minute ago, KentExile said:

Gestede says we want another as competition/cover for Wharton

 

 

Could you copy and paste the article please it’s behind their paywall

[KentExile]

21 minutes ago, RoverDom said:

Was it 7 youth players to make up next seasons 25 man squad? If we're planning on going into next season with 18 first teamers we need to clear out all the sick notes first. 

7 or 8, one in each position, as per his podcast with Allardyce

Edited Monday at 09:26 by KentExile

[KentExile]

5 minutes ago, Forever Blue said:

Could you copy and paste the article please it’s behind their paywall

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25055914.gestede-reveals-five-blackburn-summer-transfer-priorities/

You can use https://12ft.io/

 

Or its below 🙂 

 

Obviously it all depends on if we take him at face value or not 😉 

 

Blackburn Rovers fans can expect a busy summer transfer window with Rudy Gestede revealing five key positions they want to strengthen.

 

 

Rovers have a number of players out of contract or returning to their parent club. As a result, there will be a churn in the squad this summer.

Gestede has identified some important areas in the squad that they will target.

"We need a left-sided centre-back, that's been obvious," Gestede told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"Scott Wharton has been missing all season, we don't want to put pressure on him when he's back and expect him to play every week. It will not work. We need someone to cover this position.

"On the right, we need cover for Callum Brittain. We have Leo Duru but we need some business in this area. 

"Right-wing, we have Amario, who is going back. Tyrhys is the only other player in this position.

"We want a number eight, a box-to-box type of midfielder and we don't have that at the minute. That's something we need to cover.

"We want some power up front to challenge the two strikers we have, we will do some business."

Rovers will also look to sign younger players and maximise their Academy, to build sellable assets. That was part of the discussion when appointing Valerien Ismael and a value Blackburn want to return to.

"You have to rely on the Academy also, Adam Wharton is an example. He is a rare one but you can do business with the Academy with player-trading," he explained.

 

"What we have seen in the last year, the minutes played by our Academy players has dropped drastically. We used to be over 2,000 minutes for Under-23 Academy players. Last 12 months, 142 minutes.

"That affects the value of the asset and we want to go back to that model. That was part of the discussions with Valerien. They have to be part of your squad planning.

"We will also go in the market for young players. Instead of one-year deals for players at a certain age, you go younger and buy the assets. You don't have to buy an asset for £5million, it can be a lower fee with more resale value.

"That's an exciting time going into the summer. We have to refresh the squad with loans and players out of contract. Now is the right time.

"We want to develop players, give a platform for Academy players to shine and attract young players to be on the pitch for Blackburn."

Edited Monday at 09:24 by KentExile

[Forever Blue]

Thanks Kent👍

[JCRovers]

4 hours ago, Forever Blue said:

For your first example, Ahmedhodzic wasn’t Hyam’s man according to Jackson. This perhaps calls into question the validity of the rest of your examples. 

Watch the highlights again and make your own opinion instead of listening to a journalist. Yes, these are all my own, subjective takes as to where the fault lies. But it doesn't change the fact that Hyam is directly involved or in close proximity to situations that leads to goals conceded. Coincidence?

The way I see it (and this has happened many times), is that he appears to 'give up' on many occasions only to have a deflated look once the opposition scores. As if he couldn't do anything about it. To me that's either a sign of a player not willing to sacrifice himself for the team or he's simply not good enough to be starting in the first place. You would have thought that at 29 years of age with vast Championship experience that he would grow and become a leader for the team and help the likes of Carter etc. Instead, he has to rely on the leadership and experience of Batth to drag him around the pitch and tell him where to stand and who to mark. Without Batth next to him, he's completely lost.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I think Pickering could be that “ left sided centre back. “ He could certainly fill in there. 

[KentExile]

1 minute ago, JCRovers said:

Watch the highlights again and make your own opinion instead of listening to a journalist. Yes, these are all my own, subjective takes as to where the fault lies. But it doesn't change the fact that Hyam is directly involved or in close proximity to situations that leads to goals conceded. Coincidence?

The way I see it (and this has happened many times), is that he appears to 'give up' on many occasions only to have a deflated look once the opposition scores. As if he couldn't do anything about it. To me that's either a sign of a player not willing to sacrifice himself for the team or he's simply not good enough to be starting in the first place. You would have thought that at 29 years of age with vast Championship experience that he would grow and become a leader for the team and help the likes of Carter etc. Instead, he has to rely on the leadership and experience of Batth to drag him around the pitch and tell him where to stand and who to mark. Without Batth next to him, he's completely lost.

If he wasn't in close proximity to goals conceded then he would be a forward 😉 

[JCRovers]

11 hours ago, Upside Down said:

Sorry, but Pears has cost far more points than what you're attributing here. 15 at least.

Might be true. I only looked at the second half of the season. Hopefully Pears gets sold and we bring in an experienced keeper as backup to Toth. 

[Forever Blue]

1 minute ago, JCRovers said:

Watch the highlights again and make your own opinion instead of listening to a journalist. Yes, these are all my own, subjective takes as to where the fault lies. But it doesn't change the fact that Hyam is directly involved or in close proximity to situations that leads to goals conceded. Coincidence?

The way I see it (and this has happened many times), is that he appears to 'give up' on many occasions only to have a deflated look once the opposition scores. As if he couldn't do anything about it. To me that's either a sign of a player not willing to sacrifice himself for the team or he's simply not good enough to be starting in the first place. You would have thought that at 29 years of age with vast Championship experience that he would grow and become a leader for the team and help the likes of Carter etc. Instead, he has to rely on the leadership and experience of Batth to drag him around the pitch and tell him where to stand and who to mark. Without Batth next to him, he's completely lost.

He’s clearly not lost without Batth as he was excellent in his first season at the club, and excellent at Cov. 
 

In the last few moths he’s started to regain  that form and looks a lot sharper. Sometimes injuries and loss of confidence have a huge impact. It’s silly to write him off.