v WBA (a) - 9/8/2025 - The Big Kick-Off!

[philipl]

I wouldn't rule out Travis starting at right back if For Shaw is fit and Miller is not recovered in time.

I expect our performance will be more Elche than NEC.

Then it depends if WBA finishing is more NEC than Elche.

[J*B]

7 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Hyam was excellent last season. His card for whatever reason seems to have been marked by some, even when he did play well he got no credit based on this theory thats grown legs that Batth did the work of 2.

I’ve got big worries about Hyam when he isn’t partnered by an experienced CB that tells him what to do. Great with Batth, a danger with Wharton or Carter. 

[Tomphil2]

32 minutes ago, J*B said:

I’ve got big worries about Hyam when he isn’t partnered by an experienced CB that tells him what to do. Great with Batth, a danger with Wharton or Carter. 

When he has to take responsibility for the defence he tends to flap so unless the new lad is that type it could be a bit ropey.

[M_B]

8 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Hyam was excellent last season. His card for whatever reason seems to have been marked by some, even when he did play well he got no credit based on this theory thats grown legs that Batth did the work of 2.

I was merely guessing who his 5 was.

Although we havent seen enough either way to be totally sure. 

We'll see how Hyam gets on without Batth, wonder if anyone will be  checking how Batth is getting on without Hyam.

A defensive partnership won't work well unless they compliment each other. That chemistry works both ways. 

[Lancaster Rover]

Batth is a good player and decent for us but people seem to have quite short memories, some of his passing into midfield was a bomb scare. I forget who it was but feel it was QPR at home when he repeatedly played slow, flat passes into midfield that kept getting picked off, it wasn't the only game he did it either.

We have a tendency as fans on here to go overboard with negativity or praise when a player leaves, they were either the second coming of christ or the worst player since Kaba Diawara. Batth was a solid championship centre half at the end of his career, who provided a good foil for Hyams skills set. Beckenbaur he is not.

[roversfan99]

48 minutes ago, J*B said:

I’ve got big worries about Hyam when he isn’t partnered by an experienced CB that tells him what to do. Great with Batth, a danger with Wharton or Carter. 

How did he win player of the season in his first season here then?

[TimmyJimmy]

Whichever way it works out on the day VI has got himself a completely new team. I hope he knows how to glue them together pdq or we're in for a pasting.

[RoversTilliDie]

6 minutes ago, TimmyJimmy said:

Whichever way it works out on the day VI has got himself a completely new team. I hope he knows how to glue them together pdq or we're in for a pasting.

I would give the number 9 shirt to Kargbo after his goal last weekend. We still haven't strengthened our strike force. Let's face it not the most prolific in the Championship.

[RoversTilliDie]

20 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

It isnt, of course you can be creative. But it would help if we had a good taker.

Are you on drugs! when was the last goal we scored off a corner. There hasn't been many in the last 3-4 seasons and beyond.

[roversfan99]

Just now, RoversTilliDie said:

Are you on drugs! when was the last goal we scored off a corner. There hasn't been many in the last 3-4 seasons and beyond.

Which is probably why my point was that we could do with a good set piece taker to help with that.

[RoversTilliDie]

Hyam needs to strike up a partnership with his replacement.

[RoversTilliDie]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

Which is probably why my point was that we could do with a good set piece taker to help with that.

I meant the quote before you, it went on the wrong comment.

[MarkBRFC]

15 minutes ago, RoversTilliDie said:

Are you on drugs! when was the last goal we scored off a corner.

April 8th Dolan vs Sheff Wed,

[chaddyrovers]

10 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

YOU havent seen enough either way to be totally sure. 

 

[KentExile]

2 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

How did he win player of the season in his first season here then?

Ayala 😉 

Look what happened to our results in the spell he was out of the team in the 2nd half of that season

Hyam isn't a bad player, he is quite good, but he is not an organiser.  So its no surprise that our defence looks more solid when we have a Batth/Fadz/Ayala in there too

 

Edited 10 hours ago by KentExile

[Dreams of 1995]

58 minutes ago, KentExile said:

Ayala 😉 

Look what happened to our results in the spell he was out of the team in the 2nd half of that season

Hyam isn't a bad player, he is quite good, but he is not an organiser.  So its no surprise that our defence looks more solid when we have a Batth/Fadz/Ayala in there too

 

We shipped a lot of goals that season…

[Tomphil2]

11 minutes ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

We shipped a lot of goals that season…

No contribution from the wide open style of play then ?

[Dreams of 1995]

7 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

No contribution from the wide open style of play then ?

I would say it was one of the biggest, yeah 

[joey_big_nose]

14 hours ago, J*B said:

Just me that is seriously worried this season? That squad looks terrifying. At least 5 players in the starting 11 I have serious questions about and not a single option on the bench I’m convinced on. 

Yeah me too... Although we hadnt seen them in a Rovers shirt Baath and Weiman were experienced Championship players you could expect to slot in.

Our team for the opener (against Derby) last season. In terms of players not established in the Championship it was jus tGueye, with Ohashi off the bench. JRC lacked real dependability too I guess. Otherwise all pretty solid.

This year we look like we will be throwing Alebiouso and De Neve in, with nothing really from the bench in terms of experience. Hedges doesn't worry me as while frustrating attacking wise he will compete and do his job. With total newbies like de neve and Alebiouso theres a chance they just get taken apart...

Edited 9 hours ago by joey_big_nose

[Tomphil2]

As far as iv'e seen all our CB's or the 3 we have left before newbies are all lacking in pace and all more suited to a deep lying well protected counter attacking style.

Van Hecke on loan was probably the last guy who could cover ground on his own outside the box and he was obviously a bit raw.

[rigger]

3 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

How did he win player of the season in his first season here then?

Because the rest where worse.

[berkshireblue]

Whatever the team its the 1st day of the season and optimism will be there come this sunny Saturday

 

Against better judgement bought to tickets in safe standing with the lad, 50th season of supporting since the diddy heights of 3rd division champions 1975

The Vine pub beforehand for a few beers and a decent chicken tikka off the barbecue

Going down the Bolton road...

[joey_big_nose]

1 hour ago, Tomphil2 said:

As far as iv'e seen all our CB's or the 3 we have left before newbies are all lacking in pace and all more suited to a deep lying well protected counter attacking style.

Van Hecke on loan was probably the last guy who could cover ground on his own outside the box and he was obviously a bit raw.

Carter when he is fit is very mobile imo, can recover well. Agree Wharton and Hyam really struggle once a player gets in behind though.

Not seen McCloughlin, hope he has a bit of pace and strength.

[MarkBRFC]

36 minutes ago, joey_big_nose said:

Not seen McCloughlin, hope he has a bit of pace and strength.

He's slower than Hyam, not particularly strong either considering his height.

Seems to be good on the ball though.

[roversfan99]

4 hours ago, KentExile said:

Ayala 😉 

Look what happened to our results in the spell he was out of the team in the 2nd half of that season

Hyam isn't a bad player, he is quite good, but he is not an organiser.  So its no surprise that our defence looks more solid when we have a Batth/Fadz/Ayala in there too

 

Any defender would look better next to a leader.

But even when he plays well, he seems immune to praise, instead it all goes to his partner.

2 hours ago, rigger said:

Because the rest where worse.

We finished 7th.