v Birmingham City (h) - 16/8/25

[...]

36 minutes ago, Mike Graham said:

I would rather trust Mrs Miggins the tea lady with the task.

She was sold last week for 37p.

To Derby.

[arbitro]

Going to West Brom last week we spoke about the lack of creativity and as a consequence the lack of goals in the squad. And in the three games so far it is glaringly obvious that this is an area which will see us at best in mid table. I have been reasonably content with us defensively in the two league games so far.

Yesterday we started the game well and it looked like the plan was to out number Birmingham in midfield with Ohashi and Cantwell playing quite deep when Birmingham had the ball. This slowed down the intensity they like to play at. Cantwell's goal was excellent, a skill which not many other Championship players could execute.

We knew that soon after going ahead Ismael would go to a five at the back and play on the break. Some poor defending allowed Laird to beat three of our players and win a penalty. I haven't seen it back yet but from my seat in the JW Upper it looked so similar to the challenge on Ohashi last week when we didn't get a penalty. Toth guessed the right way but was beaten by the well struck shot.

The winning goal was calamitous from our point of view. There were so many things wrong with it I don't know where to start but sometimes players have to take responsibilities. It's not like we were chasing the game or anything. My point about responsibility was hit home earlier when we had a throw in over by the Riverside. Despite the prodigious throw of Miller (which he did use most of the time) Tronstad went over for a short one perhaps I thought to pull a player out. Miller actually gave it him and then tried to dribble last an opponent and was extremely lucky to get another throw in. Silly in game decisions are sometimes on the players.

Overall I thought we were worth a draw and the players worked really hard as they did at West Brom. But hard work, whilst being an assett will not win games on its own. We need some quality and that comes at a price.

Over to you Venky's..................

 

 

 

 

[Tim Southampton Rover]

I think yesterday's late defeat shows the importance of having experienced players on the pitch when defending a lead - as soon as we made those subs late on, I felt they weren't the right players to see out the game and unfortunately, we collapsed quicker than Birmingham players did when they got touched! We need to be bringing on the likes of Hedges, not subbing them off. 

Saying that, mistakes have cost us in every game, so I'm not too downbeat over the results. We made WBA and Birmingham look average for large periods of the game. The important thing is that they recognise those mistakes and what is preventing us from winning games.

I think we're 2-3 quality players away from a decent first team. At the very least we need an experienced striker, a creative winger and attacking midfielder who should all be commanding a first team place. Obviously, when Travis leaves, we'll need a first team player to replace him too. We'll see what fun this week has in store for us!

[sammie]

That second goal doesn’t happen if Travis is in the team, but I’m hearing he won’t be a miss and he’s replaceable. 

[Cherry Blue]

2 minutes ago, sammie said:

That second goal doesn’t happen if Travis is in the team, but I’m hearing he won’t be a miss and he’s replaceable. 

Obviously you're referring to last seasons Travis. He now wants to leave so even if he played he wouldn't have given that 100%.

[rigger]

7 hours ago, 1874 said:

Missing from the stats is Brum players falling over at the slightest touch. They were the same against Ipswich

It's called being professional, we have a lot to learn in that department.

[Kjell]

35 minutes ago, Cherry Blue said:

Obviously you're referring to last seasons Travis. He now wants to leave so even if he played he wouldn't have given that 100%.

Why do you think he wants to leave?

[dingles staying down 4ever]

42 minutes ago, sammie said:

That second goal doesn’t happen if Travis is in the team, but I’m hearing he won’t be a miss and he’s replaceable. 

It wouldn't have happened if Hymn takes the player out properly rather than just stick out a leg and tap the players ankle. 

[dingles staying down 4ever]

37 minutes ago, Cherry Blue said:

Obviously you're referring to last seasons Travis. He now wants to leave so even if he played he wouldn't have given that 100%.

You dont know that. 

[Kjell]

2 minutes ago, dingles staying down 4ever said:

It wouldn't have happened if Hymn takes the player out properly rather than just stick out a leg and tap the players ankle. 

The argument can be made that Tavares was heavily involved in close to every aspect of that second goal 😅

Edited 8 hours ago by Kjell

[roverandout]

9 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Karbgo and Gueye weren't great chances? FFS, does your seat face the pitch? 

Until that Penalty incident we were winning the game and if we had defended properly and not allowing Laird into the box I think we will the game, Would you have been moaning about a 1 nil win? 

Ismael had his tactical plan and until the penalty incident it was working perfectly

Kargbo was a half chance at best 

[dingles staying down 4ever]

50 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Going to West Brom last week we spoke about the lack of creativity and as a consequence the lack of goals in the squad. And in the three games so far it is glaringly obvious that this is an area which will see us at best in mid table. I have been reasonably content with us defensively in the two league games so far.

Yesterday we started the game well and it looked like the plan was to out number Birmingham in midfield with Ohashi and Cantwell playing quite deep when Birmingham had the ball. This slowed down the intensity they like to play at. Cantwell's goal was excellent, a skill which not many other Championship players could execute.

We knew that soon after going ahead Ismael would go to a five at the back and play on the break. Some poor defending allowed Laird to beat three of our players and win a penalty. I haven't seen it back yet but from my seat in the JW Upper it looked so similar to the challenge on Ohashi last week when we didn't get a penalty. Toth guessed the right way but was beaten by the well struck shot.

The winning goal was calamitous from our point of view. There were so many things wrong with it I don't know where to start but sometimes players have to take responsibilities. It's not like we were chasing the game or anything. My point about responsibility was hit home earlier when we had a throw in over by the Riverside. Despite the prodigious throw of Miller (which he did use most of the time) Tronstad went over for a short one perhaps I thought to pull a player out. Miller actually gave it him and then tried to dribble last an opponent and was extremely lucky to get another throw in. Silly in game decisions are sometimes on the players.

Overall I thought we were worth a draw and the players worked really hard as they did at West Brom. But hard work, whilst being an assett will not win games on its own. We need some quality and that comes at a price.

Over to you Venky's..................

 

 

 

 

To me if the new number 2 I dont think either Brum goal happens. I think his injury turned the game and the way many Rovers players looked mentally knackered after 60 minutes was also a major concern.

[chaddyrovers]

3 minutes ago, dingles staying down 4ever said:

It wouldn't have happened if Hymn takes the player out properly rather than just stick out a leg and tap the players ankle. 

It wouldn't have happened if Ribeiro stayed back and Tronstad and Henriksson stayed on the edge of the box. 

We had a point at least. Yes put Hyam, Miller, Gueye, Wharton and Mcloughlin in the box but not leave us exposed to the counter attack

[Kjell]

2 minutes ago, roverandout said:

Kargbo was a half chance at best 

Maybe Kargbo is a half chance at best?

I see a Serie C player in him!

[chaddyrovers]

1 minute ago, dingles staying down 4ever said:

To me if the new number 2 I dont think either Brum goal happens. 

Alebiosu 

[dingles staying down 4ever]

2 minutes ago, Kjell said:

The argument can be made that Tavares was heavily involved in close to every aspect of that second goal 😅

Agree but an experienced centre half should know what to do in the circumstances. Under no circumstances should he allow their player to break with the ball.

If ever there was a case of taking a yellow for team it was then and showed why he is no longer captain.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

Alebiosu 

Thanks I cant remember his name yet

[Kjell]

5 minutes ago, dingles staying down 4ever said:

Agree but an experienced centre half should know what to do in the circumstances. Under no circumstances should he allow their player to break with the ball.

If ever there was a case of taking a yellow for team it was then and showed why he is no longer captain.

You're right!

 

According to Ismael some of the staff will have to take responsibility as well. Anyone except himself, maybe?

I find this 'throwing everyone under the bus' approach of his lately quite disturbing.

JDT had earned his right to call out mistakes done by staff due to that he had made Rovers perform. Ismael has done nothing of the sort.

Edited 7 hours ago by Kjell

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

13 hours ago, OnionBalaji said:

If we can hire the digital ad boards outside ewood - would happily chip in for a Pasha Out / Gestede Out / Venkys Out ad 

 

and of course 

that lovely quote from Mrs D about respecting Jacks legacy 

Please count me in.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

6 minutes ago, roverandout said:

Kargbo was a half chance at best 

Karbo's was a great chance for someone confident heading the ball. It was a relative free header well inside the box.

Gueye's header should have broke the net but it was a good save from the keeper.

If Hyamn leaves the header and allow Miller coming from a different angle to head that would have a great chance as well rather than header across goal to no one.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

2 minutes ago, Kjell said:

You're right!

 

According to Ismael some of the staff will have to take responsibility as well. Anyone except himself, maybe?

I find this 'throwing everyone under the bus' approach of his lately quite disturbing.

JDT had earned his right to call out mistakes done by staff due to that he had made Rovers perform. Ismael has done nothing of the sort.

To be honest I think he trying to deflect the blame but at the end of the day he can blame who he wants, he is the accountable one.

[roverandout]

2 minutes ago, dingles staying down 4ever said:

Karbo's was a great chance for someone confident heading the ball. It was a relative free header well inside the box.

Gueye's header should have broke the net but it was a good save from the keeper.

If Hyamn leaves the header and allow Miller coming from a different angle to head that would have a great chance as well rather than header across goal to no one.

He was heading it back across goal basically but ur right maybe a competent header of the ball would have done better

[Tim Southampton Rover]

1 hour ago, sammie said:

That second goal doesn’t happen if Travis is in the team,

We don't know that for sure but had Lee Williamson been playing then that second goal definitely doesn't happen 🤣

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

9 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

And I say my support for this great club will never waiver and I won't walk away for supporting my club. I always been a glass half full pint of person  

 

It all about opinion and good for you chaddy but can you see the Wood for the Trees?

The warning signs are clear and present for most of us.

[chaddyrovers]

17 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

It all about opinion and good for you chaddy but can you see the Wood for the Trees?

The warning signs are clear and present for most of us.

My support for this great club will always be there. No waving or no walking away. Rovers is part of my family and my life since 1991. Always will be.