v Hull City (a) - 23/8/25

[RoversTilliDie]

3 hours ago, Neal said:

Can't describe how proud of them I am. An absolutely unbelievable performance that hopefully springboards our season. Everyone, absolutely everyone was 10/10. Cantwell an 11/10. Can't praise them enough.

 

Todd looked like a premier league player today, looked a good captain and was a class apart.

Tronstad was his Rolls Royce best in holding midfield.

Alebiosu never gets beat 1 on 1 and is athletic and quick, what a find.

Mcgloughlin looks every bit as capable as Batth. 

 

We looked and played exactly how I hoped we would. Big, physical, with technical ability in the middle, with pace out wide and organisation at the back. Midfield really made up for last week, grafted without the ball broke the lines in attack. New signings look really promising. 

 

We should have won AT LEAST 6-0. Best performance in a long long time. 

I agree, Alebiosu is a real find.

[philipl]

Yes, Cantwell way above the level of every other player on the pitch.

Great to see Tronstad back to his usual self too.

Having watched a chunk of Hull v Oxford last week, they were actually much better against us and cut out the mistakes and amount of ball give aways - seriously! We were in control from the kick off. Hull had a good two minutes when Toth made three decent saves- one to prevent an og - but otherwise that was a completely dominant Rovers performance.

We were relatively clinical in front of goal and as others have said, a 5 goal scoreline wouldn't have flattered us. 

Liked Tavaeres and Aliboisu while Montgomery and Hentiksson fitted in well when they came on. Gueye needs the offside rule explaining to him because his running was stupid.

As for the ref- he was a total homer yet even managed to rankle the Hull fans into singing you are not fit to referee. Two moments not yet been mentioned by other posters- I didn't see it in real time but the camera replays spotted Rovers should have had a first half penalty and then in the 44th minute he twice got into such bad positions not watching the game flow he was hit by Rovers forward passes which were probable goal scoring opportunities. And yes Lungstrom was a red in the 46th minute but not given.

[sharpysharps86]

10 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Your only criticism is with a guy that was thrown on for 5 minutes at the end?

Bloody hell some of you have proper agendas. 

Ok I'll take the bait. Am I not allowed to say Gueye should've done better there?

No agenda at all. My criticism is that he should've been able to keep himself onside, and then he should've been able to put it in the net. I think it was poor play and he should've done better. Do you disagree?

I want nothing more than Gueye to be a top striker, why would I have an agenda against a Rovers player? Weird take that. Equally, I think we're all allowed to say when a player should've done better in a particular moment.

Edited 5 hours ago by sharpysharps86

[RevidgeBlue]

4 minutes ago, sharpysharps86 said:

Ok I'll take the bait. Am I not allowed to say Gueye should've done better there?

No agenda at all. My criticism is that he should've been able to keep himself onside, and then he should've been able to put it in the net. I think it was poor play and he should've done better. Do you disagree?

I want nothing more than Gueye to be a top striker, why would I have an agenda against a Rovers player? Weird take that. Equally, I think we're all allowed to say when a player should've done better in a particular moment.

I like Gueye but he was very poor when he came on today.

I think he's a confidence player and needs to feel loved and I get the impression there's  no chemistry between him and VI - dont think he'll thrive under Ismael.

Im sticking to what I've been saying all summer we need 2 strikers and a decent RW and we'll probably end up with someone at loan right at the last minute in the latter position.

[RoversTilliDie]

If Todd Cantwell keeps sticking them in the net, we might save money. 2 in 2 games.

Edited 5 hours ago by RoversTilliDie

[joey_big_nose]

3 hours ago, Paul Mani said:

I disagree - The first game, we probably didn’t do enough but could’ve easily nicked a draw. The cup game was lost in the first 2 minutes and we suffered with the rotations, but we were well worth the win vs Birmingham.

Aside from the results, the point I was making was that in spite of losing Batth, Brittain and now Travis. Then replacing them with random foreign lower division imports, we’ve looked solid and well coached. Thats not easy to achieve in the circumstances.

Yeah... Funny really we've turned over 3 managers and 80% of our squad in 18 months. But we look remarkably cohesive.

The real championship doesn't properly get going till we get into the November to February 2-3 games a week madness so too early to say the wheels wont come off. But have generally looked like a really well coached, defensively solid side across the three league games. I expected us to be in disarray tbh.

[Giant]

I like Travis, a whole hearted player, but would he get a game in the current midfield? Cantwell is a class act, and brilliantly clever at getting free kicks as well as contributing goals and assists. 

[...]

43 minutes ago, RoversTilliDie said:

I agree, Alebiosu is a real find.

I really like him. Character, strength, can push on when needed and be a nuisance I think he has the edge over Brittain if he continues.

[Neal]

5 minutes ago, ... said:

I really like him. Character, strength, can push on when needed and be a nuisance I think he has the edge over Brittain if he continues.

Just asked my mates the same question... They all said they'd prefer Brittain. I'm not convinced. I like the pace and physicality of Alebiosu. 

[Exiled_Rover]

55 minutes ago, sharpysharps86 said:

Ok I'll take the bait. Am I not allowed to say Gueye should've done better there?

No agenda at all. My criticism is that he should've been able to keep himself onside, and then he should've been able to put it in the net. I think it was poor play and he should've done better. Do you disagree?

I want nothing more than Gueye to be a top striker, why would I have an agenda against a Rovers player? Weird take that. Equally, I think we're all allowed to say when a player should've done better in a particular moment.

No bait - just of ALL the performances today you singled out one player who was on for 5 minutes...

[sharpysharps86]

Just now, Exiled_Rover said:

No bait - just of ALL the performances today you singled out one player who was on for 5 minutes...

I singled it out because it was a poor piece of play, not because of who the player was...there is a difference. Doesn't matter whether he's been on the pitch for 5 minutes of 85, he should be doing better there. Do you disagree?

I'd have said the same thing if it was any other player in that scenario.

[Waggy76]

44 minutes ago, Giant said:

I like Travis, a whole hearted player, but would he get a game in the current midfield? Cantwell is a class act, and brilliantly clever at getting free kicks as well as contributing goals and assists. 

We could have done with him the pitch for the 15 minutes last week. He would get plenty of game time at Rovers! 

[Exiled_Rover]

52 minutes ago, Giant said:

I like Travis, a whole hearted player, but would he get a game in the current midfield? Cantwell is a class act, and brilliantly clever at getting free kicks as well as contributing goals and assists. 

I think people are a little giddy after a resounding away win.

It's a long old season. I'd be content with our midfield options now if we retained Travis after bringing in Baradji. As it is I think we're still one short and we'll suffer when the real grind of the Championship season starts - those 2 match weeks will be a killer.

[Exiled_Rover]

9 minutes ago, sharpysharps86 said:

I singled it out because it was a poor piece of play, not because of who the player was...there is a difference. Doesn't matter whether he's been on the pitch for 5 minutes of 85, he should be doing better there. Do you disagree?

I'd have said the same thing if it was any other player in that scenario.

I think Hedges should have buried the chance Hendrikson put on a plate for him, but it didn't warrant mentioning after a 3-0 win. 

[Exiled_Rover]

24 minutes ago, Neal said:

Just asked my mates the same question... They all said they'd prefer Brittain. I'm not convinced. I like the pace and physicality of Alebiosu. 

Brittain is a better footballer, technically. Alebiosu is a much better athlete.

In this league of cloggers the better athlete usually wins out. 

[Leonard Venkhater]

37 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

No bait - just of ALL the performances today you singled out one player who was on for 5 minutes...

But, in fairness, he stood out today, as being quite awful..

[sharpysharps86]

11 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I think Hedges should have buried the chance Hendrikson put on a plate for him, but it didn't warrant mentioning after a 3-0 win. 

Winning 3-0 is brilliant, it was a fabulous team performance overall....but we are still allowed to call out poor pieces of play where players should've done better...it's ok to do that y'know, we are allowed. Go back through the match thread and I'm sure you'll find PLENTY of it even when the score was at 3-0.

The 'having an agenda' against Gueye take was just....odd to me. Want nothing more than all Rovers players to be a success.

[aletheia]

34 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I think Hedges should have buried the chance Hendrikson put on a plate for him, but it didn't warrant mentioning after a 3-0 win. 

EI about 4.5 hours ago.

There's the Ryan Hedges we know. Hendrikson laid it on a plate for him - that's an impressive miss. 

Edited 3 hours ago by aletheia

[Eternal Optimist]

Just had a feeling about today. We managed a week of somewhat drama free at Ewood aside from Travis not being around the building. Players appear to be pulling in the right direction which can only be a good thing.

A few people saying Hull were bad but I think we made them look bad, the constant harassing and closing down led to mistakes from Hull as they just didn’t get the time to play. New signings are settling well. I am impressed with Alebiosu gives you the directness you want from a modern day right back although defence work needs just a touch of work. Sidnei looks very calm and composed which is what we have lacked in the middle for a long time. Travis was too headless chicken like and limited what he can do with a football, Sidnei so far looks like he is going to be an upgrade.

All in all a very good day, bring on Norwich 🔵⚪️

[aletheia]

I’m with dallyduncan (I think it was that poster) and was going to post as such before the game (honest) ie. classic Rovers –logic suggests a struggle away, but we give them a tonking.

Amusing really. These boards were in full blown pessimism of late (and not without reason). Hedges? Shite. Kargbo? Head down, shite. Montgomery? Shite. Tavares? A bit shite, can’t go a full game. Cantwell? Shite, show pony, flatters to deceive.

And up we pop today, classic Rovers, they all click and play to their full potential.
Long season. Pessimists and optimists will have their days.

But no mistaking the shite at the top. Most agree there (although some ignore it and are happy to espouse the club orthodoxy). 

For the record, I’m sure you realise, I’m of the pessimistic slant. You’ve gotta love today but really just a plaster on gangrene. I get it that some can focus on what goes on at matchday and screen out shall we say political machinations (and I can do that too). But the canker is always there for me, always taking the gloss off. Apologies for such churlishness and I certainly don’t underestimate the effort of the lads on the pitch.

 

[Colt Seavers]

2 hours ago, Rover down South said:

Cantwell looking a different class this season so far. No doubt they’ll be cashing in on that next summer so enjoy it while we can. 

️

Knowing this lot they'll probably try to cash in on him in the next week or so...

[aletheia]

And so... a great win, all agreed (and I do too.)

And so, not missing any of the outgoings, incomings an improvement, all an upgrade, all pulling in the right direction. Er, ok, can I get back to you?

[sverrehh]

7 minutes ago, aletheia said:

I’m with dallyduncan (I think it was that poster) and was going to post as such before the game (honest) ie. classic Rovers –logic suggests a struggle away, but we give them a tonking.

Amusing really. These boards were in full blown pessimism of late (and not without reason). Hedges? Shite. Kargbo? Head down, shite. Montgomery? Shite. Tavares? A bit shite, can’t go a full game. Cantwell? Shite, show pony, flatters to deceive.

And up we pop today, classic Rovers, they all click and play to their full potential.
Long season. Pessimists and optimists will have their days.

But no mistaking the shite at the top. Most agree there (although some ignore it and are happy to espouse the club orthodoxy). 

For the record, I’m sure you realise, I’m of the pessimistic slant. You’ve gotta love today but really just a plaster on gangrene. I get it that some can focus on what goes on at matchday and screen out shall we say political machinations (and I can do that too). But the canker is always there for me, always taking the gloss off. Apologies for such churlishness and I certainly don’t underestimate the effort of the lads on the pitch.

 

I just have to applaud your grasp of the English language. Thanks! 

[bigbrandjohn]

3 hours ago, Eternal Optimist said:

Called it 🥳👏🙌🙌

And next week?

[Parsonblue]

Games like today make you realise why you still keep doing away games every other week.  This was a superb performance, a real team effort with everyone making a contribution.  For the first time this season we started on the front foot and with a high press and what a difference it makes.  The new players are slowly bedding in and doubts I had about Alebiosu and Tavares were swept aside today.  Both looked very comfortable at this level.

McLoughlin looks a very good signing, younger than Batth but just as good in the centre of defence.  He looks a real bargain.  I must admit I had my doubts about Cantwell as a captain, but he rose to the occasion and gave his best display so far for the club.  He was unplayable at times today and took his goal very well.

Hedges showed why Ismael continues pick him.  He worked hard throughout, scored a goal with an exquisite finish and played an important part in the second.

The bonus was the return to form of Tronstad.  He was simply outstanding from first to last and completely bossed the midfield, particularly in the second-half when Rovers took complete control of the game.

We still need to strengthen, although I was pleased that Montgomery put the Bradford game behind him and looked the part when he came on in centre-midfield - his proper position.

One or two more performances like this and I might start revising my view of a bottom half finish.