v Watford (a) - 13/9/25

[Ricky]

Cantwell will be up for it next week, he’ll face dogs abuse from the Ipswich fans but I think he’ll thrive on it. He looked a class above yesterday.

Pre match was spent arguing with some knob head on Facebook who was insistent that the current squad was miles better than last season. Obviously he was keen to dig me out after the win. Stand by my comments that I can’t see us finishing in the top 6 but after a performance like that I guess anything is possible.

Not expecting anything from next week but it’s the championship so who knows. 

[chaddyrovers]

Just now, arbitro said:

Tavares had a little spell in the first half when he got sloppy in possession but overall he did a good job. It was difficult to make a judgement on Gardner-Hickman given the amount of time he played but having seen him play against us several times I think he will be an asset to us with his Championship experience.

thanks for the reply and I very much apprenticed the reply. 

Pleased we won for those fans who travelled there and they got such a good all round performance 

[KentExile]

9 minutes ago, Parsonblue said:

Another great away day.  This was the perfect away performance in so many ways.  On the front foot from the start, high energy, quick attacking moves, robust tackling.  Defensively we were excellent.  Carter and Wharton provided the rock on which we could build.  Scott was my Man of the Match, a truly outstanding performance.  

Cantwell looks a different player this season season.  He links up play in the opposition half so well and the move between himself, Ohashi and Morishita that led to the goal was pure class.

In midfield, Tarvares showed some flair for passing but is clearly a work in progress.  Tronstad was he usual solid self and how we will miss him when he returns home in the summer.  However, a special word again for Ryan Hedges who continues to be a workhorse.  Val seems to have got the best out of Hedges and he now looks an automatic choice for that position.

Morishita looks a real player.  Intelligent in his movement, good control and packs a fierce shot.  He looks a real find as does Gudjohnsen on this display.  Strong, mobile and plenty of skill he looks like another player who will be a real addition to our ranks.

Of course, it's still early days, but there are some very promising signs at the moment and much to be encouraged about. 

 

8 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Tavares had a little spell in the first half when he got sloppy in possession but overall he did a good job. It was difficult to make a judgement on Gardner-Hickman given the amount of time he played but having seen him play against us several times I think he will be an asset to us with his Championship experience.

Tavares seems to have the ability, but lacks concentration, which in turn leads to him being sloppy in possession.  Hopefully this improves with time, no reason that it can't

TGH is a physical utility player for me.  Useful to have on the bench, not sure he will impact the starting 11 when everyone is fit, but it's a long season & injuries/suspensions will happen.  He was a sensible signing on a loan

RE TGH, apparently his contract wage (he signed for Birmingham during the summer), is close to £20K/week, Rovers are paying half of that, so unlikely a permanent deal will get done given the current wage structure

Edited 5 hours ago by KentExile

[chaddyrovers]

5 minutes ago, Parsonblue said:

Another great away day.  This was the perfect away performance in so many ways.  On the front foot from the start, high energy, quick attacking moves, robust tackling.  Defensively we were excellent.  Carter and Wharton provided the rock on which we could build.  Scott was my Man of the Match, a truly outstanding performance.  

Cantwell looks a different player this season season.  He links up play in the opposition half so well and the move between himself, Ohashi and Morishita that led to the goal was pure class.

In midfield, Tarvares showed some flair for passing but is clearly a work in progress.  Tronstad was he usual solid self and how we will miss him when he returns home in the summer.  However, a special word again for Ryan Hedges who continues to be a workhorse.  Val seems to have got the best out of Hedges and he now looks an automatic choice for that position.

Morishita looks a real player.  Intelligent in his movement, good control and packs a fierce shot.  He looks a real find as does Gudjohnsen on this display.  Strong, mobile and plenty of skill he looks like another player who will be a real addition to our ranks.

Of course, it's still early days, but there are some very promising signs at the moment and much to be encouraged about. 

thanks for the report Parsonblue. Pleased we won for those fans travelled there and they got the win and such a good all round performance yesterday

[arbitro]

Does anybody know why the kit man celebrated joyously in front of the Rovers fans at the final whistle?

[joey_big_nose]

8 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

I think Ohashi is best suited to being a number 9. He likes to run in behind and he can use his body quite well.

I think because of his frame, its easy to assume that he would be more effective deeper (hes hardly got the physique of a typical old fashioned number 9) but I dont see what skills he has that would be better suited there. 

I just dont think he is anything special. Hes a decent Championship striker but hes not one that cant be improved upon or one youd have faith in really making the difference.

I liked the look of Gudjohnsen although he did have a specific job to do of helping to see a game out and he really did help in that. He has attributes that are really promising. That being said, the acid test will be what he offers in terms of helping us get more goals. 

Ohashi for me is very like Hedges. Maybe nothing special on the ball, but absolutely first class off it.

Those sorts of players get very underrated. A big part of why we looked so comfortable all game imo is the vast amount of pressing work those two get through. Ohashi also linked up really well with Mori and Cantwell. They are both undropable at the moment for me, though obviously Gudjonsen needs to come in somewhere.

Id still put Cantwell deeper and drop Tavares, put Mori at number 10, Hedges left, Ohashi right and Gudjonsen up top.

Edited 3 hours ago by joey_big_nose

[USABlue]

5 hours ago, speeeeeeedie said:

A very good win. Rovers were the better team. 

I said it after the last win but Cantwell is a class above most in the Championship.

I thought that Gudjohnsen should have had a penalty.

I'll look back later to see if the reason is known but the kit choices were very strange. 

The match commentator I had said that Tronstad is off at the end of the season. He's going back to Scandanavia. 

I thought it was a pen too.  Inthink ref did not give it cos the ball had got away from him, shouldn't matter but it dies seems to at times.  We get lots of pens waved away.

[Hullrover]

Ohashi is getting better at shielding the ball, much improved overall this season but needs more goals. TGH was able to direct from midfield and is strong in the tackle. Ideal from the bench or if Tronstad is injured or suspended. Great to see shots from outside the box. 

[DeeCee]

Great win and performance all round 🏆

On the itv highlights show, although we weren't last on, we had the shortest and poorest quality video of the game.

Do they get footage from the Rovers end or do itv send their own cameras?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

For me playing Ohashi as a No 9 is similar to us trying to play Simon Garner as a No 9. He’d give it a good go but he’d be way better playing off another striker. As he was. Unfortunately nobody plays that way anymore.

Edited 3 hours ago by Tyrone Shoelaces

[jim mk2]

Our 2 wins have been away from home - does that tell us something about the way Ismael has set the team up and wants Rovers to play?

Until this new team of misfits and poundshop bargains can show it can win at home too I see yesterday as a welcome 3 points in what is going to be a long hard battle to stay in this division this season. 

[chaddyrovers]

 

 

 

[smiller14]

2 hours ago, DeeCee said:

Great win and performance all round 🏆

On the itv highlights show, although we weren't last on, we had the shortest and poorest quality video of the game.

Do they get footage from the Rovers end or do itv send their own cameras?

Not sure but you'd assume it would come from the home side if not ITV

[StHelensRover]

2 hours ago, jim mk2 said:

Our 2 wins have been away from home - does that tell us something about the way Ismael has set the team up and wants Rovers to play?

Until this new team of misfits and poundshop bargains can show it can win at home too I see yesterday as a welcome 3 points in what is going to be a long hard battle to stay in this division this season. 

Yes, against Birmingham we played like the away team, in the first half against Norwich at home it felt similar. 

We can't cower against Ipswich and let them take control of the game, or we'll get smoked like Sheffield United did on Friday.

Edited 31 minutes ago by StHelensRover

[jim mk2]

7 minutes ago, StHelensRover said:

Yes, against Birmingham we played like the away team, in the first half against Norwich at home it felt similar. 

We can't cower against Ipswich and let them take control of the game, or we'll get smoked like Sheffield United did on Friday.

Agree

Ismael has to prove he is flexible and show he can make the team play well and win games more than one way