v Bristol City (a) - 4/11/25

[cesus]

28 minutes ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

You have hit the nail on the head with Hedges. The criticism has always been unfair. I’ve seen him be called useless and worthless to have on a pitch. Couldn’t be any further from the truth. You can tell he’s the type of player you would love to have on your side - he isn’t obnoxious, he’s not a trouble maker, he works hard and he’s a tidy player too

One bad injury spell aside, he’s been ever present. Must be approaching his 150 apps for us now - all for less than £200k. In his time at the club he’s been ever present under 4 different coaches. In that time, we’ve been a top half club every season except for 23/24, which coincidentally he was injured most of that season.

In no way saying that was the root cause of our issues that season but it does show his importance to this squad. 

I spoke about his importance during the summer and got shot down, my simplistic view is to not view his attacking capabilities (if a manager did he wouldn't play). He stops a full back being overrun and is always willing to be an outlet for the ball, being an outlet to take and hold the ball is far more of a skill than people think.

[bluebruce]

11 minutes ago, cesus said:

I spoke about his importance during the summer and got shot down, my simplistic view is to not view his attacking capabilities (if a manager did he wouldn't play). He stops a full back being overrun and is always willing to be an outlet for the ball, being an outlet to take and hold the ball is far more of a skill than people think.

In the summer he was being looked at as a winger. So assessing his attacking abilities was very much relevant. A defensive winger can serve a purpose occasionally but mostly you need one that can attack, if you haven't got a dire or highly attacking full back behind him.

He looked much more comfortable last night playing as a wingback.

[Exiled_Rover]

48 minutes ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

You have hit the nail on the head with Hedges. The criticism has always been unfair. I’ve seen him be called useless and worthless to have on a pitch. Couldn’t be any further from the truth. You can tell he’s the type of player you would love to have on your side - he isn’t obnoxious, he’s not a trouble maker, he works hard and he’s a tidy player too

One bad injury spell aside, he’s been ever present. Must be approaching his 150 apps for us now - all for less than £200k. In his time at the club he’s been ever present under 4 different coaches. In that time, we’ve been a top half club every season except for 23/24, which coincidentally he was injured most of that season.

In no way saying that was the root cause of our issues that season but it does show his importance to this squad. 

I think it just shows how far our standards have fallen.

[RoversTilliDie]

I was saying last week to a fellow Rovers supporters, we need a bit of momentum, before the international break. You can't ask for more, a hat trick of wins, before the Derby game.

[Hasta]

4 hours ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

You have hit the nail on the head with Hedges. The criticism has always been unfair. I’ve seen him be called useless and worthless to have on a pitch. Couldn’t be any further from the truth. You can tell he’s the type of player you would love to have on your side - he isn’t obnoxious, he’s not a trouble maker, he works hard and he’s a tidy player too

My problem with Hedges was when I thought we were close to a squad capable of top 6, I felt Hedges was one of the players who we should have been able to replace and improve upon. He was one of the weaker links when he started.

Now I feel we have a squad that should be bottom half, Hedges becomes a valuable cog. He's one of the few proven Championship players we have.

At no time has he been as useless as some would have you believe, although if you'd have asked me my opinion on the train back from Preston a couple of years ago I'd have given you a different comment !  I think some people gave up with him that night.

[roversfan99]

7 hours ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

You have hit the nail on the head with Hedges. The criticism has always been unfair. I’ve seen him be called useless and worthless to have on a pitch. Couldn’t be any further from the truth. You can tell he’s the type of player you would love to have on your side - he isn’t obnoxious, he’s not a trouble maker, he works hard and he’s a tidy player too

One bad injury spell aside, he’s been ever present. Must be approaching his 150 apps for us now - all for less than £200k. In his time at the club he’s been ever present under 4 different coaches. In that time, we’ve been a top half club every season except for 23/24, which coincidentally he was injured most of that season.

In no way saying that was the root cause of our issues that season but it does show his importance to this squad. 

Its not always been unfair. From an attacking position, throughout his time here he has failed to contribute anywhere near enough. His effort is always there but thats not enough to avoid warranted criticism. Maybe at times that criticism has been hyperbolic but hes not done enough for general criticism to have some merit to it.

I think playing him as a wing back really suits him though because there arent those same expectations going forward.

You touch on the terrible 23/24 season not being because he was injured. That certainly is correct, even for Venkys it was a particularly terrible season in terms of off the field stuf.

[USABlue]

Why is there no match replay on Rivers TV.  Anyone know where zi can see it?

[RevidgeBlue]

7 hours ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

You have hit the nail on the head with Hedges. The criticism has always been unfair. I’ve seen him be called useless and worthless to have on a pitch. Couldn’t be any further from the truth. You can tell he’s the type of player you would love to have on your side - he isn’t obnoxious, he’s not a trouble maker, he works hard and he’s a tidy player too

One bad injury spell aside, he’s been ever present. Must be approaching his 150 apps for us now - all for less than £200k. In his time at the club he’s been ever present under 4 different coaches. In that time, we’ve been a top half club every season except for 23/24, which coincidentally he was injured most of that season.

In no way saying that was the root cause of our issues that season but it does show his importance to this squad. 

Blimey not half some revisionism going on here - Sorry, Hedges is an absolute shocker.

Corry Evans, Jason Lowe and Sam Gallagher enjoyed extended periods at the Club as well for some unknown reason.

[USABlue]

On 04/11/2025 at 13:25, RevidgeBlue said:

Weirdly enough I thought De Neve had one of his better games first half on Saturday. And ends up getting substituted at half time, singled out for criticism in Public and dropped for the next game.

Yes Rev some of VI's subs just do not make sense to me.  Recently he oulled Ohashi and he was looking most likely to get us anything many more too.  Like bringing on BigMac.and taking off the olayers who might be able to provide crosses 

[USABlue]

On 04/11/2025 at 14:40, ... said:

Poor Yuki took a battering in that half

He gets a lot of rough treatment and no protection from Refs yet he gets called for "flooring" 6ft 6in built like brickshithouse defenders he's what 5'-6".  Noticed Frankie Lampards Japanese player got lots of calls.  Just the way it is, no conspiracy, just odd.