v Derby County (h) - 8/11/25 12:30pm ko

[Gamst]

2 hours ago, RoversTilliDie said:

If he hadn't bought half our team, we wouldn't be in a relegation battle. Answer that one.

It’s pretty easy to answer. He is coaching another team and thinks the players we are willing to sell or let their contracts run down would help the team he’s now coaching. They’d have gone somewhere else if not Derby. If we’d paid players the going rate then they’d probably still be here! 

[RTM08]

46 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

As always with this board - quick to pounce on any negatives. Three wins on the bounce brushed away in an instant.

It's clearly somewhere in-between. There was too much turnover in the summer (due to cost cutting / selling assets / a new 'project' - however you / they want to define it), but at the end of the day the quality of the squad hasn't changed much.

Much like last year, we still lack depth. If four (or five - depending on what you think of Carter / Wharton) starting players were missing last year under Eustace we'd have struggled to get results too. 

We didn't lose any world beaters in the summer and we evidently didn't replace them with any either. 

To be fair, whilst happy with the results I was consistent in thinking that we didn't play particularly well in any of those wins. I think the quality of the squad is significantly worse - you say Eustace struggled with 4/5 players missing but we've been struggling even when those players have been available! 

Defence - significantly worse than last season. Alebiosu is clearly the best of the summer signings but I don't think he's necessarily better than Brittain, but anyone with a brain could see relying on Carter/Wharton was suicidal - especially when Miller isn't a CB (is barely a footballer) and McLoughlin is Jekyll and Hyde. De Neve has shown flashes in attack but I'm not convinced with him at the back. Carter and Wharton should be the starters but they're made of Weetabix unfortunately.

Midfield - I actually agree that Gardner-Hickman has been steady, though I think Travis has more about him but that is experience more than anything. The midfield last season wasn't great, but look at who we've brought in - Henriksson, Tavares, Morishita, Kargbo (I know in Jan but he basically didn't play) and the mysterious Baradji - they would struggle to get into most Championship team's reserves.

Forwards - I love Yuki's work rate, and he proved he can score when supported but what have we got otherwise?  Gudjohnsen scored a few tap-ins but other than that hasn't impacted any of the games I've seen positively, arguable at fault for the first yesterday and the Swansea winner at least. And the less said about Gueye the better. 

Honestly whilst depth is a big issue, I think that our first 11 being absolute bobbins is a bigger issue. Throw in a terrible manager and we're in for a rough December.

[Exiled_Rover]

22 minutes ago, sharpysharps86 said:

You know what, I wish Rovers were more like that than they are. They're too 'nice' and they're too soft. As a group of players there is no nasty streak in them to rile up opponents and get the fans on side.

As Roy Keane once said, "sometimes I might just smash into someone just to make me feel better".

 

There's a line though, isn't there? Derby went well beyond it yesterday - a decent ref would have stamped it out immediately.

Granted a decent ref would have given us a penalty at the end too, so there you go. 

[Mattyblue]

To be fair you denounce the opposition as being dirty (and the refs not noticing) every week - maybe that’s just the game and we need to get with it.

[Ghost7]

Can someone explain to me why on every Lewis Miller long throw, we don't have two of our stronger players aerially stood here where the Brighton players are or anyone in fact stood in this exact corner of the 6 yard box where the ball is likely to go?

Brighton are in the correct place for their throw trajectory and Palace are doing the same for theirs. Simple stuff.

[Kjell]

1 hour ago, Exiled_Rover said:

At the end of the day the quality of the squad hasn't changed much.

 

Why are we destined for a relegation fight then?

Far inferior manager?

[Kjell]

51 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

There's a line though, isn't there? Derby went well beyond it yesterday - a decent ref would have stamped it out immediately.

 

Dirtiest tackle yesterday? None came close to the one TGH got booked for.

[Bbrovers2288]

Did I just read somebody has seen something from henrikson? Imo the worst of the lot, only time I notice him playing is when he stupidly fouls someone, have never seen a more nothing of a footballer. Literally no attributes to make it, nothing, nada, zilch…

[Tomphil2]

22 minutes ago, Ghost7 said:

Can someone explain to me why on every Lewis Miller long throw, we don't have two of our stronger players aerially stood here where the Brighton players are or anyone in fact stood in this exact corner of the 6 yard box where the ball is likely to go?

Brighton are in the correct place for their throw trajectory and Palace are doing the same for theirs. Simple stuff.

Well it seems they've had to employ a specialist to teach them because there isn't enough collective brains there already to sort it out.

[roversfan99]

2 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

The jury is still out for me. I need to see more of them - realistically they should all be slowly being introduced into the side, rather than thrown in at the deep end. I've seen flashes from Henriksson, Gudjohnsen and Morishita, but we've also seen three players overwhelmed with the pace and physicality of the league. 

I think Alebiosu is better than Brittain - mostly because he's just a much better athlete and he's asked to patrol an entire flank on his own. Brittain couldn't get up and down like that and was often caught out for pace. 

I don't see much difference between Gardner-Hickman and Travis - both limited, but dogged footballers. 

Selling Hyam I'm ok with - I don't think McLoughlin is a worse player (and I think Miller is a better player) - but selling him and then shifting to 3 at the back is suicide long term. Not unless you recall O'Riordan or you really fancy Pratt / one of the U21 CBs (which they clearly don't). 

Tavares seems to be the only 'dud', but he also might just need time. Who knows what Schrodinger's Baradji will bring to the party, if he even ever plays for us. 

In no world is Hyam not better than both McLoughlin and Miller. McLoughlin struggled to regularly nail down a central spot and you can see why, Hyam was so steady, consistent and reliable. With Miller, its hard to nail down exactly what position he is best in. He is far more rash than Hyam, and he isnt as good with the ball at his feet. He has more power and is more athletic but isnt a better defender.

Travis is definitely far more effective than TGH.

I think De Neve and Henriksson are not far off Tavares levels. Just not up to standard. Miroshita and Gudjohnsen have shown glimpses that there could be a player in both once they have fully adapted, not seeing that with the first 3.

Alebiosu and Brittain are different types of full back/wing back, I would still have Brittain just ahead but Alebiosu has been a really good signing and replacement.

[broadsword]

19 hours ago, davulsukur said:

Fear not!

This Venky plant thinks we are getting promoted next season! (Probably from League One)

😂😂

It's been fifteen years of Jam tomorrow. 

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, Kjell said:

Why are we destined for a relegation fight then?

Far inferior manager?

That's part of it, yes.

The other part is asking 10 players to hit the ground running in one of the toughest leagues in the world. Even if you hit on all of them, which I don't think we have, it takes time to adapt and unfortunately points are being played for during that period.

[Exiled_Rover]

49 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

In no world is Hyam not better than both McLoughlin and Miller. McLoughlin struggled to regularly nail down a central spot and you can see why, Hyam was so steady, consistent and reliable. With Miller, its hard to nail down exactly what position he is best in. He is far more rash than Hyam, and he isnt as good with the ball at his feet. He has more power and is more athletic but isnt a better defender.

Travis is definitely far more effective than TGH.

I think De Neve and Henriksson are not far off Tavares levels. Just not up to standard. Miroshita and Gudjohnsen have shown glimpses that there could be a player in both once they have fully adapted, not seeing that with the first 3.

Alebiosu and Brittain are different types of full back/wing back, I would still have Brittain just ahead but Alebiosu has been a really good signing and replacement.

As usual we'll have to agree to disagree when it comes to talent evaluation.

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, Kjell said:

Dirtiest tackle yesterday? None came close to the one TGH got booked for.

That was just a late, clumsy lunge for the ball, no? Their #32 sized the Miller foul up - far dirtier.

[Kjell]

4 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

The other part is asking 10 players to hit the ground running in one of the toughest leagues in the world. Even if you hit on all of them, which I don't think we have, it takes time to adapt and unfortunately points are being played for during that period.

We can agree on this bit, which highlights how stupid this strategy was. Points - or the lack of those - can see us relegated.

I'll be genuinely surprised if four of our acusitions this summer turns out to be top half Championship players, but of course nothing is better than if we have a dozens of Alebiosus in disguise, waiting to be polished.

[Kjell]

8 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

That was just a late, clumsy lunge for the ball, no? Their #32 sized the Miller foul up - far dirtier.

I actually think TGH is decent as a player (lower Championship/top League One)  however I see nothing of Travis shithousery in him, only stuff that could be interpreted as late and/or dirty, and some stupidity that should've had him sent off (Sheff Utd).

[BRFC.]

5 hours ago, RoversTilliDie said:

If he hadn't bought half our team, the owners hired a competent manager, invested and gave a toss we wouldn't be in a relegation battle. Answer that one.

Fixed it for you 👍🏻

[London blue]

3 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

The jury is still out for me. I need to see more of them - realistically they should all be slowly being introduced into the side, rather than thrown in at the deep end. I've seen flashes from Henriksson, Gudjohnsen and Morishita, but we've also seen three players overwhelmed with the pace and physicality of the league. 

The point being that it's RG's suicidal transfer policy/ejecting of those rocking the boat that means these players who aren't yet up to Championship standard are expected to immediately make an impact on the first team.

And yes, I'd have Batth back in an instant, given that yesterday Hedges played CB.

[BRFC.]

3 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Derby were dirty as hell yesterday. Pushing, pulling and obstructing (their no.6 twice made a beeline for Ohashi on a break and blocked him like they were playing American Football) their way through the game.

Their #32 pussied out of a 50/50 with Miller then disgustingly swiped at Miller's feet once he'd got the ball under control - he got a yellow, but there was zero intent to play the ball and it was an incredibly cowardly act designed purely to hurt our player. 

How dare derby not let us walk all over them, disgusting from derby county yesterday. Truly awful.  

[neophox]

We have to recall O'Riordan...why do we recall party ahead of him?

[neophox]

Brittain better than Alebiousu ..yes over the years he was here I would say Alebiousu has shown more in the 15 so games played for Rovers.

[Exiled_Rover]

9 minutes ago, BRFC. said:

How dare derby not let us walk all over them, disgusting from derby county yesterday. Truly awful.  

Last reply in this thread: I watch Rugby League and American Football.

If I wanted to watch players wrestle and block, I'd watch a match from those sports.

I don't watch football to see players two handed push players in the back, pull shirts and literally make a beeline for a player in the open field and shoulder charge them to block their run. Each to their own I guess - if that's counted as rolling over then fair enough, it's clearly not the sport for me anymore. 

[neophox]

Think losing Toth will cost us.

We need a new goalie in the next window. 

[Hasta]

8 minutes ago, neophox said:

We have to recall O'Riordan...why do we recall party ahead of him?

According to a poster on the other thread, you can’t recall a player on loan to another EFL club until the next transfer window. That doesn’t apply if they are at a National League club.

[Guy N. Cognito]

1 minute ago, neophox said:

Think losing Toth will cost us.

We need a new goalie in the next window. 

Definitely. Gianluigi Buffoon can't be relied on.