v Watford (h) - 24/1/26

[RoversTilliDie]

12 hours ago, TheKitGuy said:

Cantwell has said the pitch was poor today

I said it weeks, and weeks ago, could the poor pitch be to blame for our dressing room full of injuries. I've noticed a lot of injuries on the Ewood pitch, happening to opposing teams.

[RoversTilliDie]

I think Ismael lied on his CV, when he got the job at Ewood park, I'm a football manager. Ha Ha what a joke.

[...]

2 minutes ago, RoversTilliDie said:

I think Ismael lied on his CV, when he got the job at Ewood park, I'm a football manager. Ha Ha what a joke.

As did the people that employed him

[joey_big_nose]

3 hours ago, Torgeir said:

He’s played with a lot of intent this season. I just hope him and Tronstad can stay fit. 

As for LWB it’s obvious that we’re going to sign Hedges for another season and that they won’t sign another backup unless de Neve is sold. I for one hope we’re not too locked in the 3-5-2 system but play whatever formation ensures we field our best eleven on the day. Our squad lacks depth and we have to avoid playing our reserves out of position if we can.

 

Id aim to get back to the 352 personally, it suits us when everyone is fit. Just been stupid we have stuck with it without Alebiouso, Hedges, Gudjonsen.

We absolutely have to sign a left wing back. But I can see the money men saying - quite logically - that we have to shift two out of Riberio, Pickering and De Neve first.

[Tomphil2]

1 hour ago, ageoftherover said:

How many "good teams" are there in this division though? We beat Hull handily earlier in the year, Millwall handily a month ago and were 10 minutes off knocking off Ipswich. These are the 3rd, 4th and 5th best teams so far this year. Outside the top 2, everyone appears vulnerable on their day. Whether we get our shit together quickly/well enough to capitalise on that is another question.

You do feel that one or two sides we've had in the past would be right up there this year it's a poor league at the top though same as always in the rest of it.

Christ knows how Preston are up there they are shite and Millwall also.

Had we kept Eustace and that squad even with a couple of cheap additions we'd be up there again i'm sure.

But in typical Venky fashion another great opportunity thrown away so the agents can earn their corn.

[RoverCanada]

12 hours ago, Torgeir said:

Particularly impressed by Cashin today. Takes some mental strength to bounce straight back after the start he had. Used his body well to make up for his lack of of pace. Must be on the same diet as John McGinn. 

Granted that Birmingham fans didn't rate him and he obviously had a horrorshow in his league debut for us, but a) he was decent in the FA Cup vs Hull (I thought the only positive from that game was our defensive showing!), b) maybe they made a mistake, but if a well-run club like Brighton thought he was worth £9m+ only a year ago, surely there's a player in there... Were Derby fans surprised that Brighton signed him/paid that much?

May be harsh on Pratt, whose been a nice surprise, but may make sense if they're finding him a L1/L2 loan.

I've also been pleased to see Atcheson generally do ok in his first appearances, but he's still only 19 and you could tell he was knackered by the end of the Ipswich and Swansea games (couldn't understand why VI didn't think to sub him after ~75min in both games...)

[alcd]

4 hours ago, Torgeir said:

He’s played with a lot of intent this season. I just hope him and Tronstad can stay fit. 

As for LWB it’s obvious that we’re going to sign Hedges for another season and that they won’t sign another backup unless de Neve is sold. I for one hope we’re not too locked in the 3-5-2 system but play whatever formation ensures we field our best eleven on the day. Our squad lacks depth and we have to avoid playing our reserves out of position if we can.

 

There's no sign that Hedges will sign a contract extension and he certainly won't after relegation when the wage will be further reduced. 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

28 minutes ago, RoverCanada said:

Granted that Birmingham fans didn't rate him and he obviously had a horrorshow in his league debut for us, but a) he was decent in the FA Cup vs Hull (I thought the only positive from that game was our defensive showing!), b) maybe they made a mistake, but if a well-run club like Brighton thought he was worth £9m+ only a year ago, surely there's a player in there... Were Derby fans surprised that Brighton signed him/paid that much?

May be harsh on Pratt, whose been a nice surprise, but may make sense if they're finding him a L1/L2 loan.

I've also been pleased to see Atcheson generally do ok in his first appearances, but he's still only 19 and you could tell he was knackered by the end of the Ipswich and Swansea games (couldn't understand why VI didn't think to sub him after ~75min in both games...)

You’ve been playing centre half in lads football and all of a sudden you’re  pitch forked into a really tough physical league. You’re going to be running on your tongue in the last 20, 25 minutes.. Plus, like Litherland, you’re expected to play wing back, probably the most up and back running you’ve ever done. Three good lads there that should be first teams before too long.

[Torgeir]

39 minutes ago, alcd said:

There's no sign that Hedges will sign a contract extension and he certainly won't after relegation when the wage will be further reduced. 

Of course he will.  

[Torgeir]

1 hour ago, RoverCanada said:

Granted that Birmingham fans didn't rate him and he obviously had a horrorshow in his league debut for us, but a) he was decent in the FA Cup vs Hull (I thought the only positive from that game was our defensive showing!), b) maybe they made a mistake, but if a well-run club like Brighton thought he was worth £9m+ only a year ago, surely there's a player in there... Were Derby fans surprised that Brighton signed him/paid that much?

May be harsh on Pratt, whose been a nice surprise, but may make sense if they're finding him a L1/L2 loan.

I've also been pleased to see Atcheson generally do ok in his first appearances, but he's still only 19 and you could tell he was knackered by the end of the Ipswich and Swansea games (couldn't understand why VI didn't think to sub him after ~75min in both games...)

We get in huge problems when we fill our backline with players who can’t place a pass. Atcheson among others have ways to go in that respect imho. 

[sharpysharps86]

Thinking ahead to the Hull game next weekend, I'm not expecting any further incomings before this game as deadline day is the following Monday, but if Gudjohnsen is back then Ismael has a big decision to make on system.

I think Gudjohnsen needs to play with a strike partner to be properly effective. His partnership with Ohashi was showing potential before his injury, whereas leading the line on his own he is way more isolated and ineffective. His goals started coming after the switch in system.

The problem is that LWB spot.