v Sheffield Wednesday (h) - 3/2/26 - 19:45 k/o

[rigger]

Was there really over 12 thousand on last night ?

[had.e.nuff]

1 hour ago, neophox said:

Afolayan will replace De Neve

im 68 and i could replace De NEVE

[Kjell]

I totally get people who have had enough of Cantwell and his potential; however, one of the key attributes of the next manager (and his team) must be to get the best out of the players we have.

For many of the players, that presumably means very simple, clear directions and playing on their, it must be admitted, few strengths.

When it comes to Cantwell, I don't know what the trick is. But there must be a trick. Somewhere. When he played his first 45 minutes for Rovers at Ewood against QPR, he was clearly rusty as hell, but his movement and vision were still better than anyone on the pitch.

Eustace even got a tune out of Gueye...

 

[Tomphil2]

People keep using the word potential in regards to Cantwell but he never really shows any.

Yes he's one of the only actual footballers we have but we can't keep having the team set up just for him to drift around falling over. We aren't making the best of what he might bring and he shouldn't be anywhere near the captaincy.

Edited 1 hour ago by Tomphil2

[roverandout]

Cantwell could orchestrate the philimonica orchestra he uses his arms that much 

[G Somerset Rover]

22 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

People keep using the word potential in regards to Cantwell but he never really shows any.

Yes he's one of the only actual footballers we have but we can't keep having the team set up just for him to drift around falling over. We aren't making the best of what he might bring and he shouldn't be anywhere near the captaincy.

Watching him last night, I genuinely don't know what he is any more. He's not even someone who can keep the ball ticking over nicely. A few nice touches here and there but that's quite literally it (although I will give him that chip for Jorgensen - it was delightful). Engine not good enough, doesn't get stuck in enough, falls over too much, too ponderous on the ball to progress attacks.

And as for him having the captaincy, he quite clearly isn't a guy for the trenches. The armband being on him really is testament to the season we are having.

Edited 1 hour ago by G Somerset Rover

[Kjell]

14 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

People keep using the word potential in regards to Cantwell but he never really shows any.

Well, even when he is at his worst, like yesterday, he still made the pass for Jørgensen's big chance, which I would claim that 90% of our players could not replicate if they tried ten times.

[Kjell]

2 minutes ago, G Somerset Rover said:

Watching him last night, I genuinely don't even know what he is any more.

Could it be that many of our players have lost direction a little bit under Ismael's period?

[Tomphil2]

1 minute ago, Kjell said:

Well, even when he is at his worst, like yesterday, he still made the pass for Jørgensen's big chance, which I would claim that 90% of our players could not replicate if they tried ten times.

Are we a team who can afford to carry one player in a system designed around him in return for one pass that carries a 25% chance of being converted into a goal ?

There ca n be a place for him but he has to be a cog in the wheel because he isn't the engine that drives it but that's how they try to do it.

[Exiled_Rover]

Please bring back Hedges so this message board has a worthy scapegoat again!

[Exiled_Rover]

3 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

Are we a team who can afford to carry one player in a system designed around him in return for one pass that carries a 25% chance of being converted into a goal ?

There ca n be a place for him but he has to be a cog in the wheel because he isn't the engine that drives it but that's how they try to do it.

You act like he just stands around waiting for the ball to get to him.

He runs his socks off and always shows for the ball. He put in multiple tackles yesterday too. I bet he won the ball back more than Baradji did last night (and that's not me slating Baradji - they just both play in midfield, hence the comparison).

[Neal]

All last night confirmed to me is how nailed on for relegation we are. We struggled and lacked confidence at home against a broken Sheffield Wednesday side, playing kids who at times dominated the game. 

 

Everyone else will comfortably beat us. 

[Kjell]

14 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

Are we a team who can afford to carry one player in a system designed around him in return for one pass that carries a 25% chance of being converted into a goal ?

No. What I mean is that a new manager needs to get our players to perform better, and for Cantwell, that would mean his general play must improve, AND that he produces passes like that.

A good manager with a good team can help with that. Eustace had a great management team, and we should bring in someone who knows how to build a similar structure around our team.

Edited 58 minutes ago by Kjell

[Tomphil2]

11 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

You act like he just stands around waiting for the ball to get to him.

He runs his socks off and always shows for the ball. He put in multiple tackles yesterday too. I bet he won the ball back more than Baradji did last night (and that's not me slating Baradji - they just both play in midfield, hence the comparison).

I don't act like anything so don't be a slapped arse because your favourite is getting some stick.

If he's so effective how come we aren't seeing anything come form it ?

Nobody has questioned his effort but the salient point is he's too lightweight to do what he's being asked - or more likely demands - to do.

He isn't Gazza he's a twig so why are they setting the team up for him to try and play like that ?

[jim mk2]

8 minutes ago, Neal said:

All last night confirmed to me is how nailed on for relegation we are. We struggled and lacked confidence at home against a broken Sheffield Wednesday side, playing kids who at times dominated the game. 

 

Everyone else will comfortably beat us. 

Assuming Gestede takes weeks if not longer to find another manager Johnson has a big job to do and could make a difference, and Scott Wharton back and playing well (and not getting injured again) will help, but the lack of quality and Championship experience will tell in the end.

I thought it looked a relegation line-up back in August and nothing has changed since. We are going down

 

[Ghost7]

17 minutes ago, Neal said:

All last night confirmed to me is how nailed on for relegation we are. We struggled and lacked confidence at home against a broken Sheffield Wednesday side, playing kids who at times dominated the game. 

 

Everyone else will comfortably beat us. 

My exact thoughts leaving the ground.

[London blue]

30 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Please bring back Hedges so this message board has a worthy scapegoat again!

A scapegoat is used to attribute blame for something going wrong.

We won last night and people are still unhappy with Cantwell. 

Let's not be silly.

[Tomphil2]

1 minute ago, London blue said:

A scapegoat is used to attribute blame for something going wrong.

We won last night and people are still unhappy with Cantwell. 

Let's not be silly.

Exactly.

I think what the reason is we think perhaps his talents on the ball could be utilised better and we should't be just relying on him every game to try and put in one killer pass.

Hopefully a new coach recognises this.

[London blue]

Agreed, though a few Rangers fans seem very unsurprised with the complaints headed his way.

He seems to need a lot of support to be able to excel. No wonder he's not getting it here.

[Tomphil2]

He's a good footballer no doubt and iv'e been impressed with his effort at times but he lacks the physicality to be a free roaming midfielder in this league.

I'd like to see his talents 'on the ball' be utilsed better.