v Norwich City (a) - 7/2/26 - 12:31 k/o

[Old Codger]

Norwich away is a long slog at the best of times, made even more so by a ridiculous choice of kick off time.

As many (although not that many to be fair) have already pointed out, the Canaries have picked up in recent weeks and will be looking to dispatch the Rovers without ceremony or concern towards the nether end of the table again. Whilst Damien Johnson's 18 minute cameo yesterday was very reassuring that there is something left of Rovers at the club, the reality is we are picking from a ragbag of misfits and half-hands assembled despite the best long term interests of Blackburn Rovers. Having watched the laboured and lacklustre effort on Tuesday evening, it is clear there is still a great deal of work to be done to weld the ragbag into anything resembling a competitive team. Far too many sub-standard individuals, show-ponies and headless chickens (pardon the crappy pun) to give any confidence that the departure of the latest fall guy is anything other than a planned and badly staged prop.

Hence it isn't a massive stretch to anticipate another salutory reverse at Carrow Road. Unless someone has sprinkled creative genius powder liberally on the half-time oranges during training, the likelihood is a long road home for all and sundry this afternoon.

Predictively speaking:

Canaries Crowing - Norwich 3 Rovers 0

Canaries Collapsing - Norwich 0 Rovers 0

Canaries Capitulating - Norwich 0 Rovers 2

I think we all feel the weight of expectation here pushes us towards the drop.

But feck it, of course. CARPE DIEM ROVERS!

COYB!

[alexanders]

Could look like Afolayan is starting  from the rovers pregame video

Edited 6 hours ago by alexanders

[davulsukur]

Looks like 4-2-3-1 still, with Alebiosu pushed higher up

[Ossydave]

Just now, davulsukur said:

Looks like 4-2-3-1 still, with Alebiosu pushed higher up

Lined up more 4-1-3-2 apparently in training. Tronstad being the 1.

[Tricky]

Like miller and alebiosu both playing 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

13 minutes ago, davulsukur said:

Looks like 4-2-3-1 still, with Alebiosu pushed higher up

Ohashi up front on his own is non starter for me. It hasn’t worked very well so far. Plus Alebiosu is a threat because he’s coming from deep. Putting him on the right wing won’t work in his favour.

Edited 5 hours ago by Tyrone Shoelaces

[roversfan99]

Yeah bit of a strange team. Be interesting to see Alebiosu further forward but coming from deep is how he impacts things. Seems like a case of wanting him in but not being prepared to drop Miller.

Shame Gudjohnsen isnt starting and hopefully Afolayan will at least come off the bench.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Offering little in attack.

[norwichblue]

can’t grumble too much with that team. Might have chosen gudjonson over Ohashi but otherwise 

[Tomphil2]

Interesting line up nice to see he might be trying something a bit different but i'm not confident of much today.

[Devon Rover]

Playing for a draw? Which would be an ok result. But I dont fancy that line up to get it. We need to concede zero to get anything, I think

[M_B]

Just looks like a back 5 to me with Alebiosu and Cashin wing backs. Looks a lot more balanced with Mclaughlin and Miller left and right of Carter. 

Soon find out I suppose. 

[alexanders]

10 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Yeah bit of a strange team. Be interesting to see Alebiosu further forward but coming from deep is how he impacts things. Seems like a case of wanting him in but not being prepared to drop Miller.

Shame Gudjohnsen isnt starting and hopefully Afolayan will at least come off the bench.

I think it is to be better in the press and get a better balance between defense and attack. Will be interesting to see. 
 

hopefully we will be more direct in the last part with Mori going inside threading Alebiosu with through balls between CB and Full back. The same on the other side with Cantwell threading through Ohashi. Or at least Mori and Yuki taking up positions which creates room for Baradji and Cantwell to thrive in. 

[ben_the_beast]

Weird team. The only thing which does give me a bit of hope is Johnson getting the team fighting for each other and the shirt again. Far more Labore than Arte. 

[M_B]

Just now, davulsukur said:

Strange to have 2 but one of those isn't Gudjohnsen 

Does make you wonder just how fit he is yet. 

[RevidgeBlue]

Very disappointing line up, however he picked an extremely weird team against Wednesday and got the result so here's hoping for a repeat.

[Kjell]

At least there are some players who can come off the bench....and make a...ehhh...positive impact?!?

[OsloRover]

11 minutes ago, Devon Rover said:

We need to concede zero to get anything, I think

Same as every other game then

[Waggy76]

22 minutes ago, norwichblue said:

can’t grumble too much with that team. Might have chosen gudjonson over Ohashi but otherwise 

Ohashi is very hard working ,runs his knackers off ,Gudjohnson is lazy  but his strength is in the 6yard box ( he probably isnt fit too )

Imo , neither are really good enough for the Championship ! 

But both are better than Jorgansen !

 

[davulsukur]

28 minutes ago, Ossydave said:

Lined up more 4-1-3-2 apparently in training. Tronstad being the 1.

Strange to have 2 but one of those isn't Gudjohnsen or even Jorgensen 

[RevidgeBlue]

What was the point in signing Afolayan?

[OsloRover]

4 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

What was the point in signing Afolayan?

Give it a rest. So what if it takes a few weeks to get him integrated, it’s like every other player.

[Exiled_Rover]

Gudjohnsen still not fit? Jorgensen dropped already?

[AspRover]

45 minutes ago, Ossydave said:

Lined up more 4-1-3-2 apparently in training. Tronstad being the 1.

Is Johnson going a bit Guardiola - Miller as an 'inverted full back' stepping up into midfield to form a double pivot with Tronstad and Alebiosu acting as a wingback down the right? Or I guess Carter stepping up when we are in possession ala John Stones and Miller tucking in to form a back three.

Ie. When defending

Toth

Alebiosu Miller Carter Mcloughlin Cashin

Tronstad

Morishita    Baradji  Cantwell

Ohashi

When attacking

Toth

Carter     McLoughlin   Cashin

Miller   Tronstad

Alebiosu        Baradji       Cantwell

Morishita  Ohashi

 

That might qualify as a 'very surprising line up'. Cantwell feels very shoehorned in though.

[RevidgeBlue]

5 minutes ago, OsloRover said:

Give it a rest. So what if it takes a few weeks to get him integrated, it’s like every other player.

What do you mean give it a rest?

If we're not prepared to play him, complete waste of money bringing him in. (Edit: Ditto Dennis and Woodrow 12 months ago.)

Ohashi needs replacing or an extended break at the very least.

 

Edited 5 hours ago by RevidgeBlue