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

[Athlete]

3 hours ago, Tomphil2 said:

I'll say it again, the orders in regards to using players is coming from above it doesn't matter who is on the touchline.

Maybe not in regards to setting the team out and tactics on the day but everything else is a blue print being followed.

Thought that for awhile has some team selections bit bizarre

 

Did VI disobey his superiors with the side at Swansea ?

[Hasta]

3 hours ago, Leonard Venkhater said:

Not really. The one that hit the post came straight out to their player and our defender lost his footing for the second.

Having said that, we showed absolutely nothing-zilch-up front...One goal to the opponents and we are done.

Here's the ball hitting the post. The goalscorer is the guy behind Miller. He wasn’t running past him at the time. His reaction to the ball coming back out was far better than Miller. That's not luck.

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Hasta

[John]

Our attacking play is painfully poor - no creativity, no cutting edge, and not enough quality to create chances.

Along with individual errors defensively, it has all the hallmarks….

Really frustrating performances from Yuki, Morishita and Baradji (and others).

I would be starting Gudjohnsen, given he’s scored some goals this season. 

Honestly not sure any new coach / manager can come in and keep us up with this squad. We look down and out. 

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, arbitro said:

Another disappointing result on the road again but I wasn't entirely disenchanted with the performance as I was at Ipswich and Swansea. 

The game had 0-0 written all over it and I really felt comfortable and the draw was certainly achievable. The turning point was taking Carter off for me. The 66th minute was far too early given how he was playing and he didn't look tired in any way. He was pretty much the rock at the back so we were really surprised that he was taken off so early. I also struggled with taking Miller off and putting Alebiosu back to right back. Neither were needed in my opinion.

I do wonder how much the medical and sports science staff played Carter going off. In the ground we were really surprised. I was told on the train home from other Rovers supporters that Carter looked really dispirited to be taken off.

Along with Carter I thought Miller, Cashin and Tronstad were outstanding but once again Cantwell was largely a passenger. He was better today than he has been recently but still isn't doing anywhere near enough in my view. We don't have much pace in the team but when Cantwell is on the ball it really slows down to his pace.

Clearly scoring goals is a problem going forward and it will be a real conundrum going forward for the new manager. He will have to somehow get the right formula of players to get these otherwise we will go down. For me that's the stark reality.

A big difference to Ipswich and Swansea was player availability.

We couldn't muster a shot on target and we pretty much have everyone available. At least in those 2 games, we could think that we need to get players back to improve.

Cashin and Tronstad are really standing out at the moment. Sadly neither will be here next season but you wouldn't know.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

A game of fine margins - but ultimately our toothless attack continues to hold us back.

Personally I would drop Cantwell - at the end of the day what is the point of a creative player if he creates very little. Baradji (though I thought he had a poor game today) offers far more athletism in the number 10 role. Then bring in Gardner Hickman or Montgomery to play alongside Tronstad.

 

[OsloRover]

What can a new manager really do with the players we have available?

Wharton is out.

De Neve, Tavares and Henriksson aren’t up to the required standard and shouldn’t play.

O’Riordan has promise, but is not ready yet and shouldn’t play.

Ohashi has gone completely off the rails and shouldn’t start.

Cantwell while technically our best player is incredibly ineffective and shouldn’t start.

Baradji is great in flashes but wildly inconsistent and shouldn’t start.

Kargbo injured, when he eventually comes back to full fitness he shouldn’t start.

Morishita isn’t bad but too lightweight and shouldn’t start.

McLoughlin and TGH can do in a pinch but aren’t good enough as first choice regulars.

Ribeiro and Pickering are both decent players but doesn’t fit the system and they can’t both play.

That’s 14 players from our 25 not fit to start. 11 left, two of which are goalies (both of whom are decent to be fair).

To get the numbers to add up we must change the system to allow our left backs back into the fold. That leaves us with exactly enough (10) of our best outfield players. The result is this:

                      Toth/Pears

Miller    Carter  Cashin  Pickering/Ribeiro

Alebiosu  Tronstad  Forshaw  Olefyanu

       Jørgensen   Gudjonsson

I’m not convinced that team will score many, but at least it looks defensively solid.