Jump to content

BRFCS

BY THE FANS, FOR THE FANS
SINCE 1996
Proudly partnered with TheTerraceStore.com

Atko's Engine

Members
  • Posts

    1336
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    2

Everything posted by Atko's Engine

  1. His time with us was in my early days of watching Rovers so I don't remember much of his time with us, but it's a very sad day. MN is a horrible disease but he did a lot to raise awareness & funds for further much needed research, to his enormous credit. An ex teacher of mine had it, everyone feared him but to see how quickly his health deteriorated following diagnosis will stick with me. Thoughts are with all those who knew Lenny, may he rest in peace.
  2. Time for Ash Phillips to show us what all the fuss is about it seems... we'll be right behind you lad, do us all proud. And search youtube for Phil Jones v Drogba for invaluable lessons on how to handle yourself as a youth in a man's game. 👍
  3. Great post and I agree with all it says, and endorse the management style that JDT is adopting & appreciate the knowledge of other posters about where it comes from, how it ut implemented & how it breeds confidence & togetherness. I also however think the last paragraph was unnecessary. Can we not just appreciate JDT without denigrating TM and his "worshippers"? It's not a fair comparison for a start. The core of your post is how the structure is better, with JDT being just a part of that and who is effectively replaceable if he leaves or is poached. TM didn't have the benefit of that structure, he was not able just to concentrate on being head coach, he had to wear other hats too. Imagine the grief he would've got when asked about transfers if he'd replied "the club is working hard, you'll have to ask Steve." Also, the concern about who TM would be replaced with was entirely legitimate. It's widely accepted that the club was going down a different, long & winding path to appointing someone else until Gregg came on board. At least someone within the club realised it's structure needed improving. TM had taken us as far as he could. I was up for him leaving last summer, and he undoubtedly overstayed his welcome. But had he done we wouldn't have appointed GB or JDT. Overall TM did a very good job in helping bring the club back from the brink of oblivion and re-establishing some pride in difficult circumstances IMO, and was the major part in putting us in a position to be seen as an attractive project with solid foundations in the eyes of a young, up & coming ambitious head coach to pick up & run with under a new, fresh, modern and pro-active management structure.
  4. All the pressure should be on W Brom on Sunday. They're the ones who have an established manager with a proven track record at this level, with a large & expensively assembled squad (comparitively) with expectations internally & externally of a top 2 finish. They'll be coming here knowing that they lack firepower & if they lose, they'll be 7 points off top spot already with no wins in 3 matches. They'll also be unsure of what to expect from us due to the radically different approaches we've taken to each match under JDT. We on the other hand have nothing to lose. We're 2 wins & clean sheets in with a young, light squad that is playing confidently, at pace & without fear for 90 mins. No-one externally expects us to challenge the top 6, and even internally there's an understanding that this season is mainly likely to be a transitional one. So Rovers can just go out & enjoy themselves, put in a disciplined & committed performance & not worry too much about the outcome. I gonna go for an entertaining 2-1 Rovers win, BBD & Hedges the scorers.
  5. This implies that there's such a thing as a good home Burnley shirt... steady on!
  6. Please, let's have Van Den Berg in quickly to: A - be available for Sunday; B - update the thread title, which is starting to look outdated; and C - to save this thread from itself!!
  7. If he's going to be second choice (which it seems he is, whether we think he should be or not), I'd rather he was as prepared as possible to step in at the deep end if needed. To me, that means playing in relatively low jeopardy matches like at home to Hartlepool in the Carabao Cup.
  8. Both fair points re Pears, but presumably he is considered as TK's understudy having been named as sub keeper in JDT's first 2 squads, would be bizarre to then choose Hilton over Pears for a 1st round cup game v lower league 2 opposition. Also, remember that before the Wigan fiasco, he had looked fairly handy (pun intended) & was an important part of the 6 game run of clean sheets.
  9. Pears has to play. I get all the arguments not to, but as our 2nd keeper he needs minutes in case Kaminski gets injured or suspended. He must be able to perform capably v the likes of Hartlepool... JRC right back, Edun LB, Phillips & Scott W as CBs; not many alternatives really in those areas. Garrett, Morton & A Wharton as CMs, Dack as a roaming 10 with Markanday & Vale up top. Quite short & narrow, but Markanday & Vale have enough pace to stretch the opposition for Dack to fill in the hole. That means a mainly experienced bench, with gaps for a couple of others like Butterworth, Burns etc.
  10. Didn't see the game as I don't get to away matches but it really does sound like JDT knows his stuff. He's putting his words into action and clearly getting his ideas across to a team willing to buy into them. Hedges looks like he could be a real positive, I thought he showed snippets last season, had a good game v QPR & was instrumental yesterday. The major concern for me (as in, I don't see the Dack situation as being worrying yet, and am confident JDT & GB can bring the right players in to bulk up the team), is BBD. He suits JDT's tactics perfectly & clearly is still enjoying himself here. I can understand why he might not want to sign a new deal but if the owners are happy to take the risk of losing him for nothing whilst also missing out on promotion (which is worst case scenario) then I hope it is done so with their eyes fully open to the potential consequences & with the full support of JDT.
  11. Top post, I'm really enthused by what JDT is putting together. Another couple of wins & 2 or 3 new men in before September & the future looks much brighter than it has for a decade.
  12. Iirc similar things were being said about Armstrong when Graham & Dack were banging in the goals; and then about BBD when Armstrong was banging in the goals. Gallagher scored 7 league goals last season in 30 apps (as many as BBD the season before), mostly whilst playing wide right. If he is part of a functioning & fluid front 4 (as seems to be the plan) and can be available most of the season, he's more than capable of comfortably doubling that goals tally; he wasn't far off that when he played for us under Coyle in fact. Hopefully this season can be when he comes into his own & we are all thankful that he signed a contract extension come next May.
  13. Accy Stanley have something decent brewing in the women's game too. My 17y/o niece plays for their open age women's side, about 4 divs below Rovers Ladies but seem to be investing a lot of time & effort into them. I've seen a few games these last 12 months and there no shortage of ability on show. My niece would run rings around me if I gave her the chance (I wont!).
  14. We now have 8 interchangeable forwards of: Gallagher BBD / ANOther Vale Dolan Hedges Szmodics Dack Markanday It's reasonable to expect that as an average, each of those can score 6 goals across 46 games (i.e. 48 goals). Add in another 15 from midfield, defence and og's, that's 63 goals. Last season we scored 69 goals, conceding 59. It's the 59 figure that most needs addressing, but if that can be reduced by 10 and we can match last season's goals scored tally, that will see us top 6. I know that's rather a simple way of looking at things, but I don't think it ought to be considered unachievable with the right investment in defence this window.
  15. Well worth watching on the iplayer, great little piece and definitely something the club should be crowing about loud & proud. I really enjoyed what I watched of the Euros, inc the whole of the final. I felt the quality on show was really good, & the goal made at Rovers was top drawer. Women's football really is going places, we should get right to the forefront of it & this is a great springboard.
  16. Don't know much about either of today's signings but GB and JDT do seem to have a plan and some thought has gone into the benefits of each addition both in the short & medium term. We've now brought in 2 perms with hopefully their best years ahead of them, who have decent (and recent) championship experience. They bump the average age up a little but still have plenty to give. I know both were in relegated teams last season, but most players have that on their CV's at some point so I'll not hold that against them. Am interested to see how TM (mark II) and SS settle in, & who next follows them in through the door. Hopefully, those concerned about numbers & lack of funds are having their fears allayed somewhat.
  17. Totally. A much better explanation than my bumbling attempt above!!
  18. Great to be back at Ewood today, though it certainly didn't feel like a July opening fixture! Good to see Amstel on draft in the Riverside, good service & a lick of paint in the bar booth, and a new playlist for the season inc (love it or loathe it) classic track of thunderstruck!! As for the game, it was a tentative opening half hour in which we eased ourselves into the game with some neat one-twos amongst the front 4. Nothing much to get the juices flowing besides a couple of midfield challenges that nearly resulted in a red for JB; the ref was clearly going to show a yellow until he realised it was Buckley. IMO the ref took sympathy on him as he realised the first booking was a little harsh, given that it came after he'd allowed a silly advantage moments earlier which we quickly lost & left Buckley exposed. They hit the bar on 25, but then we started a bit if a head of steam. We perhaps went ahead alittke ubndeservedly given the balance of play up to that point, but what a strike, worthy of winning any match! I hope Trav doesn't keep trying to repeat that..... Shortly after, a thunderbolt from BBD followed a nice move, which their keeper did we to react to, and we finished the half strongly. 2nd half, besides TK having a wobble, we dominated the game & created some good half chances without really threatening to add to our lead. Most QPR attacks were snuffed out before they reached our defensive third, but not surprisingly we tired a little & could've done with a couple of pairs of fresh legs. TK - 6 - didn't have much to do but looked solid & commanded his area well. One scary kick at start if 2nd half that could've proved costly. Brittain - 7 - solid debut, clearly has an attacking mindset but also did well defensively & stuck to his task well. Doesn't seem to know when he is beaten & didn't give up when he was passed. Pickering - 5 - our poorest performer I think. Plenty of misplaced passes & showed no attacking impetus, esp in first half. His lack of pace was evident defensively too. We need an upgrade. Ayala - 7 - solid, esp 2nd half. Composed, dealt with everything he needed too. Class at this level, when fit. Wharton - 7 - great foil for Ayala, and played similarly competently. Will have tougher afternoons, but a very solid season opener. Travis - 8 - did everything that Travis does, niggles, harries, frustrates, often unnoticed, but what a scorcher of a goal that certainly will get him noticed. I watched JDT celebrate & he loved it! Buckley - 7 - would've been 8 but for nearly getting sent off. I like to think he assured JDT at half time that he could trust him not to risk a 2nd booking, as 2nd half he was composed & at the beginning of most forward exploits. Will be a key player this season. Hedges - 7 - worked v hard, has a decent footballing brain on him but didn't quite a come together for him. Showed some neat touches & good interplay, and certainly suits a pressing game. Vale - 6 - a decent full debut, showed some good touches & link up play but didn't really get an opportunity to show his best off. Deserves more game time. BBD - 7 - epitomised Rovers generally as in a slow start but became more & more influential as the game wore on. Occupied QPR's defence well, drew fouls, linked up well with those around him. Definitely seems happy, but he needs to sign a new contract or move for a decent fee. Gallagher - 5 - worked hard as always, but was generally ineffective & often clumsy in possession. I'm a fan of his overall, but this was the type of performance that his detractors could rightly point to as evidence that he should do better. Dolan - 7 - was busy and at it from his introduction. Can't be easy to defend against when introduced an hour in. Drew fouls, harried & chased. Was a bit silly / naive to be caught needlesslt offside in the build up to BBD's disallowed goal. Overall, a decent start and one which bodes well. New starters are needed no doubt as the squad is too thin, and there will be much tougher opponents than a surprisingly toothless QPR. But today showed to me that we have 13/14 players good enough to compete well in this division, certainly until the transfer window closes which affords our new management & recruitment staff time to work on ensuring we get the right new arrivals in. Nice to see JDT's enthusiasm, whilst also keeping it fairly low key. Nice touch to join the players at the end to applaud the crowd. I'm quietly confident this could be the beginning of something that we can all buy into...
  19. Fair enough, but my point still stands that there's a risk & reward situation for the club to carefully balance, in terms of making sure that what's attractive to one player in Phillips doesn't alienate half a dozen or more others.
  20. I think there's too much speculation as to what to read into our current situation, but I can almost guarantee that it's not black and white in terms of the club is set up for progressing, or for relegation. There are many who, understandably, point to the failure to persuade Lenihan, Rothwell or Nyambe to stay. Time will tell on whether or not they turn out to be wise decisions, but for each of those that have left there are other first teamers who were offered & have accepted new deals (Kaminski, Buckley, Travis, Gallagher, perhaps even Dack although his situationwas different). Are they any less important to the team than DL, JR or RN, if used properly? Imo no they're not, but the fact that they're staying shows the taps have been neither fully on nor fully off. The lack of incoming transfers is a concern, but then appointing GB & JDT (who undoubtedly have up & coming reputations given their successes at Bodo Glimt & Malmo respectively, and appear to have a real positivity about their approach) doesn't equate to the taps being turned off. JDT has identified who he wants & GB has said there's a healthy budget, so let's see the proof in the pudding before either pronouncing the window as a failure or a success. Even then it won't be clear; remember season before last when it was almost universally felt we'd had a good window (Holtby, Douglas, Trybull etc.) but we finished a paltry 15th. Last summer it was almost universally felt we'd failed in the transfer window, yet were 2nd at Christmas & finished our highest position since relegation (albeit disappointingly). So nothing is black & white, nothing is guaranteed. I'm not against speculation, but especially under this new structure it's a bit foolhardy imo to be concluding that we're fooked just because we haven't paid average players like DL or RN what they wanted so they have signed for clubs who finished below us last season, under an average (at best) manager.
  21. On the Ash Phillips debate of do we pay him 3-4 times his current deal / the amount his peers are receiving due to his huge potential, isn't he effectively the modern day equivalent to Marlon Broomes? Wasn't he touted as future potential England captain material, when we were in the PL, for a long while? What happened to him? Plenty of players early in their careers get touted as the next bobby Moore, the next Gascoigne (Makel), the next Shearer, yet go on & schieve nothing like that. I've never seen Phillips play so this us no sleight on him, but I can see why the club might not want to pay him as much as a top prem club can afford to piss down a drain. Is it worth upsetting the other players so much, and is it best for Phillips' career? Too much money too soon? Surely it's better to try to persuade him for footballing reasons, pathway to the first team etc.?
  22. I agree, so why is GB getting such heat from quite a few on here against this background, none of which is of his doing? He's playing a massive game of catch up against our rivals, both in terms of timing and financially, as admitted by him on day one. Don't forget we also lost a newly recruited member of the analytics team in tragic circumstances; that's going to have an impact both emotionally and practically. Let's get things in perspective here. Surely the bloke needs to be left alone t o do his job.
  23. I think he was when he stated "judgment begins on day one"!! Proper Dickensian stuff that!! And besides, isn't it true that the first thing GB did was approach JDT with the chance to be head coach here? I don't see that as a bad 1st box ticked so far, and probably the first bit of creative & progressive thing that's happened her since V's arrived!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.